~ Health News ~

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Cardiac Risk/Cholesterol Screening
 
June 1, 2010 (First Tuesday) 6:30 – 9:00 AM
 Central District Health Department

 (Syringa Room - Conference Room off Main Hall)
707 N. Armstrong Place, Boise
 (1 block East of Five Mile Road off Emerald)

 

 Cost: $22 – No appointment necessary


The profile provides:

· Cholesterol screening
· Blood pressure check
· Health and nutrition information


PLEASE NOTE:

·        Participants must not eat solid food or drink anything other than water for a full 12 hours before the screening.

·        Do not drink alcohol 48 hours prior to the test.

·        The screening will take approximately 15 to 20 minutes for a blood pressure check and blood draw.

 

Worksite clinics can also be arranged. For more information visit the CDHD website at:

cdhd.idaho.gov or call (208) 375-5211.

 

 

Infants Capable of Learning While Asleep

 

   Newborn infants are capable of a simple form of learning while they’re asleep, according to a study by researchers funded by the National Institutes of Health. The finding may one day lead to a test that can identify infants at risk for developmental disorders that do not become apparent until later in childhood.

   The study was confined to newborns, so the researchers do not know whether older children or adults are capable of learning during sleep. Funding for the study was provided by the NIH’s Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. Additional funding was provided by the National Institute of Mental Health.

   Conducted by William Fifer, Ph.D. and his colleagues at Columbia University in New York, the study was published today online in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

   Researchers used an electroencephalogram, a machine that records the brain’s electrical activity and converts it into patterns, to record the brain activity of each sleeping infant. A video camera recorded each infant’s facial expressions. The researchers played a tone, while a machine blew a faint puff of air at each sleeping infant’s eyelids. In response to the air puff, the infants reflexively squeezed their closed lids tighter.

   The researchers repeated this nine times, each time pairing the air puff with the tone. For the tenth time in the sequence, however, the researchers played the tone without the air puff. This sequence was repeated over and over again.

   After roughly 20 minutes, most of the infants (24 out of 26) would scrunch their faces in response to the tone that was not accompanied by the air puff. Moreover, the electroencephalogram detected changes in brain wave activity that occurred simultaneously with the tone, which the researchers interpret as further evidence that the infants had learned to associate the tone with the air puff.

   Infants in the control group, who were exposed to random, unpaired tones and air puffs, did not squeeze their eyelids in response to isolated tones.

   "The current experiment is the first to demonstrate that newborn infants are capable of learning about relationships between stimuli while asleep," the researchers wrote. "Learning was only demonstrated in infants exposed to consistent pairings of the tone and air puff."

   The researchers added that it is not known whether learning to make such associations during sleep is unique to infants or could also occur in adults. It’s possible that the ability might diminish with age.

   They also noted that this type of learning is controlled by the cerebellum, a part of the brain that is implicated in many developmental disorders. This non-invasive measure of cerebellar function in sleeping newborn infants might later provide a means to screen for developmental conditions very early in life, Dr. Fifer said.

   The NICHD sponsors research on development, before and after birth; maternal, child, and family health; reproductive biology and population issues; and medical rehabilitation. For more information, visit the Institute's Web site at http://www.nichd.nih.gov/.

 

Enjoy the Water and Stay Healthy


   Area Pool Operators Join Forces in Support of 2010 National Recreational Water Illness (RWI) Prevention Week

   The week before Memorial Day (May 24–30, 2010) is National Recreational Water Illness (RWI) Prevention Week. The Central District Health Department (CDHD) and area pool operators want to raise awareness about healthy swimming behaviors, including ways to prevent recreational water illnesses (RWIs). RWIs are caused by germs spread by swallowing, breathing in mists or aerosols of, or having contact with contaminated water in swimming pools, water parks, hot tubs, interactive fountains, water play areas, lakes, rivers and canals.

    “We don’t want a repeat of 2007 when our health district saw over 240 cases of Cryptosporidiosis,” said Tom Schmalz, who oversees CDHD’s pool inspection program.

