The American Osteopathic Association Shares Resources for "Spring Cleaning for Your Health"

CHICAGO, IL--(Marketwired - Apr 10, 2014) - The surrounding environment, even the inside of a home, can negatively impact a family's health. Threats may stem from a variety of factors, including indoor air quality, water purity, and exposure to toxins and chemicals. Fortunately, families can help prevent illness and injury by incorporating steps to make their homes cleaner, safer and healthier places to live.

In support of National Osteopathic Medicine Week 2014, which takes place April 13-19, the American Osteopathic Association (AOA), representing the nation's more than 104,000 osteopathic physicians (DOs) and osteopathic medical students, encourages you to set aside a few hours during one weekend this spring to take steps toward making your home a healthier place.

The AOA suggests getting started with a "Spring Cleaning for Your Health" Weekend Checklist:

• On Friday, schedule appointments you've been putting off with your primary care physician or specialist. Make a list of questions, including those about medications, vitamins and supplements, physical activity, and diet.
• Set aside time on Saturday to tackle household chores that will help make your home a cleaner, safer, and healthier place. Clean out the medicine cabinet and dispose of old medications and other expired products safely. Replace filters in heating and cooling systems, like your furnace. Wash window screens to remove pollen and mold, and vacuum or wash window treatments.
• Spend Sunday purchasing supplies or products needed to maintain a safe and healthy environment in your home, including medicines, first aid supplies, and sunscreen. Also consider purchasing plant-based cleaning products or making your own cleaning products to help minimize asthma or allergy symptoms.

As part of the "Spring Cleaning for Your Health" effort, the AOA is offering a number of resources, public education tools and ways to spread the word about making the home a healthier place!

• View and share the official AOA "Spring Cleaning for Your Health" public service announcement with friends and family.
• Tweet and share information on Facebook about "Spring Cleaning for Your Health".
• Download the AOA's "Spring Cleaning for Your Health" Weekend Checklist and Steps to Safe Medicine Disposal.

To find more information and tips, and to download online "Spring Cleaning for Your Health" tools from the AOA, visit:
www.osteopathic.org/springcleaning.
Like AOA on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/osteopathicphysicians
Check out AOA on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/user/americanosteopathic

What is a DO?
DOs are licensed physicians who can prescribe medication and practice in all specialty areas, including surgery, in the United States. They complete four years of medical school followed by graduate medical education through internship and residency programs typically lasting three to eight years. In addition, DOs receive extra training in the musculoskeletal system, providing them with an in-depth knowledge of the ways that illness or injury in one part of the body can affect another. As one of the fastest-growing segments of health care professionals in the nation, the number of DOs has grown more than 200% during the past 25 years.

About the American Osteopathic Association
The American Osteopathic Association (AOA) represents more than 104,000 osteopathic physicians (DOs) and osteopathic medical students; promotes public health; encourages scientific research; serves as the primary certifying body for DOs; is the accrediting agency for osteopathic medical schools; and has federal authority to accredit hospitals and other health care facilities. More information on DOs/osteopathic medicine can be found at www.osteopathic.org.