Press Releases
Year
Flu Clinic Begins Tomorrow
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 16, 2009
Contact
Julie Pryde, Administrator
(217) 531-5369 /
Amy Roberts, Public Relations
(217) 531-4264 /
Flu Clinic Begins Tomorrow
Champaign-Urbana Public Health District’s 2-Day Seasonal Flu Clinic Begins Tomorrow.
Champaign, IL – Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) will be providing seasonal flu shots (NOT H1N1 flu shots) from the parking lot at 201 West Kenyon Road on Thursday and Friday, September 17th and 18th from 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. Vaccines will be available for everyone ages 4 and up. Flu vaccines are available for $35.00 and Pneumonia vaccines are available for $52.00. CUPHD will accept Medicaid, Medicare, Visa, Master Card, cash, and personal checks. Medicaid and Medicare cards are required at the time of visit. CUPHD does not accept private insurance (HMO, PPO, POS). The flu clinic will be a “drive-thru”. Customers wanting flu shots will not have to leave the comfort of their car, but rather be able to “get the shot and go”. To speed things up even more, persons are asked to go to the CUPHD website (www.c-uphd.org) and print out and complete the paperwork. You will then be able to go through the “FAST LANE”. Paperwork will also be available at CUPHD’s Kenyon Road facility and at other public locations around Champaign-Urbana.
All media outlets are welcome to be on-site for interviews or to host live remotes. Please contact Amy Roberts to schedule a time at (217) 531-4264 (office), (217) 415-1919 (cell) or by e-mail at
For additional information about flu vaccines or to learn more about H1N1 and CUPHD programs and services, call 217-352-7961 or visit the CUPHD website at www.c-uphd.org.
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Equation for Disaster: High Temperatures + High Humidity = High Risk for Heat Related Illness
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 7, 2009
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 Champaign-Urbana 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 everyone 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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Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Gives Illinois Communities Top Honors for Maintaining Fluoride Levels
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 29, 2009
Contact
Alicia Ekhoff, Program Coordinator
(217) 531-4538
Lori A. Holmes, Public Relations
(217) 531-2927
Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Gives Illinois Communities Top Honors for Maintaining Fluoride Levels
Champaign-Urbana Public Health District applaud local measures to improve overall community health.
Champaign, IL – The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) recognized five community water systems for maintaining state mandated fluoride levels every month in 2008. State recommended fluoride levels are 0.9 to 1.2 parts per million, in standard drinking water.
The community water systems recognized included:
- Illinois American Water – Champaign: 25 consecutive years
- Sangamon Valley Public Water District: 10 consecutive years
- Ludlow Water Department: 2 consecutive years
- Royal Water Department: 2 consecutive years
- Sadorus Water Department: 2 consecutive years
“Water Fluoridation is a proven way to prevent tooth decay and improve overall oral health for both children and adults,” said Alicia Ekhoff, Dental Program Coordinator for CUPHD. “CUPHD appreciates the care that these local water companies are taking to ensure better oral health for the members of their communities.”
Scientific studies have found that people living in communities with fluoridated water have fewer cavities than those living where the water is not fluoridated. Community water fluoridation is a cost-effective, equitable and safe way to provide protection from tooth decay and CUPHD commends those communities who fulfill the state mandated levels of fluoride in their water systems.
Fluoride in drinking water helps improve the quality of life through less tooth decay, reduced time lost from school and work, and less money spent to restore, remove or replace decayed teeth. In Illinois, 99 percent of those served by public water systems receive the benefit of fluoridated drinking water compared to the current national average of 66 percent. Fluoride is found naturally in water, but in many communities the amount of the mineral is too low and does not meet the required standards. Water operators must add fluoride to provide optimal health benefits to their communities. Of the 1,840 water supplies in Illinois, 859 systems adjust fluoride levels. The average cost is about 50 cents per person per year. A small cost when compared to the savings in dental treatment. Water fluoridation currently benefits more than 200 million Americans, 12.4 million in Illinois.
The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District’s Dental Division offers children’s dental care at their 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.
For more information on the importance of Fluoride in water or any CUPHD dental clinics or programs please contact CUPHD at (217) 352-7961 or visit CUPHD on the web at www.cuphd.org.
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