Vision and Health
The Health Department offers vision and hearing screenings in public schools for children in preschool, kindergarten, first and eighth grade, and also for students new to Anne Arundel county schools. Students in the following schools and programs will be screened in February:
•Cape St. Claire Elementary, Davidsonville Elementary, Monday, Feb. 11 and Tuesday, Feb. 12.
•Severn Elementary, Sunset Elementary, Wednesday, Feb. 13 and Thursday, Feb. 14.
•Severna Park Baptist Church Weekday Early Education Center, Odenton Christian Academy, Friday, Feb. 15.
•Brooklyn Park Elementary, Feb. 19 and 20.
•South Gate Elementary, Feb. 20 and 21.
•Monarch Academy, Feb. 21.
•Quala Care Child Center Inc., Feb. 22.
•Corkran Middle, Four Season Elementary, Feb. 26 and 27.
•Edgewater Elementary, Oak Hill Elementary, Feb. 28.
For additional information contact Kim Roussey, vision and hearing technician supervisor 410-222-6838.
Men's health kits
The Learn to Live program of the Department of Health offers free men's health kits with information on prostate health and colorectal cancer screening, as well as the HIM magazine, which includes information on sun safety, smoking, nutrition and other men's health tips. To order a kit, call the Learn to Live Line at 410-222-7979. For information, go to learntolivehealthy.org.
Underage drinking
The Department of Health's alcohol and drug abuse prevention and education services have been awarded a Maryland grant of $31,132, which will aid in programs to reduce underage drinking. Grant target areas are Brooklyn Park, Curtis Bay, Glen Burnie and Pasadena. Information: Sandy Smolnicky, prevention specialist, 410-222-6724.
Healthful eating
The Learn to Live program of the Department of Health offers a free archive of more than 675 healthy recipes. Most recipes are low in saturated and trans fats and high in fiber. Many are suitable for diabetic, meatless and low sodium diets. To view recipes and to print out free recipe cards, go to learntolivehealthy.org and click on "Recipes Search" under "Food and Fitness."
Cold-weather safety
The Department of Health's website includes advice on dressing for cold weather, suggestions for items to have at home in case of a snowstorm, and a list of symptoms of hypothermia and frostbite. Visit aa.health.org/cold-weather.
Quit smoking
The Learn To Live program of the Anne Arundel County Department of Health offers quit-smoking and power-to-quit-smoking kits. Kits are available from the Learn To Live Line, 410-222-7979, or from the Spanish language line, 410-222-4479. Also, quit-smoking classes are offered at the following health providers:
•Anne Arundel Medical Center, 2000 Medical Parkway, Health Sciences Institute, Annapolis. Information: 443-481-4000 or 1-800-MD-NURSE. Free self-help information to help adults and teens quit smoking. Visit http://aamcevents.com.
•Baltimore Washington Medical Center, 301 Hospital Drive, Tate Cancer Center, Glen Burnie. Information: 410-787-4367 or visit http://mybwmc.org.
•Owensville Primary Care, 134 Owensville Road, West River. Information: 410-867-4700.
VA outpatient clinic
The Department of Veterans Affairs has opened a new 13,300-square-foot facility to serve veterans in Anne Arundel and Howard counties. The clinic is located at 2479 Fifth St. adjacent to the Kimbrough Ambulatory Care Center on the Fort George G. Meade Installation. Services include general outpatient medical care, preventive health and education services, various medical screenings, TeleHealth services and referrals to specialized programs and inpatient services available throughout the VA Medical Health Care System. Information: 410-305-5300.
Flu immunization
The Department of Health will provide seasonal flu vaccinations at the following walk-in clinics. Both nasal-spray and injectable vaccinations will be available.
•Glen Burnie Health Center, from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Fridays, 416 A St. S.W., Glen Burnie. Information: 410-222-6633.
•Parole Health Center, from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Mondays ( except holidays) and Wednesdays, 1950 Drew St., Annapolis. Information: 410-222-7247.
The National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends flu vaccine for anyone 6 months or older. Information: 410-222-7343 or visit http://aahealth.org.
Health report card
The Department of Health has announced its annual report card of community health indicators. The report highlights progress in lowering death rates from stroke, diabetes and breast cancer. County residents have met national goals for getting screened for cholesterol levels, breast cancer and colorectal cancer. Lung cancer and melanoma mortality rates were higher in Anne Arundel County than in Maryland as a whole. Information: 410-222-7202.
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