CHP Including 'Size-Inclusive Care' Principles into Patient Care

Print Story | Email Story
GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — A Feb. 29 CHP webinar, "Size-Inclusive Care: Better Health Care for All Bodies," is a free online event for the public, healthcare providers, nutritionists and others interested in weight bias. 
 
The webinar takes place noon-1 p.m.
 
The talk, free and open to the public, will address how weight stigma bias can show up in healthcare settings and the impact of weight bias on people's health. Presenters will discuss CHP's initiative to improve healthcare for people who have avoided or delayed medical care because of past healthcare experiences.
 
 
"Weight bias can have detrimental effects on people's health care experiences and can interfere with health treatment and outcomes," said Annie Schwartz, a CHP nutritionist and director of the CHP Size-Inclusive Care initiative. "In health care, a primary focus on a patient's weight can cause other, non-weight related issues to be overlooked, leaving patients feeling unheard and dis-empowered."  
 
Schwartz also noted, "This topic impacts people all across the size spectrum. Anyone who has had anxiety around being weighed at the doctor's office will benefit from this approach."
 
Schwartz will host the event with Kim Loring, CHP psychiatric nurse practitioner. 
 
Size-inclusive care initiatives at CHP include clinicians in primary care, OB-GYN, and nutrition services.

Tags: CHP,   

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Butternut Fire Expands to Sheffield, Covering 1,100 Acres

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

The fire expanded during to the night to cover more than 1,100 acres. 

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — The Butternut Fire has expanded tenfold, now covering almost 1,100 acres of forest and spreading to Sheffield.

Just before noon on Wednesday, the town reported that the wildfire near Brush Hill Road off East Mountain had unexpected growth overnight. It spread over 100 acres on Tuesday and on Wednesday, was estimated to cover slightly less than 1,100 acres.

The town remains in a state of emergency, as declared by the Select Board on Tuesday, but first responders assure that Great Barrington is not in danger.

Around 2 p.m., the Great Barrington Fire Department reported via Facebook that "significant fire" was extinguished by using a Blackhawk helicopter to drop 600 gallons of water. Water is now being pulled from Three Mile Pond in Sheffield.

The blaze is being referred to as the Butternut Fire due to its proximity to Ski Butternut, which has confirmed there is no damage to the ski area.

"At this time the fire is more than a quarter of a mile from the nearest structures and there are not any immediate threats to the public. There have NOT been any evacuation orders at this time. We have strategically placed structural fire crews in the areas where there is the POTENTIAL for us to operate in a protection mode to protect homes and property," the town's press release reads.

"In the event of a need for an evacuation order, residents will be notified through Code RED along with in-person door-to-door notifications of the affected area — an information post will be shared on how to sign up if you are already not signed up."

The fire was first reported Monday evening and by 9 p.m., firefighters were pulled from the mountain because of the hazardous conditions. On Tuesday morning, neighboring departments were called in to help contain the blaze.

View Full Story

More South Berkshire Stories