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August

--Cataract Awareness Month

• The world's most common cause of blindness is cataracts.
• Cataracts have long been thought to be a function of aging. Recent studies have looked at nutrition as a preventive measure. Cataracts occur when ultraviolet rays from the sun cause oxidation of the eyes, making the lens of the eye cloudy and hard. Studies have looked at how antioxidant compounds like vitamins C, E and beta-carotene can prevent or at least delay cataract formation.
• The results of the studies are still preliminary, but it appears the more fruits and vegetables you eat, the more benefits you reap. In addition, whole grains, vegetable oils and other foods rich in vitamin E also seem to help.
• And, of course, always protect your eyes from the sun's rays to prevent potential damage.
  Produced by ADA's Public Relations Team
• Ask one of our Pharmacists about vitamins and supplements we have to help you prevent cataracts.

--Medic Alert Awareness Month

• In an emergency, medical personnel have only moments to determine a patients needs, and begin lifesaving care. Unfortunately, patients often cannot communicate their special needs in an emergency, and face an increased risk of medical errors.
• August is MedicAlert Awareness Month. MedicAlert encourages people to learn more about its services that help to save lives in emergencies by reducing medical errors.
• A MedicAlert® bracelet or pendant provides information that is often needed before emergency treatment can begin. In addition, first responders and law enforcement can call the organization’s 24-Hour Emergency Response Center to receive further information on the patient, including emergency contacts, allergies, medications, implanted devices, insurance provider, and more. MedicAlert also contacts the patient’s family, so they are not alone in an emergency.
• “We in EMS are medical detectives,” said Thomas Brabson, DO at Albert Einstein Medical Center. “MedicAlert may give us that clue we need.”
• Twenty three state governors have signed proclamations that support MedicAlert Awareness Month. Presidents Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton have also promoted MedicAlert awareness.
• Today, MedicAlert is one of the largest nonprofit membership organizations in the world with a mission to protect and save lives. Since 1956, MedicAlert has relayed member's key medical facts to emergency medical personnel so that they receive faster, safer treatment, and avoid harmful or fatal reactions.

--National Immunization Awareness Month

• Rainsville Drugs now offers the shingles, flu, and pneumonia vaccines with a prescription from your doctor.
• For more information on why vaccines are important go to www.cdc.gov/vaccines/

--August 1-7 World Breastfeeding Week

OBJECTIVES of WORLD BREASTFEEDING WEEK 2009

• To draw attention to the vital role that breastfeeding plays in emergencies worldwide.
• To stress the need for active protection and support of breastfeeding before and during emergencies.
• To inform mothers, breastfeeding advocates, communities, health professionals, governments, aid agencies, donors, and the media on how they can actively support breastfeeding before and during an emergency.
• To mobilise action and nurture networking and collaboration between those with breastfeeding skills and those involved in emergency response.

RATIONALE

• Children are the most vulnerable in emergencies – child mortality can soar from 2 to 70 times higher than average due to diarrhoea, respiratory illness and malnutrition.
• Breastfeeding is a life saving intervention and protection is greatest for the youngest infants. Even in non-emergency settings, non-breastfed babies under 2 months of age are six times more likely to die.
• Emergencies can happen anywhere in the world. Emergencies destroy what is ‘normal,’ leaving caregivers struggling to cope and infants vulnerable to disease and death.
• During emergencies, mothers need active support to continue or re-establish breastfeeding.
• Emergency preparedness is vital. Supporting breastfeeding in non-emergency settings will strengthen mothers’ capacity to cope in an emergency.
• For more information go to worldbreastfeedingweek.org

--August 9 International Day of the World's Indigenous People

--August 10-16 National Health Center Week