Health Department Staff Attend State Homecare Conference
The Henry and Stark County Health Department announces that members of their staff recently attended the Illinois Homecare and Hospice Council's 2010 Annual Conference and Exposition. Gail Ripka, Health Department Administrator and Pam Bennett, RN Health Department Director of Home Health Services attended the three day event held recently in Rosemont, IL.
Bennett notes, "The conference featured a multitude of interesting workshops covering such varied home care topics as home care fraud and abuse, medication management, wound care, marketing, and the future of medicare home health." "In addition, the Conference hosted a home care exposition featuring 68 exhibit booths, special event sponsorships, and valuable networking activities. By attending conferences such as these the Health Department's Home Health Division continually strives to keep up-to-date on the latest trends and innovations. This will only result in better home health services being offered to our area patients, adds Bennett."
For more information on the Home Health Services offered through the Henry and Stark County Health Departments call the Department at (309)
852-0197
Heath Department Home Health Staff Note American Diabetes Alert Day!
The Henry and Stark County Health Departments' Home Health Nursing staff announce that Tuesday, March 23rd has been proclaimed the American Diabetes Alert Day. This one-day call-to-action is held on the fourth Tuesday of March for people to find out if they are at risk for diabetes. The Alert's goal is to raise awareness that diabetes is serious, you can have diabetes and not even know it.
What is diabetes? Diabetes means that your blood glucose (sugar) is too high. Your blood always has some glucose in it because the body needs glucose for energy to keep you going. Too much glucose in the blood is not good for your health.
Could you have diabetes? Diabetes is a silent disease. You could have it for years and never know it. During this time, your eyes, nerves, and kidneys may have been harmed by too much sugar in your blood.
Who is at risk diabetes? Your risk for diabetes increases as you get older, gain too much weight, or if you do not stay active. Diabetes is more common in African Americans, Latinos, Native Americans and Pacific Islanders. Risk for diabetes include: * Having high blood pressure (at or above 130/80) * Having a family history of diabetes * Having diabetes during pregnancy or having a baby weighing more than nine pounds at birth.
Don't wait for the signs. Most people with diabetes do not notice any symptoms. However if you should have any of these symptoms, call your health care provider right away. * Very thirsty * Frequent urination
* Losing weight without trying.
What can you do? You can do things now to lower your risk for diabetes by: * keeping you weight in control * eating low fat meals that are HIGH in fruits, vegetables and whole grain foods * staying active most days of the week.
The Home Health Nursing staff of the Henry and Stark County Health Departments urge area residents to learn more and get involved. If you or the people you care about are at high risk for diabetes, you should learn more and get involved. * Ask you health care provider about your risk for diabetes during your next visit. * Call 1-800-342-2383 for free information about diabetes * Share this information with family, friends and neighbors. Help find the 6.2 million Americans with undiagnosed diabetes.
National Nutrition Month
The Henry and Stark County Health Departments announce that March is National Nutrition Month. The Health Department in accordance with the American Dietetic Association (ADA) notes that diet fads come and go, and some may help you lose weight - in the short term. However, the most effective long-term way to achieve a healthful lifestyle is to be 100% Fad Free.
The fact is that you can lose weight on virtually any diet. If you eat less, you will lose weight. The question is, can you maintain a healthy lifestyle over the long term - your life? The real key to reaching long-term goals is to focus on your overall health.
Through National Nutrition Month, the Health Department and the ADA promote healthful eating by providing practical nutrition guidance and focusing attention on making informed food choices and developing sound physical activity habits.
In addition, keep in mind these National Nutrition Month key messages to enjoy a 100% Fad Free lifestyle:
* DEVELOP AN EATING PLAN FOR LIFELONG HEALTH. Too often, people adopt the latest food fad rather than focusing on overall health. Get back to basics and use the new Food Guide Pyramid as your guide to healthy eating.
* CHOOSE FOODS SENSIBLY BY LOOKING AT THE BIG PICTURE. A single food or meal won't make or break a healthful diet. When consumed in moderation in appropriate portions, all foods can fit into a healthful diet.
* LEARN HOW TO SPOT A FOOD FAD. Unreasonable or exaggerated claims that eating (or not eating) specific foods, nutrient supplements or combinations of foods may cure disease or offer quick weight loss are key features of fad diets.
* FIND YOUR BALANCE BETWEEN FOOD AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY. Regular physical activity is important for your overall health and fitness plus it helps control body weight, promotes a feeling of well-being, and reduces the risk of chronic diseases.
* FOOD AND NUTRITION MISINFORMATION CAN HAVE HARMFUL EFFECTS ON YOUR HEALTH AND WELL-BEING, as well as your wallet. Look to qualified and science-based nutrition information when developing a diet plan that meets your individual needs.
