Press Releases
Year
Churches in the “Black Church Week of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 28, 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 Local
Churches in the “Black Church Week of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS”
Champaign-Urbana Public Health District and Local Churches Hope Event Will Shine a Light on the AIDS Crisis in African American Communities
Champaign, IL – March 2 – 8, 2008 marks the 16th Annual Black Church Week of Prayer for the healing of AIDS. This national program event, produced by The Balm in Gilead, is a week long education and awareness campaign highlighting the role of the Black Church in addressing the AIDS crisis. This campaign serves to pave the way for the continuous delivery of prevention education and services to the African American community via faith communities.
The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) has joined with local Black Churches to provide HIV/AIDS educational materials, clinic services information and support resources to the African American Community. Local events are scheduled for March 2, 2008 at the Crossroads of Life Community Church in Rantoul, Glory International Center in Champaign, and New Covenant Fellowship in Champaign. The New Life Church in Danville hosted an event earlier on February 24, 2008. CUPHD would like to encourage all local Black Churches to participate, and would be happy to send supporting materials to any interested churches. Free program materials may be requested by calling 217-531-5372.
“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. African American women are disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS, and HIV/AIDS is the leading cause of death among African American women ages 25-34. Of the estimated new AIDS cases, 61% are among African American teen girls ages 13-19.
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.
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CUPHD Offering FREE Flu Shots to Champaign County Residents
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 27, 2008
Contact
Julie Pryde, Acting Public Health Administrator
(217) 531-5369 /
Lori A. Holmes, Public Relations
(217) 531-2927
CUPHD Offering FREE Flu Shots to Champaign County Residents
Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Urges Citizens to Get a Flu Shot to Avoid the Worst of Influenza Symptoms
Champaign, IL – Through a generous donation by Carle Occupational Health, the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) is able to offer FREE flu shots for Champaign County residents ages 18 and over. CUPHD has 200 doses of flu vaccine, and encourages citizens to take advantage of this limited offer. Appointments for a FREE flu shot may be made by calling 217-531-2922.
Despite the challenges surrounding this year’s flu shot, flu vaccination remains the single most effective way to prevent seasonal influenza. Each vaccine provides proven protection against three known strains of influenza, including one strain that has been identified as making people sick this year. Flu vaccinations also provide “cross protection” for other strains of influenza, which result in milder symptoms and shorter duration of illness in most people.
“Many people believe that this year’s influenza vaccination is ineffective or that it is too late to get a flu shot”, said Jamie Perry, Nursing Services Manager for CUPHD. “This is NOT true. This year’s flu shot may not be absolute protection against every influenza strain, but it does make the illness you contract less severe. On average, it takes two weeks for a vaccination to be able to provide protection against the flu.”
Influenza is a respiratory illness with varying symptoms such as high fever, headache, extreme tiredness, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, and body aches. Seasonal influenza is most predominate from October – May. Each year 5% to 20% of the population suffers from seasonal influenza. More than 200,000 people are hospitalized, and about 36,000 people die from influenza. Despite these facts, most people have some immunity to seasonal influenza, and by practicing healthy habits they can avoid becoming ill.
CUPHD currently has influenza planning resources available to the public on the web at www.stock2forflu.com. Additional materials are available at the new CUPHD location at 201 West Kenyon Road in Champaign.
For more information on influenza planning or any other CUPHD program, please contact CUPHD at (217) 352-7961 or visit CUPHD on the web at www.c-uphd.org.
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Partnership Provides Convenient Services Specifically for Area Head Start Parents
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 26, 2008
Contact
Brandon Meline, Director of Maternal & Child Health
(217) 531-4297 /
Lori A. Holmes, Public Relations
(217) 531-2927
Partnership Provides Convenient Services Specifically for Area Head Start Parents
Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Partners with Head Start to Provide Special WIC Clinics for Area Parents with Children Currently Participating in Head Start Programs
Champaign, IL – The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) has partnered with Head Start to provide additional access to the Women, Infants & Children (WIC) program specifically for area Head Start parents. Special clinic hours will available Thursday, February 28, 2008 from 8:00am – 9:30am and 3:30pm – 7:00pm. Weekend hours will also be available Saturday, March 1, 2008 from 9:00am – 1:00pm. All clinics will be held at CUPHD at 201 West Kenyon Road in Champaign. Participating Head Start parents are encouraged to call for appointments for FREE health screenings for their children at 217-531-4305.
“CUPHD and Head Start recognize that many local families are struggling with the burden of increased utility costs and other monthly bills and must work long hours to make ends meet”, said Brandon Meline, Director of Maternal & Child Health at CUPHD. “These special WIC clinic hours are a joint effort in an attempt to accommodate working parents with program eligible children. Many families are unaware that they may qualify for WIC assistance and we encourage them to make an appointment to determine their degree of eligibility.”
WIC provides “food instruments” for nutritious foods, nutrition education, and referrals to health and other social services to participants at no charge. WIC serves low-income pregnant, postpartum and breastfeeding women, and infants and children up to age 5 who are at nutritional risk. Nutritional risk is determined by a certifying health professional and this health screening is free to program applicants.
To be eligible on the basis of income, family income must fall at or below 185% of the U.S. Poverty Income Guidelines (currently $38,203 for a family of four). A child that is participating in the State of Illinois Medicaid program (ALLKIDS) automatically meets the income eligibility requirement.
For more information on Women, Infants & Children (WIC) or any other CUPHD program, please contact CUPHD at (217) 531-4305 or visit CUPHD on the web at www.c-uphd.org.
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