Pulse on Health by Jeff Hansel

Public Health Services Advisory Board meeting agenda

Mark your calendar.

The Olmsted County Public Health Services Advisory Board meets at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, January 7, 2010 in the Cascade Conference Room at Olmsted County Public Health, 2100 Campus Dr. S.E. (which is kitty corner from Olmsted Medical Center Hospital and right next to the Federal Medical Center off of 4th Street S.E.).

"The Public Health Service Advisory Board (PHSAB) is a citizen board appointed by the Olmsted County Board of Commissioners.  Under Minnesota Statute 145A, the Olmsted County Board has authority as Public Health Board.  The role of the PHSAB is to advise the County Board on planning, maintenance, funding and evaluation of public health services," says the county's Web site.

Meeting agenda items include:

• Minnesota Department of Health grant opportunities.

• A regional proposal for TB (tuberculosis) clinic services.

• Health information technology, including federal, state and local issues.

• An update from the State Community Health Services Committee.

• Legislative issues, including local public-health priorities.

• Olmsted County lobbying policy for staff and the Advisory Board.

Pulse on Health

By Jeff Hansel, member Association of Health Care Journalists

Health Reporter for the Post-Bulletin newspaper, 18 1st Ave. S.E. in Rochester, Minnesota 55904

Olmsted Medical Center vaccinations January 6

Olmsted Medical Center says it has vaccine available against both seasonal flu and H1N1 influenza.  It will hold a vaccination clinic on January 6.  The center prefers that you make an appointment ahead of time, but walk-ins will be accepted.

Time:  8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Location, OMC, 210 9th Street S.E. in Rochester (across from K-Mart)

Date:  Wednesday, Jan. 6

Vaccine is available to everyone eligible, regardless of whether they're OMC patients or not.

Call 507.288.3443 to schedule appointments. "If patients are unable to attend this clinic, OMC patient services staff will schedule future appointments as long as vaccine supplies last," the center notes.

Cost:  A $30 dollar administration fee per dose for H1N1 (the vaccine itself is free). Seasonal flu vaccine, including administration fee, costs $57 and $63 depending on the form of vaccine given.

Pulse on Health

By Jeff Hansel, member Association of Health Care Journalists

Health Reporter for the Post-Bulletin newspaper, 18 1st Ave. S.E. in Rochester, Minnesota 55904

U.S. lung cancer deaths from radon

Most of the southern and western half of Minnesota has a high potential for indoor radon exposure.

Radon is the second-leading cause of death from lung cancer in the U.S., according to the federal government.

"Cigarette smoking is the most common cause of lung cancer. Radon represents a far smaller risk for this disease, but it is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. Scientists estimate that approximately 15,000 to 22,000 lung cancer deaths per year are related to radon. Although the association between radon exposure and smoking is not well understood, exposure to the combination of radon gas and cigarette smoke creates a greater risk for lung cancer than either factor alone. The majority of radon-related cancer deaths occur among smokers," the National Cancer Institute says online.

In Minnesota, newly constructed homes must now protect against radon exposure.  Homes built before the law went into effect can be updated to protect against radon exposure.  The 2007 law was authored by Minnesota Rep. Kim Norton, DFL-Rochester.  Retrofitting for homes built before the law can be a costly affair (up to a couple of thousand dollars).  

Wonder if your home has a high level of radon (a radioactive decay product of naturally occurring uranium in soil and rocks, according to Post-Bulletin archives)? 

Olmsted County Public Health offers testing kits.  

Cost?  $19.

Pulse on Health

By Jeff Hansel, member Association of Health Care Journalists

Health Reporter for the Post-Bulletin newspaper, 18 1st Ave. S.E. in Rochester, Minnesota 55904 

Christmas tackle box

Here's my own personal Christmas miracle.  Last week I wrote that my truck had been broken into ($185 to replace the window) and my tackle box stolen (that I got from my brother long ago) and my gym bag stolen ($60 or so to replace the well-used shoes, shorts, paddle lock, etc.), along with the GPS device my mother gave me (sentimental value, but worth way less monetarily than the cost of replacing the window).  

