Health briefs
By Robbie Dingeman
Advertiser Health Writer
Diabetes walk on Saturday
The Walk to Cure Diabetes will be held from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday at Kapi'olani Park.
The fund-raising event is sponsored by the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, which estimates that 17 million Americans have diabetes and that the disease kills every three minutes. The event goal is to raise money to find a cure for diabetes and its complications.
People can register at the event beginning at 7 a.m. near the bandstand.
The foundation expects more than 3,000 people to walk 2.5 miles and raise about $275,000.
To take part, call (800) 925-5533 or visit the Web site.
Flu shots available
Kuakini Medical Center and the Family Practice Center-McCully are offering flu shots during regular hours each weekday at the center, 2016 S. King St.
The vaccinations are available between 9 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. Appointments are preferred but not necessary.
The shots are covered by Medicare and most health insurance. Uninsured people can get the shot for $15.
People who should be vaccinated are: those 50 and older; people who have chronic medical conditions that include asthma and diabetes and the people who live with them; and healthcare workers.
People who are allergic to eggs should not receive the shot. For more information, call 941-3636.
Legislator cites dental health
State House Health Chairman Dennis Arakaki is calling for action to help improve the dental health of Hawai'i children.
The House health committee has scheduled an informational briefing today at the State Capitol in Room 309 about the "poor oral health of Hawai'i's children and youth." Arakaki said he hopes the meeting will provide an opportunity to find out what the state Health Department is doing to help address dental health issues.
"It's really scary to think that our children could look like jack-o'-lanterns this Halloween without even trying," Arakaki said.
He is using the festive occasion to call attention to some serious issues about the number of cavities found in the state's youth.
Arakaki called it a real shame that Hawai'i's children have some of the worst rates of dental cavities in the nation "and the worst when it comes to baby-bottle tooth decay."
Arakaki noted that the Health Department has been backing community water fluoridation for years but has faced opposition from many on the emotional issue.
He stressed the crisis that exists for some children and teens as well as low-income and immigrant adults.
At best, Arakaki sees fluoridation as a long-term possibility, so he is urging the Health Department and a panel of experts and advocates to work on proposed legislation that can be acted on in the next legislative session, which begins in January.
