Show Me Health - Strengthening Families through WIC

Parenthood is wonderful and rewarding, but raising thriving, healthy kids is a big job.  When you become a parent it seems like you have a ton of questions and not a lot of answers.  Wouldn’t it be nice to have a place you could go that helps prepare you to become a parent?  You would learn what to eat (and not to eat) during pregnancy, talk about challenges you may face during breastfeeding and receive support along the way, learn how to read food labels so you actually understand them—and then have classes on how to cook healthy foods so your kids love them.  Have other health concerns?  You would be connected to the health care resources you need.

Since 1974, WIC, the USDA’s Special Supplemental Nutrition Education Program for Women, Infants and Children has been vital in helping parents give their children a healthy start—last year marked the program’s 40^th year of strengthening families.  WIC is one of our country’s most important public health programs and has enriched the lives of millions of families over the years. 

When you think WIC, you may think “milk and cheese.” In reality, it’s now much more than that.   The U.S. Department of Agriculture just last year was applauded for making some positive changes in the WIC program that included expanded access to fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low-fat dairy for mothers and young children. This science based decision was implemented in part to help reduce the childhood obesity rates by encouraging healthy food choices and making those choices attainable.  The recent study, ‘Prevalence of Childhood and Adult Obesity in the United States, 2011-2012,’ published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) on February 26 showed that public health efforts, including those within WIC, may be helping to reduce childhood obesity.  The obesity rates among children aged 2 to 5 years has already shown a 43 percent decrease.

WIC is a federal nutrition program, but, it is so much more than just food.  The cornerstone of the program is nutrition education.  Registered dietitians, nutritionists and nurses help families develop lifelong healthy eating habits and healthy behaviors through one-on-one counseling and group classes, social-media, and on-line tools where they can find the answers to those same questions that come up every day:  Is this meal healthy?  Is it okay to eat this food while I breastfeed?  Will the kids like this food?  What can I make for dinner?

The truth is, parenthood undoubtedly poses challenges for all of us, but having a trusted place to find answers helps empower us to become the confident mothers and fathers we want to be. This is the heart of WIC services.  Millions of moms have found a safe haven in WIC.

“WIC helped shape me, support me, and guide me as a young mother. The various staff members empowered me as a young woman, encouraging me to continue my education, plan for my children’s futures, and mentor those in similar situations. With the help of WIC, I was able to become a successful mother!”  - WIC Participant, NE

Locally, the Livingston County Health Center has been providing WIC services in Livingston County since 1979.  So, for the last 36 years, we have potentially helped and guided 3-4 generations of our own residents!  It is estimated nationally through WIC, which is again, funded through the USDA, nearly 9 million moms and kids (under 5) got the nutrition they needed just last year.  In fact, statistics show that WIC touches the lives of approximately 53% of all infants born in the United States.  The program has a proven track record of improving healthy pregnancies and birth outcomes, reducing infant mortality, and preparing kids to be ready to learn. 

If you have any questions about the WIC program or would like to see if you qualify for the program, visit our website at www.livcohealthcenter.com or call 660-646-5506.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Ensuring All Homes in Livingston County Have Working Smoke Alarms

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The American Red Cross of Northwest Missouri and the Livingston County Community Wellness Committee are teaming up with the Chillicothe Fire Department to reduce the number of deaths and injuries caused by home fires by ensuring all homes in Livingston County have working smoke alarms. 

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The City of Chillicothe and Livingston County at large are the targeted area for October as part of the Red Cross Home Fire Campaign.  Local residents can receive smoke detectors with 10 year lithium batteries, installed by the Chillicothe Fire Department and county Volunteer Fire Departments.   The process involves filling out a short application form, available through the Livingston County Health Center, located at 800 Adam Drive or the Chillicothe Fire Department at 700 Second Street.  Those interested can also call the Red Cross of Northwest Missouri at (816)232-8439 to access the program.

