Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 25 October 2002 — Page 32

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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25,2002 ■ PAGE 06 TO Y01 HEALTH

Clarian Announces Indiana’s First / 'ifl ^ Women s HeartAdvantage Program

By Jon M. Mitts Most women believe that breast cancer is the number one threat to their health; however, the reality is something far different Heart disease is the number one killer of women and claims the lives of more women each year than the next seven causes of death combined. Most women are not aware of the prevalence of heart disease, and many women and physicians are not educated about the warning signs, symptoms or preventive measures that should be taken. Tlie following are the staggering statistics regarding heart disease and women: • 288,275 women in the greater Indianapolis area are at risk for a heart attack today • 6,435 women in the greater Indianapolis area died from heart disease in 2000 • 500,000 women in the United States die from heart disease annually - the number one killer of American women. • 93,000 women in the U.S. die each year from stroke. • 9 milhon women in the U.S. of all ages suffer from heart disease. • 1 in 10 women 45 to 64 yean of age in the U.S. has some form of heart disease.

• 1 in 4 women 65 or older in the U.S. has a form of heart disease. Clarian Health Partners - Methodist, IU and Riley Hospitals - in partnership with VHA, a national alliance of 2,200 health care organizations, introduced Women’s HeartAdvantage at the end of September. Clarian is one of a few health care organizations involved in this progressive, national endeavor. ' i The goals of the Clarian Women’s HeartAdvantage program are improving the clinical outcomes of women with heart disease, changing the manner in which physicians and women approach heart disease, its prevention, detection and treatment through the education of women, physicians and communities. Women’s HeartAdvantage is also designed to raise awareness and change behavior among women about steps they can take to prevent heart attacks and how to recognize when a heart attack is occurring, since the symptoms differ among women and men. “Heart disease is the leading cause of death among women and accounts for nearly 45 percent of all female deaths,” stated Elisabeth von der Lohe, MD, interventional cardiologist, Krannert Institute of Cardiology, Associate Professor, Indiana University School of Medicine and physician champion of the Clarian Women’s

HeartAdvantage Program. “Women and physicians need to better understand and react more quickly to the signs and symptoms of heart disease.” “Too many times women are not consulting their physicians soon enough, and other times are being misdiagnosed or under-diagnosed. Clarian Women’s HeartAdvantage equips women with the tools necessary to understand the risks, signs and symptoms of heart disease and teaches them to be more assertive in seeking care.” “Women need to know the right questions to ask their physician, and talk openly about concerns or risk factors they may have. These steps will reduce the number of misdiagnoses, under-diagnoses and the number of deaths as a result of heart disease,” Dr. von der Lohe concluded. Clarian officially launched the Clarian Women’s HeartAdvantage program at a news conference at the RCA Dome, Tuesday October 22, revealing the program in its entirety and the tactics that will be implemented to attain the goals of the program. Physicians, cardiologists, families, community leaders and other professionals were present and involved in the kickoff. For more information about the Clarian Women’s HeartAdvantage program, please call (800) 265-3220.

Dress up in safety this Halloween As Halloween creeps up, kids will dream of have had adequate time to inspect it. You may spooky costumes, jack-6-lantems and haunted also want to bring along a few treats of your own houses. Halloween is one of the most thrilling nights to keep them satisfied, of the year for children, and also one of the most Pedestrian injuries dangerous. As kids hit the street to trick-or-treat, the ■ Halloween Is the most dangerous night of the potential for unintentional injury rises. In fact, year for child pedestrians. Darting out into the children are four times more likely to be hit by a car street is one of the most common causes of on Halloween than any other night of the year, pedestrian death among children. As children Halloween can indeed be scary, with increases in scurry from house to house collecting treats, it is pedestrian injuries, bums and falls among children, important to take the following precautions: “Children may be distracted by the excitement of Visibility the night and the funoftrick-or-treating, and may not ■ Decorate costumes, bags and sacks with take safety to the street. Careless street crossing retroreffective tape and stickers, coupled with drivers’ more limited vision at night ■ Use costumes that are light or bright enough to can make for a deadly mix,” said Serifatu Walton of make children more visible at night, the Indianapolis SAFE KIDS Coalition. “Many of Traffic the risks kids face on Halloween can be avoided if ■ Teach children to walk, not run, while trick-or-parents discuss important safety precautions with treating. their kids.” ■ Teach them to look left, right and left again As parents and children take time to construct before crossing the street and to continue looking costumes and decorations, the Marion County both ways as they cross. Tell them to cross Health Department and the Indianapolis SAFE streets only at intersections and crosswalks. KIDS Coalition recommend the following: ■ Teach them never to dart out into a street or For kids ages 12 and under: cross between parked cars. ■ Adults should accompany children under age Falls 12 on their trick-or-treat rounds. ■ On Halloween night, cumbersome costumes ■ Attach the name, address and phone number and blinding masks can make walking safely (Including area code) of children under age 12 to through dark neighborhoods difficult. The their clothes in case they get separated from following tips can help prevent fall-related adults. injuries: For kids ages 12 and older: ■ Apply face paint or cosmetics directly to the ■ Teach your child his or her phone number. face. It is safer than a loose-fitting mask that can ■ Make sura your children have change for a obstruct a child’s vision. If a mask Is worn, be phone call in case they have a problem away certain it fits securely. Cut the eyeholes large from home. enough for full vision. ■InatructchHdrsn to travel only In familiar areas ■ Give trtck-or-treatsrs flashlights. and along a pre-established route. ■ Make costumes short enough to avoid tripping. ■ Inetruct children never to enter a home or an ■ Allow children to carry only flexible knives, apartment budding unless accompanied by an swords or other props. Anything they carry adult could Injure them if they fall. ■ Sat a time for children to return home. Burns

■ Use fire resistant material when making or obstacles such as costumes.

Mwm ahead af I My te want Per tarther iaronnatieo, pls«s contact tbs trip before you Indiaiupolu SAFE KIDS Coalition at 221-2045.

7th Annual Safe Night Halloween Party Sponsored by tho Indiana Criminal Justice Institute FREE Thursday, October 31,2002 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. South Pavilion - Indiana State Fairgrounds For children 14 & under (must be accompanied by an adult) Treat your kids to... • education St Skills Arts and crafts, games, activities, and much more.

• Safety At the Safe Night Halloween Party on the Indiana State Fairgrounds, kids and parents can celebrate Halloween in a safe environment.

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