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· CALENDAR
WIC Checks: 2, 6
WIC Recerts: 5, 9, 14, 16, 20, 23, 26, 27
Immunizations: 13, 15
Family Planning: 1, 8, 21, 22
Willow Clinic: 7
M View Clinic: 28
Cholesterol (free) Screenings: 6, 27
Holiday’s: CLOSED-12th Lincoln’s Birthday, & 19th President’s Day
Why Dark Chocolate
Not all chocolate is created equal. Dark chocolate contains a lot more cocoa than other forms of chocolate. And standard chocolate manufacturing destroys up to half of the flavoniods. But chocolate companies have now learned to make dark chocolate that keeps up to 95% of its flavoniods.
Sure, this seems like a scam. Can't you get more and better flavoniods from other foods? Surprisingly, the answer is "not really." Engler says that dark chocolate contains more flavoniods than any other food -- including green tea, black tea, red wine, and blueberries. "Many people don't realize that chocolate is plant-derived, as are the fruits and vegetables recommended for a healthy heart,”
While a little dark chocolate is good, a lot is not better. Chocolate still is loaded with calories. If you're going to eat more chocolate, you'll have to cut back somewhere else. And remember that a balanced diet -- and plenty of exercise -- is still the key to heart health. |
Farewell and Happy Retirement Bertie!!
The staff at the Howell County Health Department would like to wish Bertie a very happy, healthy, relaxing retirement!
Bertie has over 25 years here starting when it was just the WIC office and then becoming South Central Public Health Services Group, Inc where she was the WIC coordinator and she then became the financial officer. South Central Public Health Services Group, Inc then became the Howell County Health Department in 2003.
Bertie has seen many changes and people come and go through the years, but she has remained here as a dedicated, reliable, and invaluable employee who will be greatly missed!
Go Red for Women
February 2nd, 2007
Go Red For Women is the American Heart Association’s nationwide movement that celebrates the energy, passion and power we have as women to band together and wipe out heart disease. Thanks to the participation of millions of people across the country, the color red and the red dress have become linked with the ability all women have to improve their heart health and live stronger, longer lives.
Taking care of your heart is more important than you might know. Too few people realize that heart disease is the No. 1 killer of American women — and of men. But the good news is that heart disease can largely be prevented. Go Red For Women empowers women with knowledge and tools so they can take positive action to reduce their risks of heart disease and stroke and protect their health.
Sponsored by Macy’s with additional support from the PacifiCare Foundation and Bayer Aspirin, Go Red For Women began in February 2004, and has since grown into a vibrant national movement as more women, men, celebrities, healthcare professionals and politicians embrace and elevate the cause of women and heart disease.
The movement gives women tips and information on healthy eating, exercise and risk factor reduction, such as smoking cessation, weight maintenance, blood pressure control, and blood cholesterol management.
Find out more about this powerful movement and the people and companies behind it, go to www.goredforwomen.com and wear red on Friday, February 2nd to show your support of women and heart disease!
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February 21, 2007- 8:30a.m. To 5:00p.m.
West Plains Civic Center
Closing Date for Registration is February 7, 2007
Food safety training seminar provided to those individuals who wish to be Nationally certified in Food Protection Management. National Restaurant Association’s “Servsafe” is the only national certification program and certification is valid for 5 years. Course will also provide an excellent training in-service for all food management personnel.
Fee is $90.00 for book and test. If you have the book
(“Servsafe Course book”) the fee is $50.00
Class is limited to 20. RSVP only.
For more information concerning course feel free to contact:
Justin Frazier, Environmental Public Health Specialist, 256-7078
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Two Doses of Varicella Vaccine Recommended
by Carma Wheeler, RN, DON
On June 29, 2006, CDC and ACIP began recommending a second dose of Varicella (chicken pox) vaccine for children four to six years old to further improve protection against the disease.
The Varicella vaccine was first licensed in 1995. Before licensure there were about four million cases of Varicella, 13,500 hospitalizations and 150 deaths each year. Cases of the disease have declined steadily since the vaccine became licensed. From 1995 to 2001, Varicella hospitalizations declined by 72% and deaths decreased by 75%.
However Varicella outbreaks have continued to occur among vaccinated school children. Varicella in vaccinated children is usually mild, but children are contagious and can transmit the virus to others. According to CDC, 15 to 20% of children who have received one dose of the vaccine are not fully protected and may develop chickenpox after coming in contact with Varicella booster virus. One dose of the vaccine may not continue to provide protection into adulthood when the disease can be more severe. A second dose of the vaccine provides increased protection against Varicella disease.
Advisor Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendations:
Ø All children <13 years of age should be administered routinely two doses of Varicella.
Ø Minimum age for first dose is 12 months
Ø Minimum interval from dose 1 to 2
a) 3 months if first dose is administered at <13 years of age
b) 4 weeks if first dose administered at > 13 years of age
Ø A second dose catch-up Varicella vaccination is recommended for children, adolescents, and adults who previously had received one dose.
Protect yourself and your family from the cold, especially infants and senior citizens. Early symptoms include shivering, slurred speech, mental slowness, rigid muscles, weak pulse, confusion, clumsiness, shallow and very slow breathing, weak pulse and a fall in blood pressure.
Dress in layers that do not restrict your breathing or movement. Never let infant’s less than 1-year-old sleep in a cold room. Cover children in blankets. DO NOT PUT INFANTS TO BED UNDER LAYERS OF COVERS. Contact medical help immediately if symptoms of hypothermia are detected.
February is Dental Health Month Caring for Your Child’s Teeth
by Michelle Knight, Nutritionist
During your pregnancy
- If you keep a healthy mouth, your baby is more likely to have healthy teeth and gums.
- Science shows that mothers with active decay problems, gum problems, or both will transmit the bad bacteria to the baby and make the baby more susceptible to decay and gum disease.
- During pregnancy, get your mouth in optimum health. Have decayed teeth repaired. Get treatment for gum disease.
Birth to 6 months (before teeth erupt)
- Begin cleaning your baby’s mouth during the first few days after birth.
- Wipe baby’s gums with a clean, soft wash cloth after each feeding. This removes sugary liquids and foods that can cause tooth decay and helps your infant get used to having the mouth cleaned and checked.
6 months to 1 year (as teeth erupt)
- As soon as baby teeth appear, begin brushing teeth gently with a child-sized, soft tooth brush and water or training toothpaste. Wait to use fluoride toothpaste until the child can spit.
- Check child’s teeth monthly for any changes or signs of decay.
- I t is recommended a child receive a dental well baby check-up by their first birthday.
1 to 3 years (as teeth erupt)
- Between the ages of 2 and 4, most children will have between 12-16 teeth. Although the child is gaining independence, parental assistance is needed to brush properly.
- Brush your child’s teeth at least twice daily, especially before bedtime.
- In children over age 3, use no more than a pea-size amount of fluoride toothpaste.
- Start gentle flossing when two of your child’s teeth begin to touch.
- Replace your child’s toothbrush when the bristles are bent.
- Check your child’s teeth monthly for changes.
- White spots or lines on the front or back side of teeth are indications of early cavities. See a dentist right away to prevent cavities from becoming worse.
- Schedule regular dental visits for your child.
Learn more about oral health at www.modental.org
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