(NNPA)—More than 10 million children are sitting on the sidelines of kid-hood. Many have low expectations for everyday life. Their parents and caregivers—especially those in urban areas—watch as their children miss out on playing outside, struggle to get a good night sleep and fall behind at school. For these families, everyday routines are interrupted by doctor’s visits and trips to the E.R.

What is the culprit that slips into the lives of these families, that strips away the very makings of childhood, and leaves behind fear and anxiety in its wake?

Whether you smoke or not, you may already know that tobacco use is the single largest cause of preventable death in the United States, exceeding the death toll from HIV/ AIDS, substance abuse, motor vehicle accidents, suicide, and homicide combined, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In fact, an estimated one out of five deaths in this country are caused by cigarette smoking alone.

by Dr. Kevin Fenton

Of all races, African-Americans have the highest rates of HIV infection in the nation. Blacks make up just 14 percent of the U.S. population, yet account for almost half of those living and dying with HIV and AIDS in this country.

Within the Black community, the face of HIV is young and old, male and female, straight and gay. It is Black women in their 30s and 40s for whom AIDS is now the third leading cause of death. It is the Black youth of our country, many of whom will become infected before their 30th birthday. It is Black gay and bisexual men, who continue to be especially hard hit by HIV, accounting for more than 40 percent of new infections among African-Americans overall.

BLOOD DRIVE—Clayton Academy Blood Drive was hosted by the Central Blood Bank to educate students and the community on the importance of donating blood to saving lives. Clayton Academy school nurse Jazmine Garrett talks to Shay Hale, an education specialist. (Photo by Gail Manker)

Pancreatic cancer is not a new disease. It just so happens that it has received a lot of attention with the health battles of celebrities including actor Patrick Swayze and football great Gene Upshaw. Their struggle with pancreatic cancer has shed some light on the severity of this disease. Unfortunately, a lack of awareness of pancreatic cancer continues to exist.

In 2010, an estimated 43,140 new cases and 36,800 deaths from pancreatic cancer were predicted for the year. Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer death among men and women in the United States. This cancer is so deadly because it is usually not diagnosed until the disease has spread.