Health

The world of health care is changing dramatically, and that world was described in detail at a health care summit meeting in Rochester recently.

The meeting was sponsored by the Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce and held at the Marriott Hotel. Principal participants were representatives of the Mayo Clinic and Olmsted Medical Center.

Chris Gade, director of the Mayo Clinic's Health Policy Center, was the main speaker. He outlined a number of major changes which are needed to get the best health care results for everyone.

He said four major steps are required to build the health care system of the future.

This is the second of two columns about basic world problems that require fundamental changes in the way we live.

The first topic was population control. This column is about a serious world-wide shortage of water).

A World-wide Shortage of Water

Lester R. Brown, head of the Earth Policy Institute, has called for action to overcome a world-wide shortage of water.

In his book, “Plan B 3.0 --- Mobilizing to Save Civilization”, Brown cites countries all over the world where underground water supplies are declining. Countries affected include China, India and the United States.

Rochester Active SportsClub and the Rochester Area Family Y have joined together to bring you an opportunity to explore south east Minnesota at a pace and distance to suit most cyclists.

Proceeds will benefit the Y Mentors program which matches caring adult volunteers with youth ages 5-18 for a one-to-one mentoring relationship, and RASC which works to foster sports such as biking, triathalons and nordic skiing in SE Minnesota.

Fit WIC the Y's Way is a free 4 week class offering 8 physical activity sessions for the entire family. Monthly classes begin feb. 6, March 6, April 3, May 1. The classes will be at the Rochester Area Family Y and only for WIC families! Come and try physical activities such as the fitness center, aerobics, or light weight lifting. Classes will be led by a classroom instructor to help you try the activities. Children will also get exercise while parents are in class! By attending each session, your family could win free swim passes to the new Y Aquatic Center! If you need an interpreter, please bring one with you and they can participate free of charge.

NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS FOR FAMILIES

In the coming weeks, millions of Americans will tackle the annual ritual of making New Year’s resolutions. Eat better, exercise more, lose weight, quit smoking—these are among the perennial favorites. Some will succeed, some will stumble and others, come March, will join the ranks of those vowing to try again next year. What is the secret to New Year’s resolution success? Not going it alone!

So this year, the Rochester Area Family Y is encouraging families to put a new twist on the old custom and make resolutions for 2007 together as a family. We have worked for more than 50 years to build strong families, and everyday, we see first hand the power of a supportive community and family in achieving goals.

Ten years ago we lost two grandchildren to Carbon Monoxide (CO) poisoning – a loss that changed our family forever, made even more tragic because of the ease in which this tragedy could have been prevented. A simple CO detection device costing around $40 would have prevented this loss.

The governor just signed into effect a Carbon Monoxide Alarm mandate bill (HF1337 and SF1003) that would require CO detectors in newly constructed single family and multifamily dwelling units effective January 1,2007 and August 1,2008 for all existing single family and multifamily dwelling units.

Don’t wait until then to have them installed in your home. Do it TODAY!

Thank you to Bill Boyne for his excellent blog on the Decorah Edge! Please attend the next Coffee and Conversations which will discuss Clean Water.

Clean Water: Legacy or Memory?
Saturday, April 22, 2006 -- Earth Day!
8 – 10 a.m.
Quarry Hill Nature Center
701 Silver Creek Road NE
(see PDF flyer)

Mr. Craig Johnson, League of MN Cities, and Mr. Terry Lee, Olmsted County Environmental Resources, will lead a discussion of the clean water proposals currently before the legislature. Round table discussions will follow with fellow community members and local legislators. Handouts outlining the proposals will be available at the Forum.