Press Releases
Year
Local Health Departments United Against State Budget Cuts
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 24, 2009
Contact
Lori A. Holmes, Public Relations
(217) 531-2927
Local Health Departments United Against State Budget Cuts
Local Communities May Lose Essential Public Health Services
Champaign, IL - A press conference addressing the local health department funding crisis will be held Thursday, June 25, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. in the main conference room at the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District located at 201 Kenyon Road in Champaign. The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District, Dewitt-Piatt Bi-County Health Department, Vermilion County Health Department, Ford-Iroquois Health Department, and Douglas County Health Department will convene this special press conference to announce their combined concerns on potential State budget cuts and the adverse effects on essential public health services in local communities.
Included in the proposed State budget cuts is the Local Health Protection Grant, which supports all local health departments with the costs associated with critical health protection programs including food safety inspections and infectious disease surveillance. The current subsidy to local health departments in Illinois is approximately $17 million, or just over $1.42 per capita statewide. Any reduction of funding in this grant would result in the elimination or suspension of many public health protection services that many communities rely heavily upon.
Current economic challenges have resulted in an increased demand for services provided by local health departments including Maternal & Child Health programs, immunizations, health screenings, and access to dental care. Public health programs are integral in providing a safety net system for families at risk, while providing leadership in responding to the health needs of their communities at large.
“Public Health provides essential services to everyone in Illinois” said, Julie A. Pryde, Public Health Administrator for the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD). “The proposed State budget cuts illustrate a distinct short-sighted view by Illinois legislators, especially in the wake of the current global pandemic. We implore legislators to collaborate on alternative fiduciary solutions which will not jeopardize the health, safety and well-being of every man, woman and child in Illinois.”
The State of Illinois is facing some extreme challenges in the development of a financial plan for Fiscal Year 2010. In this era of dwindling state resources, any proposed spending policy should be based on established priorities. The protection of the health for all Illinois citizens must be included in those budget priorities.
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Equation for Disaster: High Temperatures + High Humidity = High Risk for Heat Related Illness
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 22, 2009
Contact
John Dwyer, Emergency Preparedness Planner
(217) 531-2932
Lori A. Holmes, Public Relations
(217) 531-2927
Equation for Disaster: High Temperatures + High Humidity = High Risk for Heat Related Illness
Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Urges the Public to Watch for Symptoms of Heat Related Illness in High Risk Populations Such as Children and the Elderly.
Champaign, IL – Summer is reportedly the time for “fun in the sun”, however when high temperatures combine with high humidity the “fun” may be short lived. The ChampaignUrbana Public Health District (CUPHD) urges the public to watch for the symptoms of heat related illness, and to take precautions to keep their families and communities safe.
Heat related illness can take many forms from a mild case of Heat Exhaustion to a more serious and life-threatening case of Heat Stroke. Heat related illnesses occur when the body becomes unable to control its temperature. The body’s temperature rises rapidly and the body losses its ability to perspire and cannot cool down. Rising to temperatures of 106° F or higher within 10 to 15 minutes, heat related illness can result in death or permanent disability if emergency treatment is not provided.
Signs & Symptoms of Heat Related Illness:
- An extremely high body temperature of 103° F or higher
- Red, hot and dry skin (no signs or perspiration)
- Rapid, strong pulse
- Throbbing Headache
- Dizziness or confusion
- Nausea
Never leave children, the elderly or pets in a parked car – even for a few minutes with the windows partially open. The metal of the vehicle conducts and concentrates the intense heat and brain damage or even death can occur from the rapid rise of temperature in the vehicle. Children, the elderly and pets are especially susceptible to heat related illness due to a variety of factors including but not limited to the inability to adjust to sudden changes in temperature, lack of access to adequate fluids, tendency to retain more body heat, and over activity or exertion leading to dehydration.
Precautions to Avoid Heat Related Illness:
- Stay hydrated. Drink at least 48-64 ounces of cool non-caffeinated and nonalcoholic beverages (caffeine & alcohol are diuretics and will increase dehydration). Don’t wait until you are thirsty to drink.
