Senior citizens have a new guide to help them keep track of important health issues in 2008.

Distribution of the sixth annual immunization and preventive health calendar for senior adults has begun. The calendar is designed by the Everybody Counts Immunization Coalition, a collaborative group of more than 40 community members throughout Coastal Georgia.

The coalition designs a new calendar every year, with each month dedicated to a different health topic critical to senior adults.

This year, January and October feature residents of Effingham County. Seniors will find valuable information on immunizations, nutrition, emergency preparedness and heart disease, along with photos of seniors highlighting healthy lifestyles.

The calendar also has a list of relevant community programs, locations and phone numbers for users to tear out and post on the refrigerator or near the phone.

Calendars are distributed free to 15,000 seniors in Chatham, Effingham and Glynn counties through programs such as Meals On Wheels, senior centers, health departments and other sites where seniors gather or receive services.
The calendars are funded through contributions from community groups such as the Coastal Georgia Area Agency on Aging, African-American Information and Referral Center, Hospice Savannah and the Coastal Health District.