Health briefs/calendar 11/10/05

Briefs

Families should discuss their medical history

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services suggests that Thanksgiving, and other holidays where family members gather together, would be good time to share information about family health issues, past and present. Missourians should learn more about the diseases and causes of death affecting at least three generations of family members.

Family history is considered one of the most important risk factors for heath problems such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer and certain psychiatric disorders.

Family members also share environments, lifestyles and personal habits. All these components can be factors for disease. Knowing the risk of certain diseases can motivate individuals to be screened for those conditions and change unhealthy behaviors.

The Department of Health and Senior Services has prepared a family history tool kit to assist people in compiling the appropriate information. It is available upon request by calling (800) TEL-LINK (835-5465). It is also available online from the department's Web site at www.dhss.mo.gov/FamilyHistory/.

Applications accepted for MS Society scholarships

Applications for the 2006 National MS Society Scholarships are now available. The scholarship provides financial relief for people affected by MS who are entering their first year of post-secondary education. The non-renewable scholarships range from $1,000 to $3,000.

In 2005, 88 awards totaling $207,000 were given nationwide to people with MS or their children entering an accredited post-secondary educational program. Kari Ann Blagg of Cape Girardeau, a music education major at Freed Hardeman University in Henderson, Tenn., received a $3,000 MS Society scholarship in 2005. Her father is a retired minister who lives with MS.

Applications will be accepted between Jan. 1 and Feb. 16. To receive an application form call (800) 344-4867 or download one at www.nationalmssociety.org/Scholarship.asp.

Calendar

Today

Blood pressure screening at Main Street Pharmacy in Jackson, 9 to 10:30 a.m. For information, call 651-5825 or the pharmacy at 204-8252.

Infant massage, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., Meeting Room 102 near the lobby at Southeast Missouri Hospital. To register, call 651-5825.

Asthma education program, 6:30 p.m., Generations Center at Southeast Missouri Hospital. Advance registration required at 651-5825.

Seeds of Hope, 6 to 7:30 p.m., Saint Clare room at Saint Francis Medical Center. For information call 331-5118.

"Ask Your Doctor," a weekly call-in program on cable Channel 5, 8 to 9 p.m., where health-care professionals discuss medical issues. Dr. Tony Knox will discuss neurology. To phone in a question, call 334-3095.

Saturday

Heartsaver CPR, 8 a.m. to noon, Main Street Fitness Center in Jackson. For the general public, to register call 243-2211.

American Red Cross First Aid training, 1 to 4 p.m., Main Street Fitness Center in Jackson. To register call 243-2211.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm screening, 7 to 11 a.m. To schedule an appointment, call 331-3155.

Diabetes basic skills class, 8:30 a.m. to noon, Fitness Plus Conference Room. Physician referral required. For information, call 331-5897.

Monday

Fall Day Camp, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., to energize and challenge kids ages 6 to 13 who are out of school for a teachers' meeting in the Jackson school district. To register, call 243-2211.

Healthy Points, 6 to 7:15 p.m. HealthPoint Plaza. Topic: "Strategies for bringing families back to the table." For information, call 986-4400.

Tuesday

Explorer Post 4077, 7 p.m., Harrison Room at Southeast Missouri Hospital, for young people ages 14 to 21 interested in a career in medicine. Infection Control Nurse Manager Faith True will discuss the importance of infection control in the health care environment. For information, call 651-5825.

"Understanding Heart Failure," 6:30 to 8 p.m., Generations Center at Southeast Missouri Hospital. To register, call 651-5825.

-- From staff reports

Fibromyalgia Support Group, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., Fitness Plus Conference Room. For information, call 331-5880.

Wednesday

Living Well With Diabetes, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Physician referral required. Call 331-5897.

-- From staff reports