Health Uncle Early Edition:Mental Health

I will not be in on Friday,so I am publishing early.The state of mental health in America is not looking good at this point.There have been nine mass murders in the past month,many of them murder-suicides.Several of them were also committed by the unemployed.Surely the financial crisis is a factor in tipping people over the edge.No one should be complacent about their state of mind in this economic environment.You may be more troubled than you realize.Consider relaxing your own train of thought with the best spring break you can manage.Read a neglected book or go for that postponed walk.It doesn't have to be elaborate.Have a blessed holiday.

Leading Economist Looks Ahead

Nariman Behravesh,Chief Economist at Global Insight,has been evaluating where we are.We're facing a lot of headwinds,he pointed out.Employment and housing prices are still dropping.Consumer spending won't turn till Q3.The earliest Gross Domestic Product will turn is Q4.Exports and business construction won't turn till mid-2010.On the other hand,you're starting to get very mixed signals.This is an indicator of a turning point,Mr.Behravesh believes.A consensus seems to be forming that substantive recovery will occur late in 2009 or the first half of 2010.

The Nature of Progress

America and Europe must reach out to the vast majority of Muslims who seek only peace and a better life,President Obama thinks.We can't get there alone.Progress is slow;it comes in fits and starts.We've just emerged from an era of irresponsibility.It is a revolutionary world that we live in.We must renew this relationship for a new generation in a new century.I am confident we can achieve the promise of a new day,the President concluded.Wearing a gray suit,white shirt and light blue tie,the tall leader took questions from the audience at Rhenus Sports Arena bfore shaking hands with them to the accompaniment of "Stars and Stripes Forever."Not since President John F. Kennedy in the early 1960s has a president been so in touch with foreign crowds.The Europeans couldn't believe they got to greet Mr.Obama,congratulating each other on the singular occasion.

Security and Prosperity

I've come to Europe this week to renew our partnership,Mr.Obama continued.Together we must forge common solutions,he urged.America is changing,but it cannot be America alone that changes.All of us are moving forward.We are ushering in a new era of responsiblity.Trade wars have no victors.As we restore our common prosperity,we must stand up for our common security.Those terrorists of 9-11 are still plotting today.We have no interest in occupying Afghanistan.Now we need an alliance that is even stronger than when it brought down a mighty wall in Berlin.This is one of our central tasks.This is the generation that must also stop the pollution that is threatening our planet.We all know that time is running out.Let us meet that responsibiliy together.I am confident we can meet it,but we have to begin today,Mr.Obama feels.

A Drifting Alliance

The European Union buildings of Strasbourg were born of the blood of the first half of the 20th century,President Obama recalled.The Marshall Plan was an unprecedented effort that secured prosperity.Without firing a single shot,the NATO alliance would prevent the iron curtain of communism from descending across Europe.This generation cannot stand still.This is our generation;this is our time,and I am confident we can meet any challenge-as long as we are together.In recent years,we've allowed our alliance to drift.In America,there is a failure to appreciate Europe's leading role in the world.In Europe,there is an anti-Americanism that is casual,but can also be insidious.These attitudes are not wise;they do not represent the truth,the new president instructed.

Who Obama Is:Leading in Strasbourg

President Barack Obama was greeted enthusiastically by European young people at the Rhenus Sports Arena in Strasbourg,France.The president was in the middle of his first overseas trip since his inauguration in January.It's important to hear from you,the President said,not just speak to you.We stand at a crossroads.The same forces that have brought us closer together have also brought us new dangers,such as nuclear weapons.The pollution of cars from Boston or smokestacks in Beijing can reach other countries.The economic crisis is proving the fact of interdependence.There's certainly enough blame to go around,and the U.S. bears its share.The only way forward is by a persistent way to combat fear and want wherever they are found,Mr.Obama told the large assembly.

Health Uncle:Activity and Cancer

A survey of 52 different studies spanning a 20-year period by Washington University Medical School and Harvard University indicates that exercise,whether recreational or work-related,may lower your odds of getting colon cancer by up to 24%.A Japanese study echoed the finding.The Japanese researchers found that risk reduction is in proportion to the amount of exercise:the more active you are,the better.These researchers think that exercise may be beneficial because it strengthens the immune system,lowers body fat,and lowers levels of hormones responsible for tumor development.Consider taking the stairs to the office,instead of the elevator.It may protect your lower intestine,as well as fortify your heart.