Tuesday, April 8, 2003
SARS case in Ohioreported by officials
COLUMBUS -- The Ohio Department of Health has identified the first suspected case of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in Ohio. The patient is a 39-year-old male from Shelby County who is recovering at home.
"We do not believe that the general public is at risk for infection of SARS. Individuals potentially at risk include health care workers caring for patients with SARS and close household contacts," Dr. J. Nick Baird, ODH director, said.
SARS was first recognized in Asia in February. As of Friday, there were at least 85 suspected cases in the United States and more than 2,200 worldwide. Symptoms include dry cough, fever of 100.4 degrees or higher, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing developing on or after Feb. 1, 2003, in people who have recently traveled or had close contact with those who have traveled to China or Vietnam.
Anyone who is experiencing these symptoms, has recently traveled to China or Vietnam or has had close contact to such people should seek medical attention and inform their doctors of their travel history, Dr. Baird said.
Kids in Hop-A-Thon
YOUNGSTOWN -- Some 80 children ranging in age from 18 months through kindergarten will have a Hop-A-Thon at 9:30 a.m. Friday at Zion Christian School, 3300 Canfield Road, to raise money for Muscular Dystrophy. The children will earn money for the number of hops they can do in two minutes. Call (330) 792-4066.
HIV consortium to meet
CANFIELD -- The Ryan White Consortium, a publicly funded planning body for HIV health care and support services in Mahoning, Trumbull, Columbiana and Jefferson counties, will meet from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Ursuline Center, 4250 Shields Road. Call (330) 743-3333.
Teen program gets grant
Teen Straight Talk has received a $2,000 grant from the Youngstown Foundation. Teen Straight Talk promotes sexual abstinence until marriage to young people in the Mahoning Valley. For additional information about Teen Straight Talk, call (330) 539-6040.
Diabetes class teachesself-management
SALEM -- Salem Community Hospital offers an Adult Diabetes Self-Management Program, which provides education and self-management training. The program, the cost of which is covered by Medicare and most health-care plans, includes four sessions conducted in a group setting over a four-six-month period. Individual counseling is also available on an as-needed basis; evening classes are offered; and a physician referral is required. For more information, call (330) 332-7302.
Villa Maria health session
VILLA MARIA, Pa. -- On May 1, from 6:30 to 8 p.m., EverGreen and Villa Maria Sister Services offer a session called "Breathing, Stretching, Walking: Bringing Spirit to Life" as part of their Complementary Health Series. No fee or registration are required. For more information, call (724) 964-8920.
St. Christine wellness fair
YOUNGSTOWN -- St. Christine Parish Jubilee Health and Wellness Fair offers free preventative health screenings Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. No appointments are needed. Also, the American Red Cross will conduct a blood drive during the fair.
The wellness fair aims to expand awareness of health-care providers and services and products from traditional and alternative medicine offered by about 60 health-care organizations. Attendees can address individual concerns with health-care providers, and there are hands-on displays, demonstrations and activities for the whole family. Free health and fitness screenings include skin and colorectal cancer screening, bone density testing, body composition analysis, hearing tests, blood sugar screening and blood pressure checks. There will be activities for children, including a clown, free pediatric asthma screening, child ID/fingerprinting, and child abduction prevention demonstrations. Free food and refreshments will be provided.
Dentistry research
PITTSBURGH -- Researchers from the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine, in cooperation with West Virginia University's School of Dentistry, have received a seven-year, $6.3 million grant from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research to determine factors that contribute to oral health disparities in Appalachia, the population of which has the worst oral health in the United States.
Researchers will evaluate patients in existing Rural Health Consortium Clinics in Webster and Nicholas counties in West Virginia. Information will be gathered from a cross-section of families from the area on health behaviors, economic status, family structure and family environment to determine if any of these factors affect oral health. Blood samples also will be taken to determine if there are any genetic factors that contribute to poor oral health.