But yesterday I spied a rectangle in the snow drift in the back of my truck.  The thief (or thieves) had apparently taken a look inside my well-worn tackle box and realized there was nothing of value inside.  They tossed it into the back of the pickup (thank you!).  I can't adequately explain that this was truly a sentimental value piece of property that I have fished with since I was a child of about 10.

The lures inside are rusty and old (and smell of catfish bait and ripe night crawlers).  So there's no monetary value to them.  But they mean something to me.  So I'm thankful that the thief (or thieves) were kind enough to leave this item behind.  What a relief.  

Now I know I'll be out fishing again, happy as a clam (but even less wealthy than I was before). By the way, who in the world wants to wear my old gym shoes?  Eww.

Pulse on Health

By Jeff Hansel, member Association of Health Care Journalists

Health Reporter for the Post-Bulletin newspaper, 18 1st Ave. S.E. in Rochester, Minnesota 55904 

Alzheimer's disease and cancer rarely occur together

Scientists at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri say their research shows that people who develop Alzheimer's disease are less likely to develop cancer.  And those who get cancer are less likely to develop Alzheimer's.  

It's a double-edged sword, of course, because everyone wants to avoid getting Alzheimer's.  But nobody wants cancer.  Conversely, everyone wants to avoid cancer, but nobody wants Alzheimer's.  Still, for those who are cancer survivors, this might at least ease a few minds.

Researchers hope their work might lead to new ways to treat both conditions.

University researcher Catherine Roe says both illnesses are characterized by abnormal cell behavior, with cells dying at an extraordinary rate in those who have Alzheimer's and cancer characterized by extraordinary cell growth.

"Hints of a disconnect between cancers and neurological disorders have been building for years. The effect was first noticed in patients with Parkinson's disease, who get cancer less often; later studies have suggested that multiple sclerosis sufferers may have fewer tumors, and that Down syndrome patients who live to middle age or older have reduced incidence of cancer," the university says in an announcement (which includes many more details than I describe here).

The researchers found that "those who had Alzheimer's disease at the start of the study were 69 percent less likely to be hospitalized for cancer treatment than those who did not have Alzheimer's when the study began. Caucasian people who had cancer as the study began had 43 percent less risk of developing Alzheimer's disease."

It's an intriguing finding.  But researchers want to look at a larger patient population to confirm what they've found.

Their results appear in the journal Neurology.  

Dr. John Noseworthy, it's worth pointing out, was editor-in-chief of Neurology until he was named national CEO of Mayo Clinic.

Pulse on Health

By Jeff Hansel, member Association of Health Care Journalists

Health Reporter for the Post-Bulletin newspaper, 18 1st Ave. S.E. in Rochester, Minnesota 55904 

Pine Island considers TIF for Elk Run — again (mark your calendar)

Mark your calendars!

If you're interested in the seemingly sputtering (drive, cough, sputter, drive...) progress of the $1 billion Elk Run biotechnology project in Pine Island, Minnesota, you might want to attend the 7 p.m. January 19, 2010 meeting of the Pine Island City Council.

The council has appeared ready to vote to approve a tax increment financing (TIF) district for 49.5 acres of land so developer Tower Investments can begin construction of the first two buildings.  Venture Capitalist G. Steven Burrill told me recently, when he spoke in Golden Valley, Minnesota, that he looks forward to the U.S. 52 interchange construction that will allow those structures to proceed.  

But each time the Pine Island City Council has appeared ready to vote on the TIF district, concerns from Olmsted County appear to have gotten in the way.  Olmsted County commissioners worry about an ongoing land dispute that's actually supposed to be outside the 49.5 acres.  

The Olmsted County commissioners also voted to give the county the option of staking a claim on the Elk Run TIF money.  

