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Health & Fitness News Elsewhere  (fresh daily from the Web)

Features

[JULY 19, 2002]  URBANA — The next time you visit a fast-food restaurant, bring your Internet-ready cell phone with you, because researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a wireless tool that calculates the number of calories and the amount of fat in the meal you’re about to order.

"When people want nutritional information, 99 percent of the time they want to know the calories and fat content," said Jim Painter, professor of nutritional sciences in the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences at the University of Illinois. "So, we started this wireless version of the nutrition tool by offering just the fat and calorie content for the top 10 nationwide fast-food chains."

Once at the Internet site, it’s possible to choose a specific restaurant and create a meal by selecting items from a list of categories: entrée, side dish, salad, beverage or dessert. "You choose items to make up a meal, and the total fat and calorie content will be calculated for you. If the totals are higher or lower than you expected, you can go back to a category, select a different item, then have your meal recalculated," Painter said.

"Once we get this accessible on handheld devices like Palm Pilots," said Painter, "I’d like to add an energy calculator, too, so that people can use it while they’re out jogging. They can jog for 30 minutes, then check how many calories they’ve burned so far, then decide to jog further or switch to a different activity." Painter said that he also plans to add family-style restaurant chains to the listing of fast-food chains.

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Note: The wireless Web address http://web.aces.uiuc.edu/aim/nat will work only on a cell phone, not on a personal computer. "Any cell phone that is ‘wireless Web-ready’ can access the site," said John Schmitz, one of the co-creators of the site. "These phones have what’s called a ‘micro-browser,’ basically a very small version of Netscape or Explorer. Soon we will also develop the capability to reach wireless personal digital assistant devices like Palm Pilots and Pocket PCs."

The wireless calorie and fat calculator component is an extension of the Nutritional Analysis Tool. To access, visit http://www.nat.uiuc.edu/ and choose NAT Tool Version 2.0. At this site, the information is not listed by restaurant. Visitors type in the kind of food they want information about, such as "hamburger," and will get a listing of items to choose from.

[U of I news release]

[JULY 13, 2002]  Nearly two out of every five Americans will be involved in an alcohol-related traffic crash in their lifetime. Alcohol-related traffic accidents are the second leading cause of teen deaths.

Alcohol is the primary drug of abuse for youth. Research shows that about 10 million Americans between ages 12 to 20 years had at least one drink last month. These numbers increase alcohol’s association with the leading causes of death and injuries among teenagers and young adults. For example, during a typical weekend, an average of one teenager dies each hour in a car crash. Nearly 50 percent of these crashes involve alcohol.

Driving under the influence in Illinois is a serious risk-taking behavior. Apart from concerns for the personal safety of yourself and others, there are severe legal penalties (see chart)  and economic consequences if convicted.

Under the "Use It & Lose It" zero tolerance law, drivers under age 21 with any trace of alcohol in their systems will lose their driving privileges. People under 21 also can be charged with a DUI if they have a blood alcohol content of .08 percent, the legal blood alcohol limit in Illinois for those of legal drinking age. A DUI conviction involves both administrative and criminal penalties and will result in both the revocation of your driver’s license and the suspension of vehicle registration privileges. The following chart illustrates some of Illinois’ consequences of underage drinking.

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Parents have tremendous influence over their teen’s decision whether or not to drink alcohol. Studies show that parental attitudes and practices related to alcohol are the strongest social influence on children’s use of alcohol and other drugs. That is why it is important not to send mixed messages. Parents need to maintain good lines of communication, become involved in their child’s lives, make and enforce clear and consistent rules, serve as positive role models, and be aware of their child’s activities in order to help their child make healthier choices.

A study from the Center of Substance Abuse Prevention found that when school-age youth are allowed to drink at home, they not only are more likely to use alcohol and other drugs outside the home, but also are more likely to develop serious behavioral and health problems related to substance use. The survey indicated that most parents allow for "supervised" underage drinking, which is a bigger factor in use and abuse than peer pressure. Parents should know that it is a Class A misdemeanor, with a possible fine of $1,000, to knowingly allow individuals to gather at a residence when the individuals are under the age of 21 and are drinking.

