Health digest: Air district puts out iPhone app, AIDS events
By THE BAKERSFIELD CALIFORNIAN
The San Joaquin Air Pollution Control District introduced a new way to check before you burn Tuesday with the Valley Air app.
The iPhone app allows users to look up the wood-burning forecasts and real-time air quality data, according to an air district news release. The app also gives users instant access to the smoking-vehicle complaint hotline, the Air Quality Flag program forecast and information, and links to dial the air district, the news release said.
The app is available in the App Store under the name "Valley Air." Apps for Android and Windows technology are expected to be out by the first of next year, the news release said.
Bakersfield started off December with a host of events commemorating World AIDS Day .
On Saturday, the Bakersfield's AIDS Project will host "Enchanted Winters Evening" from 6:30 to 11:30 p.m. at the Hotel Rosedale, 2400 Camino Del Rio Court.
The event will include a silent auction and drawing. Cost is $10 in advance, $15 at the door. Proceeds will benefit Kern County children affected by AIDS. Advance tickets available at Martin's Meats & Deli at 801 21st St.
On Tuesday, Metro Galleries will host a free viewing of an AIDS Quilt display from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., 1604 19th St.
Free rapid HIV testing is available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Mondays through Fridays at the Kern County Public Health Services Department at 1800 Mt. Vernon Ave., and at Clinica Sierra Vista at 2000 Physicians Plaza.
Clinica Sierra Vista was one of 32 organizations to receive a grant from Kaiser Permanente Southern California for HIV/AIDS care and prevention.
Clinica Sierra Vista in Kern County was given $25,000 for its "HIV Rapid Testing and Linkages to Care" program, which "promotes testing, access to medical care and counseling to reduce the risk of spreading the virus," according to a Kaiser news release.
Kaiser Permanente Southern California awarded more than $400,000 to 32 community groups and has given more than $3.5 million in Community Benefit HIV/AIDS grants since 2001, the news release said.
Kern Health Systems teamed up with Mercy and Memorial hospitals and the Kern County Public Health Services Department to dole out hundreds of free flu vaccines this fall.
Six hundred adults received the vaccines at the Hoskings Swap Meet in October and the swap meet at the Kern County Fairgrounds on Nov. 17, according to a news release. Kern Health Systems provided $7,500, and staff from the hospitals' Community Wellness Program and the health department joined in the effort.
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