     “Two of our splash parks now use only fresh water, instead of recirculating the water,” Michael Echeita, Eagle Public Works Director said. “Still parents and their children can help reduce RWIs by keeping germs out of the water where they play.”

    The themes of RWI Prevention Week 2010 are pool inspections and the Triple A’s of Healthy Swimming. Pool inspection data can help pool programs identify common problems and determine priorities for keeping
their facilities healthy. Having the right disinfectant and pH levels in recreational water is essential to stopping the spread of germs that cause RWIs. Although pool inspectors check to make sure these levels are
right, they can’t be at every pool every day. In fact, Environmental Health Specialists from CDHD only inspect publicly-owned pools. So private pools, like those at hotels and motels, in subdivisions and condo developments and private health clubs, have added responsibilities in making sure swimmers have a healthy swimming experience every time. "Roaring Springs has taken a leadership role in the waterpark industry

in battling water borne illness, says Patrick Morandi, Managing Partner at Roaring Springs.  "We've installed the latest technology, including ultraviolet light for the cleanest possible water in our Kiddie Pool." Regardless of where people swim or enjoy water features, like splash parks, patrons are encouraged to follow the Triple A’s of Healthy Swimming: Awareness, Action, and Advocacy.

Awareness:

·        Visit CDC’s Healthy Swimming website at www.cdc.gov/healthywater/swimming

·        Visit CDHD’s Swimming Pool resource page: http://cdhd.idaho.gov/EH/pools/resources.htm

·        Learn how to protect yourself and others from RWIs and follow the Six Steps for Healthy Swimming (listed below)
Action

·        Check pool water yourself using a pool and spa test kit purchased at your local pool supply store

·        Ask the pool operator about chlorine and pH levels and how often they test

Advocacy:

·        Encourage pool operators to take steps shown to kill the germs that cause RWIs

·        Educate other swimmers about RWIs to promote healthy swimming

    “While the City of Meridian has taken technological steps to reduce the possibility of exposure to germs like Crypto, it’s still important for parents to keep sick children out of the water,” says Steve Siddoway, Director of Meridian Parks and Recreation.  “Recreational water illnesses are not something you should share with friends and neighbors.”

Recreational Water Illnesses (RWIs)

The best way to prevent RWIs is to keep germs out of the pool in the first place. Follow these six steps for a safe and healthy swimming experience:

 Three Steps for all Swimmers

·        Don’t swim when you have diarrhea.

·        Don’t swallow pool water.

·        Practice good hygiene. Shower with soap before swimming and wash your hands after using the toilet or changing diapers. Germs on your body end up in the water.

Three Steps for Parents of Young Children

·        Take your kids on bathroom breaks or check diapers often.

·        Change diapers in a bathroom or a diaper-changing area and not at poolside.

·        Wash your children thoroughly (especially the rear end) with soap and water before they go swimming.

   “The City of Boise has concentrated on educating those using its many pool and water recreation sites,” says George Scott Aquatics Coordinator for Boise Parks and Recreation.  “RWI prevention starts with good hygiene, like taking a shower before you swim.”

   CDHD has educational materials available for all pool operators to display and distribute to their patrons.  Pool operators may call the Environmental Health area at CDHD at 327-7499 for more information.

    The general public can get more information about healthy swimming by visiting these websites:

·        CDC’s Healthy Swimming website at www.cdc.gov/healthyswimming.

·        Visit CDHD’s Swimming Pool resource page: http://cdhd.idaho.gov/EH/pools/resources.htm

 

 

Food Safety Awareness in the Childcare Setting Training for Childcare Providers & the Public


            The Central District Health Department is offering a two-hour class entitled “Food Safety Awareness in the Childcare Setting” for residents of Ada, Elmore, Boise and Valley counties on Thursday May 27th from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. at the CDHD office, 707 N Armstrong Place, Boise. The largest cause of food borne illness is the mishandling of food.  In order to keep children and families safe from food-associated illness, class participants will learn the most effective methods of reducing contamination. Topics will include proper hand washing and best practices in cooking, cooling, reheating and storing food. While the class is designed with child care providers in mind, it is open to the public.
      Pre-registration for Food Safety Awareness in the Childcare Setting is required and the cost is $15.  Call 327-7499 for more information and to register for the class. Information is also available on the CDHD website: www.cdhd.idaho.gov.

