FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 19, 2008

Contact
Nikki Hillier, Program Coordinator
(217) 531-2916

Lori A. Holmes, Public Relations
(217) 531-2927

Local Students Needing School & Sports Physicals Have Many Options

Champaign-Urbana Public Health District’s School Physical Clinic is full, but there are many other options for area students to receive their required school physicals.

Champaign, IL – Local school students that are planning on entering Kindergarten, 6^th Grade, 9^th Grade or playing on school sports teams are required to have a school physical.  The only exception to this mandate is those students that previously received a 5^th Grade physical.  The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) has been offering school physical and immunization clinics this summer.  There are currently two more clinics scheduled on August 21 and October 2, 2008.  These clinics are currently full, but people can call to be placed on a waiting list in the event of a cancellation.

Parents of students without insurance or those with insurance that does not cover immunizations are encouraged to call CUPHD at (217) 531-4300 to set up an appointment to receive any necessary immunizations through the Vaccines for Children Program in the Division of Maternal & Child Health.

“School physicals and immunizations are extremely important to the well-being of school children.” said Nikki Hillier, Program Coordinator, CUPHD Division of Wellness & Health Promotion.  “School physicals & immunizations provide children with the best possible protections against illnesses and injuries, allowing them to comfortably devote as much time as possible to their studies.”

Parent’s interested in making appointments for school physicals can contact any of the following providers:

Provena Covenant Medical Center

Physicals cost $25.00 at the time of service.  Visit does not include immunizations.

Carle Clinic

Physicals cost $120 at Convenient Care if the student is a registered patient.  Carle will still see a student through Convenient Care if the student is not a registered patient, but the fee will be higher.

Urbana School Health Center

Students of the Urbana School District may call the Urbana School Health Center (USHC) at (217) 239-4220 to make an appointment for a school physical.  Physicals for students with no insurance or private insurance will be $20.00.  For students with a current medical card, the cost of the physical will be covered by the medical card.  Physicals at the USHC are only available to students currently enrolled in the Urbana School District.  Immunizations are also available.

For more information on school physicals and immunizations, please call (217) 5314253.  For information on any of the other programs available at CUPHD please call (217) 352-7961 or visit the CUPHD website at www.c-uphd.org.

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Download 2008-08-19-School-Physicals-2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 4, 2008

Contact
Brandon Meline, Director of Maternal & Child Health
(217) 531-4297 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Lori A. Holmes, Public Relations
(217) 531-2927

WIC Voucher Challenges Prevent Many Clients From Redeeming Coupons for Fresh Food - ChampaignUrbana Public Health District Provides Solution

Champaign-Urbana Public Health District in Collaboration with the City of Urbana’s “Market at the Square” Provides WIC Clients Convenient On-Site Access to Farm Fresh Fruit & Produce

Champaign, IL – Each year the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) issues approximately $40,000 worth of Farmer’s Market Fruit and Vegetable Vouchers to women and children participating in the Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).  In the past few years, close to $15,000 - $20,000 of these vouchers have not been redeemed by local WIC clients, mainly due to access and transportation issues for the clients served by this program.

On Thursday, August 7, 2008 from 9:00am – 1:00pm, CUPHD will be hosting a Farmer’s Market in the parking lot at 201 West Kenyon Road in Champaign.  The goal of this Farmers Market is to supply convenient access to a population that is currently in dire need of quality food products, while providing additional support for the farmers of the community.  CUPHD has specifically coordinated this event to occur when eligible clients are scheduled to pick up their vouchers.  Clients would be able to use their vouchers immediately to purchase healthy fruits and vegetable for their families.

“Many WIC clients face a variety of challenges including but not limited to scheduling and transportation conflicts that make shopping at regularly scheduled Farmers Markets difficult.” said Brandon Meline, Director of Maternal & Child Health Management at CUPHD.  “CUPHD in partnership with the City of Urbana’s “Market at the Square”, has chosen to pilot the CUPHD Farmer’s Market program to better meet the needs of these clients.  We hope that by providing a “one-stop-shop” here at CUPHD that more clients will take advantage of the benefits of the WIC Farmer’s Market Fruit and Vegetable Vouchers.”

The CUPHD Farmer’s Market is open to all CUPHD clients and the community.  CUPHD anticipates that this program will prove successful, and has tentatively entered into discussions with local market managers to expand both the number of vendors and days for next year.  CUPHD hopes that in the future, that the Kenyon Road location can become a weekly mid-week Farmer’s Market site, and that many people will be able to “Get Fresh” at CUPHD by “Buying Local and Buying Fresh!”.

For more information on the WIC program or the WIC Farmer’s Market Fruit and Vegetable Vouchers, please contact CUPHD at (217) 531-4305.  For information on any of the other programs available at CUPHD please call (217) 352-7961 or visit the CUPHD website at www.c-uphd.org.

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Download 2008-08-04-Farmers-Market-2008-PR

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 31, 2008

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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Download 2008-07-31-Heat-Stroke-Danger-PR