Summer is the time for backyard barbeques and lots of outdoor fun, but it's
also a time when the upper atmosphere heats up, and dangerous thunderstorms
become more frequent.
The average number of lightning deaths has remained relatively stable from
2011 to 2012, with 26 and 28 deaths in each respective year. The National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and its lightning safety
partners believe that's still too many. They try to raise awareness about
the dangers of lightning each year during
National Lightning Safety
Awareness Week (June 23-29).
This year, six people have already lost their lives from being struck by
lightning. The
fatalities by state for 2013 are:
Illinois: 2
Florida: 1
Louisiana: 1
Missouri: 1
Texas: 1
The majority of
lightning victims have been male since the National Weather Service began
keeping records in 1959. It's therefore especially important to educate
young men to make safe decisions during thunderstorms. If you hear thunder,
you should immediately stop what you are doing and go inside.
Other NOAA
recommendations for avoiding lightning strikes include the following:
Get into a
fully enclosed building or hard-top vehicle at the first rumble of
thunder.
Stay indoors
for 30 minutes after the last thunder clap.
Monitor the
weather forecast when you're planning to be outdoors.
Have a plan
for getting to safety in case a thunderstorm moves in.
Avoid using
corded phones during a thunderstorm unless it's an emergency; cell
phones are safe to use.
Keep away
from plumbing, electrical equipment, and wires during a thunderstorm.
To learn more
about lightning and how to stay safe in a thunderstorm, take a look at the
NOAA's Safety
Resources. To read about common lightning myths and facts,
click here.
June is Men's Health Month and June 10-16 is Men's Health Week:
The purpose of Men's Health Month
is to promote awareness of the health problems that men and boys face. It
also encourages them to seek regular medical advice and treatment for their
health problems.
Men's Health Week
is celebrated each year during the week surrounding Father's Day (June
10-16, 2013). During this week, individuals, families, and communities work
together to emphasize the importance of men's health and health care.
There are many things that you can do to join this national health movement:
Set a good
example by being smoke-free, exercising, preventing injuries and
illness, and eating healthy.
Wear blue to
remind men and boys of the importance of getting and staying healthy.
Encourage
the men and boys in your life to live healthy lifestyles and seek
regular medical care for their health problems.
Breastfeeding provides mothers and their babies with a healthy start.
The CDC reports that close to 80% of all women in the United States start
out breastfeeding, regardless of race, income, or status. Among African
American women, the breastfeeding rate is close to 55%. While breastfeeding
rates are
improving across all groups, they still remain lower among African
American women. This is particularly true of among those living in the
South.
The gap shows that African American mothers may face
barriers to breastfeeding and need additional
support to start and continue breastfeeding. "It's Only Natural" was
designed with this in mind. It provides materials that reflect the
experience of African American moms.
"It's Only Natural"
was developed to give new moms practical information about the importance
and health benefits of breastfeeding - not just for babies, but for moms
too! It offers emotional support, as well as tips and information on how
women can make breastfeeding
work in their own lives while getting the support they need. All of the
material is uniquely crafted for African American women.
Every woman's journey to motherhood is different. But usually, the first
decision you'll make as a mom is how to feed your child. "It's Only Natural
helps African American women and their families to make the right decision
for them.
Child Safety: Tips for Preventing Heatstroke in Cars:
Since 1998, over 550 U.S. children have died as a result of heatstroke (also
known as "hyperthermia"). Many of these deaths happen when a busy caregiver
forgets their child is in the car or truck. Other deaths take place when a
child is playing in an unattended vehicle and becomes trapped. Deaths can
also occur when a child is left unattended in a car or truck.
Heatstroke develops when the body cannot cool itself fast enough, and the
body's temperature rises to dangerous levels. This can happen to a child
even when it is 70 degrees outside and a window is down. That's because
children's bodies aren't the same as adults. A child's body can heat up five
times faster than an adult's.
Together, we can reduce the number of heatstroke deaths and "near-misses" by
remembering these tips:
Avoid
heatstroke-related injury and death. Never leave your child alone in a
car, even for a minute. Always lock unattended vehicle doors and trunks.
Create
reminders and habits (that give you and your child's caregiver a safety
net). For example, place a purse, briefcase, or bag that you will need
in the back seat.
Take
action if you see an unattended child in a vehicle. Dial 911 and follow
the instructions that emergency personnel provide. They are trained on
how to figure out if a child is in danger.
For more
information on how you can ACT to prevent heatstroke, click
here.
