AustinTalks (http://austintalks.org/tag/health/)
Austin has one of the highest rates of breast cancer mortality in the city. The Loretto Hosptial and its foundation are working to reduce the number of women who die from this disease. Join others on the West Side from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Oct. 1 for the annual kick-off reception.
Dr. Alana Biggers will be the featured speaker from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 22 at 645 S. Central Ave. Contact the hospital to register for Saturday’s event.
Until the African-American community accepts the importance of addressing mental health issues, progress on all the other pressing problems won’t be achieved, writes columnist John W. Fountain III.
Stop at any one of the four Austin locations before they close for the year. The final date for Columbus Park is Sept. 11; for LaFollette Park its Sept. 12; and for the Austin City Market its Sept. 13. The PCC Austin Farm Stand continues until Oct. 16.
In celebration of National Health Center week, Austin residents are invited from 2 to 4 p.m. Aug. 14 at 330 N. Lotus Ave. There will be fresh produce for sale and hands-on gardening activities, and 37th Ward Ald. Emma Mitts will be honored.
Stop by Forty Acres Fresh Market at the Boombox, 5846 W. Chicago Ave. July 1-30. Cash, credit cards and the Link card are accepted.
La Grange Park pastor Tim Hoekstra will join Austin residents as they participate in Saturday’s World Vision 6k – which is roughly the distance many living in Africa must walk to get clean water.
“Free Fitness Week” runs from Jan. 8 through 14. Take a fitness class, work out in the gym, go for a swim or try a number of other activities on the West Side and throughout the city.
Enrollment ends Friday, Dec. 15 if you need coverage. You can enroll online and call for help, too.
George N. Miller Jr. is the first African American to lead the West Side hospital. He is the former CEO and president of CommUnityCare Health Centers in Texas. Miller replaces Dr. Sonia Mehta, who had run the Austin hospital since 2012.