|
|
|
|
|
Dare County Department of Public Health |
|
|
     |
NEWS RELEASES
Information about
H1N1 (Swine Flu) Monday June 29, 2009 The Dare County Department of Public Health reminds residents and visitors to the Outer Banks of some summer safety tips. ``As we head into another summer, I hope it will be an enjoyable and safe experience for you and your family, whether you are members of our community or visitors to our area,’’ commented DCDPH Director Anne Thomas. ``Here are some safety tips for children.’’
Anyone wanting more information about the task forces or more summer safety information should contact Laura Willingham, DCDPH Health Education Coordinator at (252) 475-5079. Monday, June 29, 2009 Consumers Urged to Dispose of Recalled Refrigerated Cookie Dough The Dare County Department of Public Health is urging consumers to examine their refrigerators for pre-packaged Nestle Toll House cookie dough products that have been recalled nationwide for possible contamination with E. coli bacteria, and dispose of them properly. The products involved in the voluntary recall include all varieties of Nestlé Toll House refrigerated Cookie Bar Dough, Cookie Dough Tub; Cookie Dough Tube; Limited Edition Cookie Dough items; Seasonal Cookie Dough and Ultimates Cookie Bar Dough. A complete list of recalled product varieties can be found at www.verybestbaking.com. “E. coli O157:H7 can cause a serious and sometimes fatal illness, so it is vitally important that you take the right steps to remove these recalled products from your home or place of business,” states Anne Thomas, Health Director. “There have been two cases of E. coli illness reported in association with this recall in our state. Remember, when in doubt, throw it out.” The warning is based on an ongoing outbreak investigation conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, other federal partners and state health departments. Since March 2009 there have been 70 reports of related or associated illness across 30 states. Thomas stresses that it is best to just throw the product away. Cooking the dough is not recommended because consumers might get the bacteria on their hands and on other cooking surfaces. E. coli O157:H7 is a bacterium that can cause serious illness. It causes a diarrheal illness often associated with bloody stools. Most healthy adults can recover completely within a week. Young children and the elderly are at highest risk for developing Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome, which can lead to serious kidney damage and even death. Individuals who have recently eaten prepackaged, refrigerated Toll House cookie dough and have experienced any of these symptoms should contact their doctor or health care provider immediately. Any such illnesses should be reported to state or local health authorities. People should not eat raw food products that are intended for cooking or baking before consumption. Consumers should use safe food-handling practices when preparing such products. These practices include: following package directions for cooking at proper temperatures; washing hands, surfaces and utensils after contact with these types of products; avoiding cross-contamination; and refrigerating products properly. For more information on safe food handling practices, go to http://www.fda.gov/Food/ResourcesForYou/Consumers/ucm109899.htm. Consumers who have additional questions about these products should contact Nestle consumer services at 1-800-559-5025 and/or visit their Web site at www.verybestbaking.com. For additional information on E. coli and prevention practices please contact the Dare County Department of Public Health at (252)475-5003.
Thursday, June 25, 2009 The Dare County Department of Public Health (DCDPH) has awarded mini-grants to First Assembly of God Child Care in Manteo, Little Blessings Day Care in Frisco, Sea Me Grow Child Care in Kitty Hawk, The Children’s Workshop in Nags Head, and Munchkin Academy in Buxton to continue the work started by the Childhood Obesity Prevention Program (COPP). These child care centers participated in the Nutrition and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child Care (NAP SACC) program making them eligible to apply for the mini-grants. The centers assessed their nutrition and physical activity policies and practices and identified where improvements toward best practices could be implemented. The centers will use the funds to sustain these revised nutritional and physical activity policies and purchase such items as nutrition education materials and tools and indoor and outdoor physical activity equipment. DCDPH was one of only five counties in the state to be awarded funding for the COPP Demonstration Project which began in October, 2008 and ended May 31. A Partnership was formed with representatives from the Dare County Public Schools, Outer Banks Hospital, Outer Banks Family YMCA, Dare County Cooperative Extension, Dare County Parks and Recreation Department, Children and Youth Partnership, Outer Banks Scenic By-Ways Committee, DCDPH, local physicians and a ministerial representative for support and guidance. Due to the success the program has experienced and the results being produced in establishing healthy lifestyles for residents, the Partnership is looking at ways to sustain the program. ``This goal of the childhood obesity prevention program was to build community partnerships and use proven strategies to prevent overweight, obesity and chronic diseases by Eating Smart and Moving More,’’ commented Health Director Anne Thomas. ``Hopefully these mini-grants will help maintain the momentum this program has created.’’ Over
the past months, COPP, under the direction of Coordinator Stephanie
Bowers, had implemented numerous community-wide programs and
interventions in collaboration with community partners. These programs
include NAP SACC, Energize, Pediatric Obesity Toolkits and Dare
Unplugged, worksite wellness and the construction of a
