GROWING OLD AND STAYING HEALTHY NOT AN OXYMORON
Nov 20, 2006
Preventive Care of Elders the Mission of Community Health Symposium
Aging does not mean you have to become dependent or unproductive. Healthy eating,
exercising, and knowledge of preventive healthcare can extend life in a fruitful way.
A “Dine & Learn Healthy Baby Boomer and Savvy Senior Symposium” organized by SUNY
Downstate Health Sciences University in partnership with Berean Baptist Church, and
the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services recently was held at the church
to educate Brooklyn community residents about the benefits of preventive healthcare,
especially for older adults. A multidisciplinary team of physicians and other health
professionals from SUNY Downstate presented information on heart disease, stroke,
diabetes, human sexuality, HIV/AIDS, fitness in later life, and other topics of interest
to seniors.
“Life does not stop at 50, so it’s important to remain independent for longer periods
and delay the need for costly long-term care,” said event organizer Karen Jemmott,
director of physician outreach at SUNY Downstate. “It should be stressed that poor
health and the loss of independence are not inevitable consequences of aging.”
No discussion sparked more interest than the testimonies of five HIV/AIDS speakers
who contracted HIV at an age when some people falsely believe they are immune. Dr.
Monica Sweeney, assistant professor of medicine and of preventive medicine and community
health at SUNY Downstate, urged all seniors to take an HIV/AIDS test.
“Age is not a vaccine, and being over 50 does not protect you,” Dr. Sweeney told the
audience. “Many people have this preconceived notion of what people with HIV look
like. They look like us,” she exclaimed.
Dr. Richard Sadovsky, associate professor of family practice at SUNY Downstate emphasized
the importance of building a strong patient-physician relationship. “You have to be
brave,” said Dr. Sadovsky, adding, “Tell us the truth. Ask us what you would like
to know.”
The symposium was the fifth in a series of community-based, clinically structured
health conferences. More than five hundred senior citizens attended the conference
and were treated to a complementary dinner afterwards. After the lectures the audience
was asked questions to test comprehension of preventive medicine. Individuals who
answered questions correctly were given prizes. Health screenings for blood pressure,
glaucoma, diabetes, HIV, and prostate cancer and flu shots were freely available.
Downstate faculty and health providers participating in the evening’s opening program
included Dr. Luther Clark, chief of cardiovascular medicine; Dr. Ivan Colon, assistant
professor of urology; Dr. Gerald Deas, director of health education communication;
Dr. Marian Dunn, director of the Center for Human Sexuality; Rose Jackman, clinical
instructor in sports medicine; Dr. Ozgul Muneyyirci-Delale, associate professor of
OB/GYN; Dr. Daniel Rosenbaum, chair of neurology; and Maria Yomtov, director of the
Community Health Promotion and Wellness Center. Dr. John C. LaRosa, president of SUNY
Downstate, gave welcoming remarks.
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About SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University
Downstate Health Sciences University in Brooklyn is one of four academic health centers (AMCs) in The State University of New York (SUNY) 64-campus system and the only SUNY AMC in New York City dedicated to health education, research, and patient care for the borough’s 2.7 million residents. Its flagship hospital, University Hospital at Downstate (UHD), is a teaching hospital and benefits from the expertise of Downstate’s exceptional medical school and world-class academic center research facilities. With a staff of over 800 physicians representing 53 specialties and subspecialties, Downstate offers comprehensive healthcare services to the community.
UHD provides high-risk neonatal and infant services, pediatric nephrology, and dialysis for kidney diseases and is the only kidney transplantation program in Brooklyn. Beyond its clinical expertise, Downstate houses a range of esteemed educational institutions, including its College of Medicine, College of Nursing, School of Health Professions, School of Graduate Studies, and School of Public Health. Downstate fosters innovation through its multifaceted biotechnology initiative, the Biotechnology Incubator and BioBAT, which support early-stage and more mature biotech companies.