West Newsmagazine 12-14-16

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were injured both when driving an ATV
and when riding as a passenger.
Most chest injuries
resulted from roll-over
accidents, colliding with
landscape or falling from
the vehicle.
“Our study further
supports the need for
increased public awareness
of the risks and
potentially devastating
consequences of ATV use
among children,” Hagedorn
said.
No safe smoking
Contrary to what some people may
believe, long-term smoking of even a
single cigarette per day increases the risk
of death, according to a study from the
National Cancer Institute [NCI].
NCI researchers looked at the lifetime
smoking habits of more than 290,000
adults aged 59-82 to determine associations
between the risk of death and smoking
frequency. Participants were queried
about their smoking frequency during age
periods from younger than 15 to 70 or older.
Study participants who consistently
smoked 10 or fewer cigarettes per day
had a higher risk of dying from all causes
Serious injuries to the chest are
not uncommon among children
involved in ATV accidents.
than did those who never smoked. Among
former “low-intensity
smokers” – those who
once smoked 10 or fewer
cigarettes per day – the
death risk was progressively
lower the younger
they were when they
kicked the habit.
Looking at participants’
causes of death,
the association with
smoking habits was
especially strong for
lung cancer. Compared
to those who never
smoked, smokers who consistently
averaged fewer than one cigarette per
day over their lifetime were nine times
more likely to die from lung cancer, and
those who averaged between one and 10
cigarettes per day were almost 12 times
higher to succumb to lung cancer.
“These findings provide further evidence
that there is no safe level of cigarette smoking,”
researchers concluded. “All smokers
should be targeted for smoking cessation,
regardless of how few cigarettes they
smoke per day.”
Researchers noted also that the study
was somewhat limited due to the fact that
the number of low-intensity smokers participating
was relatively small.
On the calendar
Cholesterol and glucose wellness
screenings are from 8 a.m.-10 a.m. on
Friday, Dec. 16 at the St. Luke’s Urgent
Care Center, 233 Clarkson Road in Ellisville.
Participants receive their cholesterol
and glucose numbers, plus a blood pressure
screening and body composition measurement.
A one-on-one consultation with a
HeartCaring professional is included. The
screenings require a 10-12-hour fast and
an appointment. The fee is $20. For more
information and to register, call (314) 542-
4848 or visit www.stlukes-stl.com
• • •
An American Red Cross community
blood drive is from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on
Thursday, Dec. 22 at the St. Luke’s Hospital
Institute for Health Education, 222
S. Woods Mill Road in Chesterfield. To
schedule an appointment, visit redcrossblood.org
and enter the sponsor code:
SAINTLUKES or call (314) 658-2090. For
more information, call Carole McBride at
(314) 542-4727.
• • •
“Home Alone,” a program designed for
children ages 9 and 10 who may be staying
home alone for the first time, or need to
learn more skills in order for parents to be
comfortable leaving them home alone, is
from 9-10:30 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 26 at
the St. Luke’s Hospital Institute for Health
December 14, 2016
WEST NEWSMAGAZINE
I HEALTH I 39
Education, 222 S. Woods Mill Road in
Chesterfield. Topics include handling the
unexpected, stranger danger, simple firstaid,
dealing with loneliness and boredom,
storm safety, trust and honesty. The fee is
$15. To register, visit www.stlukes-stl.com
or call (314) 542-4848.
• • •
“Sitter Skills,” a program for beginning
baby-sitters aged 11 and older, is
from noon-3 p.m. on Monday, Dec.
26 at the St. Luke’s Hospital Institute
for Health Education, 222 S. Woods
Mill Road in Chesterfield. The class is
taught by St. Luke’s health educators
and covers basic information needed for
baby-sitting, including safety information,
first-aid and child development.
Each participant receives a participation
certificate, baby-sitting handbook and
bag. A light snack is provided. The fee
is $20. To register, visit www.stlukes-stl.
com or call (314) 542-4848.
• • •
The 2017 Healthy Resolutions Health
Fair is from 9 a.m.-noon on Saturday, Jan.
14 at The Lodge, 1050 Des Peres Road
in Des Peres. Sponsored by Walgreens,
the wellness event features area vendors
providing information on ways to lead a
healthier lifestyle. Admission is free. To
learn more, call (314) 835-6150 or visit
www.desperesmo.org.
Going out, yes. Going out of style, never.
Jo, 89
While a lot of things change over the years, some things
don’t. And getting older doesn’t mean you have to stop
doing what you love. So we encourage our residents to
keep on doing their thing while we take care of the rest.
This feels like home.®
WestviewAssistedLiving.com | Ellisville, MO | (314) 288-0625
A SPECTRUM RETIREMENT COMMUNITY
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