Category: 52 Weeks to Health

May is National Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month The teen birth rate has been steadily falling for years, but it still remains the highest teen pregnancy rate in the industrialized countries. About eighty-five percent of these pregnancies are unplanned, which in any population can increase the risk for problems. The biggest risk for teen mothers is delaying prenatal care or worse, about seven percent received no care at all. The Rates of Teen Pregnancy In 2017, a total of 194,377 babies were born to women aged 15–19 years, for a birth rate of 18.8 per 1,000 women in this age group. […]

Tobacco: A Winnable Battle Tobacco use is the number one cause of preventable death in the United States and around the world.   Tobacco killed one hundred million people worldwide in the 20th century — and if current trends continue, it will kill one billion people in the 21st century.  Every year, tobacco kills more than 480,000 Americans and six million people worldwide. A Winnable Battle  We know how to win the fight against tobacco. Science and experience have identified proven, cost-effective strategies that prevent kids from smoking, help smokers quit and protect everyone from secondhand smoke. These strategies include: Higher […]

May is Hepatitis Awareness Month and May 19th is Designated Hepatitis Testing Day Are you at risk? Take the Hepatitis Risk Assessment. Hepatitis or inflammation of the liver can be caused by viruses, medication, toxins, excessive alcohol intake but most commonly by viruses named Hepatitis A, B or C. Hepatitis A Hepatitis A is a contagious liver infection caused by the hepatitis A virus. People who get hepatitis A may feel sick for a few weeks to several months but usually recover completely and do not have lasting liver damage. The hepatitis A virus is found in the stool and blood […]

Hand Hygiene When Should You Wash Your Hands? Before, during, and after preparing food Before eating food Before and after caring for someone who is sick Before and after treating a cut or wound After using the toilet After changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has used the toilet After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing After touching an animal, animal feed, or animal waste After handling pet food or pet treats After touching garbage How to Wash Your Hands? Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap. Lather […]

Smokeless Tobacco and Oral Cancer There are 28 known cancer causing chemicals in smokeless tobacco; it is not a safe alternative to smoking cigarettes. According to the CDC, in previous years, Kentucky has been ranked #1 in the highest rates of oral cancer. Using smokeless tobacco increases the risk of heart disease and stroke. Smokeless tobacco can cause gum disease, tooth decay, and tooth loss. Also, it can cause white or gray patches in the mouth known as leukoplakia, which can lead to cancer. The Oral Cancer Foundation states 145 Americans will be newly diagnosed per day with oral cancer.  […]

World Immunization Week is an annual observance to highlight the importance of protecting infants from vaccine-preventable diseases and celebrate the achievements of immunization programs and their partners in promoting healthy communities. Diseases such as smallpox, diphtheria, polio, measles and whooping cough were mostly wiped out in the US through excellent immunization programs.  Unfortunately some of these are coming back as more parents choose to withhold vaccines. Whooping cough and measles outbreaks in recent years exemplify this problem. Whooping cough (pertussis) is a very contagious disease that can be deadly for babies. It is spread from person to person, usually by […]

STIs/STDs A sexually transmitted disease (STD) is an infection caused by bacteria or a virus. It is also known as a sexually transmitted infection. STDs are spread by oral, genital, or anal sex. Some examples of STDs are chlamydia, syphilis, and gonorrhea. HIV and viral hepatitis are the most common sexually transmitted infections. If you are sexually active, getting tested for STDs is one of the most important things you can do to protect your health. Make sure you have an open and honest conversation about your sexual history and STD testing with your doctor and ask whether you should […]

Alcohol And Your Health Drinking too much can harm your health. Excessive alcohol use led to approximately 88,000 deaths and 2.5 million years of potential life lost (YPLL) each year in the United States from 2006 – 2010, shortening the lives of those who died by an average of 30 years. Further, excessive drinking was responsible for 1 in 10 deaths among working-age adults aged 20-64 years. The economic costs of excessive alcohol consumption in 2010 were estimated at $249 billion, or $2.05 a drink.  What is a “drink”?  In the United States, a standard drink contains 0.6 ounces (14.0 grams […]

WHAT IS PUBLIC HEALTH? Your local health department’s mission, generally speaking, is to promote the public’s health. Public health professionals try to prevent problems from happening or recurring through implementing educational programs, recommending policies, promoting healthy lifestyles, assuring a safe environment and through the detection and control of infectious diseases. In contrast, clinical professionals like doctors and nurses, focus primarily on treating individuals after they become sick or injured. It is important to note that Kentucky is one of the unhealthiest states in our nation; but, a few healthy lifestyle choices could change this. First, eating normally proportioned helpings of […]

NATIONAL NUTRITION MONTH: America, Take the Test! During National Nutrition Month®, celebrated each March, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics encourages everyone to “Put Your Best Fork Forward” by making small, healthy shifts in food choices when cooking at home. The 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend making small changes to eating patterns to include healthier ingredients while cooking at home. Choosing a variety of healthful foods across and within all food groups helps reduce the risk of preventable, lifestyle-related chronic diseases including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and obesity. “Evidence shows that making dietary and lifestyle changes can prevent […]