FOR RELEASE: April 27, 2004
CONTACT: Pamela Williams
Office of Communications
405/271-5601

Speakers to Highlight Arthritis Awareness Month Activities During May

“Arthritis: What it is! What you can do!” will be the topic at the May meeting of the Oklahoma Arthritis Network (OAN). This is one of several events planned by the OAN during May, Arthritis Awareness Month, to emphasize how arthritis can be managed medically and from a public health perspective.

The meeting will be held Thursday, May 6, at 2 p.m. at the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH), 1000 N.E. 10th Street, Room 314, Oklahoma City. It is open to the public. Please call (405) 271-9444, ext. 56410, for other statewide locations that will link by videoconference.

Featured speaker is Dr. Larry Willis of the McBride Clinic in Oklahoma City. Willis will present an overview of the various types of arthritis, how arthritis is diagnosed, and treatment options. Willis is board certified in internal medicine and rheumatology, and has special interests in osteoarthritis, lupus, vasculitis, and osteoporosis.

Other events planned during Arthritis Awareness Month include the following:

• Friday, May 7, (9:55 a.m. - 11 a.m.)
  2004 SAFE KIDS Summit, Oklahoma City
  7th Childhood Injury Prevention Leadership Conference
  “Sports Safety and Injury Prevention”
  Mark A. Anderson, PhD, PT, ATC
  University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center
  This presentation will discuss ways adults can identify serious injuries, manage minor injuries, and help prevent unnecessary injuries in children’s sports.
  Call (405) 271-5695 to register.
• Saturday, May 8
  Greater Enid Area Arthritis Walk and Health Fair
  Government Springs Park, Enid
  Call 405/936-3366 or 1-800-627-5486 or log onto www.arthritis.org for more information.

OAN features various speakers and presentations for the public to help maximize the quality of life for Oklahomans with arthritis and related health conditions through developing resources, promoting access to health care, and offering public health education programs. Currently, there are about 100 public and private health and non-health related organizations in the OAN.

For more information about upcoming speakers, presentations and activities available through the OAN, call OSDH Arthritis Prevention and Education Program Coordinator Marisa New at 405/271-9444, ext. 56410.

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