Press Releases
Year
Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Joins Nationwide Response to AIDS Crisis Among African Americans
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 5, 2008
Contact
Candi Crause, Interim Director of Infectious Disease
(217) 531-5372 /
Lori A. Holmes, Public Relations
(217) 531-2927
Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Joins Nationwide Response to AIDS Crisis Among African Americans
Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Celebrates National Black HIV / AIDS Awareness Day with Special Testing Clinics
Champaign, IL – February 7, 2008 marks the seventh annual observance of National Black HIV / AIDS Awareness Day (NBHAAD). The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) is responding to the impact of HIV and AIDS in local African American Communities by offering special testing clinics throughout the week. Sites will include the Nesbitt Cultural Center at the University of Illinois on Wednesday, February 6 from 9:00am – 2:00pm; the New Life Church of Faith in Danville on Thursday, February 7 from 6:00pm – 9:00pm; and the Decatur Masonic Temple in Decatur also on Thursday, February 7 from 4:00pm – 8:00pm. CUPHD encourages citizens to “Get Educated, Get Tested, Get Treated and Get Involved” with HIV / AIDS as it continues to devastate African American communities.
“HIV is 100% preventable,” said Candi Crause, Interim Director of Infectious Disease for CUPHD. “The key to overcoming this crisis in the African American community is to not only to educate people on the facts as they relate to HIV / AIDS, but to open the door of communication. Like most infectious diseases, HIV spreads through silence and ignorance. Only by working openly together, can we hope to stop this epidemic.”
72 African Americans are infected with HIV everyday. African Americans make up approximately 13 percent of the population of the United States, yet almost half of the total AIDS cases reported in the Country are among members of the African American Community. In 2007, HIV / AIDS was one of the top ten leading causes of death for African Americans between the ages of 25 and 44.
The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District’s Infectious Disease Division offers HIV education, prevention, testing and treatment at their new location at 201 West Kenyon Road in Champaign. Appointments are available Monday thru Friday; 8:00am – 4:00pm by calling 217239-7827. CUPHD also offers “Rapid Testing Tuesdays” from 4:00pm – 5:30pm – no appointment is necessary.
For more information on HIV / AIDS education, prevention, testing and treatment or any CUPHD programs please contact CUPHD at (217) 352-7961 or visit CUPHD on the web at www.c-uphd.org.
###
Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Award Winning Dentists to Volunteer at Give Kids a Smile Dental Fair
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 31, 2008
Contact
Alicia Ekhoff, Program Coordinator
(217) 531-4538
Lori A. Holmes, Public Relations
(217) 531-2927
Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Award Winning Dentists to Volunteer at Give Kids a Smile Dental Fair
Champaign-Urbana Public Health District “Healthy Smiles” Dentists to Offer Free Children’s Dental Screenings and Toothbrushes from 2:00pm – 4:00pm in the Marketplace Mall
Champaign, IL – The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) will be participating in the 6th Annual Give Kids a Smile Oral Health Fair on Saturday, February 2, 2008 at the Marketplace Mall. Dr. James Wahl and Dr. Yu-hsien Mandy Huang, recent recipients of the State of Illinois “Healthy Smiles” Award, will be volunteering from 2:00pm – 4:00pm to assist with free children’s dental screenings.
The simple 5 minute screening will be available for all children ages 3-18 that are still enrolled in school. This screening can be used to satisfy the State of Illinois mandated exam, due by May 15, 2008, required for all children in grades Kindergarten, 2nd and 6th. Children identified with dental issues will be referred to local volunteer dentists, CUPHD Dental Division, other partnering agencies, or their personal dentist for appropriate treatment. All participating children will receive a free toothbrush courtesy of IFLOSS and CUPHD. Appointments are not necessary; however, a parent or legal guardian must accompany their child.
“Oral health is a good indicator of a child’s overall health,” said Alicia Ekhoff, Dental Program Coordinator for CUPHD. “Many diseases and deficiencies can be readily identified through a routine oral health screening. Simple daily attention to oral health will produce a healthy body as well as a healthy smile!”
The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District’s Dental Division offers preventative and restorative procedures and simple extractions at their new location at 201 West Kenyon Road in Champaign. Appointments are available Monday thru Friday; 8:00am – 4:00pm 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. Appointments are available Monday thru Friday; 8:00am – 4:00pm by calling 217-239-4220.
Give Kids a Smile is sponsored by the Illini District Dental Society (IDDS) and the Central Illinois Dental Education and Services (CIDES).
For more information on Give Kids a Smile Dental Fair or any CUPHD dental clinics or programs please contact CUPHD at (217) 352-7961 or visit CUPHD on the web at www.c-uphd.org.
###
Radon Gas Causes More Than 20,000 Lung Cancer Deaths in the Country Each Year
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 22, 2008
Contact
Michael Flanagan, Environmental Health Specialist I
(217) 531-2908
Lori A. Holmes, Public Relations
(217) 531-2927
Radon Gas Causes More Than 20,000 Lung Cancer Deaths in the Country Each Year
Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Encourages Citizens to Test Their Homes with Free Radon Test Kit
Champaign, IL – January is National Radon Action Month, and the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) encourages citizens to learn more about the radon threat and test their homes for the presence of radon. CUPHD has FREE radon test kits available for residents of Champaign County. Test kits may be picked up at the Environmental Health Division of CUPHD located at 201 West Kenyon Road in Champaign from 8:00am – 4:00pm; Monday through Friday.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), exposure to indoor radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States and the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers.
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas released into the air from decaying matter in rocks, soil, and water. While levels in outdoor air are relatively harmless, radon can accumulate to dangerous levels inside buildings. Radon is an invisible threat, it cannot be seen, smelled or tasted; the only way to detect radon is to perform a radon test.
The free test kits provided by CUPHD are safe and easy to use. Simply open the test kit, and place the radon detector in a designated area in the home for a minimum of 48 hours, with windows and doors closed. After 48 hours, place detector in the enclosed postagepaid envelope and send it to a lab for a free analysis. The lab will then inform you of your radon test results.
Radon is measured in picocuries per liter of air (pCi/L). The EPA recommends that homes with radon levels of 4 pCi/L or higher should be mitigated. The average home reading is about 1.3 pCi/L. The average outdoor reading is about 0.4 pCi/L.
Radon presents a serious health risk, but it can be controlled easily and cost effectively. If a high radon level is detected in your home, you can take steps to fix the problem to protect yourself and your family. Test your home and protect your health today.
For more information on radon or free radon test kits for Champaign County residents, please contact CUPHD at (217) 352-7961 or visit CUPHD on the web at www.c-uphd.org.
###