Press Releases
Year
Urbana School Health Center Supplies Local Resource for State Mandated Dental Exams and School Physicals
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 23, 2007
Contact
Heidi Britton, Program Coordinator
(217) 239-4220
Lori A. Holmes, Public Relations
(217) 531-2927
Urbana School Health Center Supplies Local Resource for State Mandated Dental Exams and School Physicals
Urbana, IL – The Illinois State Board of Education requires that all children in grades K, 2 and 6 have an oral health exam. This exam must be completed prior to May 15, 2007. Students entering the Early Childhood Program, K, 5th or 9th grade must complete a physical exam and have the physical exam on file with the school district by the first day of school. The Urbana School Health Center (USHC), located at the Urbana High School at 1002 South Race Street, offers parents of students in the Urbana School District a convenient way to accomplish these exams. Parents may elect to have these exams completed during the school day by the professional staff at USHC. Parents interested in taking advantage of this program are encouraged to complete a consent form, available at USHC and call 217-239-4220 to arrange for an appointment.
USHC has been instrumental in improving the health focus and quality of life for the students at the Urbana School District. Since opening its doors in 2004, the USHC has not only been seeing Urbana School District students daily, but has seen an increase in the number of students using the service. The USHC has potentially saved lives by preventing and treating chronic illnesses such as diabetes and asthma; substance abuse counseling; providing critical mental health services, like grief therapy, crisis intervention and suicide prevention; providing acute care for upper respiratory infections, colds and flus; making available necessary preventative measures such as physicals, immunizations and nutritional education; and ensuring proper oral health by supplying necessary dental examinations and treatments.
“Today’s parents often feel overwhelmed. Schedule conflicts, transportation challenges and financial burdens often keep the personal health care of their students from being a priority.” said Heidi Britton, Program Coordinator for the Urbana School Health Center. “USHC provides a comprehensive individualized care package for each student, which can be utilized during the school day, alleviating many of these conflicts.”
Currently 60% of the Urbana School District students are enrolled in the USHC program. A signed consent form, available at the USHC, from a parent or guardian is all that is necessary to gain unlimited access to these professional healthcare services. USHC accepts most private insurances as well as Medicaid. A sliding fee scale based on income is available for those individuals without health insurance.
Demand for convenient and affordable medical and dental healthcare is high. The USHC is dedicated to being receptive to the community’s needs. In January 2007, in response to the higher demand for dental access for minors, USHC increased dental services availability for all students to five days a week.
USHC has also observed an increased request for mental health services. USHC currently provides a full time student health center therapist who not only carries a full caseload but also has an active wait list. “The demand for mental health services in the Urbana Community at large is high, particularly for those individuals that are low income or Medicaid eligible. A limited number of providers accept Medicaid and those that do have long wait lists,” added Ms. Britton.
National and local studies have shown that school health centers decrease school absenteeism, reduce emergency room visits and lessen unhealthy behaviors in students that compromise academic success.
The Urbana School Health Center is committed to enhancing the Urbana School District students’ academic and healthy lifestyle choices. For more information about Urbana School Health Center’s programs and services, visit us on the web at www.c-uphd.org/urbanacenter.html.
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Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Focuses on Climate Change and Potential Community Health Risks
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 8, 2007
Contact
Julie Pryde, Administrator
(217) 531-5369 /
Lori A. Holmes, Public Relations
(217) 531-2927
Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Focuses on Climate Change and Potential Community Health Risks
The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Celebrates National Public Health Week, “Climate Change: Our Health in the Balance” April 7 – 13.
Champaign, IL – April 7-13 is National Public Health Week. This year’s theme is “Climate Change: Our Health in the Balance”. Climate change may cause extreme weather events and changes in rainfall that increase the risk of death and disease. An increase in regional temperatures may also increase the spread of infectious disease through mosquito and tick-borne illnesses. The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) is urging citizens to take this week to not only develop an emergency preparedness plan, but to also to commit to some simple changes to make themselves and the climate healthier.
Suggested changes include:
- Be Prepared. Develop a basic emergency preparedness plan for your family.
- Travel Differently. When possible, leave your car at home and take public transportation, carpool, ride a bike or even walk.
- Eat Differently. Buy local products, especially those offered at farmer’s markets. Eat more fruit and vegetables, and less meat.
- Green Your Work & Home. Purchase recycled products, and make sure to recycle and reuse where possible. Conserve water and energy by turning off lights in unused rooms, and taking shorter showers.
“Climate change presents serious public health threats,” said Julie A. Pryde, Acting Public Health Administrator for CUPHD. “Extreme weather, such as tornadoes, heat waves, ice and snow storms, as well as the resurgence of various infectious diseases can all be attributed to climatic changes.”
National Public Health Week is an annual observance meant to draw attention to the often invisible public health programs and practitioners providing care and services on the national, state and local levels. Public Health works behind the scenes to prevent epidemics and the spread of disease; protect against environmental hazards; prevent injuries; promote healthy behaviors; respond to disasters and community recovery efforts; and ensure the quality and accessibility of health services.