There is no ‘catch’ to receive these free smoke detectors, other than they must be installed by a partner of the project-most likely a local fire fighter.  The program is targeted for vulnerable populations, such as disabled, elderly and low-income, but there are no financial guidelines. 

The Home Fire Campaign aims to save lives, reduce injuries and build more resilient communities through raising awareness, facilitating preventative actions and fostering community participation.  The national goal is a 25% reduction in home fire deaths over the next five years.

“Last year, the American Red Cross of Northwest Missouri responded to over 100 home

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fires”, states Karla Long, Disaster Program Manager, with the American Red Cross.  “The good news is that you can help protect your family by installing and maintaining smoke alarms throughout your home and teaching your children what to do if they hear it.”

Families are encouraged to take these three steps to help minimize their risk:

•Install smoke alarms on every level of the home and check them monthly by pressing the test button

•Create a fire escape plan identifying two escape routes from every room of the home and identifying a meeting place a short distance from the home where family members can meet after escaping

•Practice the escape plan at least twice a year, paying particular attention to children or older adults who many require extra time and care

If you are in a need of smoke alarms, one will be provided for you free of charge by calling the Livingston County Health Center at 646-5506; Chillicothe Fire Department at 646-2139 or the American Red Cross at 816-232-8439.  Installation will be done by members of the Livingston County Fire Departments in your area.   

Photo: 1 :  The Chillicothe Fire Department will be installing free smoke detectors as part of a Red Cross campaign to reduce home fire deaths by 25% in the next 5 years.  Chillicothe and Livingston County are the featured communities in October through the program.

Photo 2:  Chillicothe Firefighter/Paramedic Jonathan Nolan installs one of several 10 year lithium battery smoke detectors provided by the Red Cross of Northwest Missouri as part of their Home Fire Campaign. 

Photo 3:  Eric Reeter, Assistant Chief and Paramedic at the Chillicothe Fire Department, shows local resident Amy Hobbs the 10 year lithium battery powered smoke detectors being installed in her home through the Red Cross Home Fire Campaign. 

 

       

Would you like to help in an Emergency?

The University of Missouri Fire and Rescue Training Institute in cooperate with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services will be hosting a training that will provide attendees with the knowledge and skills needed to support Point of Dispensing (POD) operations during a local public health emergency.  

The training will be Friday, November 6th at Grundy County Health Department.  It will be from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.  Training materials will be provided.  Lunch you will be on your own. 

Topics covered will be:

Strategic National Stockpile Program Overview
Incident Command Structure and POD Operations
State Statutes
Administering Medications
 - Universal Precautions
 - Procedures for Dosing
 - Injection Techniques
Related Topics
Show Me Response Registration. 

Registration is limited and required:  Link to Register

If you have any questions call 660-582-2690

Flu Shot Fridays

Livingston County Health Center would like to announce “Flu Shot Fridays,” beginning this Friday, October 2^ND.

County residents, aged 19 and older, can walk in and receive their immunization from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. on any Friday.  Those with private insurance or Medicare should bring their card to the clinic.  Those without insurance will also be able to get vaccinated at no out of pocket cost. 

Adult vaccine will be given out until we exhaust our supply.   Those residents seeking children’s vaccine should call the health center at 646-5506 to make an appointment.

All services of the health center are provided on a non-discriminatory basis.

Adult Blood Draw Clinic Wednesday, September 30th

Livingston County Health Center is offering its Adult Wellness Blood Draw Clinic this coming Wednesday, September 30th from 7 to 10 a.m. at their office, located at 800 Adam Drive.  The clinic is an effort to encourage adults to get recommended preventive screenings conveniently and at an affordable charge.  

It is the aim of public health to promote health and prevent disease-this service encourages our residents to take charge of their own health before problems arise.

 

The health center is offering several basic blood tests for those 18 and older at the Adult Wellness Clinic, most of which require fasting the night before.  (To achieve the most accurate results, it’s best to not eat or drink anything but water after midnight the day before a blood test.)  A light snack will be available at the clinic, as well as water.  If you know you are a challenging draw, it might help to drink water when you get up in the morning and until your blood is drawn.