If you would like more information on the "Use It & Lose It" zero tolerance law or more alcohol information, contact Kristi Lessen at (217) 735-2272.

[News release]

Blood donors needed

[JULY 10, 2002]  WASHINGTON — In an attempt to generate much needed blood donations, the nation’s blood banking and public health leaders have joined together to issue a call for all eligible Americans to give blood this summer. The appeal comes in the face of increasingly significant blood shortages, leaving certain parts of the country with less than a one-day supply.

The American Association of Blood Banks, America’s Blood Centers and the American Red Cross, as well as the American Hospital Association and the American Public Health Association join in this appeal.

"To avert a critical blood shortage in certain areas of the country, we need people in these affected areas to schedule an appointment to donate blood this summer," said Karen Shoos Lipton, chief executive officer of the American Association of Blood Banks. "To ensure an adequate national blood supply in the future, we need people to donate blood on an ongoing basis. The fact that all blood organizations are joining in issuing this message underscores the importance of this matter."

Nearly one-half of Red Cross Blood Services regions and one-third of ABC-member blood centers are currently suffering from shortages and anticipate severe blood shortages in the coming weeks if people do not donate. On any given day, an average of 34,000 units of red blood cells are needed for patients in the United States. Less than 5 percent of the eligible population donates blood.

Reasons for the shortage include an increase in blood donor restrictions and misperceptions as to the need and use of blood in America. (See "blood IQ" poll results.)

"The public health of the United States would be in severe jeopardy without a safe, available blood supply," said Dr. Mohammad Akhter, executive director of the American Public Health Association. "Through the power of collaboration, the health care and blood banking communities are committed to ending the sporadic blood shortages by increasing Americans’ awareness of the everyday critical need for blood."

People interested in donating blood may call one of the following numbers for more information and to schedule an appointment.

•  American Association of Blood Banks, 1-866-FROM-YOU (1-866-376-6968)

•  America’s Blood Centers, 1-888-USBLOOD (1-888-872-5663)

•  American Red Cross, 1-800-GIVE-LIFE (1-800-448-3543)

"The blood supply is a critical component of our health system, and it has to be constantly available in order to respond to any emergency at any time. Now, at the beginning of the summer, we need to remember that while many of us take a vacation at this time of year, the need for blood does not. That is why Americans must continue to donate blood throughout the summer vacation period, this year and every year." — Dr. Eve Stater, Health and Human Services assistant secretary for health

"Ensuring a safe and adequate supply of blood is important to all Americans. Nowhere is this more evident than in our nation’s hospitals. That’s why we encourage Americans who can to donate blood today during this critical shortage as well as tomorrow." — Dick Davidson, president, American Hospital Association

One reason for the reoccurring shortages is widespread misperceptions about America’s blood supply. According to a recent nationwide telephone survey of 1,005 adults 18 and older by StrategyOne, most Americans lack basic knowledge about blood donations.

• Americans underestimate the country’s need for blood transfusions. (Only 9 percent of respondents knew blood is needed every two seconds.)

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• The majority of adults overestimate the number of people who actually donate blood. (Only 8 percent of those polled knew that less than 5 percent of all eligible donors give blood.)

• About one in four Americans (23 percent of respondents) knows that U.S. adults are allowed to give blood every two months.

1. How often are American adults allowed to give blood? Would you say they are allowed to give blood...

2. In an average year, what percentage of the eligible U.S. population donates blood?

3. On an average day, how often does someone in America need a blood transfusion? Would you say that someone needs a blood transfusion...

4. How many major blood types are there?

5. What is the minimum age requirement for giving blood?

[News release]

Health Matters

A monthly feature from  Logan County Health Department

TB elimination: Now is the time!

[JULY 1, 2002]  While tuberculosis is an ancient disease, it is also one of the world’s deadliest. Each year, 8 million people around the world become sick with TB. One-third of the world’s population is infected with the TB bacillus. Each year, there are over 2 million TB-related deaths worldwide. TB is the leading killer of people who are HIV-infected, accounting for one-third of AIDS deaths worldwide. TB causes more deaths among women worldwide than all causes of maternal mortality combined.

