Wellness Corner - December 2011

Can We Prevent Chronic Illness?

The Problem

As we’re all aware, we are experiencing a crisis in funding for the  health-care system in our country.  Studies show a rapidly increasing percentage of the GNP is being consumed by all health-care expenditures.  A projection by the US Accounting Office estimates that if health care costs continue to increase at current rates, by 2044 spending in just Medicare and Medicaid will surpass all current tax revenues. 

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Wellness Corner - October 2011

As part of our monthly discussion about community health issues from a “wellness” perspective, we would like to take a look this month at substance abuse, specifically local methamphetamine use.  We regularly hear reports of a “methamphetamine epidemic” in our country, and people who have experienced loved ones addicted to meth can attest to how disruptive it can be.  Since this is a big topic, we will discuss methamphetamine abuse in this issue.  Next month, we will focus on treatment.

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Wellness Corner - September 2011

Welcome to “The Wellness Corner.” 

This is the first installment of a monthly health column on prevention, wellness, and community health. 

My name is Dr. Gary Pace, and I work at the Forestville Wellness Center, the newest addition to the West County Health Centers.  We also operate the Occidental Area Health Center, Russian River Health Center in Guerneville, Forestville Teen Clinic, and the Sebastopol Community Health Center.  As a Federally Qualified Health Center, we are part of a national network of safety net providers.  Our health centers provide comprehensive medical care to all ages, for people with most types of insurance, including Medi-Care, Medi-Cal and the uninsured.

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