“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

 “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”  Yes, it's a cliché, but it definitely makes sense for health care.   Who can argue with the fact that it’s easier to stop something from happening in the first place than to repair the damage after it has happened?

Yet, our health care system highly rewards the life-saving medical services that treat people once they’re already sick, and invests little in cost-effective public health programs.  Consequently, while state spending on health care services continues to grow, public health has endured significant budget cuts in recent years.

The basic premise of public health is ‘if we take care of ourselves today, we’ll save big by avoiding huge medical bills tomorrow.’   Investing in widespread prevention efforts prevents sickness in thousands of people, and save millions of dollars in future medical expenses.

An article published in the journal Health Affairs demonstrates that a greater investment in public health produces substantial health gains in communities. The thirteen year study examined spending changes in 3,000 local public health agencies across the nation, and their impact on community health in terms of preventable causes of death, such as infant mortality and deaths due to heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. The most striking results: for each 10% increase in public health spending, researchers observed statistically significant decreases for infant mortality (6.9% decrease), cardiovascular disease mortality (3.2%), diabetes mortality (1.4%) and cancer mortality (1.1%).  If your eyes start to blur at the site of statistics, this means public health prevention efforts are actually saving lives.

Chronic diseases account for 70 percent of all deaths in the United States and these diseases affect the daily lives of an estimated 25 million people, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  Many of these diseases are preventable since the underlying causes of most chronic diseases are lifestyle choices.  These lifestyle choices or risk factors include using tobacco, being overweight or obese and physical inactivity.

The majority of today’s health care dollars are primarily spent on secondary prevention such as controlling high blood pressure with medication rather than preventing the development of high blood pressure by controlling risk factors.  Preventative programs would educate the individual concerning lifestyle changes that could achieve the same positive results without medication.

In some instances, lifestyle changes can prevent the onset and progressions of diseases such as Type 2 Diabetes and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.  Once a disease has been diagnosed, the amount of money needed for treatment may be astronomical.

A survey report released by the Trust for America’s Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, found that Americans overwhelmingly support increased funding for health prevention programs.   In particular, programs that will help reduce the underlying factors that lead to chronic illnesses received the most support.

Recent research shows that every $10 invested in prevention programs will result in a five-fold savings in health care costs.  The programs most often cited are those that would increase physical activity, improve nutrition and eliminate tobacco use as well as eliminate the exposure to second-hand smoke.

The Health Affairs article provides strong evidence that investing in our community health will yield huge payoffs in the future. Not only do public health initiatives benefit a greater number of people, they are also less costly than comparable health care services that target the same diseases.

In an economic downturn, policy-makers must confront difficult choices regarding program funding cuts. In Missouri, public health has consistently made it to the chopping block.  In fact, our state is the lowest ranked state in the nation as far as dollars spent on public health.    Locally, state public health funding has been reduced by 53% in the last ten years.   

“Hands-Only” CPR on February 26

In recognition of American Heart Month, Livingston County Health Center is offering “Hands-Only” CPR at their office on Thursday, February 26^th over the noon hour.   Those interested should call to reserve a spot, as there are only ten kits available per session. 

Hands-Only CPR is CPR without mouth-to-mouth breaths. It is recommended for use by people who see a teen or adult suddenly collapse in an “out-of-hospital” setting (such as at home, at work or in a park). It consists of two easy steps:

Call 9-1-1 (or send someone to do that).

Push hard and fast in the center of the chest.

Every five years, the American Heart Association publishes updated guidelines for CPR and Emergency cardiovascular care. These guidelines reflect a thorough review of current science by international experts. The 2010 guidelines reported that in studies of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, adults who received Hands-Only CPR from a bystander were more likely to survive than those who didn’t receive any type of CPR from a bystander. In other studies, survival rates of adults with cardiac arrest treated by people who weren’t healthcare professionals were similar with either Hands-Only CPR or conventional CPR.

When interviewed, bystanders said panic was the major obstacle to performing CPR. The simpler Hands-Only technique may help overcome panic and hesitation to act.

Learning basic CPR skills may help save the life of a loved one in case of heart attack.

Call 646-5506 to find out more, or reserve your spot.

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

Livingston County Health Center to Request Nine-Cent Levy on April 7th

Due to the steady increase in operating expenses and ongoing decreases in state funding, Livingston County Health Center will be asking county voters to pass a nine-cent tax levy increase on Tuesday, April 7^th. 

