Press Releases
Year
CUPHD Asks Residents to “Wear BLUE” to Raise Awareness of Men’s Health Issues
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 15, 2009
Contact
Candi Crause, Director
(217) 531-5372 /
Lori A. Holmes, Public Relations
(217) 531-2927
CUPHD Asks Residents to “Wear BLUE” to Raise Awareness of Men’s Health Issues
Champaign-Urbana Public Health District to Honor National Men’s Health Week with Screenings & Clinics
Champaign, IL – June 15-21 marks National Men’s Health Week. The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) would like to ask local residents to “Wear BLUE” during this week to raise awareness and educate men, women, and their families of the need to end the silent crisis in Men’s Health. CUPHD would like to encourage local men to take advantage of blood-draw prostate cancer screenings for all men over the age of 40, as well as weekly Men’s Clinics held every Monday from 4:00 – 5:30pm at CUPHD located at 201 West Kenyon Road in Champaign.
“Many serious diseases can be detected early through simple screenings,” said Candi Crause, Director of Infectious Disease for CUPHD, “Some of the most deadly diseases in men show no outward symptoms until they have progressed significantly, making them difficult to treat. Early detection through routine screenings saves lives. CUPHD would like everyone to “Wear BLUE” this week to actively remind men to be screened.”
Statistics show that there is an on-going, increasing and predominately silent crisis in the health and well-being of men. Due to a lack of awareness, poor health education, and culturally induced behavior patterns in their work and personal lives, men’s health and well-being are deteriorating steadily.
- On average, men live 5 year less than women.
- 1 in 2 men will develop cancer in their lifetime.
- 1 in 6 men will get prostate cancer, and approximately 28,000 men will die from the disease.
- Men die at higher rates from 9 of the top 10 causes of death.
- Men make up over 92% of workplace deaths.
The “Wear BLUE” campaign was developed by the Men’s Health Network. The message is simple: “End the Silence” on Men’s health issues. The “Wear BLUE” campaign requests:
- Wear BLUE to remind men of the importance of remaining healthy.
- Wear BLUE and become a part of a national movement.
- Wear BLUE to let men know we care.
- Wear BLUE to keep men healthy and alive.
National Men’s Health Week, the week ending in Father’s Day is a special awareness period recognized by Congress each year. National Men’s Health Week was signed into law by President Clinton in 1994. Additional support comes from more than 45 governors who declare Men’s Health Week in their states, including Illinois.
For more information about Men’s Clinics and Screenings, or any other CUPHD programs and services, please call 217-352-7961 or visit CUPHD on the web at www.c-uphd.org.
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CUPHD Invites Local Children with Asthma to Take a FREE Ride to Adventure!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 11, 2009
Contact
Nikki Hillier, Program Coordinator
(217) 531-2916
Lori A. Holmes, Public Relations
(217) 531-2927
CUPHD Invites Local Children with Asthma to Take a FREE Ride to Adventure!
Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Offers Travel Scholarships for Asthma Adventure Camp 2009
Champaign, IL – The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) in collaboration with the East Central Illinois Asthma Partnership and the Illinois Department of Public Health will be accepting applications for “travel scholarships” from local children ages 7-14 that would like to attend the Asthma Adventure Camp 2009, August 7-9, located at the Lake Williamson Retreat and Conference Center in Carlinville, IL. Travel scholarships will assist with gas money, drivers, and if enough children apply, a charter bus ticket to camp. Applications for “travel scholarships” are available at CUPHD at 201 West Kenyon Road in Champaign, or on-line at www.c-uphd.org . The deadline for applications is July 15, 2009. Additional information regarding the “travel scholarships” may be obtained by calling 217-531-2915.
Asthma Adventure Camp is an annual event provided by the American Lung Association in Illinois and the United Way. Asthma Adventure Camp is for children ages 7-14 who suffer from asthma. Camp activities include swimming, crafts, archery, basketball, volleyball, waterslide, blow-up obstacle course, 25-foot climbing wall and much more.
“Asthma Adventure Camp is a great experience for children suffering with asthma,” said Trisha Gillespie, Health Educator for CUPHD, “The camp provides a safe, fun environment for participants to learn how to enjoy everyday athletic events while controlling their asthma. CUPHD hopes that more children will be able to take advantage of the “adventure” this year through these scholarships.”
Asthma is a serious, sometimes life-threatening respiratory disease that affects the quality of life for millions of Americans. It is one of the most common long-term diseases of children. Asthma causes repeated episodes of wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness, and nighttime or early morning coughing. Although there is no cure for asthma yet, asthma can be controlled through medical treatment and management of environmental triggers. Environmental triggers can include, but are not limited to, mold, dust mites and tobacco smoke.
Asthma can be controlled by knowing the warning signs of an attack, staying away from things that trigger an attack, and following the advice of a doctor or other medical professional.
Asthma affects a large number of people in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that there are currently 16.2 Million adults and 6.7 million children diagnosed with asthma in 2008. Many more remain undiagnosed.
For more information about the CUPHD Asthma Adventure Camp 2009 Travel Scholarships, asthma programs at CUPHD, or any other CUPHD programs and services, please call 217-352-7961 or visit CUPHD on the web at www.c-uphd.org.
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Champaign- Urbana Public Health District to Provide Meals to Local Children Ages 18 and Under
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 10, 2009
Contact
Brandon Meline, Director of Maternal & Child Health
(217) 531-4297 /
Lori A. Holmes, Public Relations
(217) 531-2927
Champaign- Urbana Public Health District to Provide Meals to Local Children Ages 18 and Under
Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Participates in Summer Food Program
Champaign, IL – The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) will be providing FREE meals and snacks to children ages 18 and under this summer through the Illinois State Board of Education administered Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). Meals and snacks will be provided in both the CUPHD Champaign and Rantoul locations. All food will be provided at no cost to the participating children. Food will be available during designated times only, and all children will be required to eat the food on-site.
The Summer Food Service Program schedule is:
CUPHD Champaign located at 201 West Kenyon Road in Champaign –
Monday thru Friday
June 10 – August 19, 2009
BREAKFAST: 8:00am – 9:00am
LUNCH: 11:00am – 12:00pm
SNACK: 2:30pm – 3:30pm
CUPHD Rantoul located at the Community Service Center of Northern Champaign County WIC Office located at 520 East Wabash in Rantoul –
Tuesdays & Fridays
June 12 – August 14, 2009
BREAKFAST: 9:30am – 10:30am
SNACK: 2:30pm – 3:30pm
Breakfast will include milk, fruit and cereal; Lunch will include milk and sandwich with juice, fruit or vegetable option; Snack will include milk and a healthy snack item. Menu is subject to change without notice.
“The summer months can be nutritionally challenging for many children,” said Brandon Meline, Director of Maternal & Child Health for CUPHD, “In these difficult economic times, many children that may have depended on free or reduced lunches at schools to meet daily nutritional needs may have to make due with less when school is out. CUPHD hopes that by providing the Summer Food Program, all local children will have the opportunity to get a nutritionally balanced meal free of cost in a safe environment.”
The intent of the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) is to serve nutritious meals during the summer months when school is not in session. The program is funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and administrated by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE).
For more information about the Summer Food Service Program at CUPHD or other CUPHD programs and services, please call 217-352-7961 or visit CUPHD on the web at www.c-uphd.org.
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