Angleton, TX - August 06, 2007
As part of their commitment to the health and wellness of local communities, the Angleton Danbury Medical Center is purchasing a Hologic X-ray Bone Densitometer Machine (HXBDM) through the financial support of The Dow Chemical Company Foundation. The machine is the the world’s most advanced equipment for the early detection of osteoporosis and will be the first of its kind in southern Brazoria County.
“Although there is no cure for osteoporosis, early detection is vital in preventing any further bone loss,” said Dave Bleakney, CEO & Hospital Administrator. “With our aging population, the bone densitometer will aid in the early diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis. It can also be used in pediatric diagnoses for bone fractures due to poor nutrition. As Brazoria County’s leader in health care, our commitment to our communities continues as we expand into new technology and services.”
Bo Miller, President of The Dow Chemical Company Foundation, says the contribution is well aligned with Dow’s commitment to community success.
Bob Walker, Vice President and Site Director of Dow Texas Operations, agrees.
“This partnership with the Angleton Danbury Medical Center allows Dow to continue working with our communities to identify and address significant needs for the long-term benefit of local residents including Dow employees and retirees,” he says “Our business success is dependent on the health and well being of our communities, and so it just makes sense for Dow, through our charitable foundation, to support our local health care providers’ efforts to continue ensuring that we have high quality, readily accessible health care facilities in our communities.”
Addressing a Serious Health Threat for Seniors, Women and Children
National statistics show that osteoporosis serves as a serious threat to more than 28 million Americans, of which 80 per cent are women. About 50 per cent of all womenpost menopause are at risk of developing osteoporosis. Osteoporosis also can also occur from the following medical treatments in both men and women; birth control, steroids, chemotherapy and radiation treatment. Early detection, using the most advanced equipment available, can enable doctors to intervene before the disease progresses to a point where patients are at high risk for crippling or even life-threatening fractures.
Adults are not the only patients who can benefit from the new Hologic bone densitometer screening. According to recent studies, proper nutrition has become a major concern for the children in America today and bone mass density is a major area of interest in health care. Using the results of this machine, physicians can accurately record and read pediatric Bone Mass Density (BMD) measurements enabling doctors to recommend better diet regimens for children.
Osteoporosis Risk in Brazoria County
The Economic Development Alliance for Brazoria County projects a population of more than 300,000 by the year 2010, with 48.6 per cent being female. Experts recommend that at age 50 and every other year after, women should be tested for osteoporosis. By the year 2010, 44,281 women living in Brazoria County will be will be age 50 and over and should be tested every other year for this disease.
First Diagnostic Machine of its Kind in Southern Brazoria County
The hospitals in southern Brazoria County, whose service areas, including the Brazosport, Angleton, Danbury, Rosharon, Brazoria, West Columbia and Sweeny areas, currently do not have a full body bone density machine. Yet having nearby access to the latest in modern healthcare services is as important to local residents as it is to those who live in large metropolitan areas. By donating funds toward this new equipment, The Dow Chemical Company Foundation is helping enhance the quality of life in local communities by partnering with the Angleton Danbury Medical Center to bring local residents another opportunity to get access high quality health care services near their homes.
Bleakney says The Dow Chemical Company Foundation’s contribution is greatly appreciated.
“Our partnership with The Dow Chemical Company Foundation to bring yet another level of advanced medical technology to the residents our community will further enhance partnerships between healthcare providers and industry to improve our communities’ quality of life,” he says.
The Hologic X-ray Bone Densitometer Machine (HXBDM) is scheduled to be in operation in early September. For more information about scheduling a screening contact your local physician or the Angleton Danbury Medical Center Diagnostic Imaging Department at 979-848-9160 or 849-7721 ext. 9160.
About Angleton Danbury Medical Center
Angleton Danbury Medical Center, is a 64-bed not for profit community healthcare facility recognized for it’s excellence in medical services and commitment to the community and hospital district residents. The first community hospital recognized as an associate of the St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital System, Angleton Danbury Medical Center received the prestigious “Excellence in Community Services Award” awarded by the Texas Hospital Association. The mission of Angleton Danbury Medical Center is to improve the health status of the community through education, prevention, and quality care. For more information about the healthcare services at Angleton Danbury Medical Center go to www.admc.org.
About Dow
About The Dow Chemical Company Foundation:
As the company's philanthropic arm, The Dow Chemical Company Foundation contributes more than $18 million annually to charitable and educational institutions in Dow communities on behalf of Dow and its employees around the world.
For Editorial Information:
Tonya Visor, Marketing & Public Relations
Angleton Danbury Medical Center
(979) 848-9108
Trish Ritthaler
Community Relations, Dow Chemical Company, Texas Operations
(979)238-2753
