J une 2 9 ,1 9 9 4 • T he P ortland O bserver
P age A6
Health Consequences Of Menopause
as the Follicle Stimulating Hormone
o f FSH - causes the follicle in an
ovary to produce a ripened egg every
cycle.
W hen a women becomes m eno­
pausal, her ovaries no longer release
eggs. The three hormones; FSH, es­
trogen and progesterone are not pro­
duced in the same ratios they once
were and the impact o f the loss of
estrogen has far-reaching c o n se ­
quences for a w om an’s body. F o r
exam ple:
• H e a rt a n d A rte rie s: The loss of
estrogen results in weakening of
the walls o f the heart and arteries,
and increasing cholesterol levels,
thereby increasing the risk o f heart
attack.
• V agina an d V ulva: The loss of
estrogen results in thinning of the
vaginal walls and decreased ability
h a p p e n .”
to lubricate for intercourse.
Karen Lee explains that during a
•
B lad d er a n d Bowel: Estrogen also
w o m an ’s reproductive years, tw o
helps the muscles of the vagina to
dom inant female horm ones — estro­
support the bladder and the rectum.
gen and progesterone regulate the
The
loss o f estrogen can result in
m enstrual cycle. Estrogen is produced
urinary
incontinence, and difficulty
prim arily in the ovaries. A sm all
emptying
the bowel.
am ount is also produced by the adre­
•
Bones:
Estrogen
protects the bones
nal glands above the kidneys. Proges­
from
osteoporosis.
W hen the body
terone is produced only in the ovaries.
stops
producing
estrogen,
the bones
A third female hormone - known
M enopause is a pivotal event that
changes a w om an’s body and her
risks for illness and disease perm a­
nently . The effects o f these inevitable
changes, however, can be m inim ized
and do not have to interrupt the q u a l­
ity o f life. If you feel uninform ed
about m enopause, you ’ re not alo n e. A
recent study found that 90% o f all
wom en feel uninform ed about m eno­
pause and its affects on their health.
“ A w o m a n ’s s e c o n d f o r ty
y e a rs c a n an d sh o u ld be h e r m o st
e n jo y a b le an d p ro d u c tiv e y e a rs,
sa y s K aren L e e , A R N P a n d a u ­
th o r o f “ K aren L e e ’s H e a lth c a re
P la n fo r W o m en In T h e ir S e c o n d
F o rty Y e a rs ” an in te ra c tiv e v id e o /
w o rk b o o k p ro g ra m . “ B u t sh e h as
to b e in fo rm e d a n d to ta k e c h a rg e
o f h e r h e a lth c a re to m a k e th a t
Karen Lee, ARNP and author
“Karen Lee's Personal
Healthcare Plan for Women In
Their Second Forty Years And
Beyond"
begin to lose their density and are
more prone to fracture.
“None o f these changes has to
threaten your quality o f life,” Karen
Lee says. “W ith your healthcare pro­
vider, you can identify preventive steps
and solutions to address these issues
and minimize their im pact.”
Aging Group May Sue Government
A fter waging a m ulti-year battle
to assure that federal m onies for the
elderly go to those w ho m ost need
them , the N ational C aucus and C en­
ter o f Black A ged, is considering a
law suit against the U.S. D epartm ent
o f H ealth and H um an Services and its
A dm inistration on A ging.
The disputed m atter focuses on
p ro p o sed reg u latio n s in ten d ed to
im plem ent “ targeting” language in
the 1992 O lder A m ericans A c t The
language d irects states to d ev ise
intrastate funding form ulas that tar­
get those funds to older individuals
with the greatest econom ic and social
needs, w ith particular attention to
low -incom e m inorities.
The O lder A m erican A ct p ro ­
vides such services as m eals on wheels,
transportation, hom em akers, te le ­
phone re-assurance calls and legal
counseling. Because it’s acknow l­
edged that there are not enough funds
to serve all elderly, those who are
socially and economically disadvan­
taged are targeted. Elderly minorities
have been shown to have a greater
need for services than elderly whites
chiefly because they are tw o to three
tim es more likely to be poor. Elderly
minorities also have been show to be
under served by the act’s programs,
especially when m easured against
their greater need for services.
