S.C. State, regional hospital join forces on health initiative

The 1890 Research & Extension Program at S.C. State University and the Regional Medical Center of Orangeburg and Calhoun Counties announced last week they have joined together to form the Institute for Public Health Research & Outreach.

The institute will work with government agencies, community organizations and other public-private institutions to promote health. One major target is obesity: Nearly 40 percent of people in the two counties are classified as obese, which contributes to high rates of heart disease and stroke in the area.

The institute’s outreach program will offer weight-loss treatment, healthy cooking classes and youth fitness programs directed by staff that includes a nutritionist and a exercise physiologist.

“Health and wellness is one of our major research focuses on campus, and we have projects dedicated to that already,” said Dr. Louis Whitesides, administrator of S.C. State’s 1890 Research Program. “We’re pairing faculty members who are engaging in health and wellness research with physicians from the hospital, and they will be conducting joint research projects to try to make a dent in this obesity epidemic.”

ADHD often isn’t correctly diagnosed

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is both under diagnosed and over diagnosed, according to a national study published in the Journal of Attention Disorders.

The South Carolina portion of the 10-year study was directed by Robert McKeown of USC’s Arnold School of Public Health. It revealed the difficulty in dealing with the disorder.

A substantial number of children being treated for ADHD may not have the disorder, while many children who do have the symptoms are going untreated, according to the 10-year Project to Learn about ADHD in Youth study funded by the National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities of the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention

The study, conducted between 2002-2012, involved researchers from USC and the University of Oklahoma.

The study found 8.7 percent of children in the community sample in South Carolina and 10.6 in Oklahoma had enough symptoms to fit the ADHD diagnosis. The number of parents in the community sample who reported that their children were taking ADHD medication was 10.1 percent in South Carolina and 7.4 percent in Oklahoma.

Yet, of the children taking ADHD medication, only 39.5 percent in South Carolina and 28.3 percent in Oklahoma actually met the case definition of ADHD.

“The findings of our study suggest that a fair number of children are being treated who do not meet case criteria and that there are children who do meet criteria but are not being treated,” said USC’s Robert McKeown, distinguished professor emeritus in the department of epidemiology and biostatistics. “ADHD is not a snap diagnosis. It requires data from several sources and across several domains and considerable expertise to diagnose accurately and differentiate from other possible problems.”

Visit www.cdc.gov/ Features/ADHD AwarenessWeek/ to learn more about the study and ADHD in the United States.

Doctors playing music to benefit Free Clinic

The Doctors Lounge is a chance to see physicians having fun and playing music outside their offices for a good cause.

The annual musical event, which serves as a fund-raiser for The Free Medical Clinic in Columbia, is set for 7 p.m. Nov. 15 at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center.

The Office of Research and Statistics estimates there are more than 74,000 uninsured people in Richland and Lexington counties. The Free Medical Clinic helps address this issue by serving patients with a household income at or below 133% of the federal poverty level that have no Medicare, Medicaid or private insurance. In 2011, the clinic served more than 7,200 patients.

Fourteen local physicians have volunteered to perform in musical genre from bluegrass to jazz. Tickets are $40 in advance, $50 at the door.

Information or tickets: www.doctorslounge. eventbrite.com or (803) 727-7150

Symposium focuses on dementia caregivers

Jan Merling, an expert on caring for people with dementia, will provide tips for caregivers at the BeWell Educated: Alzheimer’s Caregiver Symposium at Heritage at Lowman on Nov. 8.

Merling is education coordinator for the Office for the Study of Aging at the Arnold School of Public Health at USC. She has trained thousands of caregivers. Hers is just one of several presentations at the seminar, which runs 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. at the Heritage at Lowman Wellness Center, 2101 Dutch Fork Road, Chapin.

It’s free for family caregivers and $50 for professionals.

Information or to register: Contact Rebecca Shurtz at rshurtz@ theheritageatlowman.org or at 803.451.7412.

Give blood for Halloween

The annual Drain the Blood drive sponsored by Rock 93.5 WARQ-FM is 6 a.m.-7 p.m. today at the Columbia American Red Cross donation center at 2751 Bull St.

Donors will have a chance to win Teddy Scare bears, passes to Deceased Farm in Lexington and “Drain the Blood” T-shirts. Food will be provided by McDonald’s and Little Caesars.

Information or to schedule an appointment: (803) 251-6007 or reavesd@usa.redcross.org

Learn about chair exercise program during lunch

The November Lunch and Learn at Capital Senior Center will focus on a fitness and wellness program designed to be done while seated in a chair.

The program, called Ageless Grace, is designed to improve balance, spinal flexibility, muscle strength and joint mobility and stability. The Lunch and Learn is 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on Nov. 8. You should bring your own lunch, but beverages and a dessert are provided.

Information: (803) 779-1971

Afterschool program leads to running race

The Run Hard 5K Race on Nov. 10 is part of a program that encourages boys in grades 2-5 to lead healthier lifestyles.

Nearly 200 boys from 10 elementary schools in Lexington County began participating in an eight-week afterschool program, sponsored by Crossover Athletics, to prepare for the race. They have focused on peer pressure, perseverance, wise choices, work ethic, leadership, teamwork, honesty, respect and honor.

The 5K race will begin at Radius Church on Main Street in Lexington at 8 a.m. It is free to enter and open to boys who aren’t in the afterschool program.

Information: www.runhard.org or www.crossoverathletics .org

Compiled by Joey Holleman