Press Releases
Year
Water Fluoridation is a Cost-Effective Strategy Behind Good Oral Healthcare
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 28, 2011
Contact
Alicia Ekhoff, Dental Program Coordinator
(217) 531-4538
Amy Roberts, Public Relations
(217) 531-4264 /
Water Fluoridation is a Cost-Effective Strategy Behind Good Oral Healthcare
Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Supports Water Fluoridation
Champaign, IL – Although the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently reduced the optimal levels of recommended fluoride in drinking water to 0 .7 parts per million, fluoride remains the most cost-effective way to combat tooth decay. The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) Children’s Dental Clinic continues to support water fluoridation and encourages both children and adults to drink tap water to help prevent decay. Fluoride is a mineral that exists naturally in most water supplies. It 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.
According to a study published in the January/February 2010 issue of General Dentistry, the Academy of General Dentistry’s (AGD) peer-reviewed clinical journal, the controlled addition of a fluoride compound to public water supplies is considered to be the most cost-effective way to prevent cavities and fight tooth decay. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that studies show that for every $1 invested in the prevention measure of water fluoridation, it yields $38 of savings in dental treatment costs.
Illinois communities have practiced water fluoridation for more than 60 years and fluoride continues to prove beneficial in the battle against tooth decay. In fact, drinking fluoridated water from birth can reduce tooth decay by 40 to 65 percent. “Tooth decay in children can lead to long-term problems as adults and water fluoridation is a proven way to prevent it and improve the overall oral health in both children and adults,” said Alicia Ekhoff, Dental Program Coordinator for CUPHD.
The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District’s Dental Clinic, located at 201 West Kenyon Road in Champaign, provides treatment for children ages one to 18 who live in Champaign or Urbana and have healthcare coverage through All Kids or Medicaid. Appointments are available Monday thru Friday; 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM by calling (217) 531-4279.
Children enrolled in early childhood, kindergarten, 2nd, or 6th grade in the ChampaignUrbana School District can receive dental care at their school by CUPHD dentists and dental hygienists. Children enrolled in the Urbana School District may also be seen at the Urbana School Health Center (USHC) located in the Urbana High School at 1002 South Race Street. Call 217-239-4220 for an appointment.
For more information on the importance of fluoride in drinking water or any CUPHD service, please call (217) 352-7961 or visit CUPHD on the web at www.c-uphd.org.
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Area Teachers Get on Board with the CATCH Program
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 23, 2011
Contact
Nikki Hillier, Program Coordinator
(217) 531-2914
Amy Roberts, Public Relations
(217) 531-4264 /
Area Teachers Get on Board with the CATCH Program
Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Helps Teachers to Model Healthy Behaviors for Students
Champaign, IL – The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) is helping schools in Champaign County implement CATCH (Coordinated Approach To Child Health). The CATCH program is a multi-component program that promotes positive healthy behaviors in students and emphasizes the need for a healthy lifestyle to improve both living and learning. A coordinated approach to promoting wellness involves modeling healthy behaviors. In order to model those behaviors, area CATCH schools have challenged each other to change their behavior for the better. Fisher Grade School, Thomasboro Grade School, Unity West Elementary School, and Carrie Busey Elementary School are competing in the first-ever CATCH Staff Challenge: A New Year A New Beginning.
The premise of the challenge is that students can not be expected to make healthy choices if the staff is not. In an effort to encourage healthy behavior change as opposed to weight loss, behaviors are rewarded, and people are on the honor system. Participants earn points for their school as they drink water, engage in physical activity, and eat their GO foods: fruits and vegetables. Each week, participants turn in their logs; points are tallied, and posted. “Some of the teachers are really into it. One of them went down a jean size. You should see the jug of water she carries around,” said Roxann Nuss, Teacher at Fisher Grade School.
“We’re getting great feedback. One participant has been working on weight loss for a while, and said the thought of checking off boxes gets her out of bed to keep moving. She carries around a before and after picture of herself. It’s amazing,” said Nikki Hillier, Program Coordinator for Wellness and Health Promotion at CUPHD.
For more information about CUPHD's programs and services, visit www.c-uphd.org.
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Cold Weather Health Tips
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 3, 2011
Contact
Melaney Arnold (217) 558-0500
Kelly Jakubek (312) 520-5242
Cold Weather Health Tips
The dangers of cold weather and how to stay warm
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – As Illinois recover from this week’s snowstorm, the state now faces bitterly cold temperatures. The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) reminds people of the health dangers of extreme low temperatures and tips on how to stay warm.
Frostbite/Hypothermia
Without heat, exposure to cold temperatures can lead to frostbite and/or hypothermia. Parts of the body most commonly affected by frostbite include the face, ears, hands and feet. Frostbitten skin is whitish and stiff, and the area will feel numb rather than painful. To treat frostbite, warm the affected part of the body gradually. Wrap the frostbitten area in blankets, sweaters, coats, etc. and seek medical attention immediately. Do not rub frostbitten areas because the friction can damage the tissue.
Hypothermia is caused by a drop in body temperature to 95 degrees Fahrenheit (F) or less and can be fatal if not detected promptly and treated properly. The condition usually develops over a period of time, anywhere from a few days to several weeks. Even mildly cool indoor temperatures of 60 degrees to 65 degrees F can trigger hypothermia. Infants and the elderly are particularly at risk of hypothermia. Signs of hypothermia include:
- Forgetfulness
- Drowsiness
- Slurred speech
- Weak pulse
- Slow heartbeat
- Very slow, shallow breathing
Do not give a hypothermia victim a hot shower or bath because it could cause shock and do not try to treat hypothermia at home. The condition should be treated in a hospital.
Dressing for the cold
If you need to be outside, the following suggestions will help keep you warm and protect your body from excessive heat loss.
- Wear several layers of lightweight clothing rather than one or two layers of heavy garments. The air between the layers of clothing acts as insulation to keep you warmer.
- Cover your head. You lose as much as 50 percent of your body heat through your head.
- Wear mittens rather than fingered gloves.
- Wear warm leg coverings and heavy socks or two pairs of lightweight socks.
- Wear waterproof boots or sturdy shoes that give you maximum traction.
- Cover your ears and the lower part of your face. The ears, nose, chin and forehead are most susceptible to frostbite. Cover your mouth with a scarf to protect the lungs from directly inhaling extremely cold air.
Shoveling
Cold weather itself, without any physical exertion, puts an extra strain on your heart so know your limits when shoveling snow, especially if you do not exercise regularly. If you have a history of heart trouble or any chronic health concerns, talk to your health care provider before shoveling snow. You should rest frequently and pace yourself when shoveling. Remember to lift the snow with your legs, not your back. If you use a snow blower, never use your hands to unclog the machine. If you become breathless, stop, go indoors and warm up before continuing. If you experience chest or arm pain or numbness, stop immediately and go indoors; you may need to call 911. Overexertion can cause sore muscles, falls and heart attacks.
Heating Safety
For people still needing to use alternative sources of heat, IDPH has the following reminders:
- Any heater that uses wood, coal, natural gas or kerosene produces carbon monoxide (CO), so adequate ventilation is essential.
- Never use a generator indoors, even with open doors or windows.
- Do not use charcoal or gas grills indoors.
- Do not use a gas oven to heat your home.
You cannot see or smell carbon monoxide, but at high levels it can kill a person in minutes.
Symptoms of mild to moderate CO poisoning include headaches, dizziness, nausea and lethargy. Higher levels of CO exposure can cause fainting, confusion and collapse and if exposure continues, death can result.
Additional safety information is available on the state’s Ready Illinois Web site at www.Ready.Illinois.gov.
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