Health Out Loud

The American Public Health Association sets aside this week each year to remind Americans about the importance of public health in their lives.

In conjunction with this observance, Gov. Mark Dayton has proclaimed April 2-8 Public Health Recognition Week in Minnesota.

“The successes of public health often go unrecognized,” said Dr. Ed Ehlinger, Minnesota Commissioner of Health. “In fact, most people may not know that public health accomplishments, not medical care, were responsible for 25 of the 30 years of life gained by Americans during the 20th Century.” Those accomplishments include vaccines, control of infectious diseases, safer and healthier foods, motor vehicle safety and recognition of tobacco use as a health hazard.

“Minnesota’s public health system is one of the best in the nation,” said Gov. Dayton. “I want to applaud the public health professionals at the Minnesota Department of Health and at local public health and tribal health agencies across the state for doing such a stellar job of protecting our health and improving our overall quality of life.”

Ehlinger encourages Minnesotans to observe this week by considering the often unrecognized successes of public health.

“Public health is so often invisible because our job is to prevent problems before they occur,” Ehlinger said. “Only when the occasional problem pops up, like a foodborne disease outbreak, does the public get a good sense of the work we do around the clock to protect and improve their health. But public health is so much more.”

Ehlinger noted the many ways in which life is improved with public health.

• Public health officials safeguard our drinking water systems, preventing cholera, dysentery and other illnesses.
• The Newborn Screening Program screens babies in Minnesota for serious congenital disorders that can lead to deafness, illness, physical or intellectual disability or death.
• Public health restaurant inspectors search out and prevent serious foodborne diseases caused by E. coli, Salmonella and other pathogens.
• Universally provided immunizations protect children from diseases such as polio, small pox and diphtheria.
• Environmental health specialists help homeowners eliminate lead paint, asbestos and radon in their homes, thus reducing their risk for serious disease.
• The WIC program provides infants with the nutrition they need to get a healthy start to life by offering healthy nutrition choices for mothers and children.
• Inspectors and investigators provide peace of mind to families that their loved ones in health care facilities are given the best care.
• Public health emergency planners and responders are ready to help Minnesota respond to serious public health emergencies, including acts of bioterrorism.
• Public health researchers and statisticians provide policy makers with the information they need to make informed health policy decisions, including the extent to which we have significant health disparities in Minnesota.
• Public health professionals provide accurate information about risks for serious chronic diseases and injuries so that people are able to make healthy choices for themselves and their families.

Ehlinger noted that public health success cannot be achieved by public health professionals alone.

“Achieving true public health success would not be possible without the contributions of many organizations in Minnesota, including local health departments, other state agencies, non-profit and community organizations, health care providers, schools, faith communities and citizens, Ehlinger said.  “We hope Minnesotans will observe Public Health Week by thinking about the improvements made through public health and by appreciating the leadership we have in Minnesota that makes us one of the healthiest states in the nation.”

Is your car seat installed correctly?  Did you know that 85% of car seats inspected during car seat clinics are found to be incorrectly installed?  More than 100 children under the age of 11 are killed or severely injured in crashes involving motor vehicles in Minnesota.  Nationally, more children die in motor vehicle crashes than from all childhood illnesses combined.

Correctly used child safety seats decrease the risk of death by 54 to 71 percent according to a 2005 Safe Kids study.

Douglas County Public Health – together with Alexandria Police Department and Alexandria Fire Department are hosting a FREE car seat clinic. This clinic is open to the public, and no appointment is needed (first come, first served)  During the clinic, technicians will inspect your child’s car seat, provide you with important installation tips and check the seat for any manufacturer’s recall.  Parents and others who transport children will have the opportunity to install the car seat under the supervision of a trained technician.  The technician will also answer any questions or concerns about car seat safety.

Who: This clinic is open to the public, no appointment is needed (first come/first serve)
Where: Alexandria Fire Department, 302 Fillmore Street
When: Thursday, March 29, 2012 from 1-3pm

In my recent search for a new, yet used vehicle I began to think seriously about mileage.  During the shopping process I ran into old vehicles with relatively little mileage.  I also came across new vehicles with very high mileage. 

As with vehicles, mileage also can relate to our own health.  I began to wonder, how many miles have I put on my body over the years through wear and tear and just plain unhealthy choices I have made?  What would my odometer read today?     

