April is National Minority Health Month

African Americans, Hispanics, and American Indians are at high risk for developing kidney failure. This risk is due in part to high rates of diabetes and high blood pressure in these communities. Follow this link for more information about kidney failure for each of these groups, from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.

Health at the Zoo!

On Saturday, April 16, from 9 a.m. to noon, the Saint Louis Zoo is hosting a "One Health" fair.  The Zoo's Institute for Conservation Medicine will be joined by Saint Louis University and Washington University medical schools, as well as the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine, to offer information on the links between wildlife conservation and human health.  Admission to the Zoo and to all One Health activities is free.  More information can be found on the Zoo's website, or by calling 314.781.0900.

Medication disposal

Proper disposal of unused or expired meds When is the last time you cleaned out your medicine cabinet?  If it has been a while (or never), you maybe have expired medication in need of disposal.  Here's how you can do so safely. Some police stations accept unused prescription and over-the-counter medicines, and they are collected by the Missouri Prescription Pill & Drug Disposal (P2D2) and disposed of responsibly.  For a list of accepted items, as well as a list of drop box locations, visit their website.

National Public Health Week

April 4-10 is National Public Health Week.  Join Affinia Healthcare, Gateway to Better Health, and MOHealthNet to celebrate!


Wednesday, April 6, 2016
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
1717 Biddle St.
St. Louis MO 63106

Health screenings and education
Assist Wireless Communication
St. Louis Metro Market - Food demo
Breakthrough Home-Health Services
St. Louis Job Corps
West End Chiropractic and Rehab Center
Equal Housing Opportunity Appointments
Urban League Head Start
Community resources
Chronic disease information
Health and wellness information
Dental information
Marketplace Exchange assistance

For more information call Dave at 314.814.8630

SLAAA and MEAAA study

Are you 65 years of age or older?
Are you someone who has fallen in the last 12 months or are worried about falling in the future?

If you answered YES to these questions, you may be eligible to participate in a home hazard removal research study!!

Participants will receive a $5 grocery gift card each month for 12 months and may be eligible for free home modifications.

Susan Stark, in cooperation with the St. Louis Area Agency on Aging and the Mid East Area Agency on Aging, is seeking participants for a study to determine the effectiveness of a home hazard removal program to reduce falls in older adults.

Please contact Jane 314.932.1011 for more information.

Fall prevention

Falls, as the greatest cause of traumatic brain injury, are something to be avoided.  There are other possible consequences as well, and therefore it is important to work on maintaining and improving balance.  Exercising and maintaining core strength are key (though there are different balance disorders, and treatments vary depending on the cause).  Walking and balance classes can both be helpful.  NIHSeniorHealth has a site on balance, with pages addressing causes, symptoms, treatment, and frequently asked questions.

The St. Louis Public Library has great stuff to check out such as Beginning t'ai chi by Tri Thong Dang, the DVD Intro to T'ai Chi: 9 beginner flows to balance mind, body and spirit, and Core strength for 50+: a customized program for safely toning ab, back & oblique muscles by Karl Knopf.

Brain Injury Awareness Month

March is Brain Injury Awareness Month.  According to the Brain Injury Association of America, each year an estimated 2.4 million children and adults in the United States sustain a traumatic brain injury (TBI), and another 795,000 individuals sustain an acquired brain injury (ABI) from nontraumatic causes.  Brain controls every aspect of our being -- including emotions, thinking, memory, and personality -- and brain injury impacts not just the individual, but also family members and loved ones.

The Missouri Institute of Mental Health has a video with Dr. Tom Martin of UMissouri-Columbia, which gives an overview of traumatic brain injury.  Link here.  Falls are the greatest cause of traumatic brain injury, though traffic accidents and sports injuries also contribute.

The Brain Injury Association of Missouri's mission is "to reduce the incidence of brain injury; to promote acceptance, independence, and productivity of persons with brain injury; and to support their families."  Their website is full of resources for support and information.

Some books at SLPL that address brain injury:

• The traumatized brain: a family guide to understanding mood, memory, and behavior after brain injury by Vani Rao, MBBS, MD, and Sandeep Vaishnavi, MD, PhD
• Coping with concussion and mild traumatic brain injury: a guide to living with the challenges associated with post concussion syndrome and brain trauma by Diane Roberts Stoler, Ed.D., and Barbara Albers Hill
• Living with brain injury: a guide for patients and families by Richard C. Senelick
• For kids: What you need to know about concussions by Kristine Carlson Asselin
• Concussion by Jeanne Marie Laskas
• Traumatic brain injury: from concussion to coma by Connie Goldsmith