A study produced for four na­
tional minority aging organizations
found the proposed regulations could
confer a governm ent stamp o f ap­
proval on funding formulas that are
illegal or discrim inatory againstaged
m inorities. For exam ple, the regula­
tions will not require states to target
funds and services to areas with the
largest num ber of minorities.
N CBA ’s efforts to assure the fed­
eral monies are targeted to econom i­
cally and socially disadvantaged m i­
norities in proportion to their need for
services goes back to 1987.
“ It is particularly frustrating and
disheartening that tw o years after
passage o f an O lder Americans Act,
which was hailed as a victory for
vulnerable minority and low-income
elderly, the D epartment of Health and
Human Services’s Administration on
Aging has proposed retreat,” said
Aaron E. Henry, a leading civil rights
advocate and chair o f the board o f
NCBA.
The NCBA is the only national
group that dedicates itself solely to
improving life for the nation’s 2.7
million African-American elderly -
particularly those o f low income.
Holladay Park Medical Center
Closed To Patients
A lthough H olladay Park M edi­
cal C enter w ill transfer its last patient
care services out o f the building by
June 30, its history o f strong com m u­
nity service will live on at nearby
Legacy Emanuel and Good Sam ari­
tan H ospitals. M any o f H olladay
P ark ’s program s and em ployees have
transferred to the tw o Portland sites.
“ N ationally, healthcare reform
calls for universal reductions in costs
and more effective delivery systems.
Locally, studies o f the Portland area
reveal a substantial oversupply o f
hospital beds,” says Jim M ay, presi­
dent and CEO o f L egacy’s Portland
Hospitals.
H e a d d s, “ C lo sin g H o llad ay
P a rk M ed ical C e n te r m in im iz e s
d u p lic a tio n o f m e d ic a l p ro g ra m s
an d e q u ip m e n t an d re d u c e s o v e r ­
h ead . T h is a llo w s L e g a c y H ealth
S y stem to c o n c e n tra te on w h a t
p a tie n ts re a lly n e e d --h ig h q u a lity
c a re d e liv e re d m ore e ffic ie n tly
an d c o st e ffe c tiv e ly .”
M ay a n tic ip a te s th e c lo su re
o f H o lla d a y P ark w ill lead to a n ­
n u al sa v in g s o f o v e r S3 m illio n
d o lla rs.
Many o f Hoi laday Park ’ s adm in-
istrative functions have been trans-
ferring to other Legacy locations over
the past two years. For further infor­
mation or to access a special service
call 335-3500.
Holladay Park patients who wish
to access their medical records should
contact Legacy Em anuel’s Medical
Records departm ent at 280-4100.
L e g a c y h e a lth S y ste m in ­
clu d es E m anuel H o spital & H ealth
C e n te r, G ood S a m a rita n H o spital
& M e d ic a l C e n te r, M e rid ia n P ark
H o sp ita l, M ount H ood M edical
C e n te r, L e g a c y V isitin g N urse
A sso c ia tio n , C a re M a rk /M a n a g ed
H e a lth c a r e N o rth w e st PPO .
Study Shows Health Care Lacking
A new nationw ide study the U.S. is generally elective, tonsillectomy -
Public Health Service’s Agency for a procedure whose widespread use
Health Care Polie y and Research sug­ has been questioned -- transurethral
gests that blacks get fewer medical biopsy o f bladder tissue, which is
tests and undergo fewer medical treat­ perform ed when cancer o f the blad­
m ent procedures than whites. The der is suspected - ear procedures
study was based on discharge data such as tym panoplasty, and appen­
from a sample o f 500 community dectomies. The researchers also found
hospitals from 1980 to 1987. It found that blacks were only about half as
that the m edical procedure use rates likely as whites to receive hip and
for blacks significantly trailed those knee replacem ents, arthroscopic sur­
o f whites for 36 o f the 172 procedures gery, and other tests and therapies for
exam ined, were higher for 10 proce­ musculoskeletal disease.
