July Health Observances 

Clean Beaches Week is the "Earth Day" for Beaches

Held annually from July 1-7, it is a celebration of the healthy beach lifestyle.  The four main themes of the week are: food, recreation, travel and our environment.  To learn more visit

www.cleanbeaches.org

  

In Maine, legislation that took effect May 13, 2009 was the first in the nation to prohibit smoking at State beaches, common areas in all State Parks and State Historic Sites.  These areas include:

   * Beaches

   * Playgrounds

   * Snack Bars

   * Picnic Shelters

   * Business Facilities

   * Any Enclosed Public Place

   * Public Restrooms

 

The law supports a cleaner and safer environment, free of cigarette butts and secondhand smoke.  The US Surgeon General has stated that there is no safe level of secondhand smoke and cigarette butts are the most common kind of litter in the United States.  Tobacco Smoke contains over 4,000 chemicals and many are known to cause cancer.  The filters contain numerous dangerous chemicals and take up to ten years to break down.  Cigarettes are the leading cause of fire in the US, costing lives and millions of dollars in damages.

  

U.V Safety Month

UV Safety Month is a great time to spread the message of sun, fun and UV safety to your staff.  Ultaviolet (UV) radiation is the main cause of skin cancer and eye damage that can lead to vision loss. 

Anyone can get skin cancer, but the risk is greater for some people with:

   * fair skin, especially with freckles

   * blond or red hair

   * blue or green eyes

What one can do to help prevent UV damage to skin and eyes:

   * stay out of the sun between 10 am and 4 pm

   * use sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher

   * cover up with a long sleeve shirt

   * wear a wide brimmed hat

   * wear sunglasses that block 99 to 100% of UV-A and UV-B rays

   * have regular eye exams

   * check skin regularly for changes, www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/wyntk/melanoma/page32

For more information visit American Academy of Ophthalmology's website at www.aao.org, other resources include www.preventblindness.org,  and www.earthgauge.net/wp-content/fact_sheets/EG_UV_Safety.pdf

Eye Injury Prevention Month

Eye Injury Prevention Month is celebrated every July to encourage people to properly protect their eyes in every environment, but particularly the workplace.  Every day more than 2,000 eye injuries occur, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has found that almost 70% of eye injuries studied occur from falling or flying objects, or sparks striking the eye.

The BLS estimates that 90% of eye injuries are preventable with the use of proper safety eyewear, and the Occupational Safety Health Administration (OSHA) has standards that require employers to provide employees and visitors with appropriate eye protection.  The same guidelines for eye protection should be practiced at home as well.

While the main focus of Eye Injury Prevention Month is on the workplace, it also calls attention to the need for early detection and treatment of eye conditions and diseases. 

To learn more visit Federal Occupational Health's website at

www.foh.dhhs.gov/Public/NYCU/eyeinjury.asp

Everyone Deserves a Massage Week  July 17-23

The Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals (ABMP) is the sponsor of Everyone Deserves a Massage Week.  Chair massage is a great addition to any worksite wellness program for many reasons.  Most massage therapists charge a dollar a minute and employees remain fully clothed.

Benefits of Massage

Massage offers a drug-free, non-invasive approach that works with the body's natural ability to heal itself, while:

   * increasing circulation

   * stimulating the flow of lymph, the body's natural defense 

         system

   * relaxes and softens injured, inflammed and overused muscles

   * reduces spasms and cramping

   * reduces injury recovery time

   * is a natural pain killer

   * improves range of motion

   * reduces stress

   * improves mood

For more information visit the Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals website at www.abmp.com.

Wellness Team Corner

As I was working on this edition of the Adult and Worksite Wellness Newsletter a number of horrible events were transpiring involving domestic violence.  Knowing I must not be the only person shaken by these unbelieveable tragedies, domestic violence is the topic of this month's wellness team corner.

• 1 in 3 women experience domestic abuse between the ages 18 and 65.
• 71% of human resources and security personnel surveyed had an incident of domestic violence occurring on company property.
• Victims of domestic abuse miss on average 3 days of work per month.
• 94% of corporate security directors rank domestic violence as a high security problem at their company.
• 74% of women reported that their abusive partner harassed them at work.