Since the inception of National Public Health Week in 1995, the public health community has taken this opportunity to focus on key issues important to improving the public’s health. The staggering documented losses of September 11th and Hurricane Katrina aptly illustrate the tremendous need for each community and individual to have an effective emergency preparedness plan. The aggressive expansion of mosquito and tick-borne diseases such as West Nile Virus, Dengue Fever, Erlichiosis, Lyme Disease, and St. Louis encephalitis provide an pertinent picture of the results of global warming and climate change.
Although CUPHD and the surrounding public agencies prepare for a public health disaster, there are many steps that individuals must take to protect their families in the event of social disruption, like that which could be caused by an extreme weather event or outbreak of an infectious disease. CUPHD is asking local families to Stock 2 for Flu, by purchasing two non-perishable food items each and every time they visit a store, and continuing to do so until they have a two-week supply of food and water. Families can also prepare by creating a disaster readiness kit consisting of:
- Portable, battery-powered or crank radio and/or television with extra batteries
- Flashlight and extra batteries
- First aid kit and manual
- Sanitation and hygiene items (moist towelettes and toilet paper)
- Matches and waterproof container
- Whistle
- Extra clothing and blankets
- Kitchen accessories and cooking utensils, including a can opener
- Photocopies of credit and identification cards
- Cash and coins
- Special needs items, such as prescription medications, eye glasses, contact lens solutions and hearing aid batteries
- Items for infants, such as formula, diapers, bottles, and pacifiers
The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District has served the Champaign-Urbana community for over 70 years. Please join us in celebrating National Public Health Week 2008 by creating a family disaster plan and Stocking 2 for Flu.
For more information about CUPHD's programs and services, call 352-7961 or visit us on the web at www.cuphd.org. For more information on preparing for a disaster, go to www.Stock2forFlu.com.
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Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Asks for Your Help During National Public Health Week
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 30, 2007
Contact
Lori A. Holmes, Public Relations
(217) 531-2927
Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Asks for Your Help During National Public Health Week
Champaign, IL – April 2-8 is National Public Health Week. This year’s theme is “Preparedness and Public Health Threats: Addressing the Unique Needs of the Nation’s Vulnerable Populations.” CUPHD asks citizens of Champaign and Urbana to help our community prepare by "Stocking 2 for Flu" and developing family emergency plans.
National Public Health Week is an annual observance meant to draw attention to the often invisible public health programs and practitioners providing care and services on the national, state and local levels. Public Health works behind the scenes to prevent epidemics and the spread of disease; protect against environmental hazards; prevent injuries; promote healthy behaviors; respond to disasters and community recovery efforts; and ensure the quality and accessibility of health services.
Since the inception of National Public Health Week in 1995, the public health community has taken this opportunity to focus on key issues important to improving the public’s health. The staggering documented losses of September 11th and Hurricane Katrina aptly illustrate the tremendous need for each community and individual to have an effective emergency preparedness plan.
Champaign-Urbana Public Health District has filled a vital role in the Champaign-Urbana Emergency Preparedness Plan for over 15 years. “CUPHD’s greatest strength is our ability to reach out into the neighborhoods and communities we serve. Our mobile and outreach programs have made our services incredibly responsive", said Vito Palazzolo, CUPHD Administrator. Garry Bird, Director of Environmental Health also points to CUPHD's "incredible working relationships with the groups in our community, such as the police, fire and hospitals, that respond to public emergencies.” “Together, we have practiced for a variety of emergencies. These practice sessions afford us the opportunity to measure our responses and make adjustments, if necessary, to provide more effective service to the community in the event of an actual public threat". said Bird. Recent emergency preparedness practice events have included mass, drive-thru, flu shot clinics; dispensing medications from the Strategic National Stockpile and a mass transit bomb threat response.
Although CUPHD and the surrounding public agencies prepare for a public health disaster, there are many steps that individuals must take to protect their families in the event of social disruption, like that which could be caused by an outbreak of pandemic flu or another infectious disease. CUPHD is asking families to Stock 2 for Flu, by purchasing two non-perishable food items each and every time they visit a store, and continuing to do so until they have a two-week supply of food and water. Families can also prepare by creating a disaster readiness kit consisting of:
- Portable, battery-powered or crank radio and/or television with extra batteries
- Flashlight and extra batteries
- First aid kit and manual
- Sanitation and hygiene items (moist towelettes and toilet paper)
- Matches and waterproof container
- Whistle
- Extra clothing and blankets
- Kitchen accessories and cooking utensils, including a can opener
- Photocopies of credit and identification cards
- Cash and coins
- Special needs items, such as prescription medications, eye glasses, contact lens solutions and hearing aid batteries
- Items for infants, such as formula, diapers, bottles, and pacifiers
The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District has served the Champaign-Urbana community for the past 70 years. Please join us in celebrating National Public Health Week 2007 by creating a family disaster plan and Stocking 2 for Flu.
For more information about CUPHD's programs and services, visit us on the web at www.cuphd.org. For more information on preparing for a disaster, go to www.Stock2forFlu.com.
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