|
Printer-friendly file. Adjust window for viewing. |
Wethersfield.Net
|
Botm Home Back Print |
Central Connecticut Health District Bulletins and Alerts....Click on title
Wed. Mar.22: - Rx Drug Counseling - in Wethersfield: The Central Connecticut Health District and the Wethersfield Senior Center are sponsoring a prescription drug counseling program for residents of the Health District. The program sessions offer individualized drug counseling and provide information about supplements and over the counter drugs. Participants can discuss their medications in a confidential, one-on-one session with a pharmacist, who will provide information about the best way and time to take particular medications, drug interactions, vitamin supplements, possible side effects, and potential alternatives such as the use of generic medications. Pharmacist John F. Aforismo, of RJ Health Systems, Inc., in Wethersfield conducts the counseling sessions free of charge. The program is held the 4th Wednesday of each month. The next date is on MAY, 24; from 10:00 a.m. to noon in the Room F-1 at the Pitkin Community Center, 30 Greenfield Street, Wethersfield. Appointments are required: Call CCtHD at (860) 721-2822 <Top> MAR.14: Monthly Blood Sugar Screening: The Central Connecticut Health District and "Wethersfield Health Care" have teamed up to offer a new health screening program to residents of Wethersfield, Rocky Hill, and Berlin who are at least 65 years. A community health nurse will conduct free blood glucose screenings monthly in each town. The test takes only minutes. You will have an opportunity to discuss the implications of any reported, elevated values. Screenings will be conducted on the:
Winter '05-06: Protect Your Loved Ones With Smoke Alarms: Just recently, several stories appeared in the news media about a type of tragedy that occurs all too often throughout the year, but is even more poignant during the holiday season: fires in people’s homes. In one incident, a fire in a three family dwelling left the occupants, including at least 7 children, homeless just before Christmas. Fortunately, everyone survived. The U.S. Fire Administration reports that the number of daily fires increases during holiday periods, injuring 2,600 Americans and causing $930 million in damages. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, the single most important means of preventing death and injury from fires in dwellings is an early warning signal, allowing the occupants to escape the fire. Smoke alarms provide this warning. a functioning smoke alarm system reduces the risk of dying by 50%. At this time of year, kitchens are busy with holiday cooking, a fire in the fireplace provides a cozy atmosphere, and decorations like candles, wreaths, and Christmas trees brighten our surroundings, but all contribute to a higher risk of residential fires. Since the winter holiday season is a long one, it makes sense that National Smoke Alarm Day occurs in December. This year, it is December 28th. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) reports that the “vast majority” of fatalities from fire are the result of residential fires; in 2/3 of those fires, smoke alarms were either missing or not functioning. According to the FEMA report, 2,500 children and 2,300 senior citizens were injured or killed in home fires in 2002. In all, 3,700 people died and over 20,000 others were injured by fires that year in the United States, revealing one of the highest per capita death rates from fire in the industrialized world. Residential fires kill not only the occupants of the buildings, but cause the deaths of many firefighters as well. On average, 100 firefighters die in the line of duty each year—in 2004, 117 died in fires in 41 states. As of 1995, an estimated 93% of all American homes contained smoke alarms. However, unless a sufficient number of alarms are positioned properly and are functioning, protection from fire is not adequate. The important points to remember about smoke alarms are - Smoke alarms should be installed on every level of the dwelling, including the basement. Special attention should be given to sleeping rooms, kitchens, and the area round furnaces and heating sources.There are different types of smoke alarms, ranging in price from inexpensive to more costly depending upon the features offered. They can be purchased at hardware stores, department stores, supermarkets, drug stores, and even some convenience stores and on the internet. Make sure the alarm is loud enough to wake you from a deep sleep. If everyone had the benefit of a functioning smoke alarm system, the risk of dying would be reduced by 50%. But installing smoke detectors is just the first step in surviving a fire; once the early warning signal goes off, occupants of the dwelling should have escape plans and meeting places established in case the alarm warns of a real fire. For more information about smoke alarms and residential fires, contact the U.S. Fire Administration at 301-447-1000 (www.usfa.fema.gov) or your local Fire Marshal. Specific information about the types of smoke alarms that are available can be obtained from the Fire Safety Store at 724-966-8606 (www.detectorsandalarms.com), Keep Safe Systems at 604-874-8772 (www.theworkshop.net), and the Meeks Bay Fire Department at www.meeksbayfire.com . Additional information about this or other public health issues is available at the Central Connecticut Health District at 721-2822 (www.ccthd.org). <Top> Starting: March 1: Mammography Screening Program: The Central Connecticut Health District is pleased to announce a new screening program available to residents of Berlin, Rocky Hill, and Wethersfield. The Health District and Wethersfield Health Care Center are partnering with Hartford Hospital's mobile mammography program and the Partnership for Breast Health to provide convenient mammograms to screen for breast cancer. The Mobile Mammography service is a new addition to Hartford Hospital, transporting new state-of-the-art mammography equipment to local communities to provide convenient access to screening. The mammograms are then read by a mammography-certified radiologist at Hartford Hospital, where the films are stored. Women requiring further testing will be called and the reports will be sent to the woman's personal care physician. [Editor's note: The "films" may be signed out or copied for your physician's or a consulting surgeon's benefit, after calling to arrange it with the radiology department.] The Partnership for Breast Care can serve as the point of contact for women and men who need to see a specialist, to pre-register for and coordinate specialist visits and outpatient services, provide follow-up service, and act as an advocate for the individual. The screening will be held at the Wethersfield Health Care Center, 341 Jordan Lane, Wethersfield on Wednesday, March 1, 2006 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. On-site services include the screening mammogram, breast health education, and educational materials. [Editor's note: the mammograms are NOT necessarily "free" - an out of pocket cost might be incurred depending on your insurance "coverage" and other "qualifications"; be sure to ask about this when scheduling your appointment. Regardless, it is worth it!] Mammograms are covered by Medicare and most insurance plans and will be billed; other funds are available for women who are not insured and cannot afford a mammogram. Appointments are required. For further information or to schedule an appointment, call 545-1141, and specify that the call is regarding the "Wethersfield mammogram screening." Approximately 2,800 women in Connecticut are expected to be diagnosed with breast cancer this year. In our state, breast cancer is the number one cause of death for women between the ages of 40 and 55. Early detection increases the likelihood of curing breast cancer, and has been shown to decrease the mortality rate from this disease. This new year, consider getting a mammogram, it could save your life. [Editor's note: Consult with your physician about how frequently you should be "screened".] <Top>
|
||||||
|
Get copy of PDF file Reader |
© 2006 Wethersfield.Net |
Top Home Back Print |
|
Dr.Ken Sokolowski |
||