Health

Friday is National Wear Red Day for the AHA

Submitted by Amber Ruch, KFVS12 County News Web Producer

Wednesday, February 1st, 2012, 1:56pm

Friday is National Wear Red Day for the AHA

(KFVS) - The American Heart Association is reminding everyone to wear red on Friday, Feb. 3 for National Wear Red Day.

The AHA says this is the day hundreds of thousands of men and women remember the women who lost their lives to heart disease and pledge to fight this number one killer of women.

For more information, you can click here to visit the Wear Red Day website.

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"Walk Across Illinois Challenge" encourages residents to get healthier

Submitted by Amber Ruch, KFVS12 County News Web Producer

Thursday, January 26th, 2012, 1:34pm

"Walk Across Illinois Challenge" encourages residents to get healthier

(KFVS) - The "Walk Across Illinois Challenge" was announced today and encourages Illinoisans to walk 167 miles during 2012 to improve their own health.

Former Chicago Bears and Chicago Bulls players, schoolteachers and students joined Governor Quinn to launch the program, which is designed to help Illinois residents get healthier by adding a half-mile of walking to their daily routines, which is roughly the distance across Illinois from Rock Island on the Mississippi River to Chicago on Lake Michigan.

Residents can accept the "Walk Across Illinois Challenge" by visiting www.WalkAcrossIllinois.org, where they can register and log their miles.

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SIH Cancer Institute offers program for cancer survivors

Submitted by Amber Ruch, KFVS12 County News Web Producer

Wednesday, January 4th, 2012, 4:34pm

SIH Cancer Institute offers program for cancer survivors

HERRIN, IL (KFVS) - The SIH Cancer Institute is inviting cancer survivors to participate in an upcoming program to help make the transition from active treatment to post-treatment care.

The program, Cancer Transitions, is a free, six-week workshop of the Cancer Support Community and LIVESTRONG in an effort to help survivors move beyond treatment. Cancer Transitions provides cancer survivors with information, skills and tools to address exercise, nutrition, emotional health, quality of life and medical management in the time after treatment.

“As cancer patients go through treatment, they are often overwhelmed by the demands of trying to survive and put many other things on hold. The end of treatment may trigger different worries—they wonder what’s next, what’s normal, how do I live as a cancer survivor?” said Tonica Anderson, survivorship coordinator for the SIH Cancer Institute.

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Initial weigh-in for Lose to Win program

Submitted by Amber Ruch, KFVS12 County News Web Producer

Tuesday, January 3rd, 2012, 3:22pm

Initial weigh-in for Lose to Win program

MT. VERNON, IL (KFVS) - The initial weigh-in for the Lose to Win program will be at the YMCA of Jefferson County on Jan. 7 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Crossroads Community Hospital has partnered with the YMCA to bring this 8-week program. There will be cash prizes for the top three teams in the program, as well as for the individual weight loss winner.

Organizers say the program is set up for teams of four and the entry fee is $20 per person or $80 per team. They say Crossroads will also have a mini health fair set up to take blood pressure, pulse ox, blood glucose checks and BMI calculations for free of charge.

For more information, you can call Debi Richardson at 618-241-8510 or Matt Greene at 618-242-7500.

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Jan. is National Cervical Cancer Month, ACS offers prevention tips

Submitted by Amber Ruch, KFVS12 County News Web Producer

Tuesday, January 3rd, 2012, 3:04pm

Jan. is National Cervical Cancer Month, ACS offers prevention tips

(KFVS) - The American Cancer Society says January is National Cervical Cancer Awareness Month.

The society says this is the perfect time to remind the women you love to schedule their pap test, a simple procedure that can help detect abnormalities before they might develop into cancer. According to ACS, the cervical cancer survival rate has increased to 70 percent because of this test.

ACS says because the HPV vaccine doesn't protect against all of the HPV types that can cause cancer of the cervix, it cannot prevent all cases of cervical cancer. They say this is why it is very important that women continue to have Pap tests, even after they've been vaccinated. Most invasive cervical cancers are found in women who have not had regular Pap tests.

The ACS recommends the following guidelines for early detection:

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Campaign to reduce underage, binge drinking

Submitted by James Long, Digital Content Producer

Friday, December 30th, 2011, 12:09pm

Campaign to reduce underage, binge drinking

(KFVS) - A new campaign is launching to encourage Illinois parents to help reduce underage and binge drinking.

The Illinois Liquor Control Commission (ILCC) and more than 50 officials across the state are launching the campaign before New Year's Eve.

The parental responsibility campaign is being used to help stop unwanted behavior that often ends in fatal car crashes, drug addiction and violent behavior, according to ILCC.

Officials say underage drinking can be prevented if parents and guardians take an active role in communicating the dangers to their children at an early age.

According to an Illinois Youth Survey, Three-quarters of young people age 12 and up say they are less likely to drink if their parents disapprove.

Schools, law enforcement and the liquor industry have been fighting to reduce the sale of beer, wine and spirits to underage customers.

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IEMA offers guide to help renters better understand radon hazards

Submitted by Amber Ruch, KFVS12 County News Web Producer

Thursday, December 29th, 2011, 4:14pm

(KFVS) - The Illinois Emergency Management Agency's radon program is offering guidance to help renters better understand radon hazards and their rights under the law.

The program is under a new law to go into effect Jan. 1 to help people who rent apartments, condominiums or houses access information about radon levels in their home.

“About one-third of all housing in Illinois is rented,” said IEMA Director Jonathon Monken. “This new law will help renters find out if their landlords have already tested for radon and, if so, what levels were detected. For units where no testing has been done, we hope more renters will be proactive and get their homes tested. Radon is one health risk that can be easily reduced. Testing your home is the important first step.”

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