 

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Good Oral Health is Key to Quality of Life

 

   When your mouth is healthy, you can eat the foods you need for good nutrition and can feel better about smiling, talking, and laughing. However, periodontal (gum) disease — an infection of the gums and tissues that hold teeth in place — can harm oral health and is a leading cause of tooth loss among older adults. Because it’s an important topic for seniors, a section on gum disease has just been added to NIHSeniorHealth.gov. It’s the premier health and wellness website for older adults developed by the National Institute on Aging (NIA) and the National Library of Medicine (NLM), both part of the National Institutes of Health.

   "The new periodontal disease section on NIHSeniorHealth.gov is an excellent source of easy-to-understand information that will help older people learn about periodontal disease and how they can prevent it," said Lawrence A. Tabak, D.D.S., Ph.D., director of NIH's National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. "Periodontal disease does not have to be a part of aging. Proper dental hygiene and regular dental visits can help people reduce their chance of developing periodontal disease as they age."

   The information on gum disease can be found on the NIHSeniorHealth website at

 www.nihseniorhealth.gov/periodontaldisease/toc.html and also includes helpful illustrations on brushing and flossing techniques for people with less dexterity due to arthritis or other conditions.

   Older Americans are increasingly turning to the Internet for health information. In fact, more than 70 percent of online seniors look for health and medical information when they go on the Web. NIHSeniorHealth (www.nihseniorhealth.gov), which is based on the latest research on cognition and aging, features short, easy-to-read segments of information that can be accessed in a number of formats, including various large-print type sizes, open-captioned videos and an audio version. Additional topics coming soon to the site include collecting your family health history, alcohol use among older adults and long-term care.

   The NIDCR is the federal government's lead agency for scientific research on oral, dental and craniofacial health and disease. For more information, visit the Web site at www.nidcr.nih.gov.

   The NLM is the world's largest library of the health sciences and collects, organizes and makes available biomedical science information to scientists, health professionals and the public. For more information, visit the Web site at www.nlm.nih.gov.

   The NIA leads the federal effort supporting and conducting research on aging and the medical, social and behavioral issues of older people. For more information on research and aging, go to www.nia.nih.gov.

   The National Institutes of Health (NIH) — The Nation's Medical Research Agency — includes 27 Institutes and Centers and is a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It is the primary federal agency for conducting and supporting basic, clinical and translational medical research, and it investigates the causes, treatments, and cures for both common and rare diseases. For more information about NIH and its programs, visit www.nih.gov.

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Study Confirms New Treatment for Diabetic Macular Edema

 

   Researchers have found that eye injections of a medication, in combination with laser treatment, result in better vision than laser treatment alone for diabetes-associated swelling of the retina.

   In diabetic macular edema, leaky blood vessels in the eye cause swelling—shown within the ring of yellow molecules—that can ultimately lead to vision loss. Image courtesy of NEI.

 

   Diabetic retinopathy is the most common cause of vision loss in working-age Americans. This condition damages the small blood vessels in the eye's light-sensitive retinal tissue. If these damaged blood vessels begin to leak near the center of the retina, known as the macula, the surrounding area swells and causes a condition called macular edema. The macula provides detailed central vision needed for activities such as reading, driving and distinguishing faces. Macular edema can lead to vision loss if left untreated.

   Laser treatment of the retina has been the standard care for diabetic macular edema since a 1985 study supported by NIH’s National Eye Institute (NEI) proved its effectiveness. Some small studies have since found benefits in medications that block a chemical signal called vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which stimulates blood vessel growth. Repeated eye injections of anti-VEGF medications, such as ranibizumab (Lucentis), may prevent blood vessels from leaking fluid and causing macular edema.

