A task force made up of human services consumers and advocates, representatives from human services pro­viders, representatives from state and local governments, educators, and members of the deaf and hard of hearing communities has updated its online resource guide, the Southwestern Pennsylvania Resource Guide of Behavioral Health Providers for Persons who are Deaf, Deafblind or Hard of Hearing.

This resource guide lists regional behavioral health care providers that have experience working with individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. Additionally, the guide can also benefit persons who are deafblind, physicians, audiologists, behavioral health care providers and the general public.

The resource guide is available for download on the Allegheny County Department of Human Services website at www.alleghenycounty.us/dhs/guides.aspx#providers.

by Brian D. Smedley

Many state governors and legislatures want to trim Medicaid and other public programs in an effort to balance budgets. But cutting Medicaid to the bone won’t reduce the demand for health care and it certainly won’t help people be healthy enough to contribute to an economic recovery.

Instead, policymakers should make smart investments to help people to stay healthy in the first place. How can government do this when resources are so limited?

by Angela F. Ford

1st Commandment

Thou shall eat less fat than thy neighbor. Fat is the number one dietary factor in heart disease and cancer in the U.S. Eat more veggies Reggie! Don’t shop while hungry. Read food labels. Eat more foods with less salt and saturated fats and fewer calories.

According to a survey conducted by the Natural Marketing Institute, “losing mental function” is the number one fear shared by adults who were asked for their concerns connected to aging. “We fear the loss of mental function because of the burden it places on our families,” says neuroscience researcher Mark Underwood.