Health news

‘Disability: So What?’

ORONO – “Disability: So What?” will be the topic of the University of Maine Counseling Center’s brown bag luncheon series on Resilience and Well-Being 12:15-1:15 p.m. Monday, April 18, in the Coe Room at the Memorial Union.

The talk will be given by Stephen Gilson and Elizabeth DePoy, professors of Intradisciplinary Disability Studies and Social Work at the university.

Their research and teaching focus on universal access and disability as diversity. Their most recent book is “Rethinking Disability: Principles for Professional and Community Change.”

Talk on bio-ethics

ORONO – Bio-ethicist Eric E. Meslin, a University of Indiana professor who is the 2005 John M. Rezendes Visiting Scholar in Ethics at the University of Maine, will speak on “Lessons from Dolly, Stem Cells and Bio-Banking” at 4 p.m. Monday, April 18, at the Buchanan Alumni House.

Included will be consideration of both individual human rights and property rights, ethical concerns which come up in regard to stem cell lines, genetic engineering and cloning. The talk is free and open to the public.

Women’s health screening

BANGOR – In honor of Cover the Uninsured Week, May 1-8, the Penquis CAP Breast and Cervical Health Coalition, in coordination with the Maine Breast and Cervical Health Program, will sponsor a free women’s health screening day. The event will be held 1-4 p.m. Monday, May 2, at St. Joseph’s Breast Care Center, Penquis CAP Health Services Bangor, Mabel Wadsworth Women’s Health Clinic and Penobscot Community Health Care Center.

Women between the ages of 40-64, who have limited or no insurance coverage, and who meet certain income guidelines will qualify for the screening program, which includes a mammogram, clinical breast exam a PAP test and a pelvic exam.

To obtain more information or to make an appointment, call (800) 350-5180. Pre-registration is required.

Blueberries and cholesterol

ORONO – University of Maine Food Science and Human Nutrition graduate student Ann Barker is looking for volunteers to participate in a study examining how wild blueberries affect cholesterol levels and other risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

Volunteers must be at least 30 years old and have borderline-to-high serum LDL cholesterol levels (between 130 and 189). Persons who smoke, or who have diabetes or heart disease, are not eligible to participate in the study.

USDA research has found that wild blueberries are higher in antioxidants than most fruits and vegetables. Research at UMaine has demonstrated that wild blueberry consumption boosts antioxidant levels in human volunteers and improves blood vessel flexibility and blood pressure in rats.

Volunteers will be asked to come to the university four times for analyses and to follow a low fat diet. Half of the volunteers also will be asked to consume two half-cup servings of wild blueberries every day for eight weeks.

Berries have been provided by the Wild Blueberry Association of North America. Volunteers will receive free medical analyses and diet counseling, as well as $100 compensation for completing the study.

More information is available from Barker at 581-1733, or Ann.Barker@umit.maine.edu.