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St. Louis Community News, Sunday, September 28, 2003

Older Americans Urged to Receive
Pneumococcal Vaccine
WASHINGTON, (SLFP.com), September 28, 2003 - Public health officials, concerned that the mild flu seasons during the past two years might result in public complacency, are urging at-risk people to be immunized against pneumococcal disease. A shot is recommended for people age 65 or older and for younger people with chronic medical conditions.

At a press conference held in the nation's capital by the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) and National Coalition for Adult Immunization (NCAI), Dr. Julie Gerberding, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and other experts underscored the severity of influenza and urged Americans to get immunized.

"It is simply unacceptable that such a large number of people continue to die and suffer as a result of influenza," said Dr. Gerberding. "Getting an influenza vaccination every year is the best protection against influenza. We encourage Americans, particularly those 50 and older and people of any age with chronic conditions of the heart or lungs, diabetes or kidney disease, to get their influenza vaccination in October or November."

"Even relatively mild flu seasons cause thousands of vaccine-preventable deaths," continued Dr. Gerberding. "The severity of influenza outbreaks cannot be predicted. We must assume that every season will be severe. Influenza immunization just makes sound medical sense."

For the 2000-01 season, the estimated vaccination coverage among adults aged 18-64 years with high-risk conditions was 29 percent, substantially lower than the Healthy People 2000 and 2010 objective of 60 percent. Among persons aged 50 to 64 and as well as those under age 50 with chronic medical conditions, only 41 percent and 21 percent, respectively, were vaccinated against influenza.

"One reason for the rise in mortality may be the aging of the U.S. population -- a group that has been steadily growing," suggested Nancy Cox, PhD, a co-investigator of the JAMA study and chief of the CDC's Influenza Branch.

According to a study reported in the New England Journal of Medicine,(2) influenza vaccine reduces the risk of hospitalization for cardiac disease and stroke for people aged 65 or older.

The study found immunization reduces seniors' risk of being hospitalized for heart disease by 19 percent and stroke by 16 to 23 percent. It also showed a flu shot reduces the risk of death from all causes by nearly 50 percent.

At the other end of the age spectrum, children are receiving new attention for influenza immunization. The American Academy of Pediatrics, CDC and others now encourage healthy children 6 to 23 months old to be vaccinated as they are at a heightened risk of hospitalization from flu-related complications.

Urban Hayrides Bring The
Country To Forest Park
ST. LOUIS, MO, (SLFP.com), August 17, 2003 - The City of St. Louis Department of Parks, Recreation and Forestry will offer hayrides in Forest Park on Friday and Saturday nights on fall weekends starting Friday, Oct. 3 and ending Saturday, Dec. 13.

The wagons, which are pulled by tractors, leave from Wells Drive (west of the Zoo parking lot)and take a 45-minute ride. They return to the picnic grounds where a bonfire is waiting. Groups can bring hot dogs and marshmallows to roast. The bonfire has a one-hour time limit.

"City residents can enjoy all the fun of a hayride without going miles from home. Forest Park is a beautiful setting for a ride on a crisp fall evening and then groups can enjoy the fun of sitting around a bonfire," said Dan Skillman, Parks Commissioner. Riders can choose from the following dates: Oct. 3 and 4; Oct. 10 and 11; Oct. 7 and 18; Oct.24 and 25; Oct. 31 and Nov.1; Nov. 7 and 8, Nov. 14 and 15, Nov. 21 and 22; Dec. 5 and 6; and Dec. 12 and 13. They will not operate during Thanksgiving weekend, Nov. 28 and 29.

Wagons leave each evening at 7, 7:05, 7:10, 7:15, 7:20, 8, 8:05, 8:10; 8:15 and 8:20 p.m. Groups of all ages are welcome.

The cost is $80 a wagon with a maximum of 20 people per wagon. The Parks Department will accept only a cashier's check or money order to reserve a wagon. Hayrides go on rain or shine. Call the Permit Section of the Parks Dept. at 289-5330 to book a hayride.

Missouri Initiatives Receive Fed Funds
WASHINGTON, D.C., (SLFP.com), August 23, 2003 - The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has approved more than $4.6 million in federal dollars for a number of state-wide initiatives.

"These dollars will help fund a number of important initiatives throughout the state," said Senator Kit Bond in a statement. "Whether its through research, outreach and education, or health care services, these projects are aimed at improving the quality of life for all Missourians."

Missouri will receive $4,672,302 from the Department of Health and Human Services for the following projects:

West Central Community Action Agency in Appleton will receive $2,291,067 for Full Year and Part Day Head Start and Handicapped Programs.
East Missouri Action Agency in Park Hills will receive $659,310 for economic development/incremental development.
Missouri Department of Social Services will receive $300,000 for the Missouri Adoption Continuum.
Department of Social Services Division of Family Services will receive $250,000 for Targeted Assistance.
Synergy Services in Parkville will receive $200,000 for runaway and homeless youth services.
Samuel U. Rodgers Community Health Center in Kansas City will receive $200,000 for oral health services.
Marian Hall Emergency Shelter in St. Louis will receive $175,106 for runaway and homeless youth services.
Missouri Coalition for Primary Health Care in Jefferson City will receive $144,719 for oral health programs.
Youth in Need in St. Charles will receive $110,645 for Full Year and Part Day Head Start and Handicapped Programs.
APPATH, LLC in St. Louis will receive $100,000 for microbiology and infectious diseases research.
Barnes-Jewish Hospital will receive $74,750 for research for mothers and children.
City of St. Louis will receive $50,000 for the Prevention Kaleidoscope Conference.
Northwest Health Services in St. Joseph will receive $40,000 to address health disparities.
Grace Hill Neighborhood Health Centers in St. Louis will receive $40,000 to address health disparities.
Myrtle Hilliard Davis Comprehensive Health Centers in St. Louis will receive $36,705 to address health disparities.

Archived St. Louis News:

Jes Us 4 Jackie Campaign Brings World Awareness to Need for African American Bone Marrow Donors

Latina Singer-Songwriter Speaks Out About Breast Cancer Survival (video report)

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