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September 5, 2002 Contact: Angela Kelleher, College of Nursing News Bureau, 509/324-7218, writers@mail.wsu.edu
Domestic Violence Awareness
Month: Domestic violence is an
increasing danger affecting children, adolescence
and adults. According to the National Coalition
Against Domestic Violence, one third of high
school and college students experience violence
in an intimate relationship during their dating
years and at least 3.3 million children between
the ages of three and 19 are at risk of exposure
to parental violence every year. According to
Intercollegiate College of Nursing/WSU College of
Nursing Assistant Professor Merry Armstrong,
warning signs include control of personal
relationship choices, money, food, clothing, and
other resources; threats and intimidation of
violence; threatening to kill or injure family
pets, isolation of one partner from support or
demeaning and insulting verbal behavior towards
one partner. If you think you may be at risk,
call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at
1-800-799-7233 or Alternatives to Domestic
Violence in Spokane at 326.2255. For assistance
in reaching Armstrong, armstrong@wsu.edu,
contact Angela Kelleher, at the College of
Nursing,
Family Health Month: Family
Health Month is a chance for everyone to look
closely at their own health and the health of
their families. Family Health Month reminds
families to consider vision and hearing screening
for children entering school and physicals if
your child is playing sports. Dental health
visits are recommended for children as early as
three years, and twice yearly for children and
adults as preventive care. Don't forget yearly
physicals for elderly family members. Contact
their care provider to keep them as healthy as
possible as they age. According to
Intercollegiate College of Nursing/WSU Professor
Margaret Bruya, preventive health care for all
ages includes exercise, limiting fat/excessive
calories, regular check-ups, seat-belt/car seat
use, frequent hand washing, immunizations, and
fluoride supplements for children six months
through age 16 in communities without fluoridated
water. For assistance in reaching Bruya, bruyam@wsu.edu,
contact Angela Kelleher, at the College of
Nursing, 509/324-7218, writers@mail.wsu.edu.
National Immunization Week:
According to The National Foundation for
Infectious Disease, each year nearly 60,000
adults die from vaccine-preventable diseases or
their complications. In an effort to increase
awareness and prevention, October 13-19 is
recognized as national Immunization Week.
According to Intercollegiate College of
Nursing/WSU College of Nursing Professor Margaret
Bruya, this is a good time for adults and
children to review immunizations. Back-to-school
immunizations are particularity important for
children entering school for the first time and
for first time college-bound freshmen who will be
living in college communities. The need for
influenza immunizations becomes crucial as flu
season approaches. Without an immunization
influenza can bring terminal effects on persons
with chronic illnesses, the elderly and young
children. Consider getting your "flu" shot as
soon as it is available. For assistance in
reaching Bruya, bruyam@wsu.edu,
contact Angela Kelleher, at the College of
Nursing, |