Martin's Point Offering Two Health Education Series in April at Health Education Center in Portland

Asthma program begins April 11; Diabetes program begins April 16

PORTLAND, Maine - Martin's Point Health Care is offering a four-part educational program for adults with asthma at the Health Education Center, 331 Veranda St. in Portland, beginning on April 11, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Admission is $200.00, physician referral required, for the series.

"Asthma Self-Management for Adults: Breathe Easier" will be led by Susan Admundsen, MSN, RN, CS, ANP. The adult asthma education program is based on the NHLBI national guidelines. Topics include introducing asthma, understanding medications, fitting asthma into your lifestyle, and managing symptoms. The four-part series dates are April 11, 18, 25, and May 1. To register, persons may call 828-2497 or 1-800-260-6681.

"Asthma can be managed if given the proper tools," said Dr. Jan Wnek, medical director at Martin's Point Health Care, "so it's important to keep on top of your program and that's what this series does."

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MARTIN'S POINT TO HOST DIABETES SELF-MANAGEMENT EDUCATION SERIES

PORTLAND, Maine - Martin's Point Health Care is offering a six-part educational program for people with diabetes at the Health Education Center, 331 Veranda St. in Portland, beginning April 16, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Admission is $90 for the series.

The series will be led by Fran Casey, a certified diabetes educator, Alicia Greenwald, FNP-C, Anita Huey, RD, and Kay Mullin, RD, and will provide participants with the knowledge, skills and attitudes to successfully manage diabetes. The series is a part of the Maine Diabetes Control Program. Program dates are April 16, 19, 23, 26, 30 and May 3. To register, persons may call 828-2497 or 1-800-260-6681.

Diabetes remains an important public health issue in Maine and across the country, said Dr. Jan Wnek, medical director at Martin's Point Health Care. In 1999, 64,751 deaths nationwide were attributed to complications from diabetes. In Maine, diabetes remains the seventh leading cause of death, she said.

"About 5.5 percent of Maine's population - more than 70,000 Mainers - have diabetes, but only about two thirds have been diagnosed," Wnek said. "Compared to those without the disease, people with diabetes face twice the risk of death each year and suffer from more chronic illnesses." But with proper treatment, she added, most chronic conditions such as heart disease, lower extremity amputations and blindness are preventable.

The Martin's Point Health Education Center offers visitors a variety of resource materials, such as publications and videos, and classes that focus on a host of topics, including weight management and smoking cessation. Martin's Point also hosts a diabetes support group that meets monthly on an ongoing basis. Registration is not required. For more information, please call (207) 828-2497.

ABOUT MARTIN'S POINT
Headquartered in Portland at 331 Veranda St., Martin's Point is a non-profit health care provider established in 1981 with facilities in Portland, Brunswick and Windham, Maine, and in Portsmouth, N.H. Martin's Point has a staff of more than 300 health care professionals and serves 48,000 patients under all major health plans, including retired military and dependants of active military personnel.

Martin's Point serves patients in the areas of family practice, internal medicine, pediatrics, surgery, radiology, cardiology, mammography and other fields. Maine's largest health care practice, Martin's Point is known for its innovative approach to health care. For additional information on Martin's Point Health Care, visit online at http://www.martinspoint.org.

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