- Reduce the amount of activity in hottest parts of the day. If you must be active during those times, strive to take frequent breaks in a shady or cool area.
- Wear light colored and lightweight clothes.
- Take a cool shower or sponge bath if you being feeling over heated.
- Retreat to an air-conditioned environment if you begin feel overly warm. If you do not have air-conditioning, consider visiting a mall, grocery store or other public place to cool off.
If you or someone you know shows signs of a heat related illness, have someone call for medical assistance while you begin the cooling process:
- Take the person to an air-conditioned, cool or shady area.
- Cool the person rapidly by spraying with cold water form a shower or garden hose.
- Monitor the body temperature carefully until the temperature drops below 101° - 102° F.
- Give plenty or cool (not cold) non-caffeinated, non-alcoholic beverages to drink.
- Get medical assistance as soon as possible.
Anyone can suffer a heat related illness. CUPHD urges every one to take precautions in the summer heat, and to check on children and the elderly frequently.
For more information, please contact CUPHD at (217) 352-7961 or visit our website at www.c-uphd.org.
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Who Are You Going To Call…GERMBUSTERS!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 17, 2009
Contact
Julie Pryde, Administrator
(217) 531-5369 /
Lori A. Holmes, Public Relations
(217) 531-2927
Who Are You Going To Call…GERMBUSTERS!
Champaign-Urbana Public Health District to Pilot Innovative New Program with Area Youth
Champaign, IL – The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) will begin piloting a new disease prevention program with area youth. “Germ Busters” will be an interactive educational program for youth pre-school through middle school that will focus on preventing disease through basic proper hygiene measures. CUPHD created this program in direct response to recent current events surrounding H1N1 and its inevitable spread in the fall. This flu seems to be disproportionately affecting the young. CUPHD will be conducting the first class on Friday, June 19, 2009 in the large CUPHD conference room located at 201 West Kenyon Road from 8:00am - 12:00pm.
“Children are some of the greatest teachers,” said Julie A. Pryde, Public Health Administrator at CUPHD. “Once they learn something important, they tell it to others and remind them when they forget. The Germ Busters program is based on this social advertising model. CUPHD will give the participants the information and tools to “spread the word not germs”, and it will be up to each individual child to make a difference. CUPHD is starting this program now in hopes that it will help curtail the spread of H1N1 in the fall and winter.
The Germ Busters program focuses on four key messages:
- Cough or sneeze into your sleeve, not your hands.
- Do not touch your “T-Zone” (eyes, nose, and mouth).
- Wash your hands frequently using good hand washing practices.
- Stay home when you are sick to prevent infecting others.
Participating children will be trained in these principles by CUPHD costumed characters through a series of interactive exercises, live skits and videos and encouraged to share what they learn with their friends and families. Children that successfully complete the initial class will be declared “Official Germ Busters” and will be given a certificate of completion, t-shirt, and many other Germ Buster related materials. Official Germ Busters will also have their own “club” on the CUPHD website that will allow them to down load special Germ Buster educational activity sheets, read new Germ Buster tips and updates as well as watch new educational videos and receive tips from their favorite Germ Buster characters.
CUPHD is taking the Germ Busters program “on the road” this summer. The program is available free of charge to all area day cares, schools, camps, organizations and anywhere kids congregate in Champaign County.. Local groups interested in hosting the Germ Busters for a half-hour fun-filled class are encouraged to call CUPHD for additional information or to schedule a time or fill out a request form on-line at www.c-uphd.org.
For more information on Germ Busters or CUPHD and its many programs, please contact CUPHD at (217) 352-7961 or visit CUPHD on the web at www.c-uphd.org. Additional H1N1 or other emergency preparedness materials may be found at www.Stock2forFlu or www.champcoprepares.com . Also, become a fan of “Champaign County Prepares” on FaceBook for additional information on H1N1.
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