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Health & Fitness News Elsewhere
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Features
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Consumer behavior and risk
[OCT.
1, 2002]
URBANA — Recalls in
children’s car seats and toys, reports of product tampering and food
contamination have created financial losses for individual
companies, but other crises such as the threat of mad cow disease,
can cripple an entire industry. Understanding what drives the
behavior of consumers when faced with product-related crises like
these was the topic of a recent study at the University of Illinois.
|
A team of researchers in the College of
Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences at U of I, led by
Joost M.E. Pennings, looked at how people respond to a risky
situation. They chose to evaluate German, Dutch and American
consumer reactions to the threat of mad cow disease.
The researchers broke down risk
behavior into two components: risk perceptions and risk attitudes.
Risk perceptions are based on whether a person thinks it is likely
that they might, for instance, contract a disease from eating beef —
their perception of the likelihood that something bad will happen to
them. Risk attitude (or risk aversion) reflects a consumer’s general
predisposition to the risk of contracting the disease — and how
willing they are to take a risk in the first place.
"If beef consumption is primarily
driven by risk perceptions — that is, the likelihood of contracting
a disease," said Pennings, "the solution to the mad cow crises would
be to educate consumers about the level of risk they are taking."
Pennings explained the flip side of the risk coin: If consumers’
response to the mad cow crisis is driven by their risk attitudes,
then the beef industry has fewer and costlier options, namely to
test each cow for the disease and to slaughter those that test
positive, hence ensuring that the risk is eliminated.
The three-country study showed
significant differences in consumer risk attitudes and perceptions.
Not surprisingly, Americans included in
the survey showed little apprehension about eating beef, since mad
cow disease is not a problem in the United States. But, even though
the severity of the disease has been about the same in Germany and
the Netherlands, the Dutch responses to questions in the survey
paralleled the Americans’ answers.
What consumers understand about mad cow
disease also played a role in the findings. "One of the
biggest concerns with mad cow disease," said Pennings, "is that
contaminated beef can cause Creutzfeldt-Jacob Disease in humans.
Yet, since the chance of getting the disease by eating beef is
extremely small, it is puzzling that consumers react the way they
do."
[to top of second column in this
article]
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Pennings suggested that the perception
of risk on the part of consumers can be lessened with more
education. The more people understand about the risks, the more
informed they are to make decisions on their behavior.
Currently, the probability of
contracting Creutzfeldt-Jacob Disease is not accurately known. The
researchers suggest that in such a situation different policy
measures must be taken in different countries. In countries such as
the United States, tough measures are required to prevent a mad cow
crisis because risk attitudes drive consumption and little can be
done to change consumers’ risk attitudes. This means testing and
slaughtering all suspected cows.
In countries such as Germany, both risk
perceptions and risk attitudes drive consumer behavior, suggesting
not only the need for tough measures, but also for extensive and
responsible dissemination of accurate information by government,
industry and media. In contrast to the United States and Germany,
Dutch consumer behavior is driven mainly by risk perceptions. In
this case, honest and consistent communication by both the
government and the beef industry is more effective than a mass
slaughtering of cows.
"If the probability of contracting
Creutzfeldt-Jacob is accurately known," said Pennings, "risk
perception becomes a more important driver of beef consumption in
low and mildly risky situations." He said that in low-risk
situations, messages from the government, the beef industry and the
media will have a bigger impact on helping consumers decide whether
or not to eat beef, particularly in the United States and The
Netherlands. However, in the case of high risk, recall of products
or in the case of mad cow, elimination of entire herds may be
necessary.
The findings
from this study can help managers and public officials understand
these cross-cultural differences and help them to predict how and
why consumers in different countries will respond to a crisis.
[U of I news release] |
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Teleconference offers answers
about long-term care insurance
[SEPT.
28, 2002]
The University of Illinois
Extension is presenting a free teleconference seminar titled "What
You Need to Know About Buying Long-Term Health Care Insurance." This
seminar for consumers will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Nov. 6.
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"The cost of long-term care can be
enormous, and insurance is one way to pay for it. But buying
long-term care health insurance is complicated," said Paul McNamara,
U of I Extension consumer economist. "The more you know about
available options, the more likely you will be satisfied with the
policy you choose, and it will meet your specific needs."
When considering this insurance,
McNamara suggests you make an informed decision to fit your personal
situation. Find out the critical questions that you need to ask.
[to top of second column in this
article]
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The seminar will feature four expert
presenters. Topics include an explanation of long-term care and your
risk of needing long-term care; deciding whether or not long-term
care insurance is appropriate for you; when to buy long-term care
insurance; and how to choose the right long-term care insurance
plan. In addition, seminar participants receive a set of consumer
resources on long-term care insurance as well as information on
additional resources that can help you plan for your long-term care
needs.
To sign up
for the free teleconference seminar, contact your local U of I
Extension office. Spaces for the teleconference are limited, and the
deadline for registration is Oct. 21.
[U of I news release] |
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Health
Matters A
monthly feature from Logan County Health Department
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The flu and
you
[SEPT.