Screech — hold up — said the folks in Pine Island city government, who say they didn't realize that issue was about to  become, well, an issue. They claim the county's action could scuttle things, by delaying the project by a couple of years (or by causing the whole thing to stall altogether).  

If this all sounds like a lot of posturing over turf and power and pride, you might want to head to the meeting and voice your opinion, ask questions or simply listen to see what the Pine Island City Council members decide to do.

Pulse on Health

By Jeff Hansel, member Association of Health Care Journalists

Health Reporter for the Post-Bulletin newspaper, 18 1st Ave. S.E. in Rochester, Minnesota 55904 

Olmsted Medical Center starting CDC shingles study

The Centers for Disease Control and the Olmsted Medical Center Research Department in Rochester, Minnesota have announced a new study of shingles (otherwise known as herpes zoster).

"Shingles is a painful rash caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox.  After you've had chickenpox, the virus remains in certain nerve cells.  Illness, trauma, a weakened immune system, or stress may 'awaken' the virus later in life and cause it to reappear as shingles," says OMC's patient newsletter "HealthNotes."

Symptoms, according to OMC, include:  pain, itching or tingling on one side of the body or face.

"Within a few days, a rash appears in the same area and may be accompanied by fever, headache, nausea, or diarrhea."

When doctors at OMC recognize a new shingles illness, researchers will contact patients who have agreed to participate in research.  Such patients will be interviewed about their experience with things such as pain and risk factors.

Researchers hope to learn more about the illness as a result.  

"If you develop shingles, have not seen your healthcare provider for treatment, and wish to participate in this study, please call the OMC Research department at 507.287-2758," the medical center asks. 

Pulse on Health

By Jeff Hansel, member Association of Health Care Journalists

Health Reporter for the Post-Bulletin newspaper, 18 1st Ave. S.E. in Rochester, Minnesota 5590

H1N1 vaccine in Rochester

The JAY Clinic (I've been told JAY stands for "Just About You") in Rochester has vaccine against H1N1 influenza available.  

Address: 3257 19th St. N.W. in Rochester 

Phone:  424-0175

Who qualifies?  Anyone 3 years and older. 

Do I need an appointment?  Walk-ins are welcome.

Hours: 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. through Wednesday this week (the week of New Year’s 2009/2010) and during normal business hours next week.

Pulse on Health

By Jeff Hansel, member Association of Health Care Journalists

Health Reporter for the Post-Bulletin newspaper, 18 1st Ave. S.E. in Rochester, Minnesota 55904 

Need help with a job, food, haircut, rent?

Mark your calendar!

Multiple non-profit agencies and volunteer professionals from the Rochester, Minnesota community are putting on the second annual "Community Connect" event.

Last year, hundreds attended.  You can get free access to:

• Legal services

• Medical checks

• Housing resources

• Free lunch

• Employment assistance

• Free haircuts

• Services for veterans

• Photo IDs

• Interpreters

• Mortgage foreclosure resources

• Tax appointment information

What:  Project Community connect

Date:  Thursday, January 28, 2010

Time:  11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Location:  Christ United Methodist Church, 400 5th Ave. S.W., Rochester (507-328-6333)

Below are some other notes that might be helpful, in case you miss the Project Community Connect event:

Resources for the homeless 

Do you or someone you know need food, clothing, housing, social services, medical care or job training? Try the following services:

• Community Action Program offers short-term help with rent; Family Loan Program for rental deposits, small one-time education grants, car repairs and mobile home down payments. Food support outreach for seniors. Voice mail boxes for people without phones. Call 285-8785 or go online at www.co.olmsted.mn.us/family/

• Christ United Methodist Church, 400 Fifth Ave. S.W. Saturday Noon Meals. Call 289-4019.

• Dorothy Day Hospitality House, 703 First St. S.W., a temporary shelter for homeless adult males and females, and families. Each person can stay up to 14 consecutive days and then must wait for 30 days before returning (the 14-day rule is waived during temperatures colder than 32 degrees). Call 282-5172 (call before 9 a.m. or after 4 p.m.).

