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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 2, 2008)
lanuary 2, 2008 Page A6 H ealth MATTERS Medical Clinics Expand Care to Needy ongoing care even when the per son feels no sym ptom s if th ey ’re to avoid heart attacks, strokes, kid ney failure and am putations. Clinics require a special trip, a long wait, perhaps a baby sitter, annoyances for the w ell-to-do but huge obstacles for som eone who must take three buses to reach the doctor or who loses a day o f pay for the tim e off. C onsequently, “they only come when they’re out o f m edicines or have symptoms. It’s so frustrat ing,” says Dr. Jim Sanders o f the Medical C ollege of W isconsin. So specialists increasingly are seeking other ways to address glar ing disparities in U.S. health care, by taking care directly to where the people who need it most hang out. Churches nationw ide are offer ing blood pressure screening days and health fairs. Projects in num er ous states are teaching barbers and beauticians how to teach their cus tom ers about stroke sym ptom s or to encourage a m am m ogram while giving a haircut. Baltim ore health officials are debating expanding the concept, with a proposal to offer blood pres sure testing in 1 (X) hair salons and b a rb e rsh o p s in n eig h b o rh o o d s with high rates o f heart disease. In M ilw aukee, C o lu m b ia St. At food pantries, other gathering spots (A P , - An out-of-w ork David T hom as w alked into a food pantry ju s t seeking groceries. T hom as learned he w as a stroke waiting to happen and go, blood pressure m edicine along with his bread. Food pantries have long aimed to help heal hunger. A new project aim s to see how well they can help heal high blood pressure, diabetes and other ailm ents, too. It’s part o f a grow ing movement to offer m edical care for the poor and uninsured in the places where they regularly gather. “W e’re taking a window of o p p o rtu n ity a p p ro a c h ,” says Bill Solberg, director o f com m unity ser vices forC olum bia St. M ary’s H os pital in M ilwaukee, Wise, which co- founded the food pantry project. "W e know we can see these people once a m onth.” D espite an increasing num ber of free m edical clinics, treatm ent is hard for the needy to track down. T h a t’s e s p e c ia lly tru e fo r the nation’s top health problem s — high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol — that require David Thomas gets his blood pressure checked at a health clinic that works with a food pantry in Milwaukee, Wise. While there, he learned he was a prime candidate for a stroke. (AP photo) M ary' s and the medical college aim to provide scientific evidence that “chronic disease m anagem ent" — ongoing wellness care — can sig nificantly im prove food pantry us ers’ health in nine months. T he targets: High blood pres sure, diabetes, high cholesterol, obesity and smoking. The plan: Nurses will screen users o f three food pantries for those health con ditions when they com e in for free groceries. Those with problems can get treated on the spot, with ongo ing care as needed. And because four o f those con ditions are diet-related, patients also will get nutrition education: C ook ing classes in the p an try 's kitchen and tips to m ake the often carbohy drate- and salt-heavy food-hank staples a little healthier. Medical students will be sent shopping with patients, helping with things like label-checking for salt. Sadly, high-carb and high-fat foods tend to be a lot cheaper than fresh produce, and many o f these families feed four for a month on $250, Sanders says. "Try to talk them into a head o f broccoli. It’s going to be an eye- opener.” Thom as, 47, learned his blood pressure was a sky-high 194 over 124 w hile visiting the project’s ini tial food pantry clinic. A nurse told him he was at high risk fo ra stroke, and he agreed to treatment. Her w arnings really sank in days later, when a m eatpacking plant checked his health as part o f a jo b interview , and said h e'd be hired only after his hypertension was controlled. Five days after starting pantry- provided pills, T hom as’ blood pres sure was dropping fast. "This clinic is going to bring jo y to the w hole neighborhood,” he said. The program, which aims to treat 2,500 patients over three years, is funded by a $450,000 grant from a charity, but patients are expected to contribute for m edications if at all possible. Sanders predicts that for $4 or $5, a m onth’s supply o f generic