Health And Fitness
What is a Memory Cafe? - 2nd & 4th Friday
A Memory Cafe is a casual gathering of library staff, volunteers and individuals living with dementia and their care givers. There is coffee, fresh baked cookies, activities and conversation. We'd love to have you join us! We meet from 10-11:30 a.m. on the 2nd and 4th Fridays of each month. Feel free to stay the whole time, or just pop in and say, "Hi!"The library is located at 510 2nd Ave.
Benton County Suicide Prevention Coalition Meeting Agenda April 7, 2025
Benton County Suicide Prevention Coalition
Meeting Agenda
Date: April 7, 2025 Time: 1800
Location: VIRTUAL ONLY
Zoom Invitation
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84766935692?pwd=eERnbjZ3Qkd3eXVlWXpueVdPWFN5QT09
Call to Order:
• *Introductions
• *This is a safe place to be open and vulnerable if you wish
• *Please refer emails/names of people who should be here to info@bentoncountyspc.
April 2025 Words on Wellness
Attached you will find your edition of the April 2025 Words on Wellness newsletter. This edition features:Try a Vegetable Dip!Recipe for Vegetable DipMove More MonthParkinson’s Disease Awareness Check out upcoming health and human sciences events on the calendar -- https://www.extension.iastate.edu/humansciences/events
LIFESERVE BLOOD CENTER INVITES YOU TO HELP SAVE YOUR NEIGHBORS IN BENTON COUNTY
LifeServe Blood Center and Virginia Gay Hospital
continue to celebrate their partnership. LifeServe, ranked as one of the top 15 blood centers in the
country, is the sole supplier of all blood and blood products to patients who entrust their care to
Virginia Gay Hospital.
LifeServe Blood Center provides 100% of all blood products needed to 175 hospitals primarily
across Iowa, South Dakota, Nebraska, and Illinois.
House passes bill requiring 80% of UI medical students have Iowa roots
By Robin OpsahlHouse lawmakers passed a measure 67-28 Wednesday to require at least 80% of students admitted to the University of Iowa’s medical and dentistry colleges to be Iowa residents or people enrolled at Iowa colleges.In the 2024 academic year, an estimated 70% of students at the UI College of Medicine and College of Dentistry are Iowa residents, according to analysis from the Legislative Services Agency.
Iowa Health and Human Services Share a Snapshot of Benton County
A report from Iowa's Health and Human Services, released a snapshot of the county. Currently, the county is home to 25,796 residents out of Iowa's population of.3,207,004.The life expectancy of Benton County, is 79.7 years, while across Iowa the expectancy is 78.1 years. Concerning care in the county, Benton County is a
shortage area for
Primary Care
Physicians but is not a
shortage area for
Dental Care
Providers.
Bill would require manufacturers to waive immunity for vaccines in Iowa
By Robin OpsahlAn Iowa House subcommittee advanced a bill Wednesday that would prohibit vaccines from being distributed and administered in Iowa unless the vaccine manufacturer waives legal immunities.Medical students, practitioners and advocates said the measure could prevent some vaccines from being available in Iowa, and could contribute to a rise in the spread of diseases like measles that can be prevented through vaccinations.
WINTER WEATHER IMPACTS LOCAL BLOOD SUPPLY
Extreme winter weather has caused widespread disruptions across the Midwest, resulting in canceled blood drives and closures of LifeServe Blood Center Donor Centers across Iowa, South Dakota, Nebraska, and Illinois. Unfortunately, this has led to the loss of more than 900 blood donations, significantly impacting the supply of lifesaving blood products for patients in need.
Benton County Hosts 10th Annual Health & Wellness Fair

Bill proposes funding for free tampons, pads in school restrooms
By Robin OpsahlA House Education subcommittee unanimously advanced a bill Monday to require school districts provide free feminine hygiene products, like tampons and menstrual pads, in school restrooms.The bill, House File 543, would provide state funding beginning July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2028 for the mandate that these sanitary products be available in at least half of restrooms for students in grades 6 through 12.