Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 27 December 2002 — Page 28

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 27,2002 ■ PAGE DO TO Y01 HEALTH

Don’t Let Tobacco Take Control of You

Safemlttttf by tht Health Educatlon, Prawotlan and Training Papartnunt of tha Marlon Coonty Hoalth Depart mant 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 from a smoking - related preventable disease. Smoking and tobacco use are major contributors to the 3 leading causes of death in African Americans: stroke, heart disease, cancer and stroke. In Marion County 28% of all residents smoke. Approximately 36% African American men in Marion County report using tobacco products whereas, 28% 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 other magazines. 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. Chemksilp 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 burn more evenly. Cigarette manufacturers deliberately added these chemicals to enable the smoker to tolerate toxic amounts ofcigarette smoke. They were added without regard to smoker’s health and also added to keep the smokers addicted. Nicotine, one of more than

4,000chemicals found in tobacco products such as cigarettes, cigars and pipes, is die 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 drought out plan. This requires preparation both mentally and physically. Many people try two or three times be-

fore 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 you quit contact Anne Privette at the Marion County Health Department 317-221-2084 or www.mchd.com You Can Do It! Keep Trying Until You Quit For Good!

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Health FoundaHon of Greater Indianapolis awards $501,975 in grants to 12 local organizations Ipadal to The Btcordf all of us!” $10,000 grant to help fund an The other recipients of the HIV public-service announceAs part of its ongoing effort to foundation grants are: ment for Central Indiana, help organizations improve the • step Up Inc. - $25,000 grant • Peace Learning Center - health of Indianapolis citizens, to provide start-up funds for this $25,000 grant to support “HeadThe Health Foundation of community-based organization ing Toward Harmony,” a program Greater Indianapolis recently that will offer health-related edu- that helps schools create more awarded $501,975 in grants to 12 cation and services for peaceful environments for leamlocal non-profit organizations. underserved, hard-to-reach and ing and growing. Pathway to Recoyeiy, an orga- at-risk populations. • Prevent Blindness - $20,000 nization that provides support, • Jameson Camp - $25,000 grant to expand the vision health treatment and housing to those grant to support the expansion of screeningand education program with substance addictions, re- thecamp’sTatayaMatoprogram, into five additional township ceived $166,975, the largest ofthe which welcomes children affected schools. 12 grants. It will usethe money to by HIV and/or AIDS. • Step Up Inc. - $65,000 grant support a new program, Treat- • Indiana Primary Health Care to support the Youth & Diversity ment Plus Health Project, which Association - $75,000 grant for (YAD) project, which is designed will help prevent intravenous drug the support ofthe HIV/AIDS Al- to provide educational materials users from contracting HIV/ fiance, which advances HIV/ for individuals working with gay, AIDS. The program will provide AIDS advocacy, education and lesbian, bisexual or transgender a myriad of services to stop fur- prevention in Indiana. (GLBT) youth, ther harm from injecting drugs, •WFYI-TV 20-$20,000grant • Woman’s Fund of Central specifically the spread of HIV/ to support “Communities Build- Indiana/ReachingParentsinCriAIDS. ingCommunities,”aprogramthat sis - $20,000 grant to help fund The Treatment Plus Health will showcase the work of indi- the “Safe Cradle” public service Project will address this growing viduals and organizations in com- announcement, which will seek issue in our community and help munities throughout Indiana. to prevent infant abandonment, those who have not been able to • CICOA The Access Network - The Health Foundation of find the support they need,” said $30,000 grant to provide emer- Greater Indianapolis is a private Betty Wilson, executive director gency financial assistance to se- foundation that funds health-re-and CEO of the health founda- niorcitizens who need food, hous- lated projects not easily funded tion. “Our intent with this grant is ing or medical care. by other means and organizations not to get people into treatment • Morgan County Coordinated that offer health and health-re-for their addictions, but to reduce Aging Services - $20,000 grant lated services, primarily to the the additional harm caused by for support of the organization’s community’s poorest and most their drug use. If seeking treat- outreach program to the elderly, vulnerable citizens. It can be ment is the outcome, h’s good for . Community Wealth - foundontheWebatthfgi.org.

