The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved use of the seasonal influenza vaccine Fluarix for children ages 3 years to 17 years. Previously, this vaccine, which contains inactivated influenza A and B viruses, had been approved for use in adults, ages 18 years and older.

The safety and effectiveness of Fluarix for use in children ages 3 years and older is documented by  a U.S. study comparing 2,115 children who received Fluarix with 1,210 children who received Fluzone, a different influenza vaccine already licensed by the FDA for use in children ages 6 months and older. Study results showed that children 3 years and older vaccinated with Fluarix and Fluzone produced similar amounts of antibodies in the blood at levels considered likely to be protective against seasonal influenza.

Read more about the FDA’s decision here.

 

Support Connection Breast and Ovarian Cancer Support Services is holding a teleconference  discussion  about Parenting While Going Through Breast Cancer.

The discussion will take place November 18 at 8 p.m. It is a topic-focused session of an ongoing breast cancer telephone support group that meets monthly. The unique advantage of a telephone support group is that it is accessible to women regardless of where they live and without having to leave their homes. It will be an opportunity for women with young children to participate in a support group discussion about raising children while undergoing cancer treatments.

Participants in this discussion will have the opportunity to share their concerns and learn from one another about the impact of cancer on their parental roles and their children’s lives. The discussion will be led by the support group’s regular facilitator, Robin Perlmutter,  Support Connection Clinical Director, who is also a breast cancer survivor and a mother.

Advance registration required is required. Call  914-962-6402 or 800-532-4290 or go here.

from Danbury Hospital:

Danbury Hospital hosts an energizing Spirit of Women Wellness Weekend at the Danbury Fair Center Court (lower level) on Saturday, October 17, 2009 from 12 noon to 5 p.m.

Danbury Hospital’s Spirit Wellness Weekend is a fun-filled Saturday on October 17th where health education, health screenings, and other fun activities will be woven throughout the five hours to emphasize the importance of awareness of common health issues affecting women today.

Along with these important educational segments, the afternoon will also include some empowering and essential health tips and screenings for women:
· fashion shows featuring breast cancer survivors modeling women’s active clothing and lounge wear at 2 and 4 p.m.,
· private bra fittings courtesy of Macy’s,
· flower arranging demonstrations by Confetti
· plus several high-“zenergy” fun, free activities,
· seasonal flu shots,
· and a chance to talk face-to-face with leading women physicians about your health questions.

Spirit Wellness Weekendis organized and hosted by Danbury Hospital, a member of the Spirit of Women Hospital Network, with support provided by some Danbury Mall stores, Star 99.9 FM, and other local business sponsors.

Take Charge of Your Health
“Our health is our best investment,” said Patricia Tietjen, MD, FCCP, FACP, Chair, Danbury Hospital Department of Medicine. “As women, we are always looking for the latest health information to ensure our family’s health and wellness, but we often end up neglecting our own health.” Visitors can sign up right then and there for their screening mammogram and for those who can’t afford a mammogram, there will be information on Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening grants.

Latest Advancements in Breast Health
Statistics show that breast and gynecological cancers are among the leading malignancies that occur in women—together affecting more than 280,000 Americans in 2008 according to the American Cancer Society. Most women will have no risk factors other than being a woman and increasing age. As women, we sometimes put ourselves at the bottom of the list but it’s important to get routine screenings done. “For women at high risk because of family history or other factors it’s essential to have a conversation with your doctor to discuss this risk,” said Pat Hough RN, MSN, Manager, Praxair Cancer Center at Danbury Hospital. “Detected early, survival rates for women who are diagnosed with breast cancer in a localized stage is over 98 percent. That’s a very important reason why annual mammography screening continues to be so vital,” Pat and other health professionals will be at the Danbury Fair to give you information on the latest advancements in mammography that will benefit you and your loved ones.
Health Screenings Feature Flu Prevention and Preparedness
Flu season has started and The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports influenza is ranked seven on the list of leading causes of death in the United States. These topics and more are discussed at the Spirit Wellness Weekend on Saturday, October 17th. Seasonal flu shots will be made available both days by the Danbury Visiting Nurse Association.
To learn more about Danbury Hospital’s Spirit of Women programs go to Danbury Hospital.org/spiritofwomen.

Spirit of Women is a national network of leading hospitals dedicated to improving women’s lives with innovative health and community programs. Spirit of Women Hospitals touch the lives of millions of women each year through the presentation of educational events, consumer membership programs, annual conferences, marketing communications and grassroots efforts to improve the health and well-being of women everywhere. Spirit of Women enables participating hospitals to focus on community needs while providing the strength of national support.

