House calls return

      The people who used to make house calls are making an effort to get back inside the homes of patients.
      Two doctors associated with South Nassau Communities Hospital in Oceanside co-produce a four-week-old radio show that focuses on healthcare. "Radio Healthline" is broadcast on WGBB (1240 AM) from 6:30 to 7 p.m. Thursdays.
      "We are going to cover colds to colons, headaches to hemorrhoids," said Dr. Burton Glass, a general surgeon at South Nassau. The show was conceived as a result of the volume of medical information now available to people. "Some of that information has been somewhat confusing to the layperson," Glass said. "What we are trying to do is help teach the layperson in a language that they understand."
      The media committee for the Nassau County Medical Society suggested the show, said co-producer Dr. Felix Monaco. A previous program was aired many years ago but was broadcast early Sunday mornings.
       The first four programs of "Radio Healthline" featured a neurologist who talked about Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis, a psychiatrist who talked about eating disorders and a gastroenterologist discussing colitis. "We are varied in our approach," Glass said.
      The rapid evolution of medical technology is a reason why the show will never lack for topics. Glass mentioned hernia repairs as one of the subjects offering many medical choices for patients. "It's unbelievable. There is a Canadian method, a British method and four or five American methods." Simple explanations of surgical procedures can benefit both doctors and patients, according to the two producers.
      "The informed consumer is our best customer," said Glass. "The more the patients know, the easier it is for doctors to teach and treat them."
      Listener feedback is expected to help the producers plan future programs. "Health concerns for Long Island are pretty much the same for any area," said Monaco. "You see more cancer of the breast on Long Island, for some reason, than any other place." Future topics expected to be discussed on the program include AIDS, geriatric medicine and issues affecting senior citizens.
      Recently, the program's contract was extended to run for a total of 26 weeks. The program is heard by an audience that ranges in age from 25 to 55, said Glass. Listeners are equally divided between men and women.
      The program, broadcast from a station in Merrick, can be heard throughout Nassau County, western Suffolk and in all five boroughs of New York City.
      Those seeking more information about "Radio Healthline" can visit the Web site www.nacmed.org., e-mail Glass or Monaco at exec@nacmed.org or telephone (516) 832-2300.

Walking reduces heart disease

      Women who walk at least one hour per week, regardless of pace, can lower the risk of coronary heart disease, according to a recent report in the Journal of American Medical Association.
      The study followed 39,372 healthy women age 45 and older for an average of five years. The women reported time spent each week on various recreational activities. Researchers then computed energy expended for the activities and correlated it with coronary heart disease.
      A correlation was discovered between women who participated in some sort of recreational activity and a lower CHD risk. The study concluded that women who walked at least one hour per week had half the CHD rates of women who did not walk regularly.
      The findings support medical industry guidelines that recommend moderate physical activity for at least 30 minutes per day, according to the Medical Society of the State of New York.
      
Lectures, meetings and activities

       South Nassau Communities Hospital is hosting a workshop for families dealing with a chronically ill member, at Hofstra University. The one-day workshop will provide an in-depth look at chronic illnesses and their effect on patients and loved ones. The workshop will start at 8:30 a.m. Friday, April 27 in room 210 of Hofstra University's Skodnek Business Development Center. Registration fee is $85 for general admission and $50 for students. For further information call (516) 463-5750. ... A Tedddy Bear Clinic will take place at South Nassau Communities Hospital at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 21. The clinic is for children ages 4-7 and will help introduce them to a hospital setting in a non-threatening way. To register or for more information, call (516) 632-3980. ... St. Francis Hospital in Roslyn will conduct free cardiac screening through its mobile outreach clinic at St. Brigid's Well in New Cassel on selected dates through Aug. 22. For more information and to learn about eligibility requirements, call (516) 562-6025. ... Applications are being taken for the Sister Mary Grace Memorial Scholarship in Health Care, sponsored by the Council of Leagues of Mercy Medical Center. The scholarship targets students in financial need who are studying careers in healthcare. For more information or to obtain an application, call (516) 705-1834. ... "Facing the Future Together" is the subject of a free symposium for seniors and their families that Franklin Hospital Medical Center is sponsoring at 9 a.m. Saturday, April 28 at the Orzac Geriatric Division. For more information, call (516) 256-6397. ... Nassau University Medical Center will host its Second Annual Golf Outing at noon Sept. 10. The fee for the event is $150. For further information, call (516) 572-6055. ... Bilingual volunteers are needed at the information desk in the main lobby of the Nassau University Medical Center. For more information, call (516) 572-6588. ... The 10th Anniversary of Dogs Walk Against Cancer is scheduled for Sunday, May 6 at the Long Island campus of SUNY Old Westbury. Flexible starting time. For information, visit cancer.org or dogswalk.com or call 1-800-ACS-2345. ... The Third Annual 5K Run/Walk to benefit the Association For Children With Down Syndrome, Inc., begins at 9 a.m. Sunday, May 20. Registration begins at 7:30 at the Eisenhower Park Field House. For further information, call (516) 933-4700 ext. 167. ... The Lupus Foundation of Long Island has announced a new program for children and is looking for volunteers, as well as participants. For further information, call 1-800-850-9000.
      Robert Remler can be reached at vshealtheditor@liherald.com