• 78% were using company resources including company car, telephone, cellphone, email, internet, etc  to check up, harass, and threaten their victims.
• 75% of supervisors knew of offender's arrest, 18% bailed out the offender.
• 74% reported easy access to their victim's worksite.
• 48% reported difficulty concentrating due to perpetration.
• 19% of offenders had a workplace accident or near miss.
• 15,221 hours of work time were lost to Maine employers due to arrests of 70 men in study, equalling over $200,000. (Family Crisis Services/Maine Department of Labor Workplace Violence Study 2003).

• Provide education to all employees to create awareness of domestic violence and how to find help for themselves and how to reach out to co-workers.
• Train managers, including human resources, security/safety and other employee service department about domestic violence to identify the signs of abuse and how to respond appropiately to abused employees.
• Adopt or adapt exisiting policies that provide flexible opportunities.  Maine Law states in the Employment Leave for Victims of Violence "Employers must grant reasonable and necessary leave from work if an employee or employee's daughter, son, parent or spouse is a victim of domestic abuse, sexual assault or stalking" Title 26, subchapter VI-B, § 850. 
• Offer and Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and refer employees for help.
• Refer employees for help to local domestic violence services, like Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence at 430-8334 or www.mcedv.org.
• Post throughout the worksite the National Domestic Violence Helpline information (1-800-799-SAFE), 1-866-834-4357 and the MCEDV member project in your area.
• Have an organized response to direct threats as part of your preparedness and safety programs. 

Domestic violence is not a private family matter, it is a community problem, be part of the solution.  For more strategies and how to make a difference visit www.mcedv.org or call 430-8334. 

The local project is Family Violence Project, to learn more about its programs for individuals, families, schools and worksites visit www.familyviolenceproject.org or call 623-8637.  The Augusta Crisisline is 623-3569 or 1-877-890-7788

Other resources:

Hardy Girls, Healhty Women www.hardygirlshealthywomen.org

Silent No More www.silentnomore.org

Healthier Entrepreneurs Corner by Bill McPeck

Don't spend your health now to gain wealth that you will only need to spend later to regain your health.

Question: How do I become a wise health consumer?  Part 3

I believe there are three answers to this question: 

     *Making the most of any doctor visit (See Part1in May's

       newsletter)

     * Maximizing your use of the benefits available through your

        insurance plan (See Part 2 in last month's newsletter)

     * Making a wise decision regarding any treatment you are

        recommended to undergo

This month, we will explore:  Making a wise decision regarding any treatment you are recommended to undergo.

When facing surgery or treatment for a significant or potential life threatening illness, you should:

     *  Consider getting a second opinion

     *  Ask your physician or surgeon how experienced they are in

         performing the surgery or treatment you are recommended to

         undergo

     *  Ask what are the benefits and risks of the procedure or

         treatment

     * Ask if minimally invasive surgery is appropriate for you

     * Ask what you can expect after the surgery or treatment is

        completed

     * Educate yourself about the proposed surgery or treatment

     * Consider yourself a partner in the treatment process, not just a

        patient

     * Once you have gotten all the information and advice you want

        and make a decision to undergo surgery or a treatment, make

        sure you follow your surgeon's or physician's advice

     * Keep asking questions or seeking advice until you are satisfied

Make sure you also check and determine if your employer or health insurance plan offers you access to medical decision support services (MDS).  MDS offers in-depth, objective, personalized and current information on your medical conditions.  You will receive the information, tools and support to help you make a more informed decision while you continue to work with your surgeon or physician.

As part of your decision making process, compare the quality rating of the Maine doctors and hospitals you are considering using.  You can see the ratings on the Maine Health Management Coalition's Web site, Get Better Maine at www.getbettermaine.org.

Got a question? Send it to Bill at william.c.mcpeck@maine.gov. Bill McPeck is a health, wellness and safety expert with training as a social worker and personal coach, as well as holding professional certifications in worksite wellness and work-life balance.  Bill is currently Director of Employee Health and Safety for Maine State Government.