Can you imagine if each of us had an odometer on our chest with rolling numbers, our health mileage so to say?  Each time we downed a large doughnut or skipped the treadmill the numbers would roll higher and higher.  Serious short term illnesses or even chronic diseases would send those odometer digits skyrocketing upward.             

Now what if we could stop the upward climb, or even roll back those numbers by changing our lifestyle to a healthier one?  Sure, trying to reverse the mileage on a vehicle is illegal, but the good news is that reversing our health mileage is doable and actually encouraged.  The message, it’s not too late to reset your health odometer. 

Here is a list of top keys to a long and healthy life compiled by top researchers in the field of health.  Following these keys can help you stop and maybe even roll back your health miles.

Recognize and lower your stress levels.  Everyone has fluctuating levels of stress.  Remember stress is not what happens to you, it’s how you deal with it.  Learning how to cope is the key.  Find an outlet for your stress and solve the root of the problem.

Take a good look at your diet.  Eating is one of the most pleasurable activities for many people.  Unfortunately, the wrong choices over time can cause major problems.  Stick to a diet high in fruits, veggies, whole grains and lean meat.    

Exercise regularly.  Any form of exercise is a benefit to your body.  Find an exercise you enjoy and stick to a regular routine. 

Attitude is everything.  According to a recent study by the American Journal of Medicine, optimists live an average of seven years longer than pessimists.         

Get plenty of sleep.  The recommended amount of sleep, according to the National Sleep Foundation, is 8 hours a night.  You may need more or less.  Make sleep a top priority.

Avoid dangerous substances.  Alcohol, tobacco and other harmful chemicals can wreak havoc on your body.  Over time dangers increase as the body’s defense systems are weakened and it becomes more difficult for your body to recover from the abuse.  Avoid these harmful substances at all costs.

Take personal responsibility for your health.  Those who have enjoyed good health and then lost it know they are missing out on one of life’s greatest treasures.  Don’t leave your health up to your physician, employer, family members or anyone else.  Your health is solely your responsibility.

When you think about staying healthy you probably think about making lifestyle changes to prevent conditions like cancer and heart disease. Getting enough calcium to keep your bones healthy may not be at the top of your wellness list. But it should be.

You’re never too young or too old to improve the health of your bones. Bone is a living tissue, and the body builds new bone and loses old bone throughout your life span. Since your bones are always changing, you can’t take them for granted. At each stage of your life you need to take steps to make them strong and keep them strong, and one way to do that is by getting enough calcium.

According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF), many people do not get the amount of calcium they need each day. Calcium is a mineral needed by the body for healthy bones, teeth, and proper function of the heart, muscles, and nerves. Getting enough calcium also means getting enough vitamin D to absorb and use the calcium. This is why milk is fortified with vitamin D. Fifteen minutes of sunlight a day will help you to meet the needs of vitamin D, or, you can take it in a pill form.

The body cannot produce calcium; therefore, it must be absorbed through food or alternative forms. Good sources of calcium include:

• Dairy products—low fat or nonfat milk, cheese, and yogurt
• Dark green leafy vegetables—broccoli
• Calcium fortified foods—orange juice, cereal, bread, and soy beverages,
• Nuts—almonds

A simple way to add calcium to many foods is with a single tablespoon of nonfat powdered milk. Try adding it to homemade recipes, breads, muffins, soups or casseroles. If you are unable to get enough calcium from your diet, then calcium supplements are an alternative. They are not designed to replace nutrition, only supplement. Calcium supplements are available in tablets, powders, liquids, and chewable chocolate.

For children and teens, bone building is the major focus, because at this time in their life new bone growth occurs faster than bone loss. In fact, they’ll achieve “peak” bone strength and mass during these early years. If kids build as much bone as they can now, they’ll have more in reserve as they get older, when bone loss starts to occur. Getting enough calcium and exercise are key.

For young and middle-aged adults, the goal is to maintain bone mass and strength by building as much new bone as you lose through the aging process. Once again, calcium and exercise is the key.

As we grow older, bone loss occurs faster than bone growth. People ages 50 and older need to take action to limit bone loss. Getting enough calcium and exercise still are vital. And some people may need to take medicines that help protect bones.

Whatever your age, the habits adopted now can affect bone health for the rest of your life. Take action in 2012 to build your bones forever.