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

Category: Health & Fitness

  • Framingham Children’s Mental Health Forum

    FRAMINGHAM, MA — Representative Pam Richardson and the Children’s Mental Health Campaign invite you to the Framingham Children’s Mental Health Forum, Friday, October 24, 9-10:30am at the Memorial Building, Blumer Community Room, 150 Concord Street, Framingham MA 01701.

    The time is now to share your story, speak out for reform, learn about Chapter 321  (An Act Relative to Children’s Mental Health) and Make children’s mental health care better together.

    A light breakfast will be served.

    For more information and to RSVP please contact: Matt Noyes, Children’s Health Coordinator, Health Care For All, 617-275-2939 or mnoyes@hcfama.org or visit http://www.ChildrensMentalHealthCampaign.org

    ###

  • 2008 FRAMINGHAM FLU CLINICS

    FRAMINGHAM, MA — 2008 Flu Clinics are available for Framingham residents at the following dates and times:

    Wednesday October 8th from 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm: The Framingham Emergency Response Corps will conduct a flu clinic at the Keefe Vocational Technical School as part of a drill exercise. Flu shots will be available for Framingham residents ages 2 and up. The FERC is conducting this dispensing drill for the public.

    Wednesday November 19th from 10 am to 2 pm at the Callahan Senior Center on Union Avenue: The Board of Health will provide flu (and pneumonia and/or tetanus if indicated).

    Saturday November 22nd from 10am to 2 pm there will be TWO FLU CLINIC sites:
    1. Framingham High School, 115 A Street. Ages 2 and up.
    2. McCarthy School, 8 Flagg Drive. Ages 2 and up.
    Children under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

    There is no charge for the flu shot, however if you have one of the following insurance companies, please bring your card with you:

    · Medicare

    · Tufts Health Plan Medicare Preferred

    · First Seniority ( Harvard Pilgrim Health Care)

    · Fallon Senior Plan (Fallon Community Health Plan)

    · Medicare PPO Blue (Blue cross Blue Shield of MA)

    ###

  • Discounted CPR Course Offered on April 2nd

    FRAMINGHAM, MA — Circle of Friends Preschool is offering a CPR Class/Fundraiser Wednesday April 2nd, from 7-10pm. The class will take place at the preschool–61 Nicholas Rd, Framingham, 01701.

    Learn adult and infant CPR as well as basic first aid. This class is normally $75 through the Red Cross, however, thanks to a generous donation from the instructor, we are able to offer this the training for $50.

    (more…)

  • Massachusetts Low Income Health Insurance Program Launched

    Commonwealth Care Enrollment Opens Today

    MASSACHUSETTS – Starting today, (October 2, 2006), low income and otherwise uninsured Massachusetts residents who formerly used uncompensated care are now eligible to apply to the state’s new low cost health care insurance program called “Commonwealth Care”.

    The program, available to residents who’s income is below 100 percent of the federal poverty level ($9,800 for an individual) will provide participants with; inpatient hospital and outpatient services, prescription drugs, mental health, substance abuse, vision and dental services, including preventive and restorative procedures.

    Enrollees may receive Commonwealth Care with no premiums or deductibles, but will pay (“very modest”) co-payments.

    Applicants will be notified by the end of January (2007) if they have been approved for coverage, and will then have 14 days to select from plans offered by; Boston Medical Center HealthNet Plan, Fallon Community Health Plan, Neighborhood Health Plan or Network Health.

    Beginning January 1, 2007, a premium assistance program will open enrollment for residents with incomes above $9,800 and below $29,400.

    Individuals who believe they are eligible can call a Commonwealth Care customer service representative toll-free Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 1-877-MA-ENROLL (1-877-623-6765), (or by TTY at 1-877-623-7773).

    Applications are also available through hospitals and community health centers where staff has been trained to help people file applications online.

    ###

    Related Link: <http://www.mass.gov/>

  • Clinical Trials at Metrowest Medical Center

    FRAMINGHAM, MA – The final phase of drug or medical therapy testing usually involves “clinical trials” — testing on human beings who volunteer to participate.

    The U.S. National Institute of Health closely monitors these trials and publishes information about such programs on their www.ClinicalTrials.gov website.

    Metrowest Medical Center, (the former “Framingham Union Hospital“), hosts several cancer related trials. A recent search of the site found several trials which are currently recruiting subjects for studies ranging from “observational” (no therapy or drug is administered, subjects are examined or monitored in hopes of discovering new information about a particular medical study), to clinical trials for as-yet (FDA) unapproved therapies or medicines.

    If you are interested in participating, it is suggested that you first visit the www.ClinicalTrials.com website and review the criteria for participants, then consult your doctor before contacting the recruiter for a particular trial.

