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Dare County Department of Public Health |
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NEWS RELEASES Contact: Steve Scharff at
(252) 475-5057 (office), 256-0496 (cell) or sscharff@darenc.com Ensure safe holiday travel for the children
Holiday trips provide an
exciting learning experience for the whole family; however, to ensure
that they are also safe ones, parents must provide extra-careful
supervision while in unfamiliar surroundings. The Health Department’s Healthy Carolinians of the Outer Banks (HCOB) Child Abuse and Neglect Task Force has put together a list of several tips for travel that will make travel safer for the children. General Travel Tips
Travel by Air:
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has more tips for the entire family whether on the road or in the air at http://www.aap.org/advocacy/releases/travelsafetytips.cfm . Parents can also check out the following websites for more information on how to help ensure the welfare of the community’s children: http://www.childwelfare.gov/preventing/communities or www.preventchildabuse.org.
Contact: Steve Scharff at
(252) 475-5057 (office), 256-0496 (cell) or
sscharff@darenc.com Contact: Steve Scharff at
(252) 475-5057 (office), 256-0496 (cell) or
sscharff@darenc.com ``Red Ribbon Week is time set aside each year for highlighting ongoing activities that educate our community about the health and social consequences of substance abuse,’’ explained Public Health Director Anne Thomas. The children’s story relates the feelings of a young fish tempted to eat a worm. The young fish’s parent convinces Spunky Spot to avoid the worm because it is on a hook and could lead to terrible consequences. In addition to the reading by the author, all second grade students were presented copies of this book. Tate also answered questions and talked to the students about being an author. ``We really enjoyed getting
to meet with her,’’ commented Second Grade Teacher Jenna Gray. # # #
Tuesday, November 6, 2008 How to prevent Lung Cancer ``When it comes to Lung
Cancer playing with smoke can be more dangerous than playing with
fire,’’ reasons Dare County Director of Public Health Anne Thomas.
``Researchers have definitively identified the health risks associated
with tobacco use, now we need to spend more time implementing
solutions.’’ Thomas was referring to the research that shows that eight
out of 10 cases of lung cancer, the leading cancer killer, are caused by
smoking. In response to this research, and the 2006 Community Health
Assessment, Healthy Carolinians of the Outer Banks formed a task force
to determine what could be done to decrease the incidence of lung cancer
in Dare County. With eight of 10 lung cancer cases caused by smoking tobacco and the other two cases resulting from secondhand smoke, asbestos and cancer-causing agents in the home or workplace, the most effective method of preventing this form of cancer becomes readily apparent. Smokers need to stop; non-smokers need never to start smoking. Although lung cancer is the most preventable forms of cancer, it is also one of the most difficult to cure. According to West, the five-year relative survival rate for cancer that has not spread to additional sites in the body is 49 percent. It is only 15 percent for all stages combined. Beginning last June, the Dare County Commissioners succeeded in forming a partnership with the University of North Carolina that brings world-class cancer specialists to Dare County to meet with patients for consultations and second opinions, recommending the most appropriate courses for treatment. UNC Patient Navigators are available in Dare daily to help arrange appointments with the physicians who visit Dare on alternating Fridays. Early detection for lung cancer is difficult with doctors finding many early lung cancers only incidentally after tests for unrelated medical conditions. Signs of lung cancer may include a cough that does not go away and gets worse over time, chest pain, shortness of breath, wheezing or hoarseness. They may also include weight loss and loss of appetite, coughing up blood, fever without a known reason and repeated problems with pneumonia or bronchitis. Anyone experiencing such symptoms should consult with a physician. ``Recognizing that tobacco avoidance is the key to beating this and many other forms of cancer, I felt we needed to do something quickly for our county’s children to increase their chances of never becoming involved with tobacco use,’’ added Thomas. ``Several years ago, we created a Peer Power Program for use in the school district’s health program that has been very successful in using trained students to educate other students, their peers, on the importance of leading healthy life styles.’’ In addition, a tobacco prevention program was put in place in Dare County to educate the owners or supervisors of businesses and public gathering places and attempt to convince them of the benefits of being tobacco free for the better health of their workers and patrons. Under the leadership of Tobacco Prevention Specialist Lisa Phillips, also a member of the Lung Cancer Task Force, Dare County now boasts a high percentage of restaurants, stores and public sites that ban the use of tobacco. Phillips also works with students to educate business owners and supervisors in the program, Touch No Tobacco (TNT). Peer Power and TNT both