hypertensionorcholesterol medic i ne wi 11 be adeq uate for m ost. T he seriously ill will be sent out for more advanced care, and nurses will enroll patients w hoqualify into M edicaid or other health programs. iMnMIWNMRMMNM H ealth W atch Fam ilies L iving W ith M ental Illness — A free 12- week life changing course designed for the family of mentally ill family m em bers, teaching coping skills, how to deal with crisis and relapse and more, begins Jan. 10, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. T o register, call 503-890- 4805. S m o k e-F ree S u p p o rt G ro u p - meets M ondays, 7 p.m. to8 p.m. For more information,call 503-256-4000. V eg etarian S ta r te r K it - Healthy vegetarian eating made easier with inform ational resources, samples, coupons and delicious recipes. Kits are $7.50 each (includes shipping). T o order, call 503-256-4000. B reastfeeding P re p aratio n -Thursday. Jan. 10, from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., this class is prepare expectant p a re n ts on the s tra te g ie s and te c h n iq u e s o f breastfeeding; $42 fee percouple, to registercall 503- 574-6595. B a b y sittin g T ra in in g -T h u rsd a y ,Ja n .3 fro m 9 a m. to 4:30 p.m., the Youth Em ploym ent Institute, 1704 N.E. 26th, will host the first aid training class partici pants will receive a first aid kit; $40 fee. T o register, call 503-888-2756. F ree B od y B asics - This physician recom m ended class is appropriate for all ages and health conditions. Plan to attend this one-session class and learn the simple guidelines for safe exercises, including stretch ing. Call 503-256-4000 to regi ster. F o r B ig B ro th ers & B ig S ister-T o -B e -- Saturday, Jan. 19,from 10a.m .to 11 a.m., special sibling class for children ages 3 to 6 helping to prepare for their role as an o ld ersib lin g ;$ 2 0 fe e (2 a d u lts, I child), to register call 503-574-6595. A d u lt C P R /F irst A id C la ss — Friday, Jan. 4, from 9 M a m m o g r a p h y S c r e e n in g — Early d etectio n is a C a r d ia c -R e h a b E x e r c ise C la s s e s - A m ed ically key facto r in the p rev en tio n o f breast can cer. Call 5 0 3 -2 5 1 -6 1 3 7 to sch ed u le y o u r h ig h -tech , soft- touch m am m ogram . su p erv ised ex e rcise p rogram fo r peo p le d ealin g w ith h eart co n d itio n s. For m ore in fo rm atio n , call 5O3-25I-626O. M a n a g in g C h ron ic H ep atitis C - - T hird W ednesday o f each month at 5 p.m., the inform ative session led by a registered nurse to help m anage side effects o f medications and dosage preparations and adm inis tration; doctors referral required to registercall 503- 151-6313. L eg A lert S cree n in g - Check for peripheral arterial disease with this safe, sim ple screening using ankle and arm blood pressure. The fee is $40. T o schedule an appointment, call 503-251-6137. a.m. to 3:15 p.m., the Youth Em ploym ent Institute, 1704 N.E. 26th Ave., will host the adult training class participants will receive a first aid kit; $47 fee. To register.call 503-888-2756. M a tern ity W ater W ork ou t - Helping new moms regain muscle tone, strength, and flexibility, all in the support and freedom o f the water. Call 503-256-4000 for more information. N ew b o rn C are - Saturday, Jan. 19, from noon to 5 T en d erfo o t C are - Treat your feet with a soak, nail p.m., expectant parents will learn tips and techniques for caring for their new born; $45 fee per couple. To registercall 503-574-6595. trim, buffing and massage from a licensed nurse al one o f six clinics or at your home. Call 503-251 -6303 for more information. W elco m e to M ed ica re -- M ake inform ed M edicare choices, attend the free class to explain M edicare options, Jan. 17, and Feb. 21, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., at the Bruning Center in G resham , 1484N .W . Civic Dr. For registration inform ation, call 5 0 3 -4 9 1 -7572. N u tritio n a l S em in a rs - New Seasons M arket is presenting a series o f nutritional sem inars at various store locations along with a nutritional help line. For m o re in f o rm a tio n , e m a il a s k th e n u tr itio n is t @ new seasonsm arket.com . O steo p o ro sis S creen in g — An ultrasound bone den S e n io r A e r o b ic s — A lo w -im p act w orkout geared sity screening with personalized education; fee $30. T o schedule an appointm ent, call 503-261 -6 6 11. specifically tow ard seniors. Call 5 0 3-449-0783 for cu rren t schedule. C a n c e r R e so u rce C e n te r - Providence St. V incent M edical C en ter and the A m erican Red C ro ss have jo in e d forces to create the first in -h o sp ital re source cen ter p ro v id in g books, prin ted m aterial, co m p u ter access and m ore for in d iv id u als and fam ilies d ealin g w ith cancer. T he ce n te r is c u r ren tly open M onday through T h u rsd ay , 9 a.m . to 4 p.m. EXPRESS^ SPINAÏÇOLUMN Thanks Portland Com munity!!! An ongoing senes of questions and answers about America's natural healing profession Dr. Billy R. Flowers Thank you: A Happy and healthy New Year to our great patients. Only nature creates and only na ture can truly heal. W e look forw ard to continue se rv in g th o se o f you w h o ’ve m ade the natural selection: C h i ropractic. T he only m ajo r health science w hose only side effects arc im proved h ealth and g reater P a r e n tin g C la sse s — N ew borns d o n ’t com e w ith in stru ctio n m an u als but parents and paren ts-to - be can learn ab o u t a v ariety o f to p ics from pain and ch ild b irth to b reastfeed in g to infant CPR and m uch m ore. For a sch ed u le o f ev en ts, call 503-5 7 4 -6 5 9 5 o r visit: p ro v id en c e.o rg /cla sses. CANNON’S ____________ THE____________ Now is the season to reflect on the events o f the past year and look ahead to al I the New Year has to offer. This past year has cer tainly been a happy one for all of us. W e’ve had so m any kind and w onderful patients. T o all o f you, “thank you.” We appreciate your courtesy and your zeal to share with friends how C hiropractic’s natural healing has helped you. It is really exciting to have more and more people aware o f the healing pow er o f nature. S tro k e A lert S cree n in g - Check your carotid arter ies with a painless ultrasound to assess your risk; fee $40. To schedule a screening, call 503-251-6137. Years on the Corner sense o f w ell-b ein g . If you ev er have any q u estio n s ab o u t y o u r h ealth or about any o f o u r m any serv ices, w e ’ll alw ays be happy to help. A gain, we w ish you co n tin ued health th ro u g h o u t the co m ing N ew Year. Thanks Chuck Hinton Portland Style BBQ * Let Us Cater Your Next Event * Catering & Take-Out Our Specialty: Real Hickory Smoked Bar-B-Q Wayne Cannon - Proprietor Mon.Thu. 11:30 a m. 9:00 p.m. • Frt.-Sat. 11:30 a m.-11:00 p.m. Sun. 1:00-7:00 p.m. 5410 N.E. 33rd 503-288-3836 Flowers' Chiropractic Office 2124 N.E. Hancock Street, Portland Oregon 97212 Dentures Worth Smiling About! P h o n e : ( 5 0 3 ) 2 8 7 -5 5 0 4 Subscribe ^^^»liirtlanh (Obseruer • Professional Services • Affordable Prices • Payment Plans; O A C • Over 20 years experience • Full & Partial Dentures • Natural Appearance • Full Service Lab • Accepting Oregon Health Plan ouS&sena Attn'. Subscriptions, PO Box 3137, Portland OR 97208 503-288-0033 Melanie Block, L.D. s u b s c r ip tio n s a re ju s t $ 6 0 p e r y e a r (please include check with this subscription form) D enturist 503-230-0207 We 've Moved! N am e :____________________________ T elephone : _______________ 200 N.E. 20"’ Ave., Ste 1 (X) Portland, OR 97232 Free parking A ddress :------------------------------------------------------------------------------- or email subscriptions® portlandobserver.com j Medical Office Degrees Offered If you are in terested in a m ed i cal p ro fessio n but p refer an o f fice settin g , the M edical O ffice S p ecialist p ro g ram s at M t. H ood C om m unity C ollege can teach you the skills you need for the career you w ant. A M edical O ffice S p ecialist as an A d m in istrativ e S ecretary will gain skills in patien t relations, recep tio n , m edical records, c o m pu ters, sch ed u lin g , co ding and b illing. T his o p tion appeals to one w ho en jo y s helping people, w ants to w ork in a professional settin g and p refers a v ariety o f jo b assig n m en ts. A M edical O ffice S p ecialist in A cco u n tin g co n cen trates on ac counts receivable, billing and co l lection p ro ced u res, patien t and in su ran ce reco rd keep in g , and b u d g et and financial records. A M edical O ffice S p ecialist in M an ag em en t p rep ares to o v er see a h ealth care facility hy learn ing how to lead people and m an age o ffice o p eratio n s. T he M an ag em en t S p ecialist m ost often a s p ire s to e v e n tu a lly m an ag e som e segm ent o f a m edical o rg a nization. For general inform ation, e-mail carole.wickham @ m hcc.edu. \ilvertise with diversity in 1.1 o i t lattò (Dbg tru e r Call 503-288-0033