   The new study involved 52 clinical sites within the Diabetic Retinopathy Clinical Research Network (DRCR.net), which is supported by NEI and NIH’s National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). The study included a total of 854 eyes of 691 people. Participants, who were on average in their early 60s, were diagnosed with type 1 or type 2 diabetes and macular edema. They were randomly assigned to 4 study groups: sham injections plus prompt laser treatment within a week; ranibizumab injections plus prompt laser treatment; ranibizumab plus deferred laser treatment after 6 months or more; or injections of a corticosteroid medication known as triamcinolone (Trivaris) plus prompt laser treatment.

   Ranibizumab injections could be given as often as every 4 weeks, and triamcinolone injections or laser treatments up to every 16 weeks. Treatment was continued until vision or retinal thickness returned to normal, or if additional treatment didn’t improve vision or retinal swelling. The results appeared online on April 28, 2010, in Ophthalmology.

   The researchers found that nearly half the eyes receiving ranibizumab injections, with either prompt or deferred laser treatment, experienced substantial visual improvement after a year. In contrast, only about 30% of eyes that received laser treatment alone or triamcinolone plus laser showed significant improvement.

   Participants in all 3 injection groups had a greater decrease in retinal thickness after a year than those receiving laser treatment alone. However, triamcinolone injections brought greater complication rates, including high eye pressure and cataracts that required treatment.

   "This comparative-effectiveness study demonstrated that a new treatment can protect and, in many cases, improve the vision of people with diabetic macular edema," says NEI Director Dr. Paul A. Sieving.

   DRCR.net researchers will continue to monitor the study participants for at least 3 years to gather more data about the safety and effectiveness of the treatments.

 

Related Links:

Diabetic Eye Disease: What You Should Know:

http://www.nei.nih.gov/diabetes/content/english/know2.asp

Diabetic Retinopathy Clinical Research Network:

http://www.drcr.net

 

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CDHD Offers Fluoride Varnish at Dental Clinic


WHAT:     Fluoride Varnish Clinics
Eligibility:
                  · Medicaid-eligible children 6 months to 5 years
                  · Uninsured children
                  · Every six months
Cost:          Free for Medicaid-eligible children, Sliding fee scale for all others
WHERE:  Central District Health Department: Mountain Home office, 520 E 8th N Street
WHEN:     9:00 AM – 3:00 PM, Friday May 21, 2010 Call for an appointment 587-4407
WHO:       Central District Health Department Fluoride Varnish Clinic.

For more information visit the CDHD website at www.cdhd.idaho.gov or call 587-4407.

 

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No Travel Vaccinations at CDHD

 

    If you’re making travel plans that include going to foreign countries, you may need special immunizations.  Unfortunately, the Central District Health Department (CDHD) doesn’t offer travel immunizations any more.  In a cost-saving measure CDHD stopped offering travel vaccinations in March of 2009.  Still, people still call the CDHD offices in Boise, Mountain Home and McCall because the health department is where they got their shots before they traveled the last time.

   Travel immunizations are available through specialty clinics at the two major medical centers in Boise; Saint Alphonsus and St. Luke’s.  To make an appointment at Saint Alphonsus Travel Medicine call 367-3627.  To make an appointment at St. Luke’s Travel Medicine call 706-7200.

   CDHD also stopped offering adult vaccinations in March of 2009.  A referral page has been set up on the CDHD website: http://cdhd.idaho.gov/IMM/adults/referral.htm.

   For any other vaccine-related questions please contact the Immunizations Department at CDHD 327-7450.

 

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Health Information Technology Use Among Men and Women Aged 18-64: Early Release of Estimates From the National Health Interview Survey, January-June 2009

by Robin A. Cohen, Ph.D., and Barbara Stussman, B.A., Division of Health Interview Statistics

 

   The dynamic involvement of consumers in managing their own health care includes activities such as the use of computers (hardware and software) to access, retrieve, store, or share health care information. This may include using the Internet to look up health information, using e-mail or text messaging to communicate with health care providers or pharmacies, and having an electronic health record. As the percentage of adults in the U.S. who use the Internet continues to grow, the Internet may become increasingly important as a source of health information for consumers. Although use of the Internet has the potential to improve consumer health by facilitating communication between providers and patients, and among providers, previous research (1) has found that many consumers are concerned about security and confidentiality issues related to scheduling medical appointments or accessing personal health records online.

