Health

Brothers Who Care is forming a local health disparities committee to help develop solutions and activities to promote improvement in the health of the minority populations in the area, with a focus on heart disease and cancer.   The organizers encourage individuals and organizations (civic and government) to participate on this committee.   An inaugural meeting will be held Tuesday, Sept. 20 at 6:30 p.m. at Memorial Recreation Center to decide leadership and an agenda. For more information, call 301-393-9290 or email MOTA@brotherswho care.org .

CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. -- The Greater Chambersburg Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with Smith Elliott Kearns and Co., is presenting a workshop about health care legislation tax reform Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Chamber office, 100 Lincoln Way East in Chambersburg. Joel A. Flinchbaugh, CPA, will discuss small business tax credits for health insurance; Medicare tax increases; medical expense deduction changes; modifications to flexible spending accounts; and increased business reporting requirements.

Authorities are assessing the health of 29 animals seized last week from a southern Morgan County property near the Virginia line, Morgan County Animal Control Officer Jason Pearce said Thursday. The 21 dogs, two goats, three rats, a pot-bellied pig, cat and miniature horse were seized after authorities investigated a complaint about the welfare of the animals, Pearce said. No charges have been filed, Pearce said. The animals, whose conditions vary, are being kept at the county's facility along W.Va.

GREENCASTLE, PA. -- Three years ago, Cathy Pence and her husband, David, brought a mix of fresh, local and organic food to Greencastle in their small cafe on Baltimore Street. This year, the couple hopes that a new location and expanded business hours will open more people to the flavors of health served at Pure & Simple Cafe. As early as July, the cafe could open at its new location at 164 E. Baltimore St., Cathy Pence said. "We plan to expand our hours to 7 p.m. and offer even more choices," she said.

Washington County Health Officer William Christoffel said in a letter hand-delivered to the County Administration Building that he plans to retire effective Oct. 1. Read the full story in Tuesday's Herald-Mail newspapers.

Teen breast health workshop Y-ME of the Cumberland Valley offers a teen breast health workshop, which is available at no charge to interested youth groups. The program is presented by breast cancer survivor Kathy Brody. Information is presented without making girls feel uncomfortable. Many teens have had family experiences involving breast cancer or other forms of cancer and need information about prevention or early detection. For information or to host a workshop, call the Y-ME office at 301-791-5843.

Puppeteers put on a show Tuesday at the Boys and Girls Club of Jefferson County in Charles Town, W.Va., during a health fair that stressed the dangers of tobacco use. Right, Jennifer Newman, a student intern with the Family Resources Network, uses a giant model to illustrate the dangers of smoking to kids at the club. The day's events also featured a meeting for parents to learn more about tobacco awareness and the WVCHIP program.

Robinwood department receives recognition The American Diabetes Association Education Certificate was recently presented to Robinwood Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism. Programs that achieve recognition status have a staff of health professionals capable of providing program participants with information regarding diabetes management. Recognition status of all diabetes programs is awarded for three years and is verified by an official certificate from the American Diabetes Association.

CHARLES TOWN, W.Va. - A Health & Safety Fair will be from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday in the parking lot of the Charles Town Wal-Mart Supercenter as part of National Emergency Services Week. On Sunday, Jefferson Memorial Hospital's emergency department physicians and surgeons are hosting a picnic at Jefferson Memorial Park to honor area EMS personnel. A presentation will be made to each fire and rescue company by the department. The theme of the week is "The Vital Link. "

Free yoga classes in Hagerstown In cooperation with 2013 Outdoor Fitness Series, there will be yoga/Zumba classes from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays, May through June, on the lawn or near the fountain at the University Plaza, 32 W. Washington St., Hagerstown. The classes are free. For more information, contact the City of Hagerstown, Department of Community and Economic Development, by calling 301-797-6213. There will be no 6:30 p.m. Hot Yoga class at the YMCA on Tuesday, June 4. For more information, call 301-797-6213 or email kneubauer@hagerstownmd.org . Free dental sealants for students Walnut Street Community Health Center is providing free dental sealants to Washington County children.