Barren River District Health Department Recognized for Excellence:
The Barren River District Health Department (BRDHD) received two prestigious
honors at Kentucky Public Health Association's 65th Annual Conference on
March 28th, 2013.
The BRDHD's own
Susan Brown won the Helen
B. Fraser Award. This award honors an individual who has "made a unique
and outstanding contribution to the growth and development" of maternal and
child health in Kentucky.
The BRDHD also won the Commissioner's Award for Outstanding Performance for
Leadership in Community Partner Development for its implementation of
Mobilizing for Action through Planning and Partnerships (MAPP).
MAPP is a
community-driven, strategic planning process for improving health. Over 70
key partners representing ten counties in south central Kentucky met
faithfully for 15 months to conduct a MAPP assessment. The Executive Summary
of this work can be viewed
here.
"Exercise with Kelsey!"
"Exercise with Kelsey!" is an exercise class for women involving cardio,
strength training, and flexibility beginning April 22nd, 2013. Classes will
take place on Mondays and Thursdays, from 9:00 to 10:00 am at
The Foundry Christian
Community Development Center. The Foundry is located at 531 W. 11th
Ave., Bowling Green, KY 42101. The cost is $5 for the 6-week program. If you
are interested in participating, or to register for the class, contact
Kelsey Carter by email or phone at
kelsey.carter@barrenriverhealth.org or 270-781-8029 ext. 160.
KET Special Video "Well Fed: Nourishing Our Children for a Lifetime:"
In a society filled with super-sized fast food meals and prepackaged foods,
it can be difficult for families to eat healthfully. Restaurant food that
was once reserved for special occasions is now routine. Some Kentucky
children have never eaten a fresh blueberry, strawberry, or banana. KET's
Well Fed: Nourishing Our Children for a Lifetime explores the subjects of
childhood nutrition, its impacts on health outcomes and obesity rates, and
state efforts to make it easy for families to eat well. Learn more about the
program here.
Show Your Love Campaign:
Show Your Love is a national campaign designed to improve the health
of women and babies by promoting preconception health and healthcare. The
campaign's main goal is to increase the number of women who plan their
pregnancies and engage in healthy behaviors before becoming pregnant. For
those women who don't want to start a family in the near future or at all,
the campaign encourages them to choose healthy behaviors so that they can be
their best and achieve the goals and dreams they have set for themselves.
** Effective immediately all BRDHD staff's email addresses are FirstName.LastName
@barrenriverhealth.org
Put It Out & Keep It Off:
Researchers at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine are conducting a
study that combines quitting smoking classes and lifestyle improvements like
information about cancer screening & weight control. Classes will take place at
the Foundry on 531 W. 11th St. in Bowling Green. You may be eligible to
participate if you:
Are
over 18 years of age
Are a
current smoker who wants to quit
Are not
pregnant or nursing
Do not
have a history of being hospitalized due to a major psychiatric disorder
Do not
have a history of anorexia or bulimia nervosa
Participants will be compensated for their participation in this study.
For more
information, please contact Srihari Seshadri at
sse233@uky.edu or 270-781-8039 ext. 164 or Nancy Schoenberg, PhD at
nesch@uky.edu or 859-323-8175.
West Side Neighborhood Jammin' in the Gardens:
Jammin' in the Gardens will be held at the Foundry on Friday June 21st, 2013
from 4:00 to 7:30 pm. There will be food samples, music, family activities, and
vendors. Bring your instruments and join the jam, or just sit back and listen.
Either way, there will be fun for the whole family! For more information, call
270-781-8039 ext. 144.
Spina Bifida Public Service Announcement (PSA):
Spina bifida is the most common disabling birth defect in the United States. It
is a type of neural tube defect, which is a problem with the spinal cord or its
coverings. It usually develops within the first month of pregnancy - often
before a woman even knows that she is pregnant. With spina bifida, the spinal
column of the fetus doesn't close completely.
Spina bifida can be mild or severe. There is usually nerve damage that causes at
least some paralysis of the legs. Nearly all of those affected by spina bifida
have bowel and bladder problems. 80 to 90 percent also have hydrocephalus, which
is a buildup of fluid in the brain. Many people with spina bifida need assistive
devices like braces, crutches, or wheelchairs.
The exact cause of spina bifida is unknown, and there is no cure. However,
getting enough folic acid (a type of B vitamin) before and during pregnancy can
greatly reduce your risk of having a baby with spina bifida.