In contrast, blacks were m ore
dures and scored roughly equal to or
lik
e
ly
th a n w h ite s to h a v e
not significantly different from white
hem
odialysis
and other renal failure
usage rates for other tests and therapies.
treatm
ents
perform
ed, abortions and
Blacks were much less likely than
other
obstetrical
procedures,
treat­
whites to have coronary artery bypass
m
ent
for
glaucom
a
and
am
putations
su rg e ry ,
u n d e rg o
c a rd ia c
catheterization, have cardiac p ace­ o f the lower extrem ities -- which are
makers inserted, or receive other treat­ generally performed because o f vas­
m ents for circulatory system prob­ cular com plications arising as a result
lems. Blacks w ere also less likely to o f long-standing diabetes mcllitus.
Linda Demlo, PhD ., adm inistra­
have plastic surgery of the nose .which
tor for the policy and research agency,
said the study is the broadest yet of
black-white m edical procedure rate
differences and the first in a series of
studies the agency is conducting to
exam ine variations in the use of hos­
pital procedures over time.
Anne Elixhauser, Ph.D .,and fel­
low authors Rosanna Coffey, Ph.D.,
and Robert Harris, Ph.D , also exam ­
ined whether differences in medical
procedure use rates for black and
white patients changed over time.
The national estim ates in the study
are based on population.
Free single copies o f “Trends in
Hospital Procedures Performed on
Black Patients and W hite Patients:
1980-1987,” Provider Studies R e­
search Note 20 (AHCPR-0003), are
available from the AHCPR Publica­
tions Clearinghouse, P.O. Box 8547,
Silver Spring, MD 20907; (800) 358-
9295.
ians.
Nudelman is a retired form er
gg
r
> «
president o f Nudelman Brothers with
a long list o f civic involvements to his
credit. He went to Grant High School
where he was captain of the football
team. He attended the University of
Teen Pregnancy
Rate Drops,
Study Shows
The rate o f teen pregnancies
dropped in 1992 after showing an
increase during the previous five
years, according to the first volume o f
the 1992 Oregon Vital Statistics An­
nual Report recently published by the
Oregon Health Division.
“The 7 percent decline among
teens under 18 years o f age was ac­
com panied by an even more pro­
nounced drop among 18-to 19-year-
olds,"according to State Epidem iolo­
gist Dr. David Fleming. “ Because
m ost o f the change occurred as a
reduction in abortions rather than
teen births, it indicates that teens are
increasingly successful in avoiding
unwanted pregnancies. T hat’s very
good news.”
“ Unfortunately, the teen birth rate
showed little c h a n g e -it declined by 3
percentam ong 18-to 19-year-oldsbut
was essentially unchanged among
younger teens. Although many teen
births result from unplanned or un­
wanted pregnancy, in many cases,
even young teens are actively seeking
to become mothers. So, we have a
long way to go, in spite of this reduc­
tion in teen pregnancies.”
A ssistant Secretary for Health,
Philip R. Lee, M.D., will announce
new guidelines for doctors and con­
sumers to treat heart failure, a condi­
tion which kills more than 200,000
Americans each year.
H eart failure is not a heart attack.
It is a condition which a weakened
heart pumps insufficient blood to meet
the body’s needs, and it is treatable.
T h at’s good news tot he more than 2
million Americans who suffer from
the chronic condition. Approximately
400,000 new cases are diagnosed each
year, and that number is expected to
increase as the population ages. A l­
though studies show no differences in
prevalence among racial and ethnic
groups, African Americans do have
higher rates o f high blood pressure,
which is one cause o f heart failure.
T he A g en cy fo r H ealth C a re
P olicy and R e se a rc h sp o n so red
the g u id e lin e s w hich w ere d e v e l­
op ed by the R A N D C o rp o ra tio n
w ith the help o f a p riv a te -se c to r
p a n e l o f le a d in g h e a rt fa ilu re e x ­
p e rts and c o n su m e rs.
