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| Preventive Medicine |
January 18, 2001 |
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Dear Friends,
I was afraid it was going to snow Monday night and that the Health Fair we had organized on Tuesday at the Palo Duro senior center would be snowed out. But as I checked out the window at sunrise, it was cold but not white in the north valley.
The Health Fair was a public service we organized, particularly for seniors but open to all, and several hundred people attended. My good staff called many of our community health care providers and lots of them came to do screening and provide information.
Of course, I got to chat with lots of folks about the cost of medicine. . .about the new "Tricare for Life" veterans health care program. . . about the Medicare Choice changes that we were able to get approved at the eleventh hour in December. . . and lots of other things.
And, I got screened. Now, you may be too polite to mention my salt-and-pepper hair, but I did just quietly celebrate the big Four-Oh. Now`s the time to reassess some of those youthful habits.
The folks from the Geriatric Education and Health Management Clinics tested my blood sugar. It took a drop of blood, but they were able to screen me for diabetes instantly -- no waiting for lab work -- with a device about the size of a pager. As a daughter and grand daughter of diabetics, this is one I watch closely. New Mexico has a high incidence of diabetes; it`s worth checking.
I had my blood pressure and body fat checked by the folks from the heart hospital and then the NM Oesteoporosis Center checked my bone density. At their offices, they can do a complete body scan, but they have a portable box that scans the heel of your foot. They told me that in the five to ten years after menopause, women`s bone mass decreases rapidly. The best thing to do is make sure you have adequate calcium and exercise to prevent bone loss. Call them at 888-0035 to ask about how to get screened.
I was glad to have the information about how to keep myself healthy. (Somehow, even though you know, being reminded helps.) And I appreciated the participation of so many health care providers.
When you recieve this I`ll be on a plane heading to Washington for the inauguration. I`ve never been to one before. I`ll let you know what it`s like. My friends say to dress warm.
Good to be home,
Heather |
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