(ARA)—There are plenty of reasons to rejoice about retirement—more time to spend with your family, the ability to travel more and the opportunity to pursue your true passions. And today’s retirees can also appreciate the fact that on average, people continue to outlive previous generations.

Most people enjoy retirement even more than they expect. A recent study by The Hartford and the MIT AgeLab confirmed that 64 percent of people less than 10 years away from retirement said they expected to feel happier in retirement. And when those who were already retired were surveyed, 77 percent said they were happier in retirement than they were when they were working.

Most African-Americans say they’d call 9-1-1 if stroke symptoms occurred —but few do, according to research reported in Stroke: Journal of the American Heart Association.

In a survey of 253 African-Americans in Washington, D.C., 89 percent said they’d call 9-1-1 at the first sign of a stroke. Yet, only 12 percent of 100 stroke patients surveyed in the predominantly Black District of Columbia called 9-1-1 right away when faced with symptoms.

Blacks are at greater risk for stroke and are more likely to die compared to Whites due to higher rates of risk factors such as high blood pressure and obesity.

“WHO ME?” an HIV/AIDS play at the August Wilson Center for African American Culture, was sponsored by The Pittsburgh AIDS Task Force, Educating Teens About HIV/AIDS and various other organizations. The play performed in 12 scenes, was written and directed by Min. Terry D. Fluker with the support of director Deborah Starling Pollard.

The play presented an array of talents, hip-hop artists, poetry, inspirational gospel, energetic dancers and performers from the community Ball Houses. They were asking the same question—“do you know your HIV status?” The play highlighted real-life personal stories of people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS. It was designed to empower those living with HIV/AIDS and address the shame, fear and stigma that surround the disease by exposing misconceptions using everyday life situations.

The goal was for everyone to know their HIV status. Get tested! Get involved! Get into treatment and care if you have HIV. Everyone has a role in preventing the spread of the disease. Above, is a scene performed by the Visionary Performing Arts Academy. (Photo by Rossano P. Stewart)

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.