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Lifestyles

Heath line

By Times Staff
Published June 20, 2006

Celebs care about your health

Sure, they might have personal chores, such as strolling the red carpets, going to premieres or, sometimes, dodging the paparazzi. But at least some celebrities are pitching health concerns to us little folk. Here's a look at the personalities who have come forward recently to speak out on various medical problems, along with sources for more information:

Who: JOE MONTANA

Claim to fame: Hall of Fame quarterback

Worried about: His - and your -high blood pressure problems.

Offering free Joe Montana's Family Playbook for Managing High Blood Pressure at www.GETBPDOWN.com; toll-free 1-877-438-2736

Who: AIDA TURTURRO

Claim to fame: Actor (Janice Soprano on The Sopranos)

Worried about: Diabetes, which she has.

Turturro appeared recently on dLife, a national weekly lifestyle talk show about diabetes that airs Sunday nights on CNBC. For more information, go to www.dLife.com.

Who: DAYANARA TORRES

Claim to fame: Miss Universe 1993, actor-model

Worried about: Dental health

Torres, the former wife of singer Marc Anthony, had planned to be an orthodontist when she entered a beauty pageant. Now she has co-authored Ricky and Andrea's Healthy Beautiful Smiles. For a copy, call toll-free 1-866-989-9968.

Help for college students

In 2005, 63 percent of college students surveyed reported feeling hopeless - 45 percent felt so depressed they could barely function. Another survey estimated that young adults consume alcohol about 66 days each year. Citing such numbers, the American Medical Association this month called for a stronger effort to fight substance abuse on college campuses and to increase availability of mental health services for students. "Among college students, depression and related mental illnesses are significant, growing problems and contribute to self-harm and suicide," said Dr. J. James Rohack, an AMA board member. College-age students are the largest uninsured population in the United States, and most insurance policies have fewer benefits for mental health and substance abuse services.

By the numbers

4.95 Average time, in hours, that people in Arizona said they spent in emergency rooms in 2005 before they were either admitted to the hospital or sent home. Longest time reported for any state.

3.96 Average time reported in Florida.

3.7 Average time of stay in 1,227 U.S. emergency rooms surveyed.

2.3 Average time in Iowa - briefest reported.

Source: 2005 Health Care Satisfaction Report, Press Ganey Associates

[Last modified June 20, 2006, 07:44:39]