Anne Arundel County health briefs

Health report card

The Department of Health has announced its annual report card of community health indicators. The report highlights progress in lowering death rates from stroke, diabetes and breast cancer. County residents have met nationally set goals for getting screened for cholesterol levels, breast cancer and colorectal cancer. Lung cancer and melanoma mortality rates were higher in Anne Arundel County than in Maryland as a whole. Information: aahealth.org or 410-222-7202.

Health email alerts

The Department of Health has a community health email alert system to provide timely notices about department services and community health issues. Also, a recreational water-quality email alert system has been in effect since 2006. It alerts subscribers when a closure or advisory is issued for a county waterway. For information about the alert services, visit http://www.aahealth.org. Click on "sign-up" to receive health alerts; or call the public information office at 410-222-4508.

Patient disability pamphlet

The county Commission on Disability Issues offers a pamphlet, "Doctors' Offices and Patients with Disabilities Working Together," that offers suggestions for doctors to make visits go more smoothly, including information on training staff, obtaining equipment for the disabled and accommodating service animals. To obtain a copy, contact the Americans with Disabilities Act Office at 410-222-4464, ext. 3056; or http://www.aacounty.org/Aging/disabledAdults/CommDis.cfm and click on "Doctor's Office Brochure."

Quit-smoking resources

The Learn to Live program, in partnership with community medical providers, will sponsor free quit-smoking classes for adults who live, work and attend school in the county. Classes include counseling and may include nicotine replacement therapy. Pre-registration is required at the following health care providers.

•Anne Arundel Medical Center, Health Sciences Pavilion, 2000 Medical Parkway, Annapolis. Classes begin in May. Information: 443-481-4000 or 1-800-636-8773.

•Baltimore Washington Medical Center, 301 Hospital Drive, Glen Burnie. Classes begin in May. Information: 410-787-4367 or visit http://www.mybwmc.org.

Support groups

The Joslin Circle A diabetes support group discusses issues regarding management of the disease. The group meets 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. the third Wednesday of every month in the Joslin Diabetes Center, Suite 223, Baltimore Washington Medical Center, 301 Hospital Drive, Glen Burnie. Information: 410-787-4940.

Man-to-Man prostate cancer Offers information about diagnosis, treatment and management. The group meets 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on the third Monday of every month in the Tate Center, Baltimore Washington Medical Center, 305 Hospital Drive, Glen Burnie. Information: 410-787-4367.

Stroke A support group meets to discuss stroke recovery and prevention from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on the second Tuesday of every month in the Dr. Constantine Padussis Conference Center, Baltimore Washington Medical Center, 301 Hospital Drive, Glen Burnie. Information: 410-787-4457.

Caregivers support group provides information, respite and support to people who give care to family and friends. The group meets 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. on the third Tuesday of every month at the Heritage Office Complex in the Department of Aging and Disabilities office, fourth floor, 2666 Riva Road, Annapolis.

Diabetes For diabetics and their families, the group meets 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. on the third Wednesday of every month in the Center for Diabetes and Endocrinology at the Baltimore Washington Medical Center, 300 Hospital Drive, Suite 223, Glen Burnie. Information: 410-787-4940.

Joint School A free session on the preparation, recovery and benefits of hip- and knee-replacement surgery will be held at 4 p.m. on the third Wednesday of every other month at Baltimore Washington Medical Center, 300 Hospital Drive, Glen Burnie. Information and reservations: 410-553-8282.

Suicide support group for age 18 and older meets monthly on Tuesdays from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Life Center, 445 Defense Highway in Annapolis. Registration is required. Information: 410-987-2129.

'Stepping Stones,' a support group for children ages 8-13 who are grieving the loss of a loved one, meets from 10 a.m. to noon monthly on Saturdays at the Life Center, 445 Defense Highway in Annapolis. Registration is required. Information: 410-987-2129.

Mental Health support group for community members and families seeking information on psychiatric problems will meet from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. May 23 in Room A of the Partial Hospitalization Program on the second floor of Baltimore Washington Medical Center, 300 Hospital Drive, Glen Burnie. Information: 410-553-8070.