• Interfaith Hospitality Network of Greater Rochester, a collaboration of 39 area churches that offer food and shelter to homeless families with children under age 16. Call 281-3122 or e-mail grihn@qwest.net. www.ihn-greater-rochester.org

• Labor Ready, 903 Sixth St. N.W., temporary jobs offered on a by-the-day basis. Arrive early (5 a.m.). Call 800-24-LABOR or 286-1064 or go online at www.laborready.com

• Lutheran Social Services, Owatonna. The Freebound program helps youth ages 16 to 21 learn independent living skills. Topics include landlord and tenant rights, budgeting and bill paying, food and nutrition planning, interview techniques, job skills and use of credit. Call 507-455-3863.

• Minnesota Workforce Center, 300 11th Ave. N.W. Rehabilitation, resume writing, job search, veterans employment and other services. Call 285-7315 or go online at www.mnwfc.org/rochester

• Olmsted County Social Services, 2116 Campus Drive S.E. Support and assistance for people with serious mental-health problems, chronic addiction, developmental disabilities; elderly individuals and people with disabilities. Considered a first step before seeking help from other agencies. Call 285-7009.

• Salvation Army, 20 First Ave. N.E. for anyone who needs free meals at noon, counseling, health services, emergency assistance. Call 288-3663.

• St. Francis Catholic Church, 1114 Third St. S.E. Lunch on Sundays at noon. Call 288-7313.

• United Way 211, telephone only, a referral service that can direct you to various community resources. Call 211 from any telephone is plugged into a wall outlet. Cell phone users might need to call 800-543-7709.www.uwolmsted.org/211.html

• Rochester Area Family Y Link Program for homeless youth and youth at risk of homelessness ages 16 to 21. Olmsted, Wabasha, Fillmore and Dodge Counties. Short-term rental assistance. Life skills training. Call 287-2260, ext. 350 or Ext. 336 or go online atwww.rochfamy.org/teens/link.html

• Women's Shelter Inc. of Rochester safe temporary shelter for female victims of domestic violence and their children. 24- Hour Hotline: 507-285-1010; Business Line: 507-285-1938; E-mail wsi5@ll.net (if you are in danger, be sure to use a computer and e-mail account that can't be accessed by someone who might harm you).

• Zumbro Valley Mental Health Center, 315 Elton Hills Drive N.W. Mental and chemical health services, and Homeless Service Team. Call 281-6240. www.zumbromhc.org

• Brain Injury Association of Minnesota, MINNEAPOLIS, provides statewide followup to individuals with brain injuries.  The process of getting resources lined up is free.  

Pulse on Health

By Jeff Hansel, member Association of Health Care Journalists

Health Reporter for the Post-Bulletin newspaper, 18 1st Ave. S.E. in Rochester, Minnesota 55904 

"Tool kits" for military youth available to schools

Army Times reports that the American Association of School Administrators has designed a new online "tool kit to help school officials understand and meet the needs of military children."

"Relatively few military kids go to Defense Department schools, so transitions have been an issue for years.  Children of active-duty, National Guard and reserve troops are scattered throughout communities across the nation," Army Times reports.

Kits include:

• Assembling welcome packets for military children.

• Establishing buddy programs.

• Setting up transition centers.

• Creating school district Web pages for military parents.

• Providing counselors training in helping military families deal with change, deployment and grief.

• Video of discussion among school administrators, a counselor and a parent.

Want to get a kit for your school?  Go to www.aasa.org/MilitaryChild.aspx.

The average military family moves three times as often as a civilian family does, the Association of School Administrators says.  

Pulse on Health

By Jeff Hansel, member Association of Health Care Journalists

Health Reporter for the Post-Bulletin newspaper, 18 1st Ave. S.E. in Rochester, Minnesota 55904