March is National Brain Injury Awareness Month

Head injury is commonly associated with falls and automobile accidents. In addition, a large cohort of new type of head trauma resulting from injuries suffered during the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan Wars is being presented by its veterans (the number and extent of these injuries remains un-researched and unknown). The field of trauma research and rehabilitation demands our support.

Take some time this month to learn more about Brain Injury and its consequences.

How many people suffer from TBI?

Of the 1.4 million who sustain a TBI each year in the United States:50,000 die; 235,000 are hospitalized; and 1.1 million are treated and released from an emergency department.

The number of people with TBI who are not seen in an emergency department or who receive no care is unknown.

What causes Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)?
The leading causes of TBI are:

Falls (28%);

Motor vehicle-traffic crashes (20%);

Struck by/against (19%); and

Assaults (11%).

Source: BIA

War related head trauma - unknown

For More Information:

National Brain Injury Awareness Month

Brain Injury Association of America

8201 Greensboro Drive, Suite 611McLean, VA 22102

(703) 761-0750

(703) 761-0755 Fax

info@biausa.org

http://www.biausa.org/

Materials available

Contact: Communications Coordinator

February 24 to March 1st is National Eating Disorders Week

The key message for National Eating Disorders Awareness Week 2008 – “Be comfortable in your genes. Wear jeans that fit the TRUE you.” – ties into NEDA's signature event, the Great Jeans Giveaway.

National Eating Disorders Awareness Week highlights the fact that body size and shape are strongly influenced by biological factors – such as genetics, while also calling attention to some of the new discoveries surrounding the role of genetics in the development of eating disorders.

Well Path would also like to note that while Eating Disorders are more common in females, males also suffer from eating and body dysmorphic disorders. Keep an eye on your children, friends and room mates; there is help.

For More Information:

National Eating Disorders Awareness Week

National Eating Disorders Association

603 Stewart Street, Suite 803

Seattle, WA 98101

(800) 931-2239 Information and Referral Helpline

(206) 382-3587 Business

Phone(206) 829-8501 Fax

info@nationaleatingdisorders.org

http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/

Materials available

Contact: Tonia Brown

February 14th is National Donor Day

The shortage of donor organs continues unabated and the shortage of organ for minority recipients borders on tragic. While no consensus has been reached about offering positive incentives to increase participation, Well Path strongly encourages everyone to opt-in as an organ donor. It is the gift of life.

For more information:
National Donor Day
Division of Transplantation, Healthcare Systems Bureau
Health Resources and Services Administration
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Parklawn Building, Room 12C-055600
Fishers Lane
Rockville, MD 20857
(301) 443-7577
(301) 594-6095 Fax
ask@hrsa.gov
http://www.organdonor.gov/
Materials available
Contact: Division of Transplantation Staff

Feburary is National Chidlren's Dental Health Month

Creating Oral Health Awareness

Each February, the American Dental Association sponsors National Children’s Dental Health Month to raise awareness about the importance of oral health.

Developing good habits at an early age and scheduling regular dental visits helps children get a good start on a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums.

For More Information:
National Children’s Dental Health Month
American Dental Association
211 East Chicago AvenueChicago, IL 60611
(312) 440-2500
publicinfo@ada.org
http://www.ada.org/prof/events/featured/ncdhm.asp
Materials available
Contact: Department of Public Information

February is American Heart Month

February is American Heart Month

Cardiovascular diseases, including stroke, are our nation's No. 1 killer. To urge Americans to join the battle against these diseases, since 1963 Congress has required the president to proclaim February "American Heart Month."

The American Heart Association works with the administration to draft and sign this annual proclamation. During American Heart Month, thousands of our volunteers visit their neighbors. Their goal is to raise funds for research and education and pass along information about heart disease and stroke.

The American Heart Association is a national voluntary health agency whose mission is: "Building healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke."

The association's impact goal is to reduce coronary heart disease, stroke and risk by 25 percent by 2010.

Progress toward the goal will be measured according to these indicators:

1. Reduce the death rate from coronary heart disease and stroke by 25 percent.


2. Reduce the prevalence of smoking, high blood cholesterol and physical inactivity by 25 percent.


3. Reduce the rate of uncontrolled high blood pressure by 25 percent.


4. Eliminate the growth of obesity and diabetes.
   

For more Information:

American Heart Month

American Heart Association

7272 Greenville AvenueDallas, TX 7523

1(800) 242-8721

mailto:inquires@heart.orgwww.americanheart.org

http://www.americanheart.org/

Materials available

Contact: Program departments or local chapters