Prenatal Program Receives Funding
March of Dimes Indiana Chapter has awarded a $10,000 grant to Wishards’ prenatal care programs. The money is for preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality.
“This funding will aid Wishard in our effort to improve birth outcomes and (the) health of babies born in Indianapolis and Marion County,” said Linda Johnson, director of the hospital’s family planning and community health programs. “On behalf of the staff and our patients, we thank the March of Dimes for helping us better serve our moms and babies.”
The program will use the funds to better assess patient needs, provide education, and coordinate services to maximize a healthy pregnancy, in addition to preventing infant mortality.
For more information, call (317) 630-7808 or visit www.wishard.edu.
Program to Promote Sound Mind and Body
The National Alliance on Mental Illness has launched a new “Hearts and Minds” program. It focuses on risk factors for heart disease, cancer and diabetes, and could be especially helpful to Blacks living with mental illness. Both race and mental health indicate disparities in risk factors for these diseases and access to health care. According to a 2006 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services report, Blacks were more at risk for heart disease, obesity and high blood pressure. Another recent study found that people with serious mental illness live an average of 25 years less. This program helps eliminate preventable or reversible risk factors from their lives.
For more information, call (703) 312-7893 or visit www.nami.org.
FAMILY HEALTH FEST
WTHR and Wishard Health Services will present the Pecar Family Health Fest April 10 at the Pecar Health Center, 6940 N. Michigan Rd. This free event will run from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. and is open to everyone. A team of health care professionals will be on hand to answer questions and administer free health screenings. There will also be music, refreshments and other fun activities. Attendees will receive blood pressure, glaucoma, STD and other important medical health checks. Information will also be provided on nutrition, women’s health, dental care, literacy and other issues that affect the community.
For more information, call (317) 266-2901.