receive funding through the N.C. Health & Wellness Trust Fund. The common treatments for
lung cancer, depending on cancer type and stage, are surgery to remove
cancerous tumors, chemotherapy and radiation therapy, either in
combination or alone. There are many free resources and counsel available throughout Dare County including:
In the end, stopping the use of tobacco could nearly wipe out lung cancer, says West. Unfortunately, she adds, nearly 23 percent of Americans continue to use tobacco. She advised that people needing help to stop smoking should contact their doctor, or call the Cancer Resource Center or the ACS. ``The costs to our community’s families due to lung cancer illnesses and death is dramatic on financial as well as emotional levels,’’ says Thomas. ``In one very real sense, it is fortunate that this disease is so preventable; however, we still have a lot of work to do to change people’s attitudes and behavior in regards to tobacco use.’’ In addition to Thomas, West
and Phillips, other members of the Cancer Task Force include Co-Chairs
Betse Kelly of the Cancer Resource Center and Janet Jarrett of Regional
Medical Services, Bobbie and Ed Beckley, Barbara Gardella, Tonya Moye,
Dr. Demetri Poulis, Brandi Rheubottom, Cyndee Robert-Slaughter, Louanne
Woody, Lynn Mills, Tarra Midgette, and Ellie Ward. Task Forces have also been established on Obesity, Child Abuse and Neglect and Heart Disease and Stroke to determine ways to improve health conditions in the county in their respective areas. Thursday, October 16, 2008 Playing it Safe ``A child is the most important investment in any family’s or community’s future,’’ says Dare County Public Health Director Anne Thomas. ``As we do with any investment, we must watch it carefully for safe and healthy growth.’’ Each year hundreds of children are hurt playing on playgrounds, riding bicycles or playing in sporting events. Many of these injuries could be avoided simply by paying more attention through closer supervision. The Health Department’s Healthy Carolinians of the Outer Banks’ Child Abuse and Neglect Taskforce reminds parents and guardians what they should do to ensure their child’s safety:
For more information, parents can check out the following websites for more tips on how to help ensure the welfare of the community’s children: http://www.childwelfare.gov/preventing/communities or www.preventchildabuse.org Healthy Carolinians is a motivated group of multi-talented citizens interested in the good health and wellness of the Dare County community and is facilitated and organized by the Dare County Department of Public Health. For more information or to join a taskforce, please call Trish Blackmon at (252) 475-5026 or visit www.hcobx.org. Contact: Trish
Blackmon at 475-5026 Get rid of the junk food! That was the word coming from parents and community members who had expressed their concerns of the sugar and fat laden snack choices which, until recently, where the majority made available to youngsters in the vending machines at local Parks and Recreation sites. ``I am especially concerned with obesity among our young people,’’ commented Health Director Anne Thomas. ``Adults understand the health risks connected with poor dietary habits, but our youngsters need the encouragement and the knowledge to make the right choices.’’ Students from First Flight High School’s Peer Power program assessed the nutritional values of the vending machine choices last May and concluded that the majority of the choices were unhealthy, and were shocked that water was unavailable as a beverage choice. When approached to adopt a healthy vending machine policy, Tim White, Public Service Director of the Parks and Recreation policy did not hesitate to react and adopt the policy. ``The policy specifies that each vending machine will provide healthy snack options,’’ related Public Service Director Tim White who directs the Parks and Recreation program. ``Additionally, water should be provided as an option in all Parks and Recreation beverage machines. Occasionally, vendors fail to fill the machines properly and adoption of this policy will ensure that healthy choices are the majority, not the minority. ” According to the policy, healthy choices include: water, low fat chips, fruit/granola bars, raisins, whole grain crackers, whole fruit snacks and pretzels. Mandy Earnest, a member of the Health Education team at the Health Department and co-chair of the Obesity Taskforce, has been working with the students educating them on the need to make healthy dietary choices and the benefit of routine exercising to fight the battle against obesity. ``Youngsters learn better by doing,’’ said Earnest after a recent tour of vending machines with the youngsters. ``They become the teachers for other youngsters who are more receptive to the information when it comes from a peer.’’ Peer Power is a program provided by the Dare County Department of Public Health in partnership with Dare County Schools that teaches students about healthy behaviors, including nutrition, physical activity, and the harmful effects of tobacco use. The program is supported by the North Carolina Health and Wellness Trust Fund. The healthy vending policy is a part of the campaign against obesity that is being launched through the Healthy Carolinians of the Outer Banks (HCOB) Obesity Taskforce. Healthy Carolinians is a motivated group of multi-talented citizens interested in the good health and wellness of the Dare County community and is facilitated and organized by the Dare County Department of Public Health. For more information or to join a taskforce, please call Trish Blackmon at (252) 475-5026 or visit www.hcobx.org. Dare County Drinking Water Wells In 2006, the North Carolina General Assembly passed Session Law 2006-202 (House Bill 2873), which requires local health departments to initiate programs for permitting, inspection and testing of private drinking water wells. These types of wells include (1) private wells that serve a single residence and (2) transient non-community water supply wells that do not meet the definition of “public water supply” in 15A NCAC 18C (i.e. restaurants, churches, schools, child care facilities, and medical facilities). The State rules became effective on July 1, 2008. The Dare County Department of Public Health, Environmental Health Division, began permitting, inspecting, and sampling drinking water wells pursuant to the State rules on July 1, 2008. A permit is required for all new drinking water wells and also to repair an existing well. Permits are valid for five (5) years. The application fee for a new drinking water well is $75.00 and the permit fee is $200.00. A permit is not required for repairs that involve pumps, pumping equipment, or storage tanks. Each new well will be inspected to ensure it is properly located, constructed and grouting according to the State rules. Also each new well will be sampled and tested for bacterial and chemical analysis. For additional information, the Dare County Department of Public Health, Environmental Health Division can be contacted at 252-475-5080. ### September 2,
2008 Dare Home Health & Hospice Announces Grief Support Group Dare Home Health
& Hospice is announcing an eight week grief support group which will
start on September 9, 2008. The group will meet every two weeks through
December 16, 2008. The Bereavement Support Group is provided without
charge for anyone in our community who has experienced the loss of a
significant person (s) in their life and is looking for support. July 25, 2008 Ellie Ward Elected to the 2008 Board of Directors, Association for Home & Hospice Care of NC
Ward has worked with Dare Home Health and Hospice since 1996 and has served as Nursing Director since 2000. Dare Home Health and Hospice is an agency of the Dare County Department of Public Health and has been providing home health services to residents in Dare County since 1976. Dare Hospice, Inc., a volunteer non-profit organization joined with the home health agency of the Dare County Department of Public Health in June of 1997. Services available include: nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, nutrition therapy, certified nursing attendants, medical social worker, pastoral care and support, as well as volunteer services.
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Ellie
Ward, Nursing Director, Dare Home Health and Hospice, an agency of the
Dare County Department of Public Health, has been elected to serve on
the Board of Directors for the Association for Home & Hospice Care of
North Carolina (AHHC). AHHC is the state trade association for home care
and hospice agencies in North Carolina. AHHC's mission is to promote
leadership, advocacy and education for home and hospice care. The
association was established in 1972, and is one of the oldest and
largest organizations of its kind in the nation. AHHC represents nearly
700 licensed agencies who in turn serve over 100,000 patients in all 100
counties in North Carolina.