Health Services Committee

Chariman: SK Mark S Tuck

Information from Supreme for this committee:

• Focus public attention on heart disease — a leading cause of death, but a disease for which the risk can be decreased. Bulletin boards, newsletter articles and public forums should highlight National Cholesterol Education Month in September. A high blood cholesterol level is one of the three major modifiable risk factors for heart disease. Also encourage people to learn cardiopul- monary resuscitation — the procedures for use in case of cardiac emergencies. Local heart asso- ciation, Red Cross or other health authorities may be able to help you plan appropriate public information events, or for other ideas write: National Cholesterol Education Program, P.O. Box 30105, Bethesda, MD 20824-0105/(301) 592-8573. In Canada, write: Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, 222 Queen St., Suite 1402, Ottowa, ON K1P 5V9/(613) 569-4361.
• Do everything possible to help the sick. Visit patients in the hospital or provide transporta- tion for family and friends to visit. Help a hospital patient take care of those things he or she can’t — at home or at work, with children or relatives, with merchants or creditors. Provide the same types of services for homebound patients.
• Implement programs to highlight National High Blood Pressure Education Month in May of each year. High blood pressure is especially dangerous because it has no clear signs or symptoms. It doesn’t make you feel dizzy or nervous. It can, however, cause heart disease, kidney disease and stroke. Educate your community. Conduct high blood pressure awareness programs and blood pressure screenings. Set up information programs with local medical and health officials or write for more information to: National High Blood Pressure Education Program, P.O. Box 30105, Bethesda, MD 20824-0105/(301) 592-8573. In Canada contact: Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, 222 Queen St., Suite 1402, Ottowa, ON K1P 5V9/(613) 569-4361.
• Aid people with vision loss/low vision by suggesting they contact The National Eye Institute at www.nei.nih.gov.
• Gather council support in the battle against cancer. Help the American Cancer Society to help others. One way of doing this is by promoting the “Great American Smokeout” held annually in November, and in Canada, “Weedless Wednesday” held in January. Further information can be obtained by contacting the American Cancer Society, at (800) ACS-2345 or www.cancer.org. In Canada call: Canadian Council for Tobacco Control at (800) 267-5234 or www.cctc.ca.
• Establish a low cost or no cost clinic in an area where poverty affects the health care of the poor in your own city. If such a clinic already exists, volunteer your services or recruit volun- teers to keep the clinic adequately staffed.
• Join the fight against AIDS in your community. Raise money for AIDS research. Help care for AIDS patients — who often suffer as much from public response to their illness as from the dis- ease. Local AIDS support groups may be in contact with patients who are not hospitalized. Offer your support to such groups, helping to see that people with AIDS have a place to live, decent meals and companionship. Sponsor AIDS education programs.
• Take action to prevent drug and alcohol abuse. Substance abuse has reached epidemic pro- portions, but knowledge is a powerful weapon against drugs and alcohol. Get the facts and spread them throughout the area — to parents, children, professionals, educators and all mem- bers of the community. Free informational materials are available from the National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information, by calling: (800) 729-6686. In Canada contact: Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse, #300, 75 Albert Street, Ottawa, ON K1P 5E7/(613) 235- 4048. Ask for literature and distribute it in the community, in schools, through the media — any way you can. Identify available resources — existing programs, health care services, etc. — and offer the assistance of the Knights of Columbus in these projects.
• Support hospice in your area. A hospice program gives to patients in the final stages of seri- ous illness the chance to live out their lives in a comfortable environment, surrounded by family and friends. Hospice gives comprehensive care to both the patient and his loved ones. Hospice programs are constantly in need of compassionate volunteer assistance. Locate such a program in your community and offer the services of your council: helping to raise funds, care for patients, etc.
• Increase public awareness that clinical depression is a treatable medical illness and moti- vate people with the illness to seek treatment. Clinical depression strikes millions of adults each year and costs billions of dollars in worker absenteeism, lost productivity and health care. While effective therapy and medication are available, only one-third of those with clinical depression seek treatment due to fear, ignorance, misinformation and stigma. Contact your local mental health association and participate in community education events and activities.
• Volunteer at veterans hospitals and health care facilities. The Veterans Affairs Voluntary Service (VAVS) coordinates volunteer efforts at all of the United States’ 200 veteran facilities. All types of volunteer services are needed. Contact the Veteran Affairs Voluntary Service Office 1167, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC, 20420 or call (202) 273-8952 for more information about local facilities or the VAVS in general. In Canada, contact the Regional Veterans Affairs Office for more information.