HCCA's Worksite Wellness Newsletter

Every year, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) observes the month of May as the national Asthma and Allergy Awareness month.

May is a peak time for summer and spring allergies that arise due to the abundance of different allergens at that particular time of the year. These allergens trigger attacks of asthma or seasonal allergies that plague sufferers with the problems of itching, sneezing, watery eyes and breathing difficulties. That makes the month of May a perfect time to raise awareness about such conditions and provide education how to manage these conditions, understand which medications to take when and how and what not to do. To learn more about this health holiday visit the Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America at www.aafa.org or www.aanma.org.

To learn more about what you can do about reducing exposures to allergens, asthma triggers and asthmagens visit: www.epa.gov/asthma/awm/index.html. Creating a scentfree policy for the worksite is a great start to reduce the risk of exposures to triggers and asthmagens. Call Amy at 588-5019 for assistance in developing a policy, or assistance in conducting a risk assessment. Maine Occupational Research Agenda and the Maine Asthma Council Worksite Workgroup are working on educational materials for worksites to help educate employees, employers and physicians on the dangers of asthma triggers and asthmagens in the workplace. These documents should be ready this fall.

National Melanoma/Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month

Melanoma is the most serious cancer of the skin, affecting cells that produce and transport the pigment melanin - the substance that gives skin its color. In 2009, an estimated 68,720 new cases will be diagnosed with melanoma and an estimated 8,650 deaths from melanoma.

Melanoma is a common cancer in light-skinned individuals; African Americans are less likely to develop the disease. If caught in its early stages, and with treatment, more than 75 percent of patients with melanoma survive at least five years after diagnosis.

Anything that increases a person's chance of developing a disease is called a risk factor. Though the precise cause of melanoma is unknown, the following risk factors may increase the likelihood of developing skin cancer:

Skin color - Individuals with light-colored eyes and skin are at a higher risk than those with brown eyes and naturally darker skin.
History of sunburns - A history of severe blistering sunburns, particularly during childhood and teenage years, is a recurring theme among those diagnosed.
Overexposure to ultraviolet radiation - Excessive tanning bed exposure and sunbathing puts the skin at higher risk.
Moles - An increased presence of moles or the presence of dysplastic or other atypical moles may be a warning sign of higher risk.
Suppressed immune systems - Certain states of immunosuppression, (e.g., that of renal transplant patients and those with Hodgkin's Disease) make one more vulnerable to the risk of developing melanoma.
Previous melanoma - Personal or family history of melanoma gives you a genetic predisposition for developing the disease.

Melanoma Facts:

Cancer of the skin is the most common of all cancers. Melanoma accounts for about four percent of skin cancer cases, but causes about 79 percent of skin cancer deaths.
Melanoma is a more serious type of cancer than the more common skin cancers, basal cell cancer or squamous cell cancer.
Melanoma can spread (metastasize) quickly to other parts of the body through the lymph or circulatory systems.
Warning signs of melanoma: change in the size, shape, or color of a mole; oozing or bleeding from a mole; a mole that feels itchy, hard, lumpy, swollen, or tender to the touch; the pigmented area of a mole doesn't look normal.

Sources: American Cancer Society; National Cancer Institute

Other resources include American Academy of Dermatology www.aad.org and American Cancer Society www.skincancer.org

For assistance in developing a sun safety policy call Amy at 588-5019

National Stroke Awareness Month takes place in May every year. In honor of this special time,

National Stroke Association strives to provide everyone with the tools and inspiration to raise

public awareness about stroke by hosting awareness events or activities. It doesn't matter if you

are an individual or a large corporation, because the more people we reach, the better.

Stroke is the third leading cause of death and a leading cause of disability in America, but many people

do not realize how educating themselves and others will help reduce the incidence of stroke. We urge

you to specifically educate others about how to:

· STOPstroke through risk factor management. Risk Factors Include:being overweight, smoking, not being physically active, diabetes, high cholesterol, carotid artery disease (hardening of the arteries in the neck), atrial fibrillation and high blood pressure (140/90 or higher, optimal is less than 120/80)

· Act F.A.S.T. to increase recognition of and response to stroke symptoms. Signs of stroke, any one of the warning signs is a reason to call 9-1-1. Sudden... Numbness in the face, arm or leg...slurred speech...blurred vision...dizziness or loss of balance...severe headache. At the first sign of a stroke call 9-1-1 immediately, time lost is brain lost.

· Spread HOPE about recovery from stroke.

To learn more visit www.stroke.org

For free stroke awareness material contact Amy at 588-5019, we have posters and magnets.

See our article on Capital Villagesoup at http://capital.villagesoup.com/member/story/national-stroke-awareness-month/323693

National Blood Pressure Awareness Month

Since 1984, May has been proclaimed as National Blood Pressure Awareness Month in the United States.

The official motto of the blood pressure awareness initiative is "know your numbers".

More than 1 out of every 10 Americans has high blood pressure. Many of those who have high blood pressure do not know it. This is a uniquely silent disease. There are no symptoms until it is too late; the catastrophe of a heart attack or stroke is all too often the first indication of a problem.

For materials to conduct your own Know Your Numbers campaign at your worksite, contact Amy at 588-5019.

To learn more visit www.nhlbi.nih.gov or www.quickmedical.com/health_information/blood_pressure/blood_pressure_awareness_month.html

Other May Health Observances and Resources
Bike to Work Week May 17 -21st www.bikemaine.org and www.bikeleague.org

The Bicycle Coalition of Maine has produced two new bicycle safety/ Share the Road videos: http://www.bikemaine.org/news-room/share-the-road-media-campaign. One stresses the importance of children and adults wearing bicycle helmets. The other informs viewers about the law in Maine and several other states requiring motorists to give at least three feet of clearance when passing cyclists.

World No Tobacco Day - May 31st     www.who.int/tobacco/wntd/2010/announcement/en/index.html
Older Americans Month     www.aoa.dhhs.gov and www.owl-national.org
National Senior Health & Fitness Day- May 26th     www.fitnessday.com

Correct Posture Month www.amerchiro.org

National Bike Month www.bikemaine.org and www.bikeleague.org

National Mental Health Month www.nmha.org

Join Hands Day: Youth and Adults Volunteering Together - May 1 www.pointsoflight.com and www.joinhandsday.org

Better Sleep Month www.bettersleep.org

Clean Air Month     www.cdc.gov/features/cleanairmonth and www.lungusa.org
Women's Health Week - May 19-15th     www.4women.gov/owh
National Employee Health and Fitness - May 19th    www.physicalfitness.org, www.fitness.org and Maine Govenor's Council on Physical Activity www.maineinmotion.org