Health department targets teen pregnancy

San Juan Basin Health Department is highlighting its effort to prevent teen pregnancies throughout May, which is National Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month.

The department’s Sexual Health Clinic is available to all residents in La Plata and Archuleta counties. The clinic provides annual exams, sexually transmitted infection screenings, pregnancy tests, all birth-control methods, infection checks, tobacco cessation and health and fitness education.

The clinic is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays in Durango and from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays and the third Thursday of the month in Pagosa Springs.

The clinic operates on a sliding-fee scale and accepts private and public-health insurance as well as donations.

For more information, call 247-5702.

Documentary explores mind-body connection

A free community screening of “The Connection” and post-screening question-and-answer session will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. May 27 at Mercy Regional Medical Center Conference Room A/B.

“The Connection” is a documentary revealing the research by leading doctors in mind-body medicine, including Dean Ornish, Jon Kabat-Zinn, Andrew Weil, Herbert Benson, Alice Domar, David Spiegel, Sara Lazar, Esther Sternberg, Craig Hassed and Damien Finniss. The film also includes six true stories of recovery.

For more information, call 779-0611.

United Blood Services announces drives

United Blood Services will host these blood drives:

2 to 6 p.m. June 1, 8, 10, 17, 22, 24, 27 and 29; from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 13 and 20; and from 1:30 to 5:30 p.m. June 15 at the United Blood Services’ new location, 1970 East Third Ave., Suite 107.

11 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 2 at Atmos Energy, 107 Jameson Drive.

1:30 to 5:30 p.m. June 4 at the First United Methodist Church, 515 N. Park St. in Cortez.

2:30 to 5:30 p.m. June 9 at Morehart Murphy Motors, 30/33 Parker Ave..

2:30 to 6:30 p.m. June 11 at the Cross Road Community Church, 1044 Park Ave. in Pagosa Springs.

10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. June 23 at Kinder Morgan, 17801 Colorado Highway 491 in Cortez.

10 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 23 and 24 at the Leonard Birch Building, 356 Ouray Drive in Ignacio.

2:30 to 5:30 p.m. June 26 at St. Columba Catholic Church, 1830 East Second Ave.

2:30 to 5 p.m. June 30 at The Durango Herald, 1275 Main Ave.

To make an appointment and for more information, call (877) 827-4376, (888) 804-9913 or visit www.BloodHero.com.

Gentle yoga is ideal for seniors, beginners

A gentle yoga class with Jennifer Kiel, certified yoga instructor, will be held from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Mondays and Thursdays at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 910 East Third Ave.

This class is ideally suited for seniors and people new to yoga. Drop-ins and beginners are welcome.

For more information, call 903-2202.

Life coach addresses pressing issues

Professional life coach Victoria FittsMilgrim will offer a free event called “The Coaching Studio” from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Inhabit, 1970 East Third Ave., as part of International Coaching Week.

This event will demonstrate coaching with real-life issues from volunteers. Participants will receive coaching on their most pressing issues, including dealing with stress in times of economic instability, uncovering their unique gifts, what gets in the way of reaching their goals and how to breakthrough to their great story. Space is limited.

To RSVP or to volunteer to be coached, call 903-0803 or email Victoria@truelifecoach.net.

Low-cost, free health insurance available

Low cost and free-health insurance options are available to many Coloradans.

The second open-enrollment period for enrolling in health insurance through Connect for Health Colorado ended Feb. 15.

However, many people can still get health insurance.

Certain life events allow people to have a special enrollment period even if they have a pre-existing condition.

In addition people below certain income levels can qualify for free-health insurance from Colorado Medicaid at any time. Open enrollment for 2016 will begin Nov. 1.

For more information, call Kevin O’Connor at 335-2021.

Herald Staff