Press Releases
Year
Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Gives Illinois Communities Top Honors for Maintaining Fluoride Levels
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 19, 2010
Contact
Alicia Ekhoff, Program Coordinator
(217) 531-4538
Amy Roberts, Public Relations
(217) 531-4264 /
Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Gives Illinois Communities Top Honors for Maintaining Fluoride Levels
Champaign-Urbana Public Health District applauds local measures to improve overall community health.
Champaign, IL – The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) Children’s Dental Clinic recognized eight community water systems for maintaining state-mandated fluoride levels every month in 2009. State-recommended fluoride levels are 0.9 to 1.2 parts per million, in standard drinking water.
The community water systems recognized included:
- Dewey Public Water District, 2 consecutive years
- Fisher Water Department, 2 consecutive years
- Gifford Water Department, 2 consecutive years
- IL American Water Co. Champaign, 26 consecutive years
- Mahomet Water Department, 2 consecutive years
- Ogden Water Department
- Rantoul Water Department
- Royal Water Department, 4 consecutive years
Fluoride in drinking water helps improve the quality of life through less tooth decay; reduced time lost from school and work; and less money spent to restore, remove or replace decayed teeth. In Illinois, 99 percent of those served by public water systems receive the benefit of fluoridated drinking water, compared to the current national average of 72 percent. Fluoride is found naturally in water, but in many communities the amount of the mineral is too low and does not meet the required standards. Water operators will add fluoride to fulfill optimal health benefits to the communities. Of the 1,850 water supplies in Illinois, 853 systems adjust fluoride levels.
Illinois communities have practiced water fluoridation for more than 60 years and fluoride continues to prove beneficial in the battle against tooth decay. In fact, drinking fluoridated water from birth can reduce tooth decay by 40 to 65 percent.
“Water fluoridation is a proven way to prevent tooth decay and improve overall oral health for both children and adults,” said Alicia Ekhoff, Dental Program Coordinator for CUPHD. “CUPHD appreciates the care that these local water companies are taking to ensure better oral health for the members of their communities.”
The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District’s Dental Division provides a dental home for Champaign and Urbana children covered by All Kids or Medicaid State Insurance beginning at 1 year of age. Appointments are available by calling 217-531-4279. Children enrolled in the Urbana School District may also be seen at the Urbana School Health Center located in the Urbana High School, 217-239-4220.
For more information on the importance of fluoride in drinking water or any CUPHD service, please call (217) 352-7961 or visit CUPHD on the web at www.c-uphd.org.
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Immunization Initiative to Begin
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 2, 2010
Contact
Brandon Meline, Director Maternal & Child Health
(217) 531-4308
Amy Roberts, Public Relations
(217) 531-4264 /
Immunization Initiative to Begin
The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Takes Part in an Immunization Initiative Program
Champaign, IL – The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) has accepted a one-time grant to assist with costs associated with expanding the availability of specific vaccines to new target populations through the end of 2010.
CUPHD is providing free vaccinations to adolescents, ages 11-18, including Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis), Menactra (meningococcal), and Varicella (chickenpox). Varicella (if history of disease is not present) and Tetanus, Diptheria, and Pertussis vaccines are required for school entry and a Tetanus booster is required every 10 years. Menactra vaccine is an elective vaccine that is important in protecting adolescents from meningococcal infection. Although rare, meningococcal disease is a serious bacterial illness that includes meningitis (the inflammation of the protective layer surrounding the brain and spinal cord) and septicemia (blood poisoning). Between 1,000 and 2,600 cases of meningococcal disease occur in the United States annually. Every year, the disease quickly ends the lives of children and can leave its survivors permanently disabled.
This initiative is funded through the ARRA (American Recovery and Reinvestment Act). Vaccinations will be given regardless of the clients’ VFC (Vaccines for Children Program) eligibility or other insurance status.
To schedule an appointment, contact CUPHD at 217-531-4304.
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Healthcare Services Retreat Next Month
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 26, 2010
Contact
Julie Pryde, Administrator
(217) 531-5369 /
Amy Roberts, Public Relations
(217) 531-4264 /
Healthcare Services Retreat Next Month
The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District is Hosting the Delivery of Essential Healthcare Services Retreat March 31st
Champaign, IL – The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) is hosting a “Collaborative Planning for the Delivery of Essential Healthcare Services” Retreat on Wednesday, March 31, 2010 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Champaign from 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM.
The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District has been working with community partners to execute the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Essential Healthcare Services Project. As part of this project, multiple tools and templates have been developed for community planning and response. The purpose of this retreat is to bring together community partners to present the tools that have been developed and lessons learned during the project. The retreat will allow the community to take these tools and implement them in their own practice to further support pandemic influenza preparedness efforts as they relate to essential healthcare services.
To register for this one-day conference, e-mail
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