One in every 91 children, or one percent of youngsters between the ages of 3-17 have autism, according to a new study. The findings show an increase in rates of the disease, which experts had long estimated occurred in one of every 150 children.

The report, entitled “Prevalence of Parent-Reported Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder Among Children in the US,” was published in today’s issue of Pediatrics. It  was conducted by the Department of Health and Human Services National Survey of Children’s Health, using data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The report was conducted via a telephone survey of over 78,000 parents, and determined a point prevalence of 110 per 10,000 respondents, roughly 1 percent of the population of children in the United States.

from White Plains Hospital:

White Plains Hospital Center and the Scarsdale Volunteer Ambulance Corps will team up to present free lectures entitled “What You and Your Family Should Know About H1N1 (Swine) Flu” which will be held from 1-2 PM, Tuesday, October 13 and 7:30 to 8:30 PM, Wednesday, October 21. The discussions will be held at the Scarsdale Volunteer Ambulance Corps at 5 Weaver Street.

Two prominent physicians at White Plains Hospital Center will be the presenters—Timothy Haydock, MD, Director of the Emergency Department and Eric Larsen, MD., Associate Director of the Emergency Department.

They will present facts about the H1N1 Flu including symptoms, treatment options, prevention methods, and everything else individuals and families will need to know to prepare for the flu season.

Westchester County Legislator Bill Burton is hosting a Community Health Forum and the theme is “Building a Healthier Community.”

Westchester Livable Communities, Open Door Family Medical Center, Hudson Health Plan,
Westchester/Rockland Dietetic Association,
EnrollNY, Planned Parenthood Hudson Peconic,
Collaborative for End of Life Care are some of the groups who will be on hand to answer questions.

The event will be held from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Oct. 6 at the Ossining Public Library’s Auditorium, 53 Croton Avenue, Ossining.

From Support Connection in Yorktown:

It’s not too late to join the thousands of local residents who will be at FDR State Park in Yorktown Heights this Sunday, October 4th (rain or shine) for Support Connection’s 15th Annual Support-A-Walk. The annual walkathon is held by Support Connection, Inc., a not-for-profit organization offering free, confidential support services to people affected by breast and ovarian cancer.

The Support-A-Walk was founded fifteen years ago by local residents as a way to increase awareness about breast and ovarian cancer. Last year, MORE THAN 5,000 people participated in this INSPIRING, uplifting community event. Participants complete a 3-mile walk, often in honor of loved ones – a celebration of life and a tribute to those who are affected by breast and ovarian cancer. Families, friends, co-workers and teams of walkers are invited to walk together. Individuals are also welcome to participate.

Leading the way for this year’s “Not For Women Only” campaign will be Honorary Chairperson Matt Sampson of News 12 Westchester. Also on hand will be Master of Ceremonies Kacey Morabito of 100.7 WHUD Radio’s “Mike and Kacey in the Morning.”

At 9:00 a.m. there will be pre-walk activities and entertainment including music and face painting for the children, and gathering time for teams of walkers. Welcoming remarks are at 9:15. At 9:30 there will be warm-up and stretching to music led by staff from Club Fit. At 10:00 a.m. the ribbon will be cut and the Walk will begin. Afterwards there will be free refreshments, music and the Support-A-Walk raffle drawing. Throughout the morning there will be awareness jewelry, greeting cards, books and other merchandise available, as well as information about Support Connection’s free breast and ovarian cancer support groups, programs and services.

For information, to pre-register or donate, call 914-962-6402 or visit www.supportconnection.org. For those unable to pre-register, in-person registration will be available at 9:00 a.m. at the Walk.

Healthcare reform will take a musical turn at a rally Sunday in Nyack.

Folk singer Pete Seeger wil perform at the “Health Care For All” rally at Memorial Park. The free event, which runs from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., advocates for universal health care and progressive health care reform. Health Care for All Now is the grassroots group which organized the rally, which is co-sponsored by the Fellowship of Reconciliation, Rockland Progressive Dems, Nyack NAACP, WESPAC Foundation and Organizing for America.

Seeger will be joined by Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Tom Chapin in performing at the park’s gazebo. Also scheduled to perform are New York City blues rocker Emory Joseph and The Roues Brothers, a local band. For more information, call 845-512-3261 or click here.

People with tattoos are now eligible to donate blood. Community Blood Services, which provides  blood to more than 30 hospitals in New York and New Jersey, has reversed a policy that required donors to wait a year after getting a tattoo before donating blood.

Such donors can donate immediately after getting a tattoo as long as it was done at a licensed facility under sterile conditions.

Anyone who has been tattooed during the past year can  call the blood center at 845-220-2030  to schedule appointments.