Heart failure can be better man­
aged. The guidelines call for the wider
use o f medications proven capable of
preventing heart failure in some high-
risk patients, and improving comfort
and longevity in patients with estab­
lished heart failure. Patients should
understand the importance o f follow­
ing their treatm ent regim ens - m edi­
cines, diet, and exercise. Patients and
health care providers need to work as
partners in making treatm ent deci­
sions. M ost persons with heart failure
can adjust to the limitations imposed
by the condition and continue to lead
active and rewarding lives.
Medical Services For
Kidney Patients
O regon Dialysis Services offers an ongoing series of free programs for
potential and current kidney dialysis patients and their families. The series
consists o f four tw o-hour seminars held the first three Thursdays and
following Wednesday o f every month from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at 677 E. 12 th
Ave., Suite 110, Eugene. Evening courses may also be offered this
summer.
The programs include information about end-stage renal disease,
hem odialysis, peritoneal dialysis, transplants, and dietary and adjustment
concerns. Preregistration is recommended. For more information and to
register, call Oregon Dialysis Services at 686-7368.
Care Advocates Honored
Two M ultnom ah County resi­
dents earned recognition for their ef­
forts to improve the quality of life for
the residents o f nursing hom es, adult
foster care homes, assisted living fa­
cilities and residential care facilities.
Meredith Cote, the Long Term Care
O m budsm an for the State o f Oregon,
presented the aw ards at the program ’ s
annual statew ide meeting in Eugene
on May 16 and 17, 1994.
Tom G lenn o f Southeast Port­
land received an Award o f M erit for
his outstanding advocacy on behalf o f
the residents he serves as a volunteer
Certified O m budsm an. Mr. G lenn is
an advocate for the residents o f M enlo
Park Health Care Center, a Portland
nursing hom e and G resham R etire­
m ent Center, a residential care facil­
ity. He w orks to ensure that the resi­
dents receive good quality care and to
protect their rights. Mr. Glenn joined
the program in O ctober 1993.
Dolores Hubert o f Northeast Port­
land earned the Exceptional Service
Award for M ultnomah County for
there excellent w ork at tw o nursing
hom es, Pacific C rest Rehabilitation
Center in Gresham and Centennial
Health Care C enter in Portland. Ms.
Hubert joined the program in Novem ­
ber 1992.
The Office o f the Long Term
Care O m budsm an is an independent
state agency com m itted to protecting
the rights, safety and dignity o f the
residents o f long term care facilities.
Anyone wishing more information
about the O m budsm an Program or
the volunteer opportunities should
contact Jean M itchell at 282-9545 or
Kathy W alter at 1-800-522-2602. An
orientation training for new volun­
teers will begin July 14 in Portland.
Singer Bryson Helps
Medical School Fund
G ram m y A w ard w inner Peabo
Bryson will perform at the National
M edical Association’s 1994 Scholar-
ship Fundraiser in O rlando.
Bryson, who received the 1992
G ram m y Award for the song “ Beauty
and the B east,” a duet recorded with
C eline Dion, wil headline the concert
on Sunday, July 24, with proceeds
benefiting the N ational M edical As-
sociation S ch o larsh ip Fund. The enjoyed many No. 1 hits including
m onies provide A frican-A m erican “Tonight I Celebrate My Love,” a
students with annual scholarships to duet with Natalie Cole, “Can You
help defer the cost o f a medical edu- Stop The R ain” and m ost recently his
cation.
1992 O scar winning duet with Regina
1° 1977,B rysontoppedthecharts Belle, “ A W hole New W orld.”
with his extraordinary gold album
The benefit concert is part of
“Reaching For The Sky” which in- N M A ’s annual convention.
eluded the all-tim e favorite “Feel The
Fire.” Since that tim e, Bryson has
Insurance Underwriter Now Travel Agent
Continued from Metro
▲
said that you become a part o f the
business when you deliver your first
1964. Stories of a family o f eight check.
The first death she had to deal
traveling in a VW cam per trying to
with
was that o f her ow n son. At the
rent a hom e in Portland are am using.
time
she
felt that is w hat took her out
Five years later with all the chil­
o
f
the
business.
dren in school the Josephs moved to
M oving back to the DC area she
N E Portland and Mrs. Joseph worked
worked
for the DC D epartm ent of
for Fred M eyer and Portland Public
Human
Services
as a loan and G rants
Schools.
