Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 3 January 2003 — Page 28

Don’t Let 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 t.').()(>() African Americans die from a smoking - related preventable disease. Smoking and tobacco use are major contributors to theleading causes of death in African Americans: stroke, heart disease, cancer and stroke. In Marion County 12K ,, .i of all residents smoke. Approximately .36% African American men in Marion County report using tobacco products whereas. of African American females who are 2. r >-44 years old use tobacco products. A one-year national study found that three major African American publications - Ebony, .let, 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. Chemicals are added to tobacco for a variety of reasons.... better taste and smell, to form a vaporso 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 moreevenly. 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

4,000chemicals 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. Mampeople try two or three times be1. Get Ready

fort 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 wore 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!

• Set a quit date and stick to it - not even a single puff! 2. 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. 3. 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. 4. 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. 5. Be Prepared For Relapse or Difficult Situations • Avoid alcohol. • Be careful around other smokers. • Improve your mood in ways other than smoking. • Eat a healthy diet and stay active.

Highlights of health issues in 2002

The Gill family participated in The annual AIDSwalk Indy

By JOSHUA COHEN Staff Writer Each year efforts are made to improve the health of Americans, whether it s a new cure for a sickness or disease, or a new way to keep lit. Here are some of the many issues and developments that occurred in the health industry in 2002. Cloning has been a topic for controversy even before it was made possible. Clonaid became the first company to declare that it had cloned a human, although no proof has yet been given to substantiate these claims. The annual AIDSwalk Indy, an event to honor, support and remember the more than 10,000 I hosiers li\ing with HIV/AIDS, took place in Celebration Plaza at White River State Park. "Teach One 11IV AIDS - Pass the Knowledge On." one of the lirst conferences in Indianapolis geared toward educating youth about AIDS, was held at forest Manor Middle School. The mosquito-borne West Nile Virus breaks out in the Midwest and eventualb queads across the country. I S Rep, Julia Carson announced a si..'31 million medical research grant for Indianapolis, courte-v ol the I S. Department ol Health and Human Services. I he Indiana Minority I lealth ( oalition held its MinoriH Mental i lealth Care in the New Millennimn conleicnee at f.arue Carte) | lospital to discuss effective t i cat men) models for mmori ties Dr V irginia ( aine. director of the Marion < oiintv 11< alth I)cpartnient. hecame president elect ol the Amei n an Public I lealth Association APIIA, A group ol teens alleged McDonalds vva rcspunsihlc for their ohesity problems and filed a class action lawsuit against the corporation. Health care costs increased

percent, and as a result many small husinexses sought out creative way s to reduce costs. Some of the smaller businesses eliminated health coverage altogether as a cost effective move. In an annual "report caul given b independent interest groups, Indiana received a C ♦ from Mothers against Drunk Driving CM«AI)Dy, although the state has the nin/h lowest rate of

deaths from alcohol-related accidents 0.47 death per 100 million miles driven. On a lest positive note, Indi-. ana has the nation’s l6th-highcst cancel death rate and has among the highest lung cancer rates in the country, according to the American Cancer Society. Contributions by lintndon A. Perry.

Ask for it. Expect it...at work, home and play. Smoke-free ai

Smoke tree dmmq is healthy and it s qood foi business fwo-tlurds of Manon County residents support smoke fiee lestauionts Both potions and employees con bieothe easiei in smoke fiee envuonments And dozens of studies acioss the countiy have shown that non smokuu) politic", hove no negative effect on lestaumnt business Eight eight peicent of Manon County ndolt lesidents uiufeistemef that exposuie to secondhand smoke luums the health id non smokers They wont smoke fiee envuonments toi then families We encoumge citizens of Manon ( ountv t> 1111 v,' tl ieu t 1 11 j >i .i 1 nl fiee infants . | 1 ,1 ■ omm * to the* health of then employees and the citizens of out community

For a complete list of smoke-free restaurants, visit www.mchd.com or call the Marion County Health Department at 221-2084 to order today.

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MARION COUNTY 10BACC0 C0NTR01 PARTNERSHIP

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Do you cal when you're not hungry?

COOKING SHOW

Do you sometimes make food choices that later have you ashing why you did not choose healthier foods? Mahing food choices is a response to many things other than being hungry and feeling motivated. Come find out what our special cooking hosts have to say about it! Join us at this fun and delightful food demonstration show and get a taste of what’s cookin’!

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kmi (idlcilZ, Is I) Kim is a registered dietitian and owner of Galeaz Food and Nutrition Communication. She teaches everyone about healthy eating, including great-tasting soy foods and their health benefits. Rued Muusuiu, f > ( Growing up in a predominately Polish, Greek, arid Slavic neighborhood exposed Dr. Mansour to a wide variety of tastes and cooking styles. He would spend time in between innings watching the Cubs lose and helping his mother prepare Mediterranean dishes. Siml< \ I lunnos M l) , For a living Dr Thomas specializes in obstetrics and gynecology. When she is not flying her plane or scuba diving during her spare time, her husband and their two dogs, Harley and Heineken, enjoy watching her cook

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TRADER JOE S :

FRIDAY JANUARY 31,2003 TWO SHOWS! 9 to 11:30 a.m. 1 to 3:30 p.m. Marion County Cooperative Extension Service (1-465 &7r- St.) EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT! Before January 20: $15 After (if space permits): $20 Group Rates of 5 or more available. PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUREtV To register by phone, call 317/554-6775 it HoApital ../ MHII »I/VM Af'Ol I S w vvw womcnshospiutl.org

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