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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 10, 2023

Contact
Julie Pryde, Administrator
217-531-5369 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Tanya Giannotti, Public Relations
217-531-2925 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

September 17- 23 is Child Passenger Safety Week

Organization Supports the Initiative’s Vision by the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion

CHAMPAIGN, IL – Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) is pleased to be recognized by the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (ODPHP) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as a Healthy People 2030 Champion.

As a Healthy People 2030 Champion, CUPHD has demonstrated a commitment to helping achieve the Healthy People 2030 vision of a society in which all people can achieve their full potential for health and well-being across the lifespan. The Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion recognizes CUPHD, along with other Healthy People 2030 Champions, as part of a growing network of organizations partnering with ODPHP to improve health and well-being at the local, state, and tribal level.

“ODPHP is thrilled to recognize Champaign-Urbana Public Health District for its work to support the Healthy People 2030 vision,” says RADM Paul Reed, MD, ODPHP Director. “Only by collaborating with partners nationwide can we achieve Healthy People 2030’s overarching goals and objectives.”

Healthy People 2030 is the fifth iteration of the Healthy People initiative, which sets 10-year national objectives to improve health and well-being nationwide. Healthy People 2030 Champions are public and private organizations that are working to help achieve Healthy People objectives. They receive official support and recognition from ODPHP.

Healthy People 2030 Champion is a service mark of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Used with permission. Participation by CUPHD does not imply endorsement by HHS/ODPHP.

About the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (ODPHP)

ODPHP plays a vital role in keeping the nation healthy through Healthy People 2030, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition, and other programs, services, and education activities. ODPHP is part of the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health (OASH) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

To learn more about ODPHP, visit health.gov or follow @HealthGov on Twitter.

 

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Download 2023-10-10-Healthy-People-Champion-PR

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 14, 2023

Contact
Christina Ladage, Senior Car Seat Instructor Proxy
217-531-4306 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Tanya Giannotti, Public Relations
217-531-2925 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

September 17 - 23 is Child Passenger Safety Week

Champaign-Urbana Public Health District to Offer Free Car Seat Checks by Certified Technicians

CHAMPAIGN, IL – Every year, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) partners with local communities to hold Child Passenger Safety Week, which runs from September 17–23 this year. The annual safety week features a dedicated seat inspection event, offering parents and caregivers a valuable opportunity to receive complimentary guidance on the proper installation and utilization of suitable car seats for their children. Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) will have certified child passenger safety technicians available on Monday, September 25, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the north side parking lot garage of 201 W. Kenyon Road in Champaign. No appointment is necessary.

Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death for children, and the latest research from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) shows that 46% of car seats are misused. Common issues are children being in the wrong type of car seat for their age and size and car seats being installed improperly, both of which leave children vulnerable to injury in a crash. An average of two children under 13 were killed every day in 2021 while riding in vehicles, and another estimated 318 were injured. "Most parents do what they can but are still unsure," said Christina Ladage. "So, they may be surprised to find out their children aren't as secure as they think. We want to help caregivers ensure their children are safe."

Visitors will spend about 30 minutes with a certified expert, during which technicians will let caregivers know if their children are in the right seats for their ages and sizes, make sure car seats are installed correctly, and explain the importance of registering car seats with the manufacturer so they can be notified if there is a recall. If individuals are unable to attend but would still like to have their car seats checked, they can visit www.nhtsa.gov/equipment/car-seats-and-booster-seats#install-inspection. The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District also offers free car seat inspections on the second Monday of every month, except for holidays. Appointments are required and can be scheduled by calling 217-353-4932.

In addition, the Maternal and Child Health division at CUPHD is holding a car seat donation drive. An Amazon wish list can be found at https://a.co/8de7909. Donated car seats will be given to low-income families that need help obtaining a car seat. They will also receive education on the proper installation of the seats in their personal vehicles. People can also drop off donations in person at the WIC window within the main office lobby.

For more information on child car seat safety, as well as how to find other car seat check events, go to www.nhtsa.gov/TheRightSeat.

 

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Download 2023-09-14-cpsw-PR

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 29, 2023

Contact
Cathy Emanuel, ANHC Steering Committee
309-222-3170 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Tanya Giannotti, Public Relations
217-531-2925 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

Advocates for Nursing Home Care Announce the ANHC Community Collaborative

Community Collaborative to Conduct Needs Assessment of Seniors and Caregivers in Champaign County

CHAMPAIGN, IL – The Advocates for Nursing Home Care (ANHC) announces the launching of a needs assessment and formation of a community collaborative to address the need for additional nursing home care in Champaign County. The collaborative is composed of local stakeholders, all of whom have an interest in exploring solutions to the current lack of access to convenient and high-quality nursing home care in Champaign County.

With the closure of University Rehabilitation, and the downsizing of Clark Lindsey, ANHC is concerned about the shortage of quality nursing home beds for older citizens. The group is working with local government officials, non-profit administrators, health officials, and concerned citizens to outline strategies that will aid in resolving the issue. The involvement of the collaborative brings together local community partners to participate in a needs assessment, assist in the development of a market study, develop a business plan, and identify an owner/operator and location for the services recommended by the needs assessment and market study.

According to the 2021 Long-Term Care Inventory[1] from the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), the Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board identifies Champaign County as having a deficit of nursing home beds. After the closure and downsizing of area long-term care facilities, Champaign County is expected to have 411 of the 721 beds needed for the population, according to IDPH calculations. This shortage is detrimental not only to those needing long-term care, but also to those needing inpatient rehabilitative care after hospitalization. The shortage will also have an impact on Medicaid bed availability in the county. By placing Medicaid patients outside of the county, an additional burden is placed on individuals with fewer financial resources.

The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) will conduct the assessment, which will be launched on August 29. Funded by Champaign County, the assessment is expected to include a survey, interviews, and focus groups of providers, users, and family members.

[1] “Inventory of HCF.” Inventory of Health Care Facilities and Services and Need Determinations - Inventory of HCF, https://hfsrb.illinois.gov/inventoriesdata/healthcarefacilities.html

 

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Download 2023-08-29-anhc-Collaborative-PR