In this issue
It’s tough to avoid talk of this year’s flu season – especially since there are both the H1N1 (Swine Flu) and the seasonal. Advice on what to do and what not to do is everywhere, which makes sorting fact from fiction difficult. To help you and your family stay healthy and informed, Lancaster General Health is providing answers to some of the most common questions and concerns.
Read more on avoiding the flu
The average American gains seven to 10 pounds between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. For many, it’s simply a matter of giving into the urge to over-indulge during holiday activities and get-togethers. For others, overeating helps ease the stress, which often accompanies the holidays. To help, the Lighten Up Lancaster County Coalition is offering a free six-week course called Maintain Your Weight Over The Holidays.
Learn how to keep unwanted weight off this holiday
Alcohol consumption, tobacco use, exercise and life satisfaction were among the topics surveyed in the newly released Behavioral Health Risk of Lancaster County Adults Report. The findings compare healthcare awareness, access to care and health behaviors in Lancaster County to that of Pennsylvania as a whole.
Read more about the report
Quitting smoking is one of the hardest, but one of the best, things people can do to improve their health. Lancaster General Health, in collaboration with the American Lung Association, is extending the Freedom From Smoking® classes to help more people kick the habit. The next eight-week program specifically designed for adults begins in January 2010 at the Columbia Community Life Network at 510 Walnut St., Columbia.
Learn more about how to stop smoking
Lancaster General Health’s plans to expand medical services in Northeastern Lancaster County are now available in a new section of the health system’s website.
One in four Lancaster General Health patients live in Northeastern Lancaster County, where the population is expected to grow by more than 10,000 people over the next five years. A larger population means increased demand for healthcare services and, in fact, our own study concludes we need to add 100 hospital beds in Lancaster County now to meet the current health needs of our community.
Read more about the project