framingham.com (*** TEST SITE ***)

Category: Health & Fitness

  • Flashmob at MWMC

    Flashmob at MWMC

    FRAMINGHAM, MA – For more than two decades, professionals involved with infection control have dedicated one week of the year as “Infection Prevention Week“. Originally the week was spent educating others in health care about the importance of reducing the spread of germs and infection.

    When Andrei Soran, (CEO of Metrowest Medical Center), got together with  Bonnie Biocchi, (President of the MetroWest Chamber of Commerce), during the 2010 Infection Prevention Week, they got the idea to promote the importance of hand washing — not only to healthcare professionals, but to the community at large.

    Using social networking and online media the pair got a Flashmob together, and here’s what they came up with:

    What a great use of social networking, music, line-dancing and fun to promote something that could keep us all a little healthier, (especially as we head into the cold and flu season).

    Great job to all of you Wash Your Hands dancers!

    Resources:

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  • Overcoming Food Allergies

    Twelve-year-old Brett Nasuti’s multiple severe food allergies have brought him unexpected fame in recent months. He is the first person to successfully complete a treatment that appears to have eliminated the threat of dangerous reactions that he and his family have (more…)

  • What’s in the Health Care Bill?

    Yesterday, on March 23, 2010, President Barack Obama signed into law; H.R. 4872 – Health Care and Education Affordability Reconciliation Act of 2010, (commonly referred to as “The Health Care Bill”).

    While claims of “Medicare death squads”, “Government Takeover of Health Care”, and pundits claiming the bill will force employers to layoff or fire existing employees, (and make it unaffordable for them to hire anyone new), there does not appear to be (more…)

  • Free Public Program on Heart Health

    FRAMINGHAM, MA — February is American Heart Month, and the Framingham Board of Health will be sponsoring their annual Healthy Heart Program on Tuesday February 10, 2009 at the Framingham Public Library.
    Heart Disease is the number one killer of women in the US, but research shows that eighty percent of cardiac events in women could be prevented if women make the right choices for their hearts, such as changing their eating habits, getting regular exercise, choosing not to smoke and managing their cholesterol and blood pressure.

    Dr Naomi Hamburg of BU School of Medicine and the Framingham Heart Study will speak about heart health. There will also be brief presentations on local heart healthy activities. Attendees will be able to get cholesterol, blood pressure, BMI, and bone density tests done and gather information from many community agencies.

    The program is free and everyone is encouraged to attend.

    For more information contact the Board of Health at 508-532-5470.

  • Food Allergies at School: What Works?

    FRAMINGHAM, MA — A roundtable discussion about how to keep children with food allergies comfortable and safe at school will be the topic of the Metro-West Allergy and Asthma Educational Support Group meeting on Wednesday, January 20 at 7:00 p.m. at Allergy & Asthma Treatment Specialists, 475 Franklin St., Framingham.

    The program is free; pre-registration is not required.

    Support group leaders Lori Brockway and Linda Drews will share their years of experience as parents of children with food allergies and as a teacher, and moderate a discussion of how parents can work most effectively as an advocate for their child.

    AAFA New England organizes educational support group programs throughout the region, publishes a newsletter, and runs a telephone resource and referral line for people coping with allergies and asthma. For more information, or a free copy of the AAFA New England newsletter or parent checklist for managing food allergies in school or child care, call (781)444-7778 or see www.asthmaandallergies.org

  • It’s a Shoe-In

    My feet need a lot of cushioning.  I stand and walk a lot on hard surfaces.  Some years ago I discovered MBT’s (Masai Barefoot Technology shoes.)  My bad knee stopped bothering me.  My plantar faschiitis cleared up.   I met people who raved about them.

    Recently when I needed to replace  my shoes, I decided to see what else is available that might be a bit less expensive but would give me good cushioning and support.  (My MBTs ran about $ 225.)   Before MBTs I pretty much bought New Balance or Nike or such on sale for $ 40 or under so the MBTs were a leap.

    I tried Good Feet on Rt. 9.  The shoe that I liked is $ 160, but for the support needed, there’s a patented orthotic type insert that goes for about $ 260.  Yikes!  But that it has a 3 year warranty is a selling point.  Then there is a cushioned insole for about $ 28, but they would throw that in.  And the shoes were non-returnable.   

    Nordstroms in the Natick Collection was having a sale, and I asked about MBT’s because a friend told me they carried them.  The answer was that I can order them, but they didn’t have them in the store anymore.

    Then I noticed that Nordstroms had Skechers Shapeups, which had a similar cushioned sole to the MBTs.  The style I liked, which would transition from work to play was $ 99, but they didn’t have my size in black.  The helpful sales clerk told me I could order them, but I am leary of buying shoes without trying them on.

    I found the same style up the way in the Skechers store in the Natick Collection, but they didn’t have my size and they were $ 110.

    After checking the Skechers website, where the price was also $ 110, I found the same pair at DSW Shoe.  They had my size, my color, and the price was $ 99.    Sold!

    But I was surprised that Nordstroms was less expensive than I would have expected.  I will have to check them out more often.

  • Spilka has more than a moment for Seniors

    Hardworking State Senator Karen Spilka sponsored her annual Senior Health and Wellness Fair at Callahan today.

    A complimentary chair massage by Buffy Cove was just the thing for my stiff neck.  Other than my neck, the other screenings showed I’m in good health. 

    I was able to pick up information to share with my parents and to educate myself about what is available for families dealing with Alzheimer’s as well as sorting out Medicare coverage.

  • Forum on the War of Drugs

    FRAMINGHAM, MA – Why are we spending so much money — and still not succeeding? The Failure of the War on Drugs, a Forum & Discussion,sponsored by the New England Association of Drug Court Professionals will be held on Monday, November 16, 2009 from 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. at the Costin Room, Framingham Public Library, Lexington Street, Framingham.

    Speakers:

    • Rep. Pam Richardson (host)
    • Sheriff James V. DiPaola: Middlesex County Sheriff
    • Attorney David White: Chair, MA Bar Association’s Drug PolicyTask Force
    • Judge Robert Ziemian: founder of Massachusett’s first drug court

    Moderated by Roberta Leis, Join Together, A project of the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University.

    For more information contact the Office of Rep. Pam Richardson (617)722-2582 or email Rep.PamRichardson@hou.state.ma.us

  • NOVEMBER FLU SHOTS CANCELLED

    FRAMINGHAM,MA – The Framingham Board of Health has announced that the flu shot clinics scheduled in November have been cancelled.

    Clinics will be scheduled once flu vaccines are available.

  • Boo-Hoo Flu

    Framingham offered free flu shots today at Framingham High and McCarthy Elementary.

    Unfortunately, due to family responsibilities, we couldn’t break away to go get a shot until about 1:15 p.m.  The clinics must have been well attended because by the time we arrived at the schools, both clinics were closed. 

    We feel “boo-hoo” about it, we hope it doesn’t turn to “ah-choo” before the next flu clinics.  At least there are more to come and our doctor isn’t offering them this year.