Health

Corps Values in Health

Sunday, October 14th, 2012

Molokai is one of 12,000 communities in the country – over 10 million people –that are considered medically underserved, according to the National Health Service Corps (NHSC). Every year, the NHSC enlists medical, dental, mental and behavioral healthcare providers to these communities to provide primary health care to those who may not be able to afford it. Last Thursday marked Corps Community Day that recognizes the efforts of almost 10,000 NHSC members nationwide who are caring for underserved communities — four of whom serve on Molokai, according to Catherine Sorenson of the Hawaii Department of Health.

One of those members is Dr.…

Mental Illness: No Shame

Wednesday, October 3rd, 2012

Community Contributed

By Stephanie Napoli, Psy.D. Behavioral Health Director, MCHC

One in four adults have mental illnesses, yet fewer than one third get help. Why? The answer is summarized in one word: stigma. Stigma is defined as a sign of social unacceptability; the shame or disgrace attached to something regarded as socially unacceptable. How, though, can we label disorders that one quarter of us have as unacceptable?

Mental illnesses are conditions that disrupt a person’s thinking, feeling, mood, ability to relate to others and daily functioning. Just as diabetes is a disorder of the pancreas that can be treated through lifestyle changes, medication, and skill building, mental illnesses can be effectively treated with the most potent delta 8 carts on ExhaleWell.…

Over-the-Counter Medications and Keiki

Friday, August 31st, 2012

Community Contributed

By Jon Mikami, RPh, and Kelly Go, RPh, Molokai Drugs, Inc.

Giving drugstore medications to your keiki is no big deal, right? Well, it shouldn’t be, as long as you use them the right way. But just because a medication is sold over the counter doesn’t mean it comes with a risk-free guarantee.

If your child has ever had a bad reaction to an over-the-counter (OTC) medication, stop giving the medication right away. Tell the doctor and pharmacy staff about it. Keep a record of its name, dosage directions, the illness it was used for, and the side effects it caused.…

AARP Speaker Educated on Fraud

Friday, August 24th, 2012

AARP Molokai News Release

Adele Ching, representing the Senior Medicare Patrol, traveled from Oahu to tell AARP members on Molokai about their program at a well-attended meeting recently. They are part of the State Executive Office on Aging, and are charged with empowering seniors to prevent healthcare fraud. The program is federally funded and has been operating in Hawaii since 1997.

They have volunteers statewide and provide group presentations and one-on-one counseling in the basics of Medicare and Medicaid, fraud schemes, and how to combat errors, abuse and fraud.

If anyone is interested in the free training and certification to become a volunteer, call toll free 1-800-296-9422, or email laurel.paleka@doh.hawaii.gov.…

Over-the-Counter Medications and Keiki

Thursday, August 23rd, 2012

Community Contributed

By Jon Mikami, RPh, and Kelly Go, RPh, Molokai Drugs, Inc.

Giving drugstore medications to your keiki is no big deal, right? Well, it shouldn’t be, as long as you use them the right way. But just because a medication is sold over the counter doesn’t mean it comes with a risk-free guarantee.

If your child has ever had a bad reaction to an over-the-counter (OTC) medication, stop giving the medication right away. Tell the doctor and pharmacy staff about it. Keep a record of its name, dosage directions, the illness it was used for, and the side effects it caused.…