Nutrition, exercise classes
The University of Maryland Center for Diabetes and Endocrinology at Baltimore Washington Medical Center will offer classes on healthy living through nutrition and exercise. Classes will be held from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Thursday, April 12 and from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. April 30 in the Diabetes and Endocrinology Center, Suite 119, 300 Hospital Drive. Cost is $25. Information and registration: 410-787-4940.
Weight management
The University of Maryland Center for Weight Management and Wellness will offer a free weight-loss education seminar from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. April 18 in the Dr. Constantine Padussis Conference Center, third floor, Baltimore Washington Medical Center, 301 Hospital Drive. Registration is required at 410-328-8940. Additional information visit http://www.umm.edu/weightloss.
Spine disorders
Dr. Clifford Solomon will discuss disorders of the aging spine at 6:30 p.m. April 25 at Baltimore Washington Medical Center, 301 Hospital Drive. Learn what can be done to minimize the wear and tear that occurs to bone and soft tissue of the spine through the normal aging process. Pre-registration is required 410-787-4367.
Free cookbook
The Learn to Live program of the Department of Health has a new healthful eating kit that features a free cookbook and tips that will help you select foods high in fiber and low in fat and sodium. Recipes are also quick, easy and economical. Information: visit http://www.LearntoLiveHealthy.org or call 410-222-7979.
Tobacco sales
The health department's Learn to Live program offers to retailers a tobacco sales compliance kit. The kit includes a training guide that explains Maryland's tobacco laws. It's illegal to sell tobacco products to anyone under the age of 18 in the state of Maryland. The free kit is available by calling the Learn to Live Line at 410-222-7979 or visiting http://www.aahealth.org/ltl_pdf/compliancekit.pdf.
Free flu vaccine
The Department of Health provides free seasonal flu vaccine at walk-in clinics in Annapolis and Glen Burnie. Both the injectable and nasal spray vaccines are available. For details, call the flu information line at 410-222-7343 or visit http://www.aahealth.org.
Guide to school health
The Department of Health website, http://www.aahealth.org, offers information on school health services for the 2011-2012 school year. The page provides information on bullying, keeping kids smoke-free, flu prevention, treatment of head lice and communicable diseases, and more.
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 nationally set 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: aahealth.org or 410-222-7202.
Health email alerts
The Department of Health has a community health email alert system to provide timely notices about department services and community health issues. Also, a recreational water-quality email alert system has been in effect since 2006. It alerts subscribers when a closure or advisory is issued for a county waterway. For information about the alert services, visit http://www.aahealth.org. Click on "sign-up" to receive health alerts; or call the public information office at 410-222-4508.
Patient disability pamphlet
The county Commission on Disability Issues offers a pamphlet, "Doctors' Offices and Patients with Disabilities Working Together," that offers suggestions for doctors to make visits go more smoothly, including information on training staff, obtaining equipment for the disabled and accommodating service animals. To obtain a copy, contact the Americans with Disabilities Act Office at 410-222-4464, ext. 3056; or http://www.aacounty.org/Aging/disabledAdults/CommDis.cfm and click on "Doctor's Office Brochure."
Quit-smoking resources
The Learn to Live program, in partnership with community medical providers, will sponsor free quit-smoking classes for adults who live, work and attend school in the county. Classes include counseling and may include nicotine replacement therapy. Pre-registration is required at the following health care providers.
•Anne Arundel Medical Center, Health Sciences Institute, 2000 Medical Parkway, Annapolis. Classes begin in May. Information: 443-481-4000 or 1-800-636-8773.
•Baltimore Washington Medical Center, 301 Hospital Drive, Glen Burnie. Classes begin in May. Information: 410-787-4367 or visit http://www.mybwmc.org.
Support groups
The Joslin Circle A diabetes support group discusses issues regarding management of the disease. The group meets 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. the third Wednesday of every month in the Joslin Diabetes Center, Suite 223, Baltimore Washington Medical Center, 301 Hospital Drive, Glen Burnie. Information: 410-787-4940.
Man-to-Man prostate cancer Offers information about diagnosis, treatment and management. The group meets 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on the third Monday of every month in the Tate Center, Baltimore Washington Medical Center, 305 Hospital Drive, Glen Burnie. Information: 410-787-4367.
Stroke A support group meets to discuss stroke recovery and prevention from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on the second Tuesday of every month in the Dr. Constantine Padussis Conference Center, Baltimore Washington Medical Center, 301 Hospital Drive, Glen Burnie. Information: 410-787-4457.
Caregivers support group provides information, respite and support to people who give care to family and friends. The group meets 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. on the third Tuesday of every month at the Heritage Office Complex in the Department of Aging and Disabilities office, fourth floor, 2666 Riva Road, Annapolis.
Diabetes For diabetics and their families, the group meets 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. on the third Wednesday of every month in the Center for Diabetes and Endocrinology at the Baltimore Washington Medical Center, 300 Hospital Drive, Suite 223, Glen Burnie. Information: 410-787-4940.
Joint School A free session on the preparation, recovery and benefits of hip- and knee-replacement surgery will be held at 4 p.m. on the third Wednesday of every other month at Baltimore Washington Medical Center, 300 Hospital Drive, Glen Burnie. Information and reservations: 410-553-8282.
Suicide support group for age 18 and older meets monthly on Tuesdays from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Life Center, 445 Defense Highway in Annapolis. Registration is required. Information: 410-987-2129.
'Stepping Stones,' a support group for children ages 8-13 who are grieving the loss of a loved one, meets from 10 a.m. to noon monthly on Saturdays at the Life Center, 445 Defense Highway in Annapolis. Registration is required. Information: 410-987-2129.
