Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 15 November 2002 — Page 32

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8,2002 ■ PAGE D6 TO ¥01 HEALTH

Don't lot Tobacco Take Control of You

Submitted by the Health Education, Promotion and Training Department of the Marion County Health Department African Americans continue to suffer disproportionately from chronic and preventable disease compared to White Americans. Each year in the United States, approximately 45,000 African Americans die bom a smoking - related preventable disease. Smoking and tobacco use are major contributors to the 3 leading causes of death in African Americans: heart disease, cancer and stroke. In Marion County 28 percent of all residents smoke. Approximately 36 percent African American men in Marion County report using tobacco products whereas, 28 percent of African American females who are 25-44 years old use tobacco products. A one-year national study found that three major African American publications - Ebony, Jet, and Essence - received proportionately higher profits from cigarette advertisements than othermagazines. The tobacco industry attempts to maintain a positive image and public support among African Americans by. supporting cultural events and making contributions to minority higher education institutions, elected officials, civic and community organizations, and scholarship programs. Chemicals are added to tobacco for a variety of reasons.... better taste and smell; to form a vapor so that the nicotine can be inhaled into smokers lungs, to increase the speed at which nicotine reaches the brain and to make the cigarette bum more evenly. Cigarette manufacturers deliberately added these chemicals to enable the smoker to tolerate toxic amounts of cigarette smoke. They were added without regard to smoker’s health and also

added to keep the smokers addicted. Nicotine, one of more than 4,000 chemicals found in tobacco products such as cigarettes, cigars and pipes, is the primary addictive ingredient that acts on the brain. Through inhaling the average smoker takes in 1-2 milligrams of nicotine per cigarette. Nicotine can reach peak levels in the blood and brain rapidly. Cigarette smoking for example can reach the brain within 10 seconds of inhalation. Nicotine activates the brain’s circuitry that regulates feelings of pleasure and reward. Quitting smoking cigarettes or any tobacco products can be done with a well thought out plan. This requires preparation both mentally

and physically. Many people try two or three times before they quit for good. Each time one tries to quit; the more likely they will be to succeed. Now that you have read how chemicals and addictive properties are added to cigarettes, how the tobacco industry targets African Americans, how cigarettes cause cancer and disease and most of all how cigarettes kill ... It’s time for you to take action now! For more information about programs to help vou quit contact Anne Privette at the Marion County Health Department 317-221 -2084 2Lwww.mchd.com You Can Do It! Keep Trying Until You Quit For Good!

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Get Ready •Seta quit date and stick to it - not even a single puff! Get Support and Encouragement • Tell your family, friends, and coworkers that you are quitting. • Talk to your doctor or other health care providers. • Get group, individual, or telephone counseling. Learn New Skills and Behaviors • Change your routine when you first try to quit. • Reduce stress. • Distract yourself from the urge to smoke. • Plan something enjoyable to do every day. • Drink a lot of water. Get Medication and Use It Correctly • Talk to your health care provider about which medications will work best for you. • Bupropion SR (Welbutrin or Zyban) - available by prescription only. • Nicotine gum - available over-the-counter. • Nicotine patch - available over-the-counter. • Nicotine nasal spray - available by prescription only. ' • Nicotine inhaler - available by prescription only. • Use your medications as prescribed by your physician. Be Prepared For Relapse or DiiGBcultSituatkms • Avoid alcohol. • Be careful around other smokers. • Improve your mood in ways other than smoking. • Eat a healthy diet and stdy active.

Indianapolis native honored for helping F,B.L crack cases Special to the Recorder Dr. Penny White, a Montgomery, Ala. Pediatrician and Indianapolis native, was recently honored by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). She has been given the Director’s Community Leadership Award for the year

2001.

White was recognized during a ceremony at the Montgomery Primary Health Clinic. “I guess I was more humbled to think they would honor me than anything,” she said. “It’s just second nature to do what I can to help

kids.”

White, who’s been a pediatrician for 20 years, loves treating children at the Montgomery Primary Health Care Center, based in the Montgomery County Health Department. According to Neil Probst of the Montgomery Advertiser, The FBI’s Mobile Field Office has “worked closely with White in several high-profile, highly publicized cases involving sexual molestation of children and trafficking of ‘kiddie pom’ across the Internet, cases the FBI said White was “instrumental” in helping bring to fruition. “The service she is performing is invaluable,” said Tim Fuhrman, assistant special agent in charge of Alabama’s Mobile Office. Fuhrman said that without White’s assistance, the cases in which she assisted would have been more difficult, and, in some cases, not capable of being prosecuted. White said the FBI began contacting her 3 to 4 years ago, relying

Dr. Penny White is shown with her nieces (left to right) Meagen,

Kendall and Lauren Gilbert. (Photo provided)

on her to clarify information on victim’s ages and consulting with her about practitioners suspected of inappropriate behavior. In fact, the FBI said White gave significant assistance in the prosecution of Bradley Joseph Steiger, a former emergency room doctor

in Lowndes County.

In October, 2001, Steiger was sentenced to 17 years in federal prison for producing and possession of child pornography. Steiger was convicted of drugging, stripping and then taking pornographic pictures of his step-

daughter and stepniece.

U.S. District Judge Harold*

Albritton gave Steiger the maximum penalty under federal law for producing child pornography and ordered him to undergo counseling once he arrives at a North Carolina prison. Steiger 40, drugged the Lowndes County girls- ages 10 and 6 at the time- then removed their clothes and positioned them in sexually explicit poses before photographing them during a trip to the Bahamas, where he served as a doctor for wealthy vacationers. Still, as White emphasized, the award surprised her because she was doing'what she loves, helping children.

Want to flUlt Smoking? The time is now!

Programs are available to help you quit. Call 317-221-2084 Or visit www.mchd.com to find out more about smoking cessation services that can help you quit. Clean Air for Everyone. wmumn mmmm NUNHHHr Clean Air for Everyone. Jsr

Quitting smoking is one of the most important things you can do for yourself. You can do it! * Believe in yourself. * Set a quit date soon. * Tell family and friends you have quit smoking. Ask them not to smoke around you. * Talk to someone who has quit using tobacco. * Get rid of ashtrays and cigarettes. Make it hard to get any tobacco products. * Try to change some of your daily habits to lessen your chances of smoking.

So, you’re finally that age you never thought you would be

Now, Stay Healthy.

Staying healthy starts with you. And us. We re the Women 's Hospital of Indianapolis and me^idmMcatml to the haaKh of women pst like you. Women of all ages trust us for routine tests such as their Annual Mammogram and SamrtngCtkmoooopf. They also know were the leading resource for Diagnosis and Treatment nntMmwpautalNmdp and state-oftheart treatments forUrtnary

Let us be your'partners’In health. OMamWomeertHerMhi at (317)872-1821. Or visit us at www.womenshosphalorg.

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