The Spina Bifida Association of Kentucky (SBAK) promotes the prevention of spina
bifida, and works to enhance the lives of all those affected. Here is a short
PSA by the SBAK:
Tickborne Illness in Kentucky:
Ticks prefer to
live in woods, tall grass, weeds, and brush. Ticks are seldom a problem in
well-maintained lawns, although the edges of a property can be a source of
infestation. While it is a good idea to take preventive measures against ticks
year-round, the warmer months (April through September) are when ticks are most
active. Here are a few good ways to
prevent tick bites:
Avoid
wooded and bushy areas, uncut fields, brush, and other areas likely to have
ticks.
Walk in
the center of trails.
Use
insect repellants that contain 20% or more DEET on exposed skin.
Bathe
or shower as soon as possible after coming inside (preferably within 2
hours).
Check
for ticks upon returning from areas where they might be present. Parents
should check children for ticks. Check pets and gear for ticks too. This
includes clothing, coats, and day packs.
Tumble
clothes in a dryer on high heat for 1 hour to kill any remaining ticks.
Keep
grass and shrubs in your yard trimmed and clear of overgrown vegetation.
This includes the edges of your property.
To remove
any ticks that you find, use the method described
here.
In
Kentucky, the most common diseases that are spread by ticks are
Rocky Mountain
Spotted Fever (RMSF) and ehrlichiosis. Lyme disease is uncommon in Kentucky.
Although the University of Kentucky states that 51 cases of Lyme disease were
reported from 1985-09, they say that many of these cases involved previous
travel or residence in other states where Lyme disease occurs.
Of the
different kinds
of ticks that can be found in Kentucky, the two most common are the American
dog tick and the Lone star tick. Neither of these ticks has been shown to
transmit Lyme disease, but they do carry RMSF. The most common
symptoms of tick-related
illnesses, including RMSF and ehrlichiosis, are:
Fever/chills
Headache
Fatigue
Body
aches
Rash
The rash
seen with RMSF varies greatly from person to person. Most often, the rash begins
2-5 days after the onset of fever. It typically appears as small, flat, pink,
non-itchy spots on the wrists, forearms, and ankles. It then spreads to the
trunk of the body. The red to purple rash seem with RMSF usually does not appear
until 6 days after symptoms begin.
Ehrlichiosis also causes a rash in some people. The appearance of this rash
varies, and may appear after the onset of fever.
Although
tickborne diseases are easily treated with antibiotics, they can be difficult
for doctors to diagnose. Early recognition and treatment are therefore important
to reducing the risk of serious complications. See your doctor immediately if
you have been bitten by a tick and experience any of the symptoms described
above.
Barren River District Health Department Releases Strategic Plan for
2013-15:
The Barren River District Health Department (BRDHD) has released its Strategic
Plan for 2013-15. The primary goal of the plan is to ensure that - whatever the
nation, state, or local community asks of the BRDHD over time - the agency has
the communication skills, concern for accuracy, organizational awareness,
service orientation, leadership, and teamwork needed for effective performance.
To view the agency's Strategic Plan, click
here.
What's a Watch?
What is a tornado watch, and how is it different from a
tornado warning? What should I do when a tornado watch is issued?
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) answers your
questions in this video:
Help Improve Bicycling in the Bowling Green Area:
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, together with the Bowling Green-Warren
County Planning Commission and researchers from Western Kentucky University's
Department of Geography & Geology, are working to better understand how to plan
for the needs of cyclists in the community.
You can help! Download the CycleTracks application for iPhone- or
Android-capable smart phones, and use it to record your bicycle trips. The
CycleTracks application uses your phone's internal GPS to record trip routes and
times. At the end of each trip, data (including the trip purpose, route, date,
and time) are collected for analysis. All personal data is optional and
confidential.
CycleTracks would love for you to record each and every bicycle trip you take.
The more you record, the more they will be able to accommodate you in the
future. Feel free to record as many or as few trips as you want, however.
For more information, visit the CycleTracks
website.
New Reports Available from the Barren River Community Health Planning Council:
The Barren
River Community Health Planning Council's (BRCHPC's) "Community Health
Assessment Report," "Executive Summary," and "Community Health Plan
for 2013-15" are all available here. The BRCHPC is a group of business, educational, community, and healthcare leaders that was organized in August of 2011 to facilitate an evidence-based community health assessment process called MAPP, which stands for "Mobilizing for Action through Planning and Partnerships."
Late Night Appointments for Edmonson, Logan, and Warren Counties:
Effective January 7th, 2013, we will begin offering late night appointments in Edmonson, Logan, and Warren Counties. Ask a health department staff member to learn more!
Shingles Vaccine is available at the Logan County Health Department
call 270-726-8341 for an appointment or for more information.