Resources:

Tobacco Cessation:

Maine Tobacco Helpline - It is Free - It is Confidential and it Works! 

Website - www.thequitlink.com

Facebook page - http://www.facebook.com/QuitLink

Twitter page - http://twitter.com/quitlink

Medication Drop Boxes:

The following police departments have secure medication drop boxes and accept unwanted and outdated personal and veterinarian medications for disposal from the public any day their lobby is open:

Augusta Police Department, 33 Union Street

Gardiner Police Department, 6 Church Street

Winthrop Police Department, 15 Town Hall Lane

Kennebec Sheriff's Office, 125 State Street, Augusta

Hallowell Police Department is accepting medications to be disposed but the site does not have a drop box.

Educational Resources:

Wellness Council of Maine

Save the Date: October 13 and 14

Annual Workplace Wellness Symposium

Sunday River, Bethel, Maine

For a full listing of Wellness Council of Maine training opportunities visit: www.wellnesscouncilofmaine.org

For more information contact Willow Sherwood

email: director@wellnesscouncilofmaine.org

Telephone: 207-947-0307

Southern Maine Wellness Council

For a full listing of Southern Maine Wellness Council training opportunities visit www.mmc.org/lifeline_body.cfm?id=7119

For more information contact Thomas Downing, Director

Lifeline Workplace Wellness Program

Maine Medical Center

Division of Community and Prevention Medicine

Falmouth, ME 04105

P: 207-782-1545

E: downit@mmc.org

W: www.mmc.org/lifelinewellness

Kennebec Valley Entrepreneurial Network

KVEN is a regional effort supported by entrepreneurs, service providers, educational institutions, business organizations and individuals who believe that entrepreneurship is the key to prosperity for Kennebec and Somerset Counties.

In additon to regular meetings that take place every six weeks, you are invited to join the online community on 'LinkedIn.'  Just go to www.linkedin.com and register to become part of the LinkedIn online community.  Once you are registered, go to the top of the menu bar and click on 'Groups.'  Type in Kennebec Valley Entrepreneurial Network and become a member of the group.  For more information about events or to learn more about KVEN, please contact Ken Young, 453-4258, ext 16, kyoung@kvcog.org or Shelley Payne, 453-4258 ext 19, spayne@kvcog.org

Webinars, Webcasts, Reports and White Papers

Bucks Consultants www.bucksconsultants.com

Fisher and Phillips  www.laborlawyers.com

Health Promotion Live  healthpromotionlive.com

Human Nature @ Work  David Lee  www.humannatureatwork.com

Institute for Health and Productivity Management  www.ihpm.org 

National Wellness Institute  www.nationalwellness.org

WELCOA  www.welcoa.org

Wellsteps  new.wellsteps.com

Learning Resources Network (LERN) at MSAD #11 (RSU #11) For more information or to register, contact Diann Bailey, Director MSAD #11 Adult Education, Telephone 207-582-3774,

email: dbailey@msad11.org

Healthy Lifestyles Resources:

SparkPeople

A FREE online site that provides support on diet, exercise and healthy living.  The site offers free nutrition and exercise trackers, recipes, shopping lists, online communities to join, health information.  Members set goals and can receive online support.  To learn more or join visit www.sparkpeople.com

Live Strong

This online site provides support on diet, exercise, and healthy living.  The site tracks daily intake, using MyPlate for Diabetes and non-diabetes, exercise and weight, includes detailed exercise routine, calculates body mass index (BMI) and recommended daily caloric intake based weight, height, weight loss goals, activity levels, etc for FREE.  To learn more or to join visit www.livestrong.com

Fit Day

A FREE online diet and exercise site where members can calculate and record daily food intake and exercise, track weight loss and monitor goals.  To learn more or join visit www.fitday.com

CDC Physical Activity Planning and Tracking Tools (also FREE)

www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/tools/index.html#Physical%20Activity%20planning

My physical Activity Diary

Meals Matter

Small Steps.gov

MyPyramid Tracker

MyPlate

The President's Challenge  

Heart 360

Heart 360 is a convenient and secure location for you to track and manage your heart health.  Record your health data with Heart 360 online trackers, access additional information and resources on how to be heart healthy, and even share your results with your healthcare provider.  To learn more visit www.heart360.org

Start!