   Health information technology (HIT) is the application of information processing-through computer hardware and software-to the storage, retrieval, sharing, and use of health care information, data, and knowledge for communication and decision making (2). Research on HIT use has shown that 74% of adults in the U.S. use the Internet, and 61% have used the Internet to search for health or medical information (3). Additionally, 49% of adults have accessed a website that provides information about a specific medical condition or problem. Adults between the ages of 18 and 49 are more likely than older adults to use HIT.

   The National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) was the first nationally representative household survey to collect data on the use of HIT. In 2009, NHIS included five questions on HIT. This Health E-Stat provides preliminary estimates of HIT use among men and women aged 18-64, using NHIS data collected from January through June 2009.

   From January through June 2009, 51% of adults aged 18-64 had used the Internet to look up health information during the past 12 months (Figure 1).

 

   Over 3% of adults aged 18-64 had used an online chat group to learn about health topics in the past 12 months.

   Among adults aged 18-64, women were more likely than men to look up health information on the Internet (58.0% versus 43.4%) and were also more likely to use online chat groups to learn about health topics (4.1% versus 2.5%).

   From January through June 2009, almost 5% of adults aged 18-64 had communicated with a health care provider by e-mail in the past 12 months (Figure 2).

 

During the first 6 months of 2009, 6% of adults aged 18-64 requested a refill of a prescription on the Internet, and almost 3% had made an appointment with a health care provider in the past 12 months using the Internet.

   Among adults aged 18¬64, women were more likely than men to request a prescription refill on the Internet (6.6% versus 5.3%), make an appointment using the Internet (3.5% versus 1.8%), and communicate with a health care provider over e-mail (5.6% versus 4.2 %).

   Survey Description - NHIS is a nationally representative survey of the civilian noninstitutionalized household population of the United States conducted throughout the year from January through December by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Health Statistics. NHIS collects information on health and health care for all eligible members of the sampled households through in-person interviews. Additional information, including information on the use of HIT, is self-reported by one randomly sampled adult (the “sample adult”) within a family, except in rare cases when the selected adult is physically or mentally incapable of responding.

   Data Analysis - Analyses were based on data collected from 7,192 sample adults aged 18-64 from January through June 2009. Estimates were calculated by using the NHIS survey weights, which are calibrated to census totals for sex, age, and race/ethnicity of the U.S. civilian noninstitutionalized population. Weights for 2009 NHIS data were derived from 2000-census-based population estimates. The estimates in this report are being released prior to final data editing and final weighting, to provide access to the most recent NHIS information on HIT. The resulting estimates are generally within 0.1-0.3 percentage points of those based on the editing procedures used for the final data files. Item nonresponse on the HIT items was approximately 1%. Estimates were calculated using SUDAAN software (4), to account for the complex sample design of NHIS, and were weighted to reflect the U.S. civilian noninstitutionalized population. Estimates shown have less than or equal to 30% relative standard error. Estimates were compared using two-tailed significance tests at the 0.05 level.

 

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Fit & Fall Proof Classes to Be Offered At

Overland Court Senior Living

 

   Good news for seniors!  There are more “Fit and Fall Proof” classes being offered than ever before.  The popular classes sponsored by the Central District Health Department (CDHD) will now be offered at Overland Court Senior Living, 10250 W Smoke Ranch Drive, Boise every Monday and Wednesday starting Monday April 26th at 11:00 a.m.  The classes are free and open to everyone, even those who don’t live at Overland Court Senior Living.  Participants can join a class at any time.

