Anti-tobacco grant

Anti-tobacco grant
YOUNGSTOWN -- Humility of Mary Health Partners is one of five major health systems in Ohio to receive part of a 1.8 million grant from the Ohio Tobacco Prevention Foundation to create a regional tobacco treatment center. The goal of the cessation center is to institutionalize and integrate the delivery of tobacco cessation services into health care systems, including creating processes to identify all tobacco users and provide counseling to quit; provide direct intensive cessation counseling in group and individual settings at no cost to the patient; and work toward third party payment for tobacco treatment.
AIDS program offered
NILES -- St. Joe's at the Mall is offering a program on HIV/AIDS in the Black Community from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on Jan. 13, conducted by Community Health Nurse Brenda Cook. In the United States, there are an estimated 1.2 million people diagnosed with HIV/AIDS, and some 51 percent of new cases are in the African-American community. For more information, call (330) 652-7542.
Long-term care coverage
According to a new survey conducted by AARP, one in three Ohioans age 45 and older thinks that their insurance policy covers them for long-term care services, when in reality fewer than 10 percent of adults nationwide have purchased long-term care insurance coverage. AARP Ohio's survey also found that most Ohioans seriously underestimate the cost of long-term care services, and have not talked with their loved ones about their preferences should they need long-term care.
As a consequence, AARP Ohio is offering a free booklet, "Family Conversations That Help Parents Stay Independent," and an AARP-produced CD, "Caring for Those You Care About," which contains 44 tips sheets that cover specific topics. Call AARP Ohio toll free at (866) 389- 5653 to request copies.
Foundation award
CLEVELAND - Dr. Suneel S. Apte has been awarded the Arthritis Foundation's 2006 Philip S. Magaram Research Award. A member of the Cleveland Clinic's Department of Biomedical Engineering, Dr. Apte's arthritis research proposal had the best score nationally out of more than 380 applications. Also, earlier this year, he was awarded 120,000 over a two-year period from the Arthritis Foundation to study protease molecules that can be found in developing muscles, bone and cartilage. His research may provide new insights into how connective tissue is remodeled and how the inflammation of arthritis destroys cartilage.
Getting better sleep
The International Longevity Center- USA offers "do's and don'ts" for healthy sleep as people age.
Do: Go to bed at the same time each night, and get up at the same time each morning; keep your bedroom/sleeping area dark, cool, quiet, restful and comfortable; if you cannot fall asleep within 20 minutes, get out of bed and read something until you feel sleepy.
Don't: Drink caffeinated beverages for at least six hours before going to bed; fall asleep with the television on; exercise within four hours of going to bed; read stimulating material while in bed just before turning out the lights.
Better surgery ahead?
COLUMBUS -- A new surgical procedure that leaves no outside scarring, results in no post-operative pain and may reduce patients' recovery times could be one of the next major medical advancements in the United States, according to surgeons at Ohio State University Medical Center. The new technique, called natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery, is for abdominal procedures. The technique is experimental, but holds considerable promise, say surgeons who are using the mouth to gain access to the abdominal cavity instead of cutting through the outside of the body.
Vaccination plan
State Rep. Edna Brown, D-Toledo, has introduced legislation that would require all Ohio girls preparing to enter the sixth grade to be vaccinated against the human papillomavirus, believed to be responsible for virtually all cervical cancer. The drug, Gardasil, which was approved by the Food and Drug Administration last summer. Her bill also includes a provision for parents to opt out for medical, religious or philosophical reasons.
Volunteer honor
ALLIANCE -- Marcy Todd, coordinator of Volunteer Services at Alliance Community Hospital, is a recipient of the 2006 Spirit of Planetree Award. Todd has worked at ACH for five years. Before coming to the Volunteer Department, she held positions in the file room, the credit office and Colleague Relations.
Fighting autism
COLUMBUS -- A new specialty license plate that helps raise funds to help people with autism and to promote autism awareness is available from the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles. The plates cost 35 annually in addition to the usual registration fees. The Autism Society of Ohio will receive 25 of the fee. The autism plates are issued at any deputy registrar's office, by mail, online at www.oplates.com, or by calling (888) 752-8373.
First aid, CPR training
YOUNGSTOWN -- American Red Cross certified lifeguard training and basic first aid and professional CPR training are offered Jan. 18, 2007, through Feb. 8, 2007, at the Jewish Community Center, 505 Gypsy Lane. The cost is 165. Call (330) 746-3251 ext. 112 for class times and eligibility requirements.
Provider CPR class
GREENVILLE, Pa. -- UPMC Horizon offers a New Health Care Provider CPR class from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jan. 3 in Assembly Room A at the Greenville Campus. The fee is 30. Call (724) 589-6113 to register.
Fitness facility for kids
BOARDMAN -- The Jungle Gym, a children's fitness facility located at 9215 Market St., has announced a holiday open play and open house from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 27 through Friday, Dec. 29.
During the holiday open play, children are welcome to play in the indoor jungle gym where soft tumbling and climbing equipment is provided for the younger children and sports equipment and trampolines entertain children of all ages.
Several classes are offered including tumbling, general fitness, dance, yoga, and sports skills.
One of the most popular classes is our "Mommy and Me," which offers a setting where parents and their children interact together to develop cognitive motor skills through a coordinated series of exercises, according to Anthony Orlando Jr., owner of The Jungle Gym.
For more information, call (330) 272-JGYM (5496) or email junglegymoh@yahoo.com.