With health care costs on the rise, Washington County employees will be paying about 10 percent more on average for their share, starting July 1, county officials said Tuesday. The county Board of Commissioners unanimously approved proposed health benefit changes for fiscal year 2013-14, which will result in a typical increase of $12.53 per month, or a little more than $6 per paycheck, according to Stephanie Stone, the county's Director of Health and Human Services. “I don't think we have much choice but to raise it,” Commissioner William B. McKinley said.

Summit Health's board of directors announced this week that Patrick W. O'Donnell of Chambersburg will replace Norman B. Epstein as president and chief executive officer of Summit Health July 1. O'Donnell is currently senior vice president and chief operating officer of Summit Health. He first joined the local healthcare team in 1985 as controller of Chambersburg Hospital and rose through the ranks until he was named Summit Health's chief financial officer and chief operating officer in 2007.

Franklin County residents are losing ground on some very important health-related issues, according to a study released by Summit Health Thursday. Summit Health, in cooperation with the Penn State Institute of State and Regional Affairs, released the results of its 2012 Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) of Franklin County and Shippensburg, Pa., at Green Grove Gardens near Greencastle. After wading through a sea of data over the course of a year, Summit's 30-member advisory group pinpointed four priorities - education, nutrition, access to health care and mental health.

It is important to help young people make the connection between food, nutrition, energy and health. Nutrition education is one key to reducing obesity and it is beneficial for a family to learn together. Here are some tips:   Take the time to read food labels and learn more about what you are eating and recommended serving sizes (also called portions).  Serve a variety of foods, but introduce change gradually. Kids might be unhappy if parents eliminate all of the family's favorite snack foods in one fell swoop.

A class of Towson University nursing students at the University System of Maryland at Hagerstown is participating in a walk equal to the distance across the Democratic Republic of Congo. The community health fundraiser, promoted by the world relief advocate group Adventist Development and Relief Agency aims to help provide health care to children of this region. The DRC has been labeled “Africa's world war” because millions of lives have been lost due to disease and malnutrition.

New cancer study The American Cancer Society is starting a new research study called the Cancer Prevention Study-3. A kickoff event will be held from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 25, at Sleep Inn & Suites, 18216 Colonel Henry Douglas Drive, Hagerstown. Registration begins at 6 p.m. During the program, all of the information about the Cancer Prevention Study-3 will be presented to volunteers who will help educate the community about the study. Deadline to register for the kickoff event is Thursday, April 18. For more information, call Julie Jordan Howey at 301-733-8272 option 3, or email julie.jordanhowey@cancer.org .   Mini medical program MARTINSBURG, W.Va.

A panel of speakers discussed different approaches to optimal health during a program sponsored by the Interfaith Coalition of Washington County at Hagerstown Church of the Brethren on East Washington Street on Wednesday night. One of the three speakers was Chris Holland, pastor at the Seventh-day Adventist Church on Robinwood Drive, who spoke about the benefits of plant-based diets. Holland said people who follow vegetarian diets are less likely to suffer from health complications such as heart disease and stroke.

Mark Anthony's cooking career has run through some pretty high-profile terrain. He was named executive chef at the Las Vegas Sands resort complex when he was only 24 years old. He appears on national TV. He has catered or served as personal chef for rock bands, politicians and sports heroes. But Anthony got his start in cooking in another sort of high-profile terrain: Mount Rushmore. "I think I was 12 when I started cooking. That was in a restaurant in Keystone, right next to Mt. Rushmore (in South Dakota)

Eating a variety of foods is recommended for health, but trying to overhaul family's eating habits can be a challenge. You will be most successful if you aim for gradual changes, rather than making an issue of food. Strive to plan and provide regular meals and snacks. Involve the whole family in healthful habits at snack and mealtime.  At snack and mealtime, limit low-nutrient foods, such as chips or cookies, because these foods have little nutrition and are high in calories, sugar and fat. Replace them with a variety of fruits and vegetables as a part of snacks or meals each day. By keeping healthful foods on hand, it will be easier to offer your child healthful options.