Hot news

Meetings: University Hospital will hold a series of presentations to tell the community about a study it is doing on a new blood substitute for trauma patients.

Doctors want to find out if using PolyHeme instead of saline solution in critically injured and bleeding patients will increase survival rates for trauma victims.

Treatment would be administered at the site of the injury or in the ambulance by Cincinnati Fire Department and EMS personnel.

Trauma is a leading cause of death among adults 45 and under.

Because patients who are appropriate study candidates probably won't be able to give informed consent to participate, hospital staff will explain the parameters of the study, along with the risks and benefits of using the substitute instead of saline solution. Questions and concerns will also be addressed.

Meetings are scheduled as follows: 7 p.m. Thursday at East Westwood Community Council; 11 a.m. Tuesday at Cincinnati City Council; 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Avondale Community Council; 1 p.m. Jan. 22 at LeBlond Community Center; 8 p.m. Feb. 9 at Northside Community Council; and 6:30 p.m. Feb. 10 at Downtown Community Council.

Information, call 558-5786.

Calendar

Sisterhood: Relationships psychologist Robin Smith and former assistant Surgeon General Marilyn Hughes-Gaston will be the keynote speakers Feb. 7 for Speaking of Women's Health Universal Sisters: Celebrating Health and Soul at the Sharonville Convention Center. Tickets: $25. Information: 419-6587.

Wellness: St. Luke Hospitals and the Northern Kentucky Mental Health Association will hold a series of courses on mental and emotional wellness from 6:15 to 8:15 p.m. the first Tuesday of every month at St. Luke West. Classes begin Feb. 17. Topics include anger, self esteem, grief and loss, assertiveness and spirituality. Information: (859) 292-2486, Ext. 5.

Help wanted

Lifesaver: LifeCenter Organ Donor Network reminds Tristaters that volunteering to become an organ and tissue donor is a great New Year's resolution.

More than 200 people in the Tristate are awaiting organ transplants.

Information: 558-5555 or (800) 981-5433.

Tips

Resolved: Leslie Fink, a nutritionist for Weightwatchers.com, offers this advice for sticking to a weight-loss plan:

• Focus on healthful eating and regular exercise as long-term goals, not quick fixes. Remember: It's not a diet, it's a lifestyle change.

• Write down your goal and what steps you'll take.

• Break your goal into small steps. If you want to lose 50 pounds, focus first on losing 10 percent of your body weight.

• Reward yourself for progress toward your goal. And don't use food for your reward.

• Make small changes: Switch from whole milk to skim, or put a bowl of fruit or on the kitchen counter for snacks.

Contact Peggy O'Farrell by phone: 768-8510; fax: 768-8330; e-mail: pofarrell@enquirer.com.