For more information on good nutrition, or to request a Health Department Nutrition presentation for your group, organization or school class, contact the Department at 852-0197
Heath Department Staff Attends National Summit
The Henry and Stark County Health Department announces that members of their staff recently attended the 2010 National Public Health Preparedness Summit. Gail Ripka, Health Department Administrator and Betty McNaught, RN Health Department Director of Emergency Services attended the conference held recently in Atlanta, Georgia.
McNaught notes, "The goals for the Summit were to strengthen and enhance the capabilities of public health officials to plan and prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters and other public health emergencies."
"Though our staff was able to attend many interesting and important workshops and learning sessions, one of the high points had to be the opening remarks of Secretary of Health and Human Services, Kathleen Sebelius, MPA," adds McNaught.
Other areas of interest covered during the 4-Day Summit included: "The Crash of the Wave: The Public Health Response to the H1N1 Influenza Virus; Prepare for Health! An Alternative Approach to Public Health Preparedness; and Moving Public Health Preparedness Forward: Assessing Progress, Gaps, and Future Strategies."
Those attending this national summit included local and state public health department preparedness staff; community health center, hospital and emergency medical staff; and emergency management and homeland security professionals.
McNaught adds, "This conference provided our Health Department staff with a common understanding of preparedness progress and challenges at the national, state, and local levels; as well, as giving us the opportunity to engage in discussion with national and senior leaders to identify the most important gaps we face and critical priorities for the future."
For more information on the Emergency Preparedness Program through the Henry and Stark County Health Departments call the Department at (309)852-0197
Linda DeMay, RN Henry and Stark County Health Department Clinical Services Nurse, gives instructions to a Department client on how to use a Free "At Home" Colocare Testing Kit. March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.
The Henry and Stark County Health Departments along with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) announce that March has been designated National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.
Colorectal Cancer is the second leading cancer killer in the United States. And yet, this need not be the case. Studies show if everyone age 50 or older had regular screening tests, at least one-third of deaths from this cancer could be avoided.
To better inform the public about this deadly disease the staff of the Henry and Stark County Health Department offers the following facts on Colorectal Cancer. Colorectal cancer is cancer that occurs in the colon or rectum. Sometimes it is called colon cancer, for short.
Who gets Colorectal Cancer? Both men and women can get colorectal cancer. Colorectal cancer is most often found in people 50 and older.
Therefore, the risk of getting colorectal cancer increases with age.
Are you at High Risk? Your risk of colorectal cancer may be higher than average if: You or a close relative have had colorectal polyps or colorectal cancer. You have inflammatory bowel disease. People at high risk for colorectal cancer may need earlier or more frequent tests than other people. Talk with your doctor about when you should begin screening and how often you should be tested.
If you're 50 or older, getting a screening test for colorectal cancer could save your life. Here's how:
* Colorectal cancer usually starts from polyps in the colon or rectum. A polyp is a growth that shouldn't be there.
* Over time, some polyps can turn into cancer.
* Screening tests can find polyps, so they can be removed before they turn into cancer.
* Screening tests can also find colorectal cancer early. When it is found early, the chance of being cured is good.
People who have polyps or colorectal cancer sometimes don't have symptoms, especially at first. This means that someone could have polyps or colorectal cancer and not know it. That is why having a screening test is so important.
Some people with colorectal polyps or cancer do have symptoms. They may include:
* Blood in or on your stool (bowel movement).
* Pain, aches, or cramps in your stomach that happen a lot and you don't know why.
* A change in bowel habits, such as having stools that are narrower than usual.
* Losing weight and you don't know why.
If you have any of these symptoms, talk with your doctor or healthcare provider. These symptoms may also be caused by something other than cancer.
However, the only way to know what is causing them is to see your doctor.
The Health Department reminds area residents that we have free Colorectal Cancer Test kits for anyone 50 years of age and older. The screenings can be done in the privacy of your own home and a postcard with its results can be sent to your health care provider. Kits are available, free-of-charge, through the Departments' clinical services office on a first come, first served basis.
For more information on Colorectal Cancer or the Free Colorectal Cancer Test Kits call the Health Department at (309) 852-5272
Henry County 708 Health Board Seeking Applications
The Henry County 708 Mental Health Board is pleased to announce the opportunity for qualified agencies to submit applications for the 2011 fiscal year.
Organizations seeking funding must provide services to citizens of Henry County in the following categories: mental health, substance abuse and/or developmental disabilities. Under provisions of the Community Mental Health Act, the 708 Board annually apportions tax monies from a budget which must ultimately be approved by the Henry County Board.
Deadline for the current round of applications is March 31, 2010.
Application forms are available from Gail Ripka at the Henry County Health Department, 4424 US Highway 34, Kewanee, IL 61443. Requests for application forms may be made by mail, telephone at 309-852-7238, or e-mail at gripka@henrystarkhealth.org.
Members of the 708 Board include Gail Ripka, John Roehrs, Jerry Thompson, Melissa Vail, Penny Carlson and Ian Malstrom.
Henry County Health Department 4424 US Hwy 34 Kewanee, IL 61443 309-852-0197 Copyright 2007 All rights reserved
