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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