Stop Smoking, Childhood Obesity Sessions At St Raphael’s

NEW HAVEN — The Hospital of St Raphael will host a free educational stop-smoking seminar as part of an effort to make hospital facilities completely smoke-free later this year. The event will take place in St Raphael’s Cronin Auditorium Thursday, April 30, from 5:30 to 6:30 pm. Preregistration is recommended.

The seminar, co-sponsored with the American Cancer Society, will address the health risks of smoking both to smokers and those around them. An ex-smoker and American Cancer Society volunteer will also offer tips on how to stop and explain the financial benefits of quitting. Representatives from St Raphael’s will discuss the hospital’s Freedom From Smoking cessation program and alternative methods to fight nicotine addiction, such as acupuncture and hypnosis.

Call 203-789-3989 or preregister online at www.srhs.org/stopsmoking.

That same day, St Raphael’s is also sponsoring a free lecture in Shelton on childhood obesity to help adults recognize and address this issue. Stephen Maddox, MD, a pediatrician and associate director of Newborn Services at the Hospital of St Raphael, will give the talk Thursday, April 30, from 6 to 7 pm, at the Scinto Auditorium in Shelton.

Dr Maddox’s lecture will provide valuable information on how to keep children healthy and prevent weight-related diseases as they grow and develop. Learn what individuals can do to decrease a child’s risk of becoming obese, including detecting behaviors that may lead to obesity.

If a child you love is obese or is becoming heavier than is healthy, Dr Maddox will provide the tools to address the situation. A question-and-answer session will follow the talk.

Preregistration is suggested; register online at www.srhs.org/education or call 203-789-3905.