3, 2002]
As the fall weather
approaches, flu season begins. Influenza is a serious and widespread
illness that is the cause of as many as 4,000 deaths each year in
Illinois. Influenza is caused by a virus that spreads from infected
people to the nose or throat of others and can cause fever, cough,
chills, sore throat, headache and muscle aches in people of any age.
Influenza should not be confused with intestinal illness.
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People considered at high risk should
get a flu shot every year. The optimal time for these individuals to
receive influenza vaccine is during October and November.
High-risk categories include:
• People 65 years of age
or older.
• People with chronic
medical conditions.
• People with immune
system problems.
• Women who will be in the
second or third trimester of pregnancy during flu season.
• Children receiving
long-term aspirin therapy.
• Employees of nursing
homes or other chronic care facilities.
• Health-care workers.
• Household contacts of
people at increased risk for influenza-related complications.
[to top of
second column in this article]
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All others should begin their flu shots
in November and later, for as long as vaccine is available.
Beginning in October, Logan County
Health Department will have flu and pneumonia immunizations
available at the Health Department, 109 Third St., and on the Rural
Health Van.
Flu shots and pneumonia shots cost $16
each. Medicare will pay for flu and pneumonia shots; clients must
bring their Medicare card with them. Medicaid will pay for only flu
shots; clients must bring their Medicaid card with them.
Watch the
newspapers for upcoming schedules of flu clinics or call Logan
County Health Department at (217) 735-2317 for more information.
[News
release]
|
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Red
Cross
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Blood drives and classes for October
[SEPT.
24, 2002]
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Blood
drives
The Logan County Health Department will
sponsor two American Red Cross blood drives in October at the
Lincoln Sports Complex. On Oct. 2, hours will be from noon until 6
p.m., and on Oct. 16, hours will be from noon until 5 p.m.
Appointments may be made by calling (800) 728-3543 if desired, but
walk-ins are always welcome
Blood donors who reached milestones
with their September donations were Bernie Benson, 14 gallons;
Donald H. Hudelson, 11; and Cameron Shafer, eight gallons. |
Classes
The American Red Cross will offer CPR
and first aid classes Oct. 14, 15 and 16 at their Lincoln office,
125 S. Kickapoo St.
The training in adult CPR will be on
the 14th, first aid on the 15th, and an infant and child CPR class
on the 16th. All sessions will be from 5:30 until 9:30 p.m.
To register
or for further information, call 732-2134 between noon and 4 p.m.
weekdays.
[Logan County Red Cross news
release] |
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West Nile Virus
|
West Nile virus links
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LDN articles
Federal websites
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State websites
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Honors
& Awards
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Announcements
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ALMH offers prenatal classes
[SEPT.
18, 2002]
The next series of prenatal
classes at Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital will be in October. The
series consists of four Wednesday evening classes, Oct. 2, 9, 16 and
23. Sessions are from 7 to 9 p.m.
Classes will be in conference rooms A
and B on the lower level at ALMH. The cost of the series for
expectant mothers and their significant others is $30. Participants
will receive information on topics including warning signs during
pregnancy; labor; breathing and relaxation techniques; delivery;
infant care; and breast-feeding. A tour of the ALMH Family Maternity
Suites will also be given.
For more
information or to register for the prenatal classes, call ALMH’s
Family Maternity Suites at (217) 732-2161, Ext. 235.
[News
release] |
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Mobile
health unit schedule
The
Rural Health Partnership has announced the schedule for its mobile
health unit for 2002.
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Morning:
9-11 a.m. |
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Afternoon:
1-3:30 p.m. |
Monday |
1st and 3rd |
Hartsburg |
1st and 3rd |
Emden |
|
2nd and 4th |
San Jose |
2nd and 4th |
Greenview |
Tuesday |
Weekly |
Chestnut |
Weekly |
Mount Pulaski |
Wednesday |
Weekly |
New Holland |
Weekly |
Middletown |
Thursday |
1st and 3rd |
Elkhart |
Weekly |
Atlanta |
|
2nd and 4th |
Friendship
Manor-Lincoln |
|
|
Friday |
1st, 2nd,
4th |
Village Hall-Latham |
1st |
Beason |
|
|
|
2nd and 4th |
Broadwell |
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3rd |
Maintenance/ special
events |
3rd |
Maintenance/
special events
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The
mobile health unit does not operate on the following dates for
holidays
during 2002: Jan. 21 (Martin Luther King Jr. Day), Feb. 18 (Presidents’ Day),
March 29 (Good
Friday), May 27 (Memorial Day), July 4 (Independence Day), Sept. 2 (Labor Day), Oct.
14 (Columbus Day), Nov. 11 (Veterans Day), Nov. 28-29
(Thanksgiving break) and Dec. 24-25 (Christmas break).
For more
information on the mobile health unit schedule and services, contact
Dayle Eldredge at (217) 732-2161, Ext. 409.
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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.