The CBC/Chem Profile is offered for $30. The CBC/Chem Profile is the most comprehensive blood test , measuring 35 different blood parameters that can have a powerful impact on the state of your health, including complete blood panel, cholesterol profile including lipids, thyroid function and more; a PSA prostate cancer marker for $10; the Hemoglobin A1C, a test that gives diabetics a picture of average blood glucose control for the past 2 to 3 months, for $10; or Vitamin D (25[OH]D, which is short-hand for 25-hydroxyvitamin D) for a cost of $15. Current research is revealing connections between vitamin D deficiency and a myriad of health concerns, including cancer, depression, osteoporosis, immune dysfunction, diabetes, heart disease, and more.

 

All services of the health center are provided on a non-discriminatory basis.

Show Me Health - Sudden Cardiac Arrest

Sudden cardiac arrest is the sudden, unexpected loss of heart function, breathing and consciousness. Sudden cardiac arrest usually results from an electrical disturbance in your heart that disrupts its pumping action, stopping blood flow to the rest of your body.

Sudden Cardiac Arrest is the number one killer in the United States.

Sudden cardiac arrest is different from a heart attack, which occurs when blood flow to a portion of the heart is blocked. However, a heart attack can sometimes trigger an electrical disturbance that leads to sudden cardiac arrest.

Sudden cardiac arrest is a medical emergency. If not treated immediately, it causes sudden cardiac death. With fast, appropriate medical care, survival is possible. Administering cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) — or even just rapid compressions to the chest — can improve the chances of survival until emergency personnel arrive.

Fatalities associated with sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) affect 1 in 1,000 and can affect any age group.  Based on population, Livingston County could have approximately 15 fatalities per year due to SCA, 95 percent SCA incidents are fatal.

Sudden cardiac arrest symptoms are sudden and drastic:

·   Sudden collapse

·   No pulse

·   No breathing

·   Loss of consciousness

Sometimes, other signs and symptoms precede sudden cardiac arrest. These may include fatigue, fainting, blackouts, dizziness, chest pain, shortness of breath, weakness, palpitations or vomiting. But sudden cardiac arrest often occurs with no warning.

When to see a doctor

If you have frequent episodes of chest pain or discomfort, heart palpitations, irregular or rapid heartbeats, unexplained wheezing or shortness of breath, fainting or near fainting, or you're feeling lightheaded or dizzy, see your doctor promptly. If these symptoms are ongoing, you should call 911 or emergency medical help.

When the heart stops, the lack of oxygenated blood can cause brain damage in only a few minutes. Death or permanent brain damage can occur within four to six minutes. Time is critical when you're helping an unconscious person who isn't breathing.

Take immediate action:

·   Call 911, or the emergency number in your area, if you encounter someone who has collapsed or is found unresponsive. If the unconscious person is a child and you're alone, administer CPR, or chest compressions only, for two minutes before calling 911 or emergency medical help or before using a portable defibrillator.

·  Perform CPR. Quickly check the unconscious person's breathing. If he or she isn't breathing normally, begin CPR. Push hard and fast on the person's chest — about 100 compressions a minute. If you've been trained in CPR, check the person's airway and deliver rescue breaths after every 30 compressions. If you haven't been trained, just continue chest compressions. Allow the chest to rise completely between compressions. Keep doing this until a portable defibrillator is available or emergency personnel arrive.

·  Use a portable defibrillator, if one is available. If you're not trained to use a portable defibrillator, a 911 or emergency medical help operator may be able to guide you in its use. Deliver one shock if advised by the device, and then immediately begin CPR starting with chest compressions, or give chest compressions only, for about two minutes. Using the defibrillator, check the person's heart rhythm. If necessary, the defibrillator will administer a shock. Repeat this cycle until the person recovers consciousness or emergency personnel take over.

Portable automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are available in an increasing number of places, including local churches, schools and some businesses. You can also purchase them for your home. AEDs come with built-in instructions for their use. They're programmed to allow a shock only when appropriate.

