October 30, 2008
Get Your Flu Shot Every Fall!
Getting a flu shot every year is the best way to prevent the flu. Each year, 5% to 20% of the population gets the flu, of whom 200,000 are hospitalized and 36,000 die. The flu is often mistaken for a cold, but it can be much more serious for the young, the elderly, and others with poor health. New this year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended that all children 6 months to 18 years old get an annual flu shot. The best time to get a flu shot is October or November, but getting a shot later than that can still offer protection. Fight the flu this year and get a flu shot. Call your doctor or visit an Onondaga County Health Department clinic near you. To make an appointment for an Onondaga County Health Department Flu Clinic click here or call 435-5752.
Healthy Babies
November is Prematurity Awareness Month. In the United States today, 1 in 8 babies is born prematurely. More newborns die from premature birth than any other cause. Millions of children face serious health challenges or have trouble learning because they were born too soon. A baby is premature if he or she is born more than three weeks before the due date. Compared to other babies, premature babies are more likely to face lifelong health problems or even die in the first month of life, especially if they are born very early (less than 32 weeks gestation).
All pregnant women are encouraged to seek prenatal care from a health care provider as soon as they find out they are pregnant and to continue prenatal care throughout the course of their pregnancy. Many premature births, especially late premature births, can be prevented by addressing known risk factors, including, but not limited to:
· Avoiding alcohol and tobacco use and secondhand smoke.
· Careful attention to nutrition and weight.
· Appropriate treatment for existing medical conditions.
· Avoiding inductions or Caesarean deliveries with no medical reason for having these procedures.
· Knowing possible signs and symptoms of premature labor (uterine contractions, menstrual-like cramps, dull backache, pelvic pressure, abdominal cramping and vaginal discharge).
For more information on premature births, or to receive prenatal care, call 435-2000.
The Great American Smokeout: Quit for Good!
Join this year's Great American Smokeout on Thursday, November 20, 2008, by quitting smoking for the day and hopefully for life. The Great American Smokeout is a nationally recognized event that challenges people to stop using tobacco and raises awareness about effective ways to quit.
Here are some effective tips to help you quit:
· Choose November 20, 2008, the Great American Smokeout, as your quit date.
· Write down your reasons for quitting (family, health, finances, etc.).
· Decide your method for quitting (cold turkey, nicotine patch, Chantix, etc).
· Throw out your cigarettes, lighters, and ashtrays.
· Get a friend to help you quit.
· Tell everyone you are going to quit!
· Remember the 5 D's:
DELAY the urge to smoke, for at least five minutes - then longer each time.
DRINK water – it helps you fight off cravings.
DO something else. Distract yourself – walk, call a friend.
DEEP breathing – take 10 slow deep breaths. Relax. Close your eyes.
DISCUSS your thoughts and feelings with someone close to you.
For information on tobacco use and prevention and the Great American Smokeout, call Tobacco-Free Onondaga County at 435-3280 or visit www.tobaccofreeonondaga.org. For help quitting smoking, call the New York State Smokers' Quitline at 1-866-NY-QUITS (1-866-697-8487).
Stop AIDS. Keep the Promise.
December 1, 2008 marks the 20th anniversary of World AIDS Day. In 2007 there were over 33.2 million people living with HIV worldwide, and 2.1 million people die from AIDS deaths each year. What can you do?
· Raise awareness of HIV and AIDS in your area.
· Wear a red ribbon and ask others to do the same.
· Protect yourself and your partners - this is the first and best way to stop the spread of HIV.
· Get tested.
Knowing your HIV status is crucial in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Stop AIDS and Keep the Promise to yourself by having an HIV test to find out your status. There is no better time than now! Onondaga County Health Department offers free confidential HIV testing at the STD Clinic. The New York State Department of Health offers free anonymous HIV Rapid Testing at many sites including Wednesdays at the STD Clinic, Room 80, in the basement level of the Civic Center. Please call 435-3240 for more information on HIV testing times and locations. Look for more information on World AIDS Day activities on the web at www.worldaidscampaign.org and don't forget to show your support for World AIDS Day activities by wearing red!
Diabetes Awareness Month
November is Diabetes Awareness Month. Diabetes is the sixth leading cause of death in America. Children and young adults are developing the disease due in part to obesity and a lack of physical activity. To help prevent diabetes in children and reduce complications, encourage your child to eat healthy, be more active and maintain a healthy weight. For more information, call 435-3280.
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