Agency |
Phone number |
Address |
Lincoln
agencies |
911 |
911 (emergency)
732-3911 (office -- non-emergency)
|
911 Pekin St.
Lincoln, IL 62656
|
Abraham Lincoln
Memorial Hospital
|
732-2161
|
315 Eighth St.
Lincoln, IL 62656
|
American Red Cross
www.il-redcross.org |
732-2134 or
1 (800) 412-0100
|
125 S. Kickapoo
Lincoln, IL 62656
|
Catholic Social
Services
www.cdop.org |
732-3771 |
310 S. Logan
Lincoln, IL 62656
|
Lincoln/Logan County Chamber
of Commerce
www.lincolnillinois.com |
735-2385 |
303 S. Kickapoo St.
Lincoln, IL 62656
|
Community Action (CIEDC) |
732-2159
|
1800 Fifth St.
Lincoln, IL 62656
|
Crisis Pregnancy Center/
Living Alternatives |
735-4838 |
408 A Pulaski St.
Lincoln, IL 62656
|
DCFS (Department of
Children
& Family Services) |
735-4402 or
1 (800) 252-2873
(crisis hotline)
|
1120 Keokuk St.
Lincoln, IL 62656
|
Heartland Community
College
- GED program |
735-1731 |
620 Broadway St.
Lincoln, IL 62656
|
Housing Authority |
732-7776
|
1028 N. College St.
Lincoln, IL 62656
|
Illinois Breast &
Cervical Cancer Program (IBCCP)
www.logancountyhealth.org |
735-2317 or
1 (800) 269-4019
|
109 Third St.
Lincoln, IL 62656
|
Illinois Employment and Training Center (replaces JTPA office) |
735-5441 |
120
S. McLean St., Suite B
Farm
Bureau Building
Lincoln,
IL 62656
|
Lincoln Area YMCA
|
735-3915 |
319 W. Kickapoo St.
Lincoln, IL 62656
|
Lincoln/Logan Food
Pantry |
732-2204
|
P.O. Box 773
Lincoln, IL 62656
|
Lincoln Parents’
Center |
735-4192 |
100 S. Maple
Lincoln, IL 62656
|
Lincoln Park District |
732-8770 |
1400 Primm Rd.
Lincoln, IL 62656
|
Logan County Department
of Human Services (Public Aid)
www.state.il.us/agency/dhs |
735-2306 |
1500 Fourth St.
P.O.
Box 310
Lincoln, IL 62656
|
Logan County Health
Department
www.logancountyhealth.org |
735-2317 |
109 Third St.
P.O. Box
508
Lincoln, IL 62656
|
Logan-Mason Mental
Health |
735-2272 or
735-3600
(crisis line)
|
304 Eighth St.
Lincoln, IL 62656
|
Logan-Mason
Rehabilitation Center |
735-1413 |
760 S. Postville Drive
Lincoln, IL 62656
|
The Oasis
(Senior Citizens
of Logan County) |
732-6132 |
501 Pulaski St.
Lincoln, IL 62656
|
Project READ
|
735-1731 |
620 Broadway St.
Lincoln, IL 62656
|
Salvation Army |
732-7890
|
1501 N. Kickapoo
Lincoln, IL 62656
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Senior Services of
Central Illinois |
732-6213 or
1 (800) 252-8966
(crisis line)
|
109 Third St.
Lincoln, IL 62656
|
U. of I. Extension
Service
www.ag.uiuc.edu |
732-8289 |
980 N. Postville Drive
Lincoln, IL 62656
|
Springfield
agencies |
Department of Aging
www.state.il.us/aging |
785-3356 |
421 E. Capitol, #100
Springfield, IL 62701-1789
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American Cancer Society
www.cancer.org |
546-7586
(24 hour) |
1305 Wabash, Suite J
Springfield, IL 62704
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Community Child Care
Connection
www.childcaresolutions.org |
(217) 525-2805 or
1 (800) 676-2805
|
1004 N. Milton Ave.
Springfield, IL 62702-4430
|
Hospice Care of
Illinois |
1 (800) 342-4862
(24 hour) or
732-2161, Ext. 444
|
720 N. Bond
Springfield, IL 62702
|
Illinois Department of
Public Health
www.idph.state.il.us |
(217) 782-4977
|
535 W. Jefferson
Springfield, IL 62761
|
Legal Assistance
Foundation |
(217) 753-3300 or
1 (800) 252-8629
|
730 E. Vine St., Suite
214
Springfield, IL 62703
|
Sojourn Shelter &
Services Inc.
http://www.sojournshelter.org/
|
732-8988 or
1 (866) HELP4DV
(24-hour hotline)
|
1800 Westchester Blvd.
Springfield, IL 62704
|
U. of I. Division of
Specialized Care for Children
www.uic.edu |
524-2000 or
1 (800) 946-8468
|
421 South Grand Ave.
West
Second Floor
Springfield, IL 62704
|
Logan County
libraries |
Atlanta Library |
(217) 648-2112 |
100 Race St.
Atlanta, IL 61723 |
Elkhart Library |
(217) 947-2313 |
121 E. Bohan
Elkhart, IL 62634 |
Lincoln Public Library
www.lincolnpubliclibrary.org |
732-8878 |
725 Pekin St.
Lincoln, IL 62656 |
Mount Pulaski Library |
792-5919
|
320 N. Washington
Mount Pulaski, IL 62548
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(updated
2-15-02) |
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