Assistant.
Later
working
for the I.R.S.
W hen her husband became an
Mrs.
Joseph
attem
pted
to go back
insurance agent, she became his sec­
into
the
insurance
field
but
by then
retary, w orking without a salary. It
she
was
in
her
5
0
’s
and
there
were
no
soon became apparent how well she
takers.
She
still
holds
a
valid
license
worked with people and encouraged
by m anagem ent, she studied under for the state o f NC.
She has always done volunteer
Bob Y ost and took the Oregon Insur­
work
in hospitals. Peggy W orked in
ance Exam , passing the first time,
the
church
in the Eucharistic, Senior
Mrs. Joseph became a Field U nder­
and
Prison
M
inistries and as an usher.
w riter for New York Life Insurance
A
non-singer
her am bition is to learn
Com pany at the tender age o f 43.
sign
so
she
can
sign with the choir.
Many o f you may remember the ads
A
m
ember
o f the Portland Flur
she placed in the O bserver for herself
and her husband. S he became 1 icensed de Lis Club.
Oregon, however his college was in­
Her studies have continued over
in O R and W A and had clients in ID.
terrupted by W orld W ar II. He en­ M oving back to DC, she was licensed the years. M ost recently learning the
airlines SA BRE system at AA in
tered the army and attended officer’ s n DC, M D, VA and PA.
In the insurance industry it is Texas.
candidate school.
Nudelman Leads Royal Rosarians
Vic Nudelman has been nom i­
nated Prime M inister and Secretary
o f State of the Portland Royal Rosar­
Regular m edical exam s and test
can help spot problems before they
begin to affect your health. Ask your
healthcare provider how often you
should have pelvic exam s, clinical
b re a st e x a m s, P ap sm ears, and
m am m ogram s.
“ D on’t w ait until a problem oc­
curs. Use w hat you now know about
the changes affecting your body to
talk with your healthcare provider,”
says Karen Lee. Ask about hormone
replacem ent therapy - is it right for
you? Ask w hat other solutions are
available.”
“ M o st o f a ll c o m p la in ,” a d ­
v ise s K a re n L ee. “ D o n ’t le t a n y ­
one te ll y o u d iffe re n tly - w om en
do n o t c o m p la in e n o u g h a b o u t
th e ir h e a lth . If so m e th in g h u rts
or w o rrie s yo u , sp eak up. T he
b o tto m lin e is you can take step s
now to m a k e y o u r seco n d forty
y ears th e b e s t y e a rs o f y o u r lif e .”
Karen Lee, is a nationally certi­
fied O B-G Y N nurse practitioner and
author o f “ Karen L ee’s Healthcare
Plan for W om en In Their Second
Forty Y ears.” The video and work­
book com bination sell for $49.95 plus
shipping and handling. They are avail­
able by calling 1-800-558-4325.
Good News For African
Americans With Heart
Failure
Returning to Portland she again
worked w herever work was available
and the m ost recent em ploym ent was
with PPS. Budget cuts ended that
career so Mrs Joseph finally excepted
an offer from a friend in CA to come
leam the travel business. She invested
in New Adventure Travel Service.
To supplem ent her SS Peggy Jo­
seph is now w orking from her home
as an outside agent for NATS and is
looking fora local agency to join. Call
her for more inform ation and/or to
make your travel arrangem ents. If
you are a non-sailor or flyer she can
also make your lour or train travel.
C ruises are her. So far she has
booked a Caribbean Cruise for the
G randniters in August. There is still
space left... T here is also a Pre-H oli­
day Fantasy to the Bahamas in D e­
cem ber. If you arc interested in either
o f these or if you would like to pick
another date orC ruise, call her. She is
making arrangem ents for a Reunion
Cruise next year. So for the Class o f
Family R eunion.....Call her at 288-
9590.