Screenings
The Anne Arundel County Department of Health offers vision and hearing screenings for children in pre-school, kindergarten, first and eight grades. Special-education students receiving speech therapy may also be recommended for screening. Students in the following schools and programs will be screened in April.
•Meade Heights Elementary, St. John's Nursery, Tuesday, April 10
•North Glen Elementary, Wednesday, April 11
•Glendale Elementary, Wednesday, April 11 and Thursday, April 12
•St. John's Nursery, Friday, April 13
•Rolling Knolls Elementary, Solley Elementary, April 16 and 17.
•Point Pleasant Elementary, Richard Henry Lee Elementary, April 18 and 19
•Crofton Nursery School, April 19 and 20
•Play and Learn Annapolis, Play and Learn Community Place, April 20
•Nantucket Elementary, April 23 and 24
•Millersville Elementary, April 24
•Brock Bridge Elementary, Mills-Parole Elementary, April 25 and 26
•Harundale Presbyterian Weekday School, April 26 and 27
•Antioch Christian School, Arnold Christian Academy, Linthicum Heights United Methodist Church Preschool, Magothy Cooperative Preschool and Kindergarten, April 27
•Odenton Christian School, April 30
For additional information call Kim Roussey, vision and hearing technician supervisor at 410-222-6838.
•Colorectal cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer death in Anne Arundel county after lung cancer. Screenings and informational kits are available through the Health Department's Learn to Live program. To order a free kit call the Learn to Live Line, 410-222-7979, or learntolivehealthy.org. Also, the Department of Health's LifeScreen program offers free colorectal cancer screening to county residents ages 50 to 64 who are uninsured and income eligible. Information: 410-222-6640.
•The Department of Health offers free, confidential testing and counseling for HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. For appointments: Annapolis, 410-222-7493; Glen Burnie, 410-222-6633; Parole, 410-222-7248. For personal and confidential HIV case management services, call 410-222-7108.
•The county health department provides free breast exams, mammograms, pap tests and cervical cancer screenings to eligible county residents 40 and older. Information: 410-222-6180 or visit http://www.LearnToLiveHealthy.org.
Continuing services
The county Health Department offers:
The Administration Care Coordination Unit (ACCU) provides services to clients who are enrolled in or may be eligible for medical assistance and HealthChoice to help them access health care. Information: ACCU at 410-222-7541 or 410-222-4380.
•Children's immunization shots at 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 12 months, 15 months and 18 months. Information: 410-222-4896 or the community health section at aahealth.org/immunizations.
•Family planning services with free pregnancy tests, counseling, low-cost exams, lab tests and low-cost birth control supplies to women younger than 25. For an appointment: 410-222-7144.
•Free pregnancy and baby-care kits from the Anne Arundel Healthy Babies Coalition offer tips on calming a crying baby. The kits contain information on having a healthy pregnancy and baby. Information: http://www.aahealthybabies.org or call 410-222-7223. For information about car seats and a list of inspection locations, call Maryland Kids in Safety Seats: 800-370-7328. To take the online "Taking Care of a Baby" class, which includes information on safe sleeping and how to calm a crying baby, go to http://www.aahealthybabies.org.
•Substance abuse treatment services through Community Treatment Services. Information: 410-222-0120. Methadone and suboxone maintenance services through the Health Department's adult addictions clinic: 410-222-0100.
•Education and outreach programs for adolescents and parents. Topics for discussion include benefits of abstinence, responsible decision-making, pregnancy prevention and prevention of sexually transmitted diseases. Information: Healthy Teens and Young Adults, 410-222-4468.
•The REACH health care program offers low-cost doctor visits, checkups, prescription medicine, lab work and tests, radiology services and dental services to uninsured county residents. Information: 410-222-4531.
•Comprehensive medical coverage to income-eligible families, children and pregnant women through managed-care organizations via the Medical Assistance for Families/MCHP program. Applications: 410-222-4792.
•Maryland birth certificates. Information: aahealth.org or 410-222-4462.
•Behavioral health services for children ages 5 to 18 and their families. For mental health services and referrals: 410-222-6785. For substance-abuse services: 410-222-6725.
•The WIC supplemental nutrition program provides free nutritious foods, education, breast-feeding support and resource referrals to pregnant, breast-feeding and postpartum women and children up to age 5. To qualify, call 410-222-6797 or 410-222-0139 (Spanish).
•The Learn to Live program offers a free archive of more than 650 recipes low in saturated and trans fats and high in fiber. Many are suited for diabetic, meatless and low-sodium diets. Visit learntolivehealthy.org, click on "Eat Smart" under "Food And Fitness."
•A free booklet, "Don't Let Us Get Hooked on Tobacco," is available to parents who want to dissuade children and teens from smoking. The booklet is sponsored by the Learn to Live program and can be ordered or downloaded online at http://www.learntolivehealthy.org. Information: 410-222-7979.
•The Prescription Discount Program is available to all county residents of any age and income. Information: 410-222-4531 or visit http://www.scriptsave.com and log in using Group #586.
•The Learn to Live program offers an annual newsletter for child care providers and parents. The newsletter includes healthy eating tips, advice on when to keep ill children home, facts on pertussis (whooping cough), and approaches to prevent temper tantrums. In addition to Building Blocks, Learn to Live offers many publications for parents and child care providers that can be ordered from the Learn to Live Line, 410-222-7979, or on the website http://www.learntolivehealthy.org.
•The Department of Health offers information about seasonal affective disorder (SAD) at http://www.aahealth.org. Symptoms of SAD usually begin between September and November and end in March or April. Information: call Adolescent and Family Services at 410-222-6785.