National recovery month
The Department of Health is joining with community groups and providers in a program to support a healthy lifestyle for people in long-term recovery from mental and substance use disorders. The department's recovery support services programs provide peer support, care coordination and recovery centers. Information: 410-222-7164 or follow @AAC_Recovery on Twitter.
Chronic conditions workshop
Baltimore Washington Medical Center and the Department of Aging and Disabilities will offer a free six-week workshop on living well with chronic conditions including diabetes, arthritis, high blood pressure, obesity, chronic pain or anxiety and heart disease. Participants will learn techniques to deal with frustration, fatigue, pain and isolation. The program will be held from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Sept. 26 through Oct. 31 at BWMC's radiology conference room, 301 Hospital Drive, lower level, Glen Burnie.
Health fair
Baltimore Washington Medical Center will sponsor a health fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 4 in the food court at Arundel Mills, 7000 Arundel Mills Circle, Hanover. Information: 410-787-4367.
Health care reform
The Department of Health will hold the following health care reform discussions at the following sites. All programs will be held from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
•Brooklyn Park Public Library, 1 East 11th Ave., Brooklyn Park, Tuesday, Sept. 17.
•West County Public Library, 1325 Annapolis Road, Odenton, Oct. 3.
•Mountain Road Public Library, 4730 Mountain Road, Pasadena, Oct. 10.
For additional information, visit http://www.aahealth.org or call 410-222-4550.
Walk for better health
Walking is the most popular form of physical activity. A new web page sponsored by the Department of Health, http://www.aahealth.org/walk, features information about local walking programs, trails and tracks.
Exercise classes
Baltimore Washington Medical Center will offer exercise classes in beginning yoga, beginning Pilates, beginning yoga/Pilates combination, fitness fusion, prenatal yoga, yoga, Yin yoga and Zumba. Classes begin Sept. 30 and run for 10 weeks. Cost: $50. Classes will be held at BWMC, 301 Hospital Drive, Glen Burnie and at Baltimore Washington Health Services Center, 7556 Teague Road, Hanover. Information: 410-787-4367.
Guide to school health
Parents and guardians can visit the Department of Health's website, aahealth.org/parentguide, to find information on bullying, smoke-free kids and flu prevention. Other topics include head lice, safe backpacking and easy-to-prepare school lunches. The web page also links to a directory of school nurses in county public schools.
Support groups
HIV/AIDS Weekly meetings for men and women will be held every Monday from 7 to 8 p.m. the first and third Wednesday of every month from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at 1 Harry S. Truman Parkway, Annapolis. Information: 410-222-7108.
Diabetes Support and educational programs will be offered at 7 p.m. the fourth Wednesday of every month in the Anne Arundel Medical Center Health Sciences Pavilion, seventh floor, 1106 Annapolis Road, Odenton. Information: Anita Smith 443-481-5188.
Trauma recovery support The group meets at 6 p.m. every Monday in the AAMC Health Science Pavilion, 7th floor, 1106 Annapolis Road, Odenton. Information: Elizabeth Cush, 443-481-1209.
Young adult cardiac support The group meets the second Monday of every month at 4:30 p.m. in the AAMC Health Sciences Pavilion, seventh floor, 1106 Annapolis road, Odenton. Information: Dianne Walters, 443-481-1928.
Substance abuse The Western Anne Arundel Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition offers information on the prevention of alcohol and other drug use among youth and promotes safe and healthy behaviors. Meetings are held the fourth Friday of every month at noon in the Anne Arundel County Western District Police Station, 8273 Telegraph Road in Odenton. Information: 443-351-7989 or email WASPCoalition@gmail.com.
Substance abuse The Northern Lights Against Substance Abuse is a coalition in north Anne Arundel County working to help reduce substance abuse in young adults. Meetings will be held the second Friday of every month. Information: Loretta Lawson-Munsey, 410-777-2527 or email lllawsonmunsey@aacc.edu.
Cancer The group offers support and educational programs for patients diagnosed with any type of cancer. Sponsored by the Baltimore Washington Medical Center, the group meets at 5 p.m. the first Tuesday of every month in the Aiello Breast Center, 203 Hospital Drive, Suite B100 in Glen Burnie.
Lung cancer The group provides emotional support and information to patients and families coping with a lung cancer diagnosis. The group meets at 6:30 p.m. the fourth Tuesday of every month in the Donner Pavilion, Anne Arundel Medical Center, 2001 Medical Parkway in Annapolis. Information: 1-800-966-2619. Registration: aamcevents.com.
Breastfeeding Mothers discuss topics determined by participants and directed by a certified lactation consultant. Babies, grandparents and care providers welcome. The group meets the second and fourth Thursday of every month in the Sajak Pavilion, second floor, 2002 Medical Parkway in Annapolis. Register online at aamcevents.com.
Man-to-Man prostate cancer Offers information about diagnosis, treatment and management. The group meets from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. on the third Monday of every month in the Tate Cancer Center, Baltimore Washington Medical Center, 301 Hospital Drive, Glen Burnie. Information: 410-787-4367 or the American Cancer Society, 410-421-4304.
Stroke support Meets to discuss stroke recovery and prevention from 6 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 in Glen Burnie. Information: 410-787-4457.
Caregivers 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 in Annapolis.
Suicide support group For ages 18 and older; meets monthly on Tuesdays from 6:30 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 to 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.
Mental health A support group for community members and families seeking information about psychiatric issues. The programs discusses depression, anxiety, addiction and bipolar disorder. The group meets from 6:30 to 8 p.m. the fourth Wednesday of every month in Room A of the Partial Hospitalization Program, second floor, Baltimore Washington Medical Center, 301 Hospital Drive in Glen Burnie. Information: 410-553-8070.
Diabetes support group Open to all people with diabetes and their families to better understand living with diabetes. Meets from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on the third Wednesday of every month in the Center for Diabetes and Endocrinology at Baltimore Washington Medical Center, 300 Hospital Drive, Suite 223 in Glen Burnie. Information: 410-787-4940. Also, nutrition and exercise classes will be offered from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 24, in the center. Reservations required. Cost per class is $25.
Screenings
Vision and hearing
The Department of Health offers vision and hearing screenings in public schools for children in preschool, kindergarten, first and eighth grades, and also for students new to Anne Arundel county schools. Students in the following schools and programs will be screened in September.
•Maryland City Elementary, Beaver Creek Kindergarten, Monday, Sept. 16, and Tuesday, Sept. 17.
•Play & Learn Community Place, St. Anne's Day School, Wednesday, Sept. 18.
•Annapolis Area Christian School, Naval Academy Primary School, Thursday, Sept. 19, and Friday, Sept. 20.
•Waugh Chapel Elementary, Sept. 23.
•Tyler Heights Elementary, Sept. 25 and Sept. 26.
•Millersville Elementary, Sept. 26.
•The Harbour School, St. Jane Frances School, Sept. 27.
For additional information contact 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 visit 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 county Health Department offers free breast exams, mammograms, AP tests and cervical-cancer screenings to eligible county residents 40 and older. Information: 410-222-6180 or learntolivehealthy.org.
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. Click on "Search Recipes" under "Food and Fitness."
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 or visit learntolivehealthy.org.
Continuing services
•HIV/AIDS services. The department of health offers free, confidential testing and counseling for HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. For an appointment call: Annapolis, 410-222-7943; Glen Burnie, 410-222-6633 or Parole, 410-222-7248. Additional information: 410-222-7108.
•Behavioral health services for children and teens and their families without private medical insurance. For mental health services and referrals 410-222-6785. For substance abuse services call 410-222-6725.