Press Releases
Year
Equation for Disaster: High Temperatures + High Humidity = High Risk for Heat Related Illness
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 22, 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 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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Who Are You Going To Call…GERMBUSTERS!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 17, 2009
Contact
Julie Pryde, Administrator
(217) 531-5369 /
Lori A. Holmes, Public Relations
(217) 531-2927
Who Are You Going To Call…GERMBUSTERS!
Champaign-Urbana Public Health District to Pilot Innovative New Program with Area Youth
Champaign, IL – The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) will begin piloting a new disease prevention program with area youth. “Germ Busters” will be an interactive educational program for youth pre-school through middle school that will focus on preventing disease through basic proper hygiene measures. CUPHD created this program in direct response to recent current events surrounding H1N1 and its inevitable spread in the fall. This flu seems to be disproportionately affecting the young. CUPHD will be conducting the first class on Friday, June 19, 2009 in the large CUPHD conference room located at 201 West Kenyon Road from 8:00am - 12:00pm.
“Children are some of the greatest teachers,” said Julie A. Pryde, Public Health Administrator at CUPHD. “Once they learn something important, they tell it to others and remind them when they forget. The Germ Busters program is based on this social advertising model. CUPHD will give the participants the information and tools to “spread the word not germs”, and it will be up to each individual child to make a difference. CUPHD is starting this program now in hopes that it will help curtail the spread of H1N1 in the fall and winter.
The Germ Busters program focuses on four key messages:
- Cough or sneeze into your sleeve, not your hands.
- Do not touch your “T-Zone” (eyes, nose, and mouth).
- Wash your hands frequently using good hand washing practices.
- Stay home when you are sick to prevent infecting others.
Participating children will be trained in these principles by CUPHD costumed characters through a series of interactive exercises, live skits and videos and encouraged to share what they learn with their friends and families. Children that successfully complete the initial class will be declared “Official Germ Busters” and will be given a certificate of completion, t-shirt, and many other Germ Buster related materials. Official Germ Busters will also have their own “club” on the CUPHD website that will allow them to down load special Germ Buster educational activity sheets, read new Germ Buster tips and updates as well as watch new educational videos and receive tips from their favorite Germ Buster characters.
CUPHD is taking the Germ Busters program “on the road” this summer. The program is available free of charge to all area day cares, schools, camps, organizations and anywhere kids congregate in Champaign County.. Local groups interested in hosting the Germ Busters for a half-hour fun-filled class are encouraged to call CUPHD for additional information or to schedule a time or fill out a request form on-line at www.c-uphd.org.
For more information on Germ Busters or CUPHD and its many programs, please contact CUPHD at (217) 352-7961 or visit CUPHD on the web at www.c-uphd.org. Additional H1N1 or other emergency preparedness materials may be found at www.Stock2forFlu or www.champcoprepares.com . Also, become a fan of “Champaign County Prepares” on FaceBook for additional information on H1N1.
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CUPHD Asks Residents to “Wear BLUE” to Raise Awareness of Men’s Health Issues
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 15, 2009
Contact
Candi Crause, Director
(217) 531-5372 /
Lori A. Holmes, Public Relations
(217) 531-2927
CUPHD Asks Residents to “Wear BLUE” to Raise Awareness of Men’s Health Issues
Champaign-Urbana Public Health District to Honor National Men’s Health Week with Screenings & Clinics
Champaign, IL – June 15-21 marks National Men’s Health Week. The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) would like to ask local residents to “Wear BLUE” during this week to raise awareness and educate men, women, and their families of the need to end the silent crisis in Men’s Health. CUPHD would like to encourage local men to take advantage of blood-draw prostate cancer screenings for all men over the age of 40, as well as weekly Men’s Clinics held every Monday from 4:00 – 5:30pm at CUPHD located at 201 West Kenyon Road in Champaign.
“Many serious diseases can be detected early through simple screenings,” said Candi Crause, Director of Infectious Disease for CUPHD, “Some of the most deadly diseases in men show no outward symptoms until they have progressed significantly, making them difficult to treat. Early detection through routine screenings saves lives. CUPHD would like everyone to “Wear BLUE” this week to actively remind men to be screened.”
Statistics show that there is an on-going, increasing and predominately silent crisis in the health and well-being of men. Due to a lack of awareness, poor health education, and culturally induced behavior patterns in their work and personal lives, men’s health and well-being are deteriorating steadily.
- On average, men live 5 year less than women.
- 1 in 2 men will develop cancer in their lifetime.
- 1 in 6 men will get prostate cancer, and approximately 28,000 men will die from the disease.
- Men die at higher rates from 9 of the top 10 causes of death.
- Men make up over 92% of workplace deaths.
The “Wear BLUE” campaign was developed by the Men’s Health Network. The message is simple: “End the Silence” on Men’s health issues. The “Wear BLUE” campaign requests:
- Wear BLUE to remind men of the importance of remaining healthy.
- Wear BLUE and become a part of a national movement.
- Wear BLUE to let men know we care.
- Wear BLUE to keep men healthy and alive.
National Men’s Health Week, the week ending in Father’s Day is a special awareness period recognized by Congress each year. National Men’s Health Week was signed into law by President Clinton in 1994. Additional support comes from more than 45 governors who declare Men’s Health Week in their states, including Illinois.
For more information about Men’s Clinics and Screenings, or any other CUPHD programs and services, please call 217-352-7961 or visit CUPHD on the web at www.c-uphd.org.
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