bicycle/pedestrian path along the Buxton Back Road. Although the grant period for the COPP ends very soon, it is hoped that the momentum that has been created through the implementation of proven programs and strategies designed to address the issue of childhood obesity in our community will continue. The Partnership will meet in July to discuss sustainability strategies. The funds provided to the various grantees support the planned programs, policies, and practices that have been put in place to address the issue of childhood obesity, and teach children the lifelong importance of good nutrition and physical activity. Bowers coordinated the application process for the mini-grants for child care centers as well as for schools, Worksite Wellness programs, and Nutritional Access projects. # # #
Thursday, June 25, 2009 Planning Begins for Tennis Classic to Aid Hospice
Tuesday, June 16, 2009 An open letter to all dads in Dare Dear Dad, Happy Father’s Day! Want to be the world’s best dad? It’s not about grilling, coaching, or buying things. It’s about being around for this Father’s Day and doing what needs to be done for you to be around for many more Father’s Days. Are you aware that men, on average, live six years less than women and are dying at a faster rate from all the top causes of death such as heart disease and stroke according to Men’s Health Network? That research also points out men are far less likely to see a doctor for a checkup. Think one has something to do with the other? We don’t want you to be the average. Just as you keep up the family car, you need to practice some preventive maintenance on yourself. We ask that you follow some easy steps that lead to being a well-oiled machine with a long road life so you can be there for us. Get regular health check-ups with a family doctor and know your risk factors. The doctor will help you monitor such things as your body mass index (BMI) to screen for obesity and your cholesterol level to predict the onset of heart disease especially if you have such risk factors as diabetes, high blood pressure, or a family history of heart disease or a tobacco addiction. And Dad, your emotional health should be as important to you as your physical health. It’s important to us. If you have felt sad or hopeless over the last few weeks or have felt little interest or pleasure in doing things, you may be depressed. Talk to your doctor about being screened for depression. So, for this year for Father’s Day, take a little time to plan your own preventive maintenance schedule. Be active with us. Eat a diet high in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and lean proteins. Don’t be more concerned about the family car than yourself. Just as you know numbers such as tire pressure to maintain your car, it is important to know your numbers. What is your blood pressure? What is your cholesterol level? What is your BMI? Once you know your numbers, work on getting them in normal ranges. Dad, we love you and we need for you to take care of yourself so you can take care of us! Do this for us this year and next year we’ll get you the tie. All of our love, Thursday, June 11, 2009 Through a partnership between the DCDPH and Northeastern North Carolina Partnership for Public Health Diabetes Sentinel Project, the churches began their endeavor last spring with establishment of a church wellness committee. The committee is comprised of members from each church who share the goal of providing their faith community the skills, policies, and environmental support to eat healthier foods and be physically active. Since the beginning of the partnership, both churches have adopted a healthy food and beverage policy ensuring that a healthy option will be offered at each church event as well as water as a beverage choice. Additionally, the wellness committee combined its efforts and resources to hold a fall health fair at the local Head Start entitled Hallelujah for Health, where over 100 children and adults participated in various activities aimed at promoting healthier lifestyle choices. Next up on their agenda is to brainstorm how to increase physical activity opportunities to all congregation members in a safe, inexpensive and fun manner. # # #
Tuesday, June 2, 2009 Play Tennis, Support Hospice Tennis players should mark their calendars now for the Seventh Annual Charity Classic Tennis Tournament to be held from Friday, October 2 through Sunday, October 4, 2009. Co-sponsored by Duck Woods Country Club, the Kilmarlic Health & Racquet Club, the Pine Island Racquet & Fitness Club and the Corolla Light Resort, the three-day event will be held at the Duck Woods and Kilmarlic courts. The Charity Classic Tournament is the signature fundraiser for the local Hospice program of Dare Home Health and Hospice, an agency of the Dare County Department of Public Health (DCDPH) serving those in the community facing end of life illnesses. The tournament will consist of men’s and women’s doubles, 7.0+ and 7.0-, with all entrants playing at least three matches. The Charity Classic Tennis Tournament is open to all skill levels and designed to promote tennis in northeastern North Carolina. More information regarding the Hospice Program can be obtained by contacting Ellie Ward, DCDPH Nursing Director at (252) 475-5034. More information on the fundraising event can be obtained by calling Nena Teller, Publicity Chair, at (252) 255-1120. For tournament details, interested persons should call the Duck Woods Tennis Director Tony Willingham (252) 261–6438 or the Kilmarlic Tennis Director Evo Dentchev at (252) 491-8626. |
Laurie Elian (left) nutritionist for the Dare County Department of
Public Health presents a mini-grant check to Brittany Phillips of the
Sea Me Grow Child Care in Kitty Hawk. The funds will be used to purchase
such items as nutrition education materials and tools and indoor and
outdoor physical activity equipment. 
Gladys
Melvin of Haven Creek Baptist Church (left) and Jake McClease of Free
Grave Church of Christ accept checks from Dare County Department of
Public Health nutritionist Laurie Elian on behalf of the Childhood
Obesity Prevention Project for their efforts in increasing awareness of
health and well being to their churches