Continuing Threat of TB Spotlighted
Although tuberculosis cases declined slightly in Los Angeles County last year, the disease is still a threat. The month of June has been declared Tuberculosis Awareness Month by the American Lung Assn. of Los Angeles County, the county Board of Supervisors and the county Department of Health Services.
In 1992, the number of new reported TB cases in the county jumped dramatically and in 1993 there was a 12% decrease. But TB continues to be a public health problem, spread from person to person through the air.
Homelessness is a major factor in the continuing problem, but other people--such as the undernourished, nursing home residents, people infected with the HIV virus and those who live or work with TB patients--are also at risk.
Health officials from the state, county and the American Lung Assn. have developed plans to help stop the spread of the disease. During June, representatives will work in the community to educate health care providers, policy makers and members of the community to eventually eradicate TB. For information on tuberculosis or ways to help control the disease, call the American Lung Assn. at (213) 935-LUNG or (818) 797-LUNG.
ANTHROPOLOGY/ARCHEOLOGY
* The world of the Old Babylonian Empire, encompassing the years 1750 to 1600 B.C., will be discussed by Amanda Podany of Cal Poly Pomona, as part of the California Museum of Ancient Art lecture series, “Great Peoples of the Ancient Near East,” on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. in the Gallery Theater at Barnsdall Park. Call (818) 762-5500.
ASTRONOMY
* The impending collision of Comet Shoemaker-Levy with Jupiter will be profiled in “Comets, Collisions and Space Watch” during the Santa Monica College Astronomy Program on Friday and June 17, July 1, 8, 15 and 22 at 8 p.m. in Room 105 of the Business Building. The program follows the weekly Night Sky Show at 7 p.m. (310) 452-9396.
* Tom Spilker of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory will also discuss the collision of the comet with Jupiter at the Los Angeles Astronomical Society on Monday at 7:45 p.m. at the Griffith Observatory. Call (213) 727-7909.
HEALTH/MEDICINE
* Cancer patients, care-givers and family members can learn more about treatments, daily health problems and community resources during the American Cancer Society’s “I Can Cope” educational series at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center beginning Thursday through July 28 from 10 a.m. to noon in the Harvey Morse Conference Center. Advance registration is required. Call (310) 855-5189 or (310) 855-5177
SCIENCE FOR KIDS
* Children 5 and older can travel through time and construct sundials in workshops offered by Kidspace Museum in Pasadena on Wednesday at 2:30 and 3:30 p.m. Toddlers 4 and younger, with an adult, can learn about time in a workshop offered at 3 p.m. Call (818) 449-9144.
MARINE SCIENCE
* Four additional “Meet the Grunion,” programs have been added to the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium’s 1994 series on Friday and June 25, July 10 and July 23. On these dates, the Aquarium will open at 8 p.m., with a film presentation at 9 p.m. followed by an excursion to the beach to await the arrival of the little silver fish. Call (310) 548-7562.