    Below is a list of some of the trials which are currently recruiting in Framingham:

    Radiation Therapy With or Without Optional
    Tamoxifen in Treating Women With Ductal
    Carcinoma in Situ
    Contact: Teresa A. Van Buren, MD 508-383-1260
    (Trial ID#: NCT00003857)

    Radiation Therapy in Preventing CNS Metastases
    in Patients With Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
    Contact: Allison H. Sacher, MD 508-383-1000
    (Trial ID#: NCT00048997)

    Anastrozole Compared With Tamoxifen After
    Lumpectomy in Treating Postmenopausal Women
    With Ductal Carcinoma in Situ
    Contact: Madhavi L. Venigalla, MD 508-383-1000
    (Trial ID#: NCT00053898)

    Radiation Therapy With Either Capecitabine or
    Fluorouracil Before Surgery in Treating Patients
    With Resectable Rectal Cancer
    Contact: Madhavi L. Venigalla, MD 508-383-1000
    (Trial ID#: NCT00058474)

    Suppression of Ovarian Function Plus Either Tamoxifen or
    Exemestane Compared With Tamoxifen Alone in Treating
    Premenopausal Women With Hormone-Responsive Breast Cancer
    Contact: Madhavi L. Venigalla, MD 508-383-1000
    (Trial ID#: NCT00066690)

    Comparison of Combination Chemotherapy Regimens
    With or Without Cetuximab in Treating Patients Who
    Have Undergone Surgery For Stage III Colon Cancer
    Contact: Madhavi L. Venigalla, MD 508-383-1000
    (Trial ID#: NCT00079274)

    Combination Chemotherapy in Treating Women Who Have
    Undergone Surgery for Node-Positive Breast Cancer
    Contact: Madhavi L. Venigalla, MD 508-383-1000
    (Trial ID#: NCT00093795)

    Docetaxel and Prednisone With or Without Bevacizumab
    in Treating Patients With Prostate Cancer That Did Not
    Respond to Hormone Therapy
    Contact: John G. Krikorian 508-383-1000
    (Trial ID#: NCT00110214)

    For more information visit: www.clinicaltrials.gov

    ###

  • NHLBI to Launch Framingham Genetic Research Study

    FRAMINGHAM, MA – A comprehensive genetic research study to identify genes underlying cardiovascular and other chronic diseases will be launched by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in collaboration with the Boston University (BU) School of Medicine.

    The new research effort, the Framingham Genetic Research Study, will be part of the NHLBI’s long-running Framingham Heart Study (FHS) and will involve up to 500,000 genetic analyses of the DNA of 9,000 study participants across three generations. The NIH National Center for Biotechnology Information, part of the National Library of Medicine, will help develop a study database that will be made available at no cost to investigators throughout the world. The database will provide opportunities for other experts to search for associations between genes and diseases.

    “This important study will take genetic research in the Framingham study to the next level — accelerating discoveries on the causes, prevention, and treatment of major chronic diseases”, said NHLBI Director Elizabeth G. Nabel, M.D. “Using the latest technology, researchers will be able to obtain more information about the connection between unique genetic variations in DNA and cardiovascular disease risk factors as well as the genetic basis for heart attack, stroke, and other chronic diseases”.

    Since 1948, the Framingham Heart Study has studied the health of many of the Massachusetts town’s residents. The study has been the source of key research findings regarding the contributions of hypertension, high cholesterol, cigarette smoking and other risk factors to the development of cardiovascular disease. Researchers at the NHLBI and BU, including physicians, geneticists, statisticians and epidemiologists, have conducted this important research in partnership with the Framingham Heart Study for decades.

    “This unique opportunity to increase our knowledge about health and disease is made possible by three generations of Framingham study participants who have donated their time to advance medical research”, said Karen Antman, M.D. Dean of Boston University School of Medicine and Provost of Boston University Medical Campus.

    BU and the NHLBI have a longstanding commitment to protecting the confidentiality of Framingham Heart Study data and the privacy of the participants and their families. The Framingham Heart Study has obtained detailed informed consent from study participants for genetic research. An important priority of the new study is to ensure the privacy and confidentiality of the medical information obtained. NHLBI and BU have reviewed the project along with several Framingham Heart Study oversight boards, including an ethics advisory board. Additional oversight will be provided by an executive committee, which will monitor the conduct of the study. This committee will include a participant from the Framingham Heart Study and the Chair of the Framingham Ethics Advisory Board.

    The new study will take advantage of knowledge gained from the Human Genome Project’s sequencing and mapping of all human genes — together known as the genome — and from the recently completed HapMap Project, which charted the pattern of genetic variation in the human genome.

    The HapMap Project showed that common but minute variations in human DNA occur about once in very 1,000 base pairs of DNA across the human genome, which contains about three billion base pairs. These variations, called single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), can be used to identify genetic contributions to common diseases. The Framingham Genetic Research Study will use recently developed technology that now allows rapid genotyping of about 500,000 of these SNPS in each individual.

