News

Chances for Susscessfully Quitting Smoking are Better in 2010

Article The News-Review

By Drs. Alpana Chandra, Bassam Hashem, Razvan Gosman and Luana Nedita

Tobacco use continues to top the chart as the single most preventable cause of death and disease in our society. As health care professionals specializing in pulmonary medicine — an area of medicine the deals with diseases of the lungs and respiratory system — we see firsthand the tremendous toll that tobacco takes in lives and dollars. Nationally, tobacco use causes more than 430,000 deaths and costs the nation approximately $50-$73 billion in medical expenses each year. In Oregon, nearly 7,000 deaths (about 22 percent of all deaths) are linked to tobacco each year. And in Douglas County, more than 300 deaths (about 28 percent of all deaths) are linked to tobacco. Tobacco use costs Douglas County taxpayers $50 million in medical expenses each year....Read More

December is National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month (3D Month)

During the holiday season, and year-round, take steps to make sure that you and everyone you celebrate with avoids driving under the influence of alcohol and other drugs.  Following are useful tips from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration:

• Plan ahead. Always designate a non-drinking driver before any holiday party/celebration.
• Take the keys. Do not let a friend drive if they are impaired.
•  Be a helpful host. Remind your guests to plan ahead and designate their sober driver.
•  Always offer alcohol-free beverages. Click here for Recipes