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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 29, 2008)
<riî O ctober 29, 2 00 8 Page A5 H ealth matters Advocate Comes Out of Retirement To address addictions, mental health The long-time executive for a non-profit agency that houses and serves homeless adults and families beset by poverty, addic tions and m ental illness will tackle some of the same issues for the Oregon Department of Human Services. Richard L. Harris, who recently retired from Portland’s Central City Concern, has joined the state agency as the new interim assis tant director for addictions and to make the most of and public safety system s, so mental health. our re so u rc e s,” he to get a handle on these costs With the department we need to do a better jo b of says. facing budget b e lt a d d re s s in g a d d ic tio n s ," he H arris says one tightening and an up said. “Determining when to ap way to streamline the coming legislative ses ply services at the right place d elivery system o f sion, Harris says there and right tim e is im portant. healthcare and con are many challenges, trol the enormous cost People are more likely to change including preparing a of caring for the unin behaviors and reco v er when workable budget for sured is to enroll ev th e y h a v e s ta b le h o u s in g . the A d d ictio n s and Richard L. Harris erybody in universal W hen they do, that makes our Mental Health D ivi sion that focuses on delivering health care. And he called for jo b less difficult.” Harris says he plans to work the required services in the best continued emphasis on commu closely with staff, providers and nity-based services. possible way. He said addressing the impact stakeholders during his tenure at “I’ll be working with staff, pro viders and stakeholders to make of drug and alcohol addiction on DHS, most likely through the next legislative session and during the sure every dollar is spent wisely our society is also important. “Alcohol and drugs are big national recruitment to find his and building consensus within DHS and all the other divisions cost drivers in human service successor. FAMILY REUNION Screen Printing 503-762-6042 H ealth W atch Get Ready for Flu Season Flu seaso n is b eg in n in g and health officials encourage the pub lic to get vaccinated early. Vaccine is arriving at numerous locations, including grocery stores and health care providers. This year’s vaccine is in plentiful supply and is formu lated to protect against three new strains of the virus. According to the Oregon Depart ment o f Human Services Public Health Division, nearly 450 Orego nians die of influenza every year. Influenza and related pneumonia is the number one cause of death from infections in Oregon. Nationally, more than 220,000 people are hospi talized with flu complications and flu kills more than 36,000 people annu ally. “It is especially important to get vaccinated if you are at greater risk of developing serious flu-related complications, such as pneumonia,” says Paul Lewis, M.D., Deputy Tri- County Health Officer. Groups at higher risk include children aged 6 months to 5 years, pregnant women, people 50 years of age and older, people with chronic medical condi tions, and anyone living in a nurs ing home or long-term care facility. This year, Centers for Disease C ontrol and P revention reco m m ends that all child ren from 6 months to 18 years receive flu shots. Children are twice as likely to get influenza as adults. Caregivers, fam- S5.00 Tees 9 ily members, and those who work with higher risk groups are also en- couraged'to be immunized. Influenza vaccine provided to a pregnant woman may benefit both mothers and their young infants, ac cording to a recent study by re searchers of Johns Hopkins Univer sity Bloomberg School of Public Health, published in the New En gland Journal o f M edicine. Re searchers found that babies bom to vaccinated mothers had a 63 percent lower risk of laboratory-confirmed influenza compared to babies whose mother had not received a flu shot. Pneumonia (pneumococcal dis ease) is a leading complication as sociated with seasonal flu. Some types o f pneum onia can be pre vented by vaccines. Talk with your doctor about which pneumonia vac cine especially if you are older that 65 or have lung disease, heart trouble or other chronic medical conditions. Health officials remind the public to practice “good health manners” to prevent transmission of disease. “We encourage everyone to cover your cough and wash hands often. If you are sick, please stay home, and if your children are sick please keep them out of school or child care,” says Lewis. ’ For more information on flu shot locations, call 1 -800-S AFENET, or v isit w w w .g e ta flu sh o t.c o m or www.flucliniclocator.org Senior Aerobics — A low-impact workout geared specifically toward seniors. Call 503-449-0783 for current schedule. Better Breathers -- An asthma educational support group meets on the 1st Tuesday of the month from 1:15 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. at Adventist Medical Center. For more information, call 503-251-6830. Peer-to-Peer Recovery - Peer-to-peer education recovery is a free 9 -w eek course for mental health patients. Mentors who are recovering from mental illness are trained to teach coping strategies toothers. Formore information, call 503-228-5692. Cardiac-Rehab Exercise Classes - A medically supervised exercise program for people dealing with heart conditions. For more information, call 503-251 -6260. Osteoporosis Screening - An ultrasound bone density screening with personalized education; fee $30. To schedule an appointment, call 503-261 -6611. Stroke Alert Screening - Check your carotid arteries with a painless ultrasound to assess your risk. Fee $40. To schedule a screening, call 503-251-6137. Chronic Pain Support Group - meets the first Wednesday at 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. and the third Wednesday of each month, from 7 p.m. to8:30p.m. Formore information, call 503-256-4000. Leg Alert Screening - Check for peripheral arterial disease with this safe, simple screening using ankle and arm blood pressure. The fee is $40. To schedule an appointment, call 503- 251-6137. Bereavement Support Groups - Free, safe confidential group meetings for those who have experienced the death o f a loved one offered on various nights and locations. For information and registration, call 503-215-4622. Hospice Volunteer Training - Providence offers a free com prehensive course of training to prepare people who are interested in becoming hospice volunteers. No previous experience is required. For more information or to request an application packet, call Melinda Smith, hospice volunteer coordinator, at 503-215-5774. Please Join Cl’ ^ d o rtla n h O b s e r v e r Newspaper at Community Service Awards Banquet RESCHEDULED TO Friday, March 20 7 p.m to 10 p.m. This celebratory event will include music from local talent, awards of scholarships, and community service awards for those in the community that realize the potential in our city and communities who strive to continually give of themselves. Charles Washington, the Publisher of the Portland Observer Newspaper carries on the legacy of his mother's hard work in the community and her efforts in helping those in the community. fo r tickets or table information contact: Kathy Linder email kathyl@portlandobserver.com or call 5O3-2SS-OO33