Start! is the American Heart Association's program to get Americans walking to improve heart health. To learn more visit startwalkingnow.org

Trail Finding Resources:

Healthy Maine Walks  www.healthymainewalks.org

Move More  www.movemore.org

Healthy Communities of the Capital Area  www.healthycommunitiesme.org

Maine Trail Finder www.mainetrailfinder.com

Maine State Parks Trails  www.trails.com/state-park-trails.aspx?keyword=state%20park&state=ME

Kennebec Land Trust  www.tklt.org

Kennebec River Rail Trail  www.krrt.org

Viles Arboretum  www.vilesarboretum.org

Trails  www.trails.com

Substance Abuse Resources:

Does Someone You Know Have an Opioid Addiction?

Free monthly meetings to learn about addiction, medication-assisted treatment and recovery 

Augusta:

Meetings are held the third Tuesday at noon at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 69 Winthrop Street.  For more information call Jayne Harper at  621-3740 or Helen Pare at 266-8881

Waterville:

Meetings are at 12:30 pm at the Eskelund Center at the Maine Children's Home, 93 Silver Street, Waterville.  The meetings dates are July 27, September 7, October 5, November 2 and December 7, for more information call Jayne Harper at 621-3740 or Brenda Radel at 872-7272 

All Recovery Support Meetings

Sponsored by the Maine Recovery Communities Coalition.  All Recovery Support Meetings welcome people from every addiction recovery pathway.  Meetings are free of charge.

When:  Thursdays

Where: Green Street Methodist Church, 14 Green Street, Augusta

For more information call Deb Dettor at 458-4366 or Peter Wohl at 626-3448

Find a Meeting Near You:

To find Alcohol Anonymous, Al Anon, Cocaine Anonymous, Co Anon, Narcotics Anonymous and Narcotics Anon meetings near your visit www.usrecovery.info/AA/Maine.htm

Health Risk Assessment Resource:

KeepMEWell

To take the free, easy, private health risk assessment visit www.keepmewell.org

The goals of KeepMeWell are to assist Maine adult residents to:

* Assess their risk for chronic disease

* Receive feedback that promotes action to address identified health risks

* Link to local community resources that assist residents in taking action to lower their risk for disease and improve their health

*Link uninsured and underinsured residents to healthcare services at no cost or slide scale cost

KeepMEWell is a free public service offered by the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC), Maine Department of Health and Human Services.  No personal information about individuals will be collected.  Only the individual will decide what to do with their personal results.  To participate fully, you will need a computer, internet access and a printer.

One great use of the personal results report is to use it as a conversation starter with your primary healthcare provider to develop a personal health plan with personal goals to address health concerns.

Healthy Maine Works

Farmers Markets

Viles Aboretum:

Fridays 2-6 pm

Turnpike Mall:

 Wednedays and Saturdays 10 am - 1 pm

Mill Park:

Tuesdays 2 - 6 pm

Gardiner:

On the Common

Wednesdays 2 - 6pm

Hallowell:

On the River Bank

Saturdays 11 am - 3 pm

Wayne:

Main Street, Village Center

Saturdays 9 - 11:30 am

Winthrop:

Main Street

Saturdays 9 am - 1 pm

Our Board of Directors 

Mary Frances Bartlett

Rebecca West Dick

Dick Dyer

Rob Gordon, Treasurer

Patricia Hopkins

Kala Ladenheim

William McPeck, Vice Chair

Emilie van Eeghen

Kathi Wall

Frederick A. White, PhD

Jim Wood, Chair

Mark Yerrick, Secretary

Our Towns

Augusta

Chelsea

Farmingdale

Fayette

Gardiner

Hallowell

Litchfield

Manchester

Monmouth

Mount Vernon

Pittston

Randolph

Readfield

Richmond

Vienna

Wayne

HCCA has FREE signs: metal, corrugated plastic, window clings and laminated, Call Amy at 588-5019