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· CALENDAR
WIC Checks: 1, 4
WIC Recerts: 7, 9, 11, 14, 15, 18, 21, 22, 25, 30
Immunizations: 10, 29
Family Planning: 3, 16, 17, 24
Willow Clinic: 2
M View Clinic: 23
Cholesterol Screenings: 15, 22
Holiday’s: CLOSED-8th Truman Day & 28th Memorial Day
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Emergency Preparedness-Overcoming Complacency
Dr. Julie Gerberding, Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, says the biggest challenge public health faces is complacency. Despite 9-11, the 2001 anthrax attacks, SARS, recent food contaminations and the looming threat of pandemic influenza, many people are still not prepared to respond to a public health emergency.
A national survey conducted by the Council for Excellence in Government in 2006 evaluated the preparedness level of 1,000 Americans. Those who responded were rated on a 10-point scale (0=done nothing to prepare/10=done everything to prepare). The average level of preparedness from the test group was 3.31.
The report showed that senior adults are significantly less prepared than younger Americans, those with less than a high school diploma or with a household income of under $40,000 are less prepared, and Hispanics are less prepared than whites or African Americans.
In order to overcome complacency and change this national preparedness average, we have to take initiative. Whether planning for natural disasters, large-scale emergencies like pandemic influenza or simply battling to protect health daily – the way to overcome complacency is to take the first step.
In overcoming alcohol addiction the first step is to admit you have a problem. The same is true for emergency planning – we have to admit we have a problem. We are at risk for public health emergencies – for SARS outbreaks, for food borne illness, for chronic disease, for pandemic influenza. Once we admit that, we can begin to take steps to protect ourselves.
Take the first step today – admit you are at risk. Learn all you can about the specific risks your family and your community face. Then visit www.dhss.mo.gov to find out how you can prepare to face these risks with three simple steps – how you can be Ready in 3.
For more info on emergency preparedness or Ready in 3, contact the health dept. |
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It’s Your Time: Pamper Your Mind, Body, and Spirit” is the theme for the 8th annual National Women’s Health Week. This important week encourages women to take simple steps for a longer, healthier, and happier life.
Did you know that heart disease is the number one leading cause of death for women? Other chronic diseases like diabetes and cancer are also leading causes of death for women in Missouri. There are many ways to reduce a women’s risk of chronic diseases like getting regular physical activity, eating a balanced diet that includes plenty of fruits and vegetables, avoiding tobacco use and smoke, and seeing a health care provider regularly for screening exams.
Call the health Dept for info on free screenings!
“Buried beneath your
back yard, it is out
there—constantly
working. When
you’re at work, it is working. When you’re eating dinner, it continues working. And when you’re sleeping, it’s still out there in the dark—working. What is it? Your septic system. It may be the most overlooked and undervalued
utility in your home.”
“What you put into your septic system greatly affect its ability to do its job. Remember, your septic system contains living organisms that digest and treat waste. As a general rule of thumb, do not dispose of anything in your septic system that can just as easily be put in the trash.”
This information was taken directly from an online publication called PIPELINE, in the Fall 2004, Vol. 15, No 4 issue.
To read the full article on “Maintaining Your Septic System-A guide for Homeowners” go to www.nesc.wvu.edu/nsfc/nsfc_pipeline.htm
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ZOSTAVAX: Shingles Vaccine
By Carma Wheeler, RN, DON
Shingles is a painful skin rash that appears on one side of the face or body and lasts a week to 10 days. The rash often appears as blisters. The symptoms associated with shingles are pain, fever, headache, chills and upset stomach. Although very rare, shingles can lead to pneumonia, hearing problems, blindness, brain inflammation or death.
The Varicella Zoster virus causes shingles, which is the same virus that causes chickenpox. Once a person has had chickenpox, the virus can live in nerve roots within the body for many years. It can reappear many years later to cause a case of shingles. There is no way to tell who will get shingles or when it may occur.
You cannot catch shingles from another person with shingles. However, a person who has never had chickenpox or the chicken pox vaccine could get chickenpox from someone with shingles, although this is not very common.
A person should not get the shingles vaccine if:
§ The have an allergy to gelatin, neomycin, or any other component of shingles vaccine.
§ Has a weakened immune system because of
Ø HIV/AIDS
Ø Treatment with drugs that affect the immune system, such as steroids
Ø Cancer treatment such as radiation or chemotherapy
Ø History of cancer affecting the bone marrow or lymphatic system
§ Has active tuberculosis
§ Is Pregnant (Women should wait at least 3 months after getting shingles vaccine before becoming pregnant)
The older you get the more at risk you are for shingles. A single dose of shingles vaccine is indicated for adults 60 years of age and older. In clinical trials, the vaccine prevented shingles in about half of people 60 years of age and older. It can also reduce the pain associated with
shingles.
For more information regarding Zostavax contact the nursing department at 417-256-7078.
WIC is working to improve the health of women, infants, and children
Popular prevention program continues positive impact
Every month, more than 130,000 Missourians participate in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, commonly known as WIC. The program provides nutrition information and food assistance to pregnant women, new mothers, infants and children up to five years of age.
In Missouri, 42 percent of all the live births recorded from 2000 to 2005 were to mothers receiving WIC services to improve the birth outcome for themselves and their babies. The percentage of babies receiving WIC services during their first year of life increased to 55 percent of all infants born in Missouri.
“WIC’s popularity with new parents rises from its variety of services and the accessibility of its friendly local clinics,” says Dr. Lyn Konstant, bureau chief for the Missouri WIC program.
Services provided by WIC include: nutrition education, counseling, screening and risk assessment; breastfeeding promotion and support; referrals to health care providers and social services agencies; and food prescription (specially designed food packages).
Foods that can be purchased with WIC checks target specific essential nutrients often missing from the diets of participants, such as vitamins A, C and D, iron, calcium and protein. Foods provided through the WIC program include cereals, milk, cheese, eggs, dried beans and peas, juice, and peanut butter.
To qualify for the WIC program, participants must:
- Be a resident of Missouri.
- Visit a local WIC clinic to have their nutritional health status assessed by a health professional. Nutrition assessments are conducted at the 250 WIC clinics operated by the 118 local WIC providers located throughout the state.
- Meet certain income requirements. A family of four can earn up to $3,084 per month to qualify for the program. More information about income guidelines can be obtained at a local WIC provider or at http://www.dhss.mo.gov/wic.
Missourians interested in more information about WIC benefits can call TEL-LINK at 1-800-835-5465 or contact the local public health agency in the county where they live.
WIC is funded by the United States Department of Agriculture and administered by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. |