   Fit and Fall Proof classes teach seniors simple exercises that increase strength, balance and endurance, and can help prevent debilitating injuries caused by accidental falls and tripping sometimes associated with age. 

 

Overland Court Senior Living

10250 W Smoke Ranch Drive

Boise, ID

322-2900

Starts Monday April 26th

Classes every Monday & Wednesday at 11:00 a.m.

 

   There is no charge to attend the classes.  For more information contact Lindsay Byars at 327-8591.  A complete schedule of Fit & Fall Proof classes is available on the CDHD website: http://cdhd.idaho.gov/CHEC/services/fallproof.htm.

 

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Fit & Fall Proof Classes

Coming to Hillcrest Retirement Center

 

    The Hillcrest Retirement Center is the latest facility to add Fit and Fall Proof classes sponsored by the Central District Health Department (CDHD)!  The new class brings to 19 the number of sites where the popular classes are being offered.  The classes at Hillcrest Retirement Center, 1093 S Hilton Street, Boise will take place every Monday and Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. starting Monday May 3rd. Classes are free and open to everyone, even those who don’t live at the Hillcrest Retirement Center.  Participants can join a class at any time.

    Fit and Fall Proof classes teach seniors simple exercises that increase strength, balance and endurance, and can help prevent debilitating injuries caused by accidental falls and tripping sometimes associated with age.

 

Hillcrest Retirement Center

1093 S Hilton Street

Boise, ID

345-4460

Starts Monday May 3rd

Classes every Monday & Wednesday at 2:30 p.m.

 

   There is no charge to attend the classes.  For more information contact Lindsay Byars at 327-8591.  A complete schedule of Fit & Fall Proof classes is available on the CDHD website: http://cdhd.idaho.gov/CHEC/services/fallproof.htm.

 

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Meridian Locations for Fit & Fall Proof™ Classes


   Fit & Fall Proof ™classes are a proven method of preventing debilitating falls that can rob seniors of their ability to live independently.  There are two Fit & Fall Proof™ class locations in Meridian, providing seniors many options for this free training. Spring Creek Manor offers Fit & Fall Proof™ every Monday and Thursday at 10:00 a.m. and the Boise First Community Center hosts two Fit & Fall Proof™ classes every Tuesday and Thursday at 9:30 and 10:30 a.m. Participants can join a class at any session. The free Fit & Fall Proof™ classes teach seniors simple exercises that increase strength, balance and endurance, skills that can help prevent debilitating injuries caused by accidental falls and tripping sometimes associated with age.


Spring Creek Manor
175 E Calderwood Drive
327-8547 or CDHD 327-8591
Mon & Thurs at 10:00 a.m.
Boise First Community Center
3852 N Eagle Road
CDHD 327-8591
Tues & Thurs at 9:30 & 10:30 a.m.

 

   There is no charge to attend the classes.  For more information contact Lindsay Byars at 327-8591.  A complete schedule of Fit & Fall Proof™ classes is available on the CDHD website: http://cdhd.idaho.gov/CHEC/services/fallproof.htm.

 

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Glenns Ferry, ID

Fit & Fall Proof™ Classes

Help Seniors Prevent Falls

 

    Fit & Fall Proof™ classes are a proven method of preventing debilitating falls that can rob seniors of their ability to live independently.  The Three Island Senior Center hosts the classes sponsored by the Central District Health Department (CDHD) every Monday and Thursday at 10:30 a.m.  The classes are free and open to everyone. Participants can join a class at any session. The free Fit & Fall Proof™ classes teach seniors simple exercises that increase strength, balance and endurance, skills that can help prevent debilitating injuries caused by accidental falls and tripping sometimes associated with age.

 

Three Island Senior Center

492 N Locust Street

Glenns Ferry, ID

366-2051

Classes: every Monday & Thursday at 10:30 a.m.

 

    There is no charge to attend the classes.  For more information contact Lindsay Byars at 327-8591. A complete schedule of Fit & Fall Proof™ classes is available on the CDHD website: http://cdhd.idaho.gov/CHEC/services/fallproof.htm.