REGIONAL HEALTH DIRECTORY DEBUTS IN PAPERS TODAY

The first annual Regional Health Care Directory is included in this edition of the Southeast Missourian. The directory also appears in today's edition of the Standard Democrat in Sikeston and the Daily American Republic in Poplar Bluff.

Fifty-three thousand issues of the 72-page, color-enhanced directory have been printed. Produced by staff at the Southeast Missourian, the directory is a comprehensive publication that provides vital medical and health-related information.

There is information on physical disorders -- symptoms, treatment and recovery -- and tips for healthy living.

Readers will also learn how to choose the right physician, how to apply first aid at home and how to take advantage of public health screenings.

There is a listing of regional health care professionals, several pages are devoted to defining medical specialties and subjects such as osteoporosis, Lyme disease, cancer and ulcers.

A resource guide tells readers where they can find informative advertisements placed by area providers.

Pat Zellmer, director of advertising, noting health care is a subject of major interest today, said there was a need for an easy-to-use-reference tool "that would highlight the many fine health care and health care-related services in our area.

The directory also contains a two-page, pull-out Family Medical Tree on which readers can register family medical history.