BODY WATCH : Alternative Therapies Report Breaks Ground
Two years ago, the National Institutes of Health--under congressional mandate--opened a small office to study the multitude of so-called alternative therapies burgeoning across the nation. Today, their alternative health-care fact sheet lists more than 30 categories of such practices, including touch therapy, macrobiotics, aromatherapy and Hellerwork.
Now, the agency has introduced a groundbreaking 420-page report called “Alternative Medicine: Expanding Medical Horizons.” Compiled by more than 200 alternative medical researchers and practitioners, the $25 publication details the status of unconventional medical therapies and provides recommendations to the NIH. The report is available through the U.S. Government Printing Office; call the Superintendent of Documents at (202)-512-1800 to order.
Events
Today, anyone age 60 and older will be treated to a free flu shot at White Memorial Medical Center. 9-11 a.m. 1720 Cesar E. Chavez Ave., Los Angeles. Call (213) 265-5000 for information . . . A nine-week course on “Lip-Reading and Coping Skills for the Hard of Hearing” starts Wednesday at the House Ear Institute. Call (310) 395-1689 for class times and fees. 2100 W. 3rd St., Los Angeles . . . The Venice Family Clinic will celebrate its 25th anniversary Sunday with “Open House, Tours & Health Fair.” 1-4 p.m. 604 Rose Ave., Venice. Call (310) 392-8630, Ext. 369 for information . . . The Coastline Counseling Center will hold a free lecture, “Attention Deficit Disorder in Children, Adolescents & Adults,” Monday, 7 p.m. 1200 Quail St., Suite 105, Newport Beach. Call (714) 476-0991 for information . . . Also Monday, there will be a free session on “Infant/Child CPR” at Northridge Hospital Medical Center. 6:30-10:30 p.m. 18300 Roscoe Blvd., Northridge. Call (818) 885-5329 for information . . . The YWCA offers breast and cervical cancer screenings at no cost for women older than 50 who qualify. Nov. 9 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. 1600 E. Compton Blvd., Compton. Call (310) 763-9117 for an appointment.
Briefly
Author Vicki Iovine says “most pregnant women find that 90% of the information they really need to know comes from friends who’ve been through it.” Her paperback “The Girlfriends’ Guide to Pregnancy (Or, Everything Your Doctor Won’t Tell You)” (Pocket Books, $10) is the 10% solution . . . Call the Contact Lens Council at (800) 884-4CLC on weekdays from 6 a.m.-2 p.m. for updated information on lenses . . . The American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons reports that, thanks to baby boomers, aesthetic eyelid surgery is overtaking liposuction.
* This health roundup appears on Tuesdays. Items to be considered should be mailed 3 1/2 weeks before the event to Candace A. Wedlan, Healthwatch, Los Angeles Times, Times Mirror Square, Los Angeles, Calif. 90053. Fax: (213) 237-4888.
