Looking Ahead: The 2014 Consumer Health Information Speaker Series

The end of the year is fast approaching and here at St. Louis Public Library, we're looking ahead to 2014. We've got some great events planned for next year, including our 2014 Consumer Health Information Speaker Series "Can I Catch That?".

Presented in partnership with the Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University's Bernard Becker Medical Library, HealthStreet, and the St. Louis College of Pharmacy, the speaker series consists of four panel discussions featuring health care experts discussing important health care topics, such as cancer, cardio health, and diabetes, as well as what your eyes and mouth can say about your general health.

Each of these events will take place in the auditorium at Central Library 1301 Olive St., 63103 (map). Check out our flyer below, and check back in to the blog for more details as these events get closer.

First ACA Deadline is Looming

While Americans technically have until the end of March to sign up for health insurance through the Health Insurance Marketplace, if you want that insurance to kick in on January 1, 2014, you have to enroll by December 23. Fortunately, several of the notorious problems with Healthcare.gov have been fixed, and its now possible to "window shop" for insurance plans. As we mentioned last month, if you have had technical trouble in the past, keep trying!

If you're having problems, the St. Louis Public Library has plenty of events scheduled over the next few months to help you get enrolled. Check our Upcoming Events page for a full list. Each branch of the St. Louis Public Library also has a binder full of information about the Health Insurance Marketplace, including required documents for enrolling, tips for avoiding fraud, and even copies of the application forms. These materials are available for you to view and copy. A list of branches and locations is available here.

Going back to the events page for a moment, while you're there, take note of all of the health-related events we have coming up over the next few months. The page has just been updated with more free medical screenings, programs for senior citizens, and, of course, that long list of ACA enrollment opportunities. Keep checking back as we add more!

Don't Forget to Take Care of Your Skin This Winter

Everyone hears about how important it is to protect their skin during the summer months, but the cold

weather of winter brings its own skin-related concerns. Dry, cold weather can cause dry, itchy skin, susceptible to chapping and cracking, and keeping that skin moisturized is important to overall skin health.

The American Academy of Dermatologists suggests keeping skin moisturized with fragrance- and alcohol-free moisturizers; using lip balms containing petrolatum (also known as petroleum jelly and mineral oil) to keep lips from chapping; taking cooler, shorter showers and using gentle cleansers; and limiting exposure to winter weather by covering your hands and face when outside. 

Check out these skin-care-centric books from the St. Louis Public Library:

• The Skin Commandments: 10 Rules to Healthy, Beautiful Skin by Tony Nakhla
• Skin Rules: Trade Secrets from a Top New York Dermatologist by Debra Jaliman
• The Essential Guide to Natural Skin Care: Choosing Botanicals, Oils & Extracts for Simple & Healthy Beauty by Helene Berton
• Your Skin, Younger: New Science Secrets to Naturally Younger Skin by Alan C. Logan, Mark G. Rubin, & Philip M. Levy
• Skin Care Secrets: How to Have Naturally Healthy Beautiful Skin by Liz Earle

And if you’d like some more information, here are a few websites to check out:

• Tips on coping with dry winter skin from the National Library of Medicine
• A printable handout on dry skin from the National Library of Medicine
• Dry skin information from the American Academy of Dermatologists
• Risk factors involved with dry skin from the American Academy of Dermatologists
• 10 tips for relieving dry winter skin from the American Academy of Dermatologists