EDITORIAL

Where does it hurt?

Posted 9/25/14

When was the last time your doctor called, asked you out to dinner and how you felt?

That’s not the norm. Unless you have an ongoing issue and your doctor is following up, don’t expect a call. …

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EDITORIAL

Where does it hurt?

Posted

When was the last time your doctor called, asked you out to dinner and how you felt?

That’s not the norm. Unless you have an ongoing issue and your doctor is following up, don’t expect a call. Even under those circumstances, it’s unusual for doctors to make unsolicited calls. They’re just too busy with people who need immediate attention.

But an invite for dinner?

Forget it.

But that call – one where the doc sits down and says, “Tell me where does it hurt and what’s going on” – is just what Dr. Michael Fine of the Rhode Island Department of Health is doing next Thursday. Dr. Fine is the department’s director and he’s looking for feedback on the community’s health.

In an open letter to Warwick residents, Fine said the department will share information about the strengths and opportunities in the city at the HEALTH forum next Thursday, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Pilgrim Senior Center.

And then, he wrote, the department will “listen to you about what you want us to work on together. We’ll use what you tell us to choose what health programs and policies to put in place in Warwick and in Rhode Island over the next few years.”

Not only will the department be listening, Fine said “a number of friends and colleagues” will be in attendance, including the Hospital Association of Rhode Island, The Providence Plan, Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island, Lifespan, Brown University and Rhode Island KIDS COUNT.

We know that Warwick wellness nurse Patricia Seltzer, who has worked closely on putting this program together, will be listening and contributing as will many of Warwick’s non-profit human service agencies, including Westbay Community Action, The Kent Center, Kent Hospital, the Trudeau Center, the EBC Center, House of Hope, RI Family Shelter and numerous youth organizations. Retired director of Westbay Community Action Jeanne Gattegno will act as moderator for the evening.

What will the department hear?

We wouldn’t be surprised if there are questions about studies showing higher rates of lung cancer and cardiovascular disease in some sections of the city that are higher than state averages; what air monitoring data around the airport is telling us; why we are still getting beach closings after so much has been spent on upgrading wastewater treatment; and what can be done to protect ourselves from tick and mosquito borne diseases.

We hope we’ll hear some suggestions from the school and elderly communities about steps to take to better serve their health needs. We would expect a discussion about the epidemic of overdose deaths and what can be done to control prescription and illegal drugs, and about the upcoming flu season.

This is a unique opportunity; where the state is asking, instead of telling us, what “hurts” and what can be done to make it better. Don’t miss it.

By the way, it would be a good thing to call to be sure there will be plenty of seats for the discussion and have a light, nutritious dinner waiting for you. Call 222-5960, or contact Magaly Angeloni at magaly.angeloni@health.

ri.gov.

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