Some bottled water conteins flouride (NAPSA)-Ifyou are one ofthe know whether or not they are upon safe, high quality and good millions of Americans who drink ^loosing bottled water with or tasting bottled water products, bottled water, you may have yet without the mineral. About 30 Consumers with questions another reason to smile. Several companies that belong to the In- about their specific fluoride brands of bottled water contain temational Bottled Water Asso- needs should talk to their denfluoride. ciation (IBWA) produce fluori- tal or health care provider first. So for consumers who want dated bottled water. Visit www.bottledwater.org fluoride in the water they drink The U.S. Food and Drug Ad- for a fist of IBWA member comand wish to choose bottled water, ministration (FDA) frilly regu- panies that produce fluoridated a brand with fluoride can be the lates all bottled water as a pack- bottled water, and for a list of perfect answer. aged food product, with strin- all IBWA member brands and Fluoridated bottled water is gent safety, labeling and other other bottled water informacleariy labeled, so consumers will standards so consumers can rely tion. I » t

Start the New Year off right... Stop Smoking! fhe Marion C.ounry Health Department is offering a group smoking cessation program for anyone in Marion County interested in qtiittiir'

SSffev,' •••> t >.

January 9,16, 23 and 30 • 5:30 p.m.-7:00 p.m. The program will be held at die*

Indianapolis Neighborhood

Resource Center, 1802 N. Illinois.

Please register by calling

Anne Privette: 317.221.2084

MARION COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT

On the Subject of Women’s Health

COPING...

when life throws us a curve By Lisa Frenzel Hill, MSW, LCSW A few examples of coping

strategies that are missing the three

Many events occur in our elcm ' ms ilKlude; . subs,anc ' abu i se - adult lives. Whether the events are ****1 ,y '

positive or negative they can cause us stress. Both positive and nega-

ing, and isolation. The use of these strategies can result in illness, depression, anxiety, and legal prob-

tive stressors require productive J ems ® r

coping skills for effective life man-

Developing effective coping

agentent. Stressors cause change, ca „ ^ e difficult Ta |k in ' and successful change requires . . .. . . • j . ..,. a .... „ with professionals trained to adaptability or cope-ability. f, . r ^ ... l strengthen coping and problemEveryone has his or her pre- , ® u . , . • * solving strategies can prove to be

ferred coping strategies. Success- h i f l ful coping strategies include three t P *!, ’ -.u

basic elements: ACCEPTANCE of ^ hen faccd W,,h StrCSS ’ t0: the involved facts, LETTING-GO C " communicate with those who

of the perceived need to control that arc su PP° rt ' ve °f y° u -

which is beyond our control, and ® ~ objectively view the situation. CHOOSING a positive attitude. P - practice patience with yourself. When we accept the facts others and the process of change, related to our stressful situation, we E - engage in positive thinking and are being honest with ourselves. We activities with positive people,

see the situation objectively,

whether or not we like what we see. i/ sa Frenzel-Hill is the Director of When we ‘let go,” we real- Social Services ofthe Genesis Cenize we cannot control anyone-even ter at Women s Hospital. The Genii we care about them. *j/s Center is a highly specialized Choosing a positive attitude u „/r developed to meet the unique requires us to rely on our strengths menta l health needs of older adults. and blessings and to learn from our For more information about mental stressful challenges. health concerns in an elderly lovedPutting these three elements onet invite you to contact the together results in appropriate and Genesis Center at (317) 554-6960 effective coping strategies such as: or toll free, 1-800-999-3029.

meditation, prayer, creative expres-

sion, and clearly stating our needs 7b receive a brochure on "Coping and desires */,/, Change," please call 872-

1821.

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