    Computer programs will then help scientists relate these alterations to many of the clinical and laboratory measurements made of study participants during their examinations, according to Christopher O’Donnell, M.D., associate director of the FHS and scientific director of the new project. “Then we hope to identify the genetic variations that are most strongly related to participant characteristics such as levels of cholesterol and systolic blood pressure,” O’Donnell said.

    “In support of this project, BU and the NHLBI will apply teams of data managers, data base administrators and its extensive computing resources. The partnership between the Framingham investigators and study participants is an important one and they have made major contributions to the FHS. This new project will expand the research possibilities“, said Philip Wolf, M.D. Principal Investigator of BU’s contract to administer the Framingham Heart Study.

    “Ultimately we hope this research will lead to new treatments and better strategies to prevent cardiovascular and other diseases”, said Daniel Levy, M.D., director of the Framingham Heart Study.  Source: National Institutes of Health (NIH), www.nih.gov/news/pr/feb2006/nhlbi-06.htm

    For more information about the Framingham Heart Study, visit  framingham.com/heart

    ###

  • LAST FLU CLINIC OF SEASON TONIGHT

    FRAMINGHAM, MA – The Framingham Board of Health announces their last flu clinic of the season tonight, Monday, January 9th, from 5 – 8 p.m. at Nevins Hall, Memorial Building, Concord St.

    This flu clinic is open to all Massachusetts residents including children ages 9 years and up. There will be a $ 10 fee, (cash), for out of town residents. People 65 years of age and over should bring their Medicare B card.

    ###

  • FLU CLINICS (2005-2006)

    FRAMINGHAM, MA — THE FRAMINGHAM BOARD OF HEALTH ANNOUNCES THE FOLLOWING DATES OF FLU CLINICS TO BE HELD THIS SEASON.

    For Residents at Highest Risk:

    Wednesday, November 9th, 10am-2p.m., Callahan Senior Center, 535 Union Avenue for: Framingham residents; age 65 years and older or at medical high risk.

    For Residents and Town Employees:

    Monday, November 14th, 3-6p.m., Nevins Hall for: Framingham residents; age 50 years and older or at medical high risk.

    Monday, November 21st, 5-8p.m., Nevins Hall for: Framingham residents; age 50 years and older or at medical high risk.

    Monday, November 28th, 5-8p.m., Nevins Hall for: Framingham residents; age 50 years and older or at medical high risk.

    Clinics are FREE and open to Framingham residents,(ages 18yrs and older), town employees, retirees/spouses only! Children under 18 yrs of age are referred to their pediatrician.

    Proof of Framingham residence or employment by the Town of Framingham is required.(If you are 65 yrs of age or over, please have your Medicare B/HMO insurance information).

    ###

  • Health Care Reform Discussion

    FRAMINGHAM, MA – A Discussion of Health Care Reform will take place on Wednesday June 22, 7:00 P.M. in the Public Hearing Room, Lower Level of the Framingham Memorial Building, 150 Concord Street.

    John McDonough, Executive Director of “Health Care for All” and State Representative Debby Blumer, Sponsor of the “Health Access and Affordability Act” will discuss proposals for health care reform.

    The event is co-sponsored by the Metrowest Healthcare Coalition, the MetroWest Community Healthcare Foundation and the Metrowest Medical Center.

    For more information call Debby Blumer 617-722-2400 or email: Deborah.blumer@state.ma.us

    ###

  • Framingham Heart Study Director to Speak

    FRAMINGHAM, MA – On Thursday, May 19, Dr. Daniel Levy, Director of the Framingham Heart Study, will discuss his book A Change of Heart at 7 p.m. in the Costin Room at the Framingham Public Library. The book explains the process and findings of the heart study, which revolutionized our understanding of the causes and treatment of heart disease.

    Did you know that your heart beats approximately 42,075,900 times per year, and that it goes largely unnoticed unless something goes wrong with it?

    In 1948, the Framingham Heart Study was undertaken to try to pinpoint the causes of cardiovascular disease. The study asked 5,209 citizens of Framingham — who suffered stokes and heart attacks to the same extent as the rest of the United States — to undergo biennial physicals, blood tests and detailed interviews concerning their behavior. The rest is medical history.

    Following the talk, there will be a question-and-answer period as well as a book sale and signing. This event is co-sponsored by the Framingham Public Library and Borders Books. Free and open to the public. Refreshments provided by the Friends of the Framingham Library. Questions? Call 508-879-3570 x228.

    Coincidentally, the Framingham Heart Study was recently a featured topic in the health and fitness section of Parade.com. Their article is linked to framingham.com’s information about the Framingham Heart Study, one of the more popular parts of this web site.

    Dr. Levy’s book may be borrowed from the Framingham Public Library or purchased at the talk, or from Borders or Amazon.com.

    ###