Grand River Heart Restart (GRHR) is a group of concerned citizens and medical professionals from the Chillicothe area that are united in the mission of “Reducing the fatal incidence of sudden cardiac arrest through increased awareness, training and strategic placement of automated external defibrillators.” The group is a member of the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Association and is affiliated with Take Heart America. 

Coming up Saturday, October 3rd, Grand River Heart Restart is sponsoring the annual 5K Zombie Walk/Run to raise funding for one Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) to be placed locally and to raise awareness about the issue.    Registration and packet pick up at 4:30 at Chillicothe Fire Station and a zombie costume contest at 5:30 p.m. Entry forms can be picked up at the Fire Station or the Lobby of Hedrick Medical Center. You can also register online at active.com.

For more information about Grand River Heart Restart, contact Fire Chief Darrell Wright at the Chillicothe Fire Station (646-2139) or one of two registered nurses at Hedrick Medical Center (646-1480) Bev Shaul or Jennifer Dixon.

 Source: Mayo Clinic and Grand River Heart Restart

Show Me Health - Make A Plan

Families can cope with disasters by preparing in advance and working together as a team. If something were to happen, how would you contact one another, how would you get to a safe place, and what would you do in different emergency situations? Planning what to do before a disaster strikes provides the best protection for you and your family.

Be Informed

There’s no shortage of information and good ideas on how to prepare in the case of a disaster. Find out what evacuation routes are near you, how your community broadcasts emergency information and what emergency plans exist in places you and your family frequently spend time. Learn how other people and their families are preparing, and share your own thoughts.

Because you and your family may not be together when a disaster hits, it’s important to create a communication plan to help you and your loved ones connect and get help.

The Livingston County Emergency Planning Commission is leading an effort to educate the residents of our county about being prepared for any emergency.   The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services has provided Ready in 3 informational booklets “Planning for Emergencies: Three Steps to be Prepared, A Family Safety Guide,” including a hard copy Family Plan.  The handouts have been distributed to five locations in the community for your convenience.  You can pick up a copy at the Health Center, Livingston County Library, CMU, City Hall or the Courthouse at the County Clerk’s office. 

Make a Plan

Once you’ve gathered some information, it’s time to put it to use. Make a plan for you and your family, and make sure you all can connect in case of an emergency. Test your plan with some questions, like:

•Who’s counting on me, and who can I count on?

•Where should we all meet?

•Who could I contact to check in, especially someone far from the area of an emergency?

•Does anyone I know depend on electrically-powered medical equipment? Do we have a fully-charged back-up battery?

•If I get regular care for a chronic health condition, where could I go if the facility nearby closes?

Because different disasters may require you to go to different places, make sure you identify a meeting place in your neighborhood, a meeting place just outside your neighborhood, and a meeting place out of town. Review these plans with all members of your family and don’t forget to consider what you would do with your pets who may not be allowed in emergency shelters.

More Tips:

Identify an out-of-town contact, such as a friend or relative, who family members can call to let them know they are safe. It may be easier to make a long-distance phone call than to call across town, because phone lines can be jammed. An out-of-town contact may be in a better position to communicate among separated family members.

Teach your family members how to text. It may seem like second nature to some of us, but not everyone texts. During an emergency it’s often easier to get a text message delivered rather than a phone call. 

Subscribe to an emergency alert system. Sign up for the Textcaster Emergency Alert program through our website at www.livcohealthcenter.com, or the City of Chillicothe website under Public Safety Information.  Post emergency telephone numbers by home phones or save them in your cell phone (fire, police, ambulance, etc.).

A thorough plan could save your life and the lives of your loved ones. You don’t have to build it alone. Pick up a physical copy of “Planning for Emergencies” at one of the Chillicothe locations listed above, or visit the National Library of Medicine website to find free mobile apps, Ready.gov or the Missouri Department of Health website at http://health.mo.gov/emergencies/readyin3/.

Sources: Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services and US Department of Health