Every January a lot of us
make goals or resolutions to eat healthier, only to have them fade before
Valentine’s Day. Don’t lose heart just because January's over! These simple tips can help keep
you on track to a successful and healthy year!
Tuesday, February 6, 2018
Friday, February 2, 2018
Thurston County Awarded Spolight For Progress in National Challenge
County Commissioners
John Hutchings - District One
Gary Edwards - District Two
Bud Blake - District Three
FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE: 1 February 2018
CONTACT: Chris
Hawkins, Community Engagement, Evidence & Partnerships, (360) 867-2513 or hawkinc@co.thurston.wa.us
Thurston County Awarded Spotlight for Progress in National
Challenge
Project
aims to boost physical activity through improved community design.
OLYMPIA – Thurston County has been
selected to receive $25,000 as part of the Healthiest Cities & Counties
Challenge (the Challenge) Spotlight Award for its “Active Design for a
Healthier Community” project. Ten winners and five honorable mentions were
selected to improve opportunities for all Americans to take an active role in
healthy living – regardless of income, education or ethnic background.
The award is part
of the Healthiest Cities & Counties Challenge, an initiative launched in
2016 by the Aetna Foundation, along with the American Public Health Association
(APHA) and the National Association of Counties (NACo), supporting
small-to-midsize cities and counties to implement innovative solutions for
their local public health issues. The $1.5 million
“Challenge” competition is awarded among communities around the U.S. for
programs to improve access to healthy foods, increase physical activity and
reduce violence and crime. 50 finalists were chosen based on strategies to
improve the health of their communities in at least one of five areas: healthy
behaviors, community safety, built environment, social/economic factors and
environmental exposures.
The Thurston Thrives
Community Design Action Team project focuses on identifying and supporting
improvements to Thurston County’s regional trails, to make them more accessible
for people living nearby to use. It’s part of an overall strategy to make daily
physical activity easier for local residents, boosting their levels of exercise
(30 minutes per day for adults, 60 minutes per day for children and youth). The
project has posted its results at Thurston County Public Health & Social
Services website: http://bit.ly/2eZeQ7J. These include
places where trail access paths are needed, number of nearby residents or
employees, and locations for benches, signs and other improvements.
“This award recognizes the great partnerships at
the heart of Thurston Thrives, and our continuing efforts to build a healthier
community,” said Schelli Slaughter, Director of the County’s Public Health
& Social Services Department. “The Community Design team and other local
partners are working hard to make it easy, enjoyable and safe to go for a walk
or engage in active transportation, so residents can get more healthy activity
every day.”
For more information on the Spotlight Awards, the
recognized organizations and the Challenge, visit www.healthiestcities.org. Information on the local team’s work will be shared at the
February 13 Board of Health meeting and at a regional active community design
forum in March.
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Friday, January 12, 2018
Hepatitis A: What You Should Know
Hepatitis A, a highly contagious infection that affects the
liver, has been cropping up more in the news over the last few years, but many
may not know much about the disease. The effects of this viral infection can
vary, from a mild sickness that lasts a few weeks, to a much more severe
illness lasting multiple months. Most people recover completely without any
lasting issues, but while rare, Hepatitis A can cause death in some people.
Hepatitis A is spread when a person accidentally ingests the virus, which is
present in the fecal matter of an infected person.
Symptoms of Hepatitis A may start appearing roughly 2 to 4
weeks after exposure, but can appear as late as 7 weeks later. These symptoms
include: Fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain,
dark urine, clay-colored stools, joint pain, and jaundice (yellowing of the
skin and eyes). Anyone who believes they may have been exposed to Hepatitis A,
or who has symptoms such as jaundice, should seek medical care.
Groups at higher risk for infection include people who have
direct contact with an infected person, drug users, men who have sex with men,
and people who travel to countries where Hepatitis A is common. Hepatitis A can
spread quickly among homeless populations where people have less access to
medical care, may be less likely to seek medical care, and may have fewer
resources.
People who identify themselves as being in one of these
high-risk groups, and who have not been previously vaccinated should get the
Hepatitis A vaccine. The vaccine is a 2-shot series, effective if given within
two weeks of exposure. Your pharmacy may be able to provide the vaccine, but you should call first to find out for certain.
Friday, November 17, 2017
Free Healthy Homes Class for Professionals & Residents
Learn how to identify, address and prevent housing-related health risks like mold, indoor air pollution, rodents and more.
When: Thursdays in February from 6:30-8:30 p.m. This class has four sessions for a total of eight hours. Light snacks will be served.
Where: Thurston County Public Health at
412 Lilly Rd. NE Olympia 98506 (across from Providence St. Peter Hospital and served by Intercity Transit bus routes # 60, 62A and 62B)
412 Lilly Rd. NE Olympia 98506 (across from Providence St. Peter Hospital and served by Intercity Transit bus routes # 60, 62A and 62B)
In this class you will:
- Learn how healthy homes principles help keep the structure of a home in good condition.
- Learn how housing conditions impact health.
- Learn to identify, address and prevent housing-related health risks.
- Gain useful knowledge that you can apply to your daily life.
- Earn a certificate of completion.
Who should take this class:
- Renters, homeowners, landlords, parents, college students. Anyone who's interested!
- Licensed contractors & home improvement service companies - ask about how to get on the Healthy Homes Program vendor list!
- Social workers, home caregivers, medical & public health professionals. This class is great for professional development.
Friday, September 29, 2017
Keep up with the latest lake advisories
Do you have a favorite lake in Thurston County? Do you live on or near one of them? Do you like to visit Thurston County's beautiful lakes for fishing, boating, swimming, or dog-walking? If yes, you should know how to get up-to-date information on toxic algae blooms and other important advisories.
For questions or to report an algae bloom or swimming-related illness call: (360) 867-2626
Here are the best ways to get the info:
- Bookmark the Swimming in Thurston County website and always check it out before you head to a Thurston County beach.
- Follow Thurston County Public Health & Social Services on Facebook.
- Sign up for email notifications. You can sign up for notifications about specific lakes or all of them.
For questions or to report an algae bloom or swimming-related illness call: (360) 867-2626
What you should know about Pertussis (Whooping Cough)
Since the school year began about a month ago, there has been five reported cases of pertussis in Thurston County.
While typically a relatively mild illness for older children and
adults, pertussis can be life threatening for infants and young children, and
dangerous for pregnant women.
Pertussis
is spread through the air and by secretions of the nose and throat in the same
manner as a cold. The illness starts with mild cold symptoms, followed in 4 to
5 days by a cough. The cough can become severe, causing children to vomit or
have difficulty breathing. Difficulty breathing causes the characteristic
“whoop” sound in children with severe illness. Most children are immunized
during infancy and preschool years and are protected while they are the most
vulnerable. Immunity wanes over time leaving older children and adults
susceptible to the illness.
Pertussis
containing vaccine is available for older children and adults. The
recommendation is that all individuals 11 years of age and older receive one
dose of Tdap (Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) vaccine. Vaccine for children is
available from their health care provider and most pharmacies will vaccinate
older children and adults.
The
three most important ways to prevent the spread of pertussis as well as many
other illnesses are:
1.
Frequent hand washing.
2.
Cover your nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing.
3.
You and your child stay home when ill.
If
you or your child has a severe or persistent cough, or one that lasts longer
than a week, please see your family health care provider for an evaluation. If
you have questions, please contact your healthcare provider or school nurse.
Thursday, September 7, 2017
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