The citizens of Livingston County voted in a tax-supported county health center in August of 1976.  At that time, a 10 cent levy was approved by voters.  Since then, the local public health agency has only gone to the voters once, in 1987, to ask for a levy increase of 15 cents. 

The requested nine-cent increase would bring the health department’s operating levy to 34 cents on $100 assessed valuation.   

Health center officials believe a sustained investment in the local health department will ensure county residents can reap the benefits of public health services for many years to come.

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

Adult Blood Draw

Livingston County Health Center is offering its Adult Wellness Blood Draw Clinic this coming Wednesday, January 28th 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.

Looney Toons 1949 So Much for So Little

Aging and Activity

New Year’s resolutions have filled up the local fitness centers for now and exercise DVD’s and equipment are in all the sale ads.  To paraphrase, our paths are currently paved with good intentions.  The problem for me and many other people is consistency.  The mere thought of “exercise” makes me want to curl up on the couch and wait for this idea to pass.  I have many excuses and they are all good ones.  I am tired after work, my lunch hour is too short, I need to catch up with my housework on weekends and my current favorite, it’s too cold outside.  I have noticed that the earlier it gets dark, the quicker I want to go to bed.  The unfortunate result of an inactive lifestyle is that you really are tired.  This only gets worse with age.  What to do? 

Over the years I have noticed some disturbing patterns for people with sedentary lifestyles.  I have seen these issues in patients I have cared for and in family members that didn’t want any free advice.  Sedentary lifestyles make your body seem older than it is.  Heart disease and high blood pressure can develop due to heredity but also due to lifestyle.  You can control diet choices, activity level and weight, and can choose not to smoke.

The aging heart doesn’t pump as efficiently and blood vessels lose elasticity.  Lung capacity decreases.  Muscle mass decreases and fat tissue increases.  Bones become less dense and more brittle.  Yes, you really are shorter.  As you lose muscle tone in your legs and joints become inflamed or stiff, balance becomes a problem.  Falls can easily occur.  It is easier to become dehydrated, to overheat or to injure yourself due to decreased sensation.  Not a pretty picture.

Now we come to the real reason to increase your activity level.  It’s not so you can run in a 5K.  It’s so you can get to and from the bathroom without asking for help.  Activities of daily living take a lot of energy and flexibility.  Getting out of bed, standing up from a chair, combing your hair, putting on your socks, all require coordination and flexibility.  And we haven’t even gone to the mailbox yet.

Getting fit as a senior isn’t a quick process, nor is it for anyone else.  There are real benefits and they don’t require hours in the gym.  The easiest way to start is by walking for 10 minutes.  I advise people to shoot for daily and they will probably do it 5 days a week.  The real goal is 30 minutes a day.  But 10 minutes three times a day counts and it might become enjoyable after a month or so.  It really is easier with a partner, be it human or animal.  Make plans to continue even if the weather is bad.  Don’t expect a big weight loss with this effort but not gaining weight is sometimes a reward.  Regular walking not only improves endurance but helps with balance, important in preventing falls.  Because regular exercise also improves muscle strength, you do have more energy.  Your own daily activities don’t wear you out.  I find that regular exercise is a stress reliever.  When I am in a fitness class, I am concentrating only on that activity.  A side benefit of this is being able to sleep better.  Regular exercise will improve HDL or “good” cholesterol and decrease triglycerides.  This is important when you are competing with the members of your coffee group.

We are approaching the perfect storm of New Year’s resolutions still in play, cold weather and the prospect aging gracefully.  Regular activity begins with the first 10 minute walk you take instead of watching another episode of Dr. Oz.  Everyone knows why it is good for them, but you have to decide why it is good for you.  There aren’t any shortcuts.

My youngest son goes to the gym at least 2 hours 5 days a week, after working 8 to 10 hours.  He doesn’t have any bad dietary habits.  Unfortunately, he didn’t learn any of this from me.  Whenever I try to get any pointers from him about fitness, eating habits or weight loss, he always gives me the same tip, “Proper diet and exercise, mother.”  Not the answer I wanted but I do think he is onto something. - Susan Rice, RN

            All services provided on a non-discriminatory basis.

Flu Shot Fridays Suspended

Livingston County Health Center would like to announce the suspension of Flu Shot Fridays, due to waning vaccine supply.  Remaining adult vaccine will be administered through our regular Tuesday walk in clinics, until the supply is exhausted.

County residents can walk in and receive their immunization from 8:00 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesdays.  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, until the purchased supply is diminished. 

Residents are encouraged to call 646-5506 to make sure vaccine is available before making the trip. Those 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.