What is tuberculosis? TB is caused by an organism called myco bacterium tuberculosis. When a person with active TB disease coughs or sneezes, tiny particles containing M. tuberculosis may be expelled into the air. If another person inhales air that contains these particles, transmission from one person to another may occur. However, not everyone infected with the TB germ becomes sick; as a result, two TB-related conditions exist: latent TB infection and active TB disease — both of which are treatable and curable.  [See comparative chart.]

If your doctor feels you need treatment for LTBI or active TB disease, it is very important to take all of medicines as directed. If you are noncompliant, it can become a drug-resistant strain of TB that can be very hard to treat.

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TB skin testing is recommended for certain areas of employment and for certain high-risk groups. TB skin testing is also required for children in some day-care programs and preschool programs. TB skin testing is also recommended before traveling to and after returning from a high-risk country. When the TB skin test is given it will need to be checked in two to three days. This requires two visits from the client.

TB skin tests are given free of charge to residents of Logan County. These tests are available from the Logan County Health Department Monday through Friday, 7:30 to 4:30, on a walk-in basis. TB skin tests are also available on the rural medi-van. If you have any questions, please call Logan County Health Department, (217) 735-2317.

[News release]

Red Cross

Red Cross classes in July

[JULY 15, 2002]  American Red Cross classes in CPR and first aid will be offered in July at the local office, 125 S. Kickapoo St.

The class dates are Monday, July 29, for adult CPR; Tuesday, July 30, for first aid; and Wednesday, July 31, for infant and child CPR training. All sessions are from 5:30 until 9:30 p.m. Participants may register for all three classes or for a specific class.

For further information, call 732-2134 or stop in at the office any weekday between noon and 4 p.m.

Red Cross blood drives in July

[JULY 3, 2002]  The American Red Cross will have two blood drives at the Lincoln Sports Complex in July. They will be sponsored by Lincoln Printers, Inc. On July 3, hours will be from noon until 6 p.m. Hours on July 17 will be from noon until 5 p.m.

Also on July 17, Faith Lutheran Church will host a drive from noon until 6 p.m.

Atlanta Christian Church will be the site for a drive from noon until 6 p.m. July 18.

St. Peter Lutheran Church in Emden will host a drive on July 26, with hours from 2 until 6 p.m.

During June, the following people reached milestones in their blood donations: Willard Emmons, 13 gallons; Joe Reichle, 12; Nancy A. Lahr, seven; Larry J. Lessen, six; W.B. Franz, five; Richard D. Martin, three; Beverly Lessen, two; Paul Eckert, two; Thomas Steiner, two; Carolyn Follis, one; and Ruth A. Fredericks, one gallon.

Honors & Awards

Announcements

Abe Lincoln Pharmacy welcomes new manager

[JULY 18, 2002]  The Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital welcomes a new pharmacist on staff. Registered pharmacist Terese Cristanus will serve as the new manager of the Abe Lincoln Pharmacy, which is located inside the hospital at 315 Eighth St. in Lincoln. Cristanus, who previously worked at Lincoln Developmental Center, began working at the hospital on July 1.

Cristanus graduated from the University of Illinois at Chicago, College of Pharmacy and moved to Lincoln 17 years ago. She has a son who attends Millikin University.

"I enjoy living and working in a community where everyone is so friendly and you know them by name," states Cristanus.

Abe Lincoln Pharmacy has been serving the pharmaceutical needs of patients in Lincoln and Logan County since 1972. It is open Monday thru Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information, please call (217) 732-2161, Ext. 174.

The Rural Health Partnership has announced the schedule for its mobile health unit for 2002.

For more information on the mobile health unit schedule and services, contact Dayle Eldredge at (217) 732-2161, Ext. 409.

Community resource list

This family resource list to save and use is provided by the Healthy Communities Partnership and the Healthy Families Task Force, 732-2161, Ext. 409.         

(updated 2-15-02)

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