Celebrate 21 Years of the Americans with Disability Act, Tuesday, July 26

A Somewhat Secret Place

2011-07-21

21 years ago an Act was formulated to afford similar protections for the disabled as those against discrimination by the Civil Rights Act. Disability was defined as "a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity. Now local artists are throwing a celebration called “A Somewhat Secret Place” on Tuesday July 26th 7–9 pm in Portland Pearl district Read the complete article

Progress is Seen on Blood Test for Alzheimer's

If the test proves accurate in larger studies, it could offer a way to check people having memory problems to see who needs more definitive testing for the disease

2011-07-21

MARILYNN MARCHIONE AP Medical Writer

PARIS (AP) -- Scientists are closing in on a long-sought goal: A blood test to screen people for Alzheimer's disease. Read the complete article

Gov't Advisers: Cover Birth Control for Free

Recommendation could spur use of more reliable, longer-form methods

2011-07-19

RICARDO ALONSO-ZALDIVAR and LAURAN NEERGAARD Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Millions of women may soon gain free access to a broad menu of birth control methods, thanks to a recommendation issued Tuesday by health experts advising the government. Read the complete article

Should Parents Lose Custody of Extremely Obese Kids?

Opinion piece in medical journal argues foster care more ethical than surgery

2011-07-16

LINDSEY TANNER AP Medical Writer

CHICAGO (AP) -- Should parents of extremely obese children lose custody for not controlling their kids' weight? A provocative commentary in one of the nation's most distinguished medical journals argues yes, and its authors are joining a quiet chorus of advocates who say the government should be allowed to intervene in extreme cases. Read the complete article

Obesity Rates Still Rising in Many States

Not a single state decreased its level of obesity

2011-07-07

WASHINGTON (AP) -- In 1995, no state had an obesity rate above 20 percent. Now, all but one does. An annual obesity report by two public health groups looked for the first time at state-by-state statistics over the last two decades. The state that has the lowest obesity rate now - Colorado, with 19.8 percent of adults considered obese - would have had the highest rate in 1995. Read the complete article

Seattle Summer Food Programs for Kids Get $225,000 Boost from Walmart

Through this project, children from ages 1 to 18 are receiving free breakfasts, lunches and snacks, along with Seattle Public Library reading assistance

2011-07-05

Janelle Wetzstein Of The Skanner News

Thousands of children in the greater Seattle area are learning that there is such a thing as a free lunch, thanks to the city’s Summer Food Service Program. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, this year’s program was augmented with an additional $225,000 grant from Walmart. Read the complete article

Scalia's Pro-Tobacco Order Tossed by High Court

Justice had allowed Philip Morris and other companies delay payments to anti-smoking program

2011-07-03

MARK SHERMAN Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia exercised a rarely used power last fall to let Philip Morris USA and three other big tobacco companies delay making multimillion-dollar payments for a program to help people quit smoking. Read the complete article

Beverley De-Gale Receives British Honors for Ethnic Bone Marrow Work

Mother founded African Caribbean Leukemia Trust

2011-06-25

Special to the NNPA from the Washington Informer

A mother who launched a remarkable campaign to recruit bone marrow donors after her 8-year-old son developed leukemia said he will be "smiling" from heaven as she was awarded an OBE. Beverley De-Gale received the OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) in the Queen's Birthday 2011 Honours List by the Prime Minister and Cabinet Secretary in recognition for services to Healthcare. Read the complete article

VIDEO We Can Make Birth Safer for Black Babies and Mothers: Here's How!

Check out the Afro-centric Pregnancy Fair: Birth Works for Black Women on Saturday June 25

2011-06-22

By Helen Silvis of The Skanner News

Intensive campaigning by health advocates from Portland’s communities of color, scored one significant victory in Salem this session. The legislature passed a bill, sponsored by Rep. Tina Kotek,  that directs the Oregon Health Authority to study the value of doulas in reducing infant mortality rates.

Fourth Annual Charles Drew Blood Drive This Saturday at the Red Cross

Blood recipients are most likely to find compatible blood for transfusion from donors of the same ethnic background

2011-06-16

On Saturday, June 18, the American Red Cross Portland Donor Center will host the Fourth Annual Charles Drew Blood Drive. Doctor Charles Drew, an African American blood specialist, surgeon, educator and scientist, was the first medical director of the first American Red Cross blood bank. Read the complete article