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Lake County Health Update
 April 2014
   This community e-newsletter is produced by the Lake County Health Department/Community Health Center.

Featured Video 

 

Healthy Lake County

          

Do you know how many drinks per day are considered too much for men and women?  April is Alcohol Awareness month. In this video we learn a little about the Addictions Treatment Program, a low-cost pet vaccination clinic in April and what Enroll Lake County! is doing. It takes just a few minutes to watch.

Preserve Your Smile 

Tobacco users have six times the risk for oral cancer than those who do not use tobacco. Those who smoke and drink have a 15 times greater risk of developing head or neck cancer.

Tobacco Free Lake County can help you quit using tobacco. Call (847) 377-8090 or send an email to TFLC@lakecountyil.gov.

 

The Stories of War 

Lake-McHenry Veterans and Family Services invites you to listen to the story of a Vietnam combat veteran whose experiences continue to impact his life during a free presentation from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday, April 21 at the Warren-Newport Public Library, 224 N. O'Plaine Road, in Gurnee.

Lake-McHenry Veterans and Family Services' mission is to work through a network of agencies to help military personnel, veterans and their families face challenges before, during and after deployments.

 

STD Awareness 

All adults between the ages of 13 and 64 should be tested for HIV, according to the Centers for Disease Control. April is STD (Sexually Transmitted Disease) Awareness Month. Have you been tested?  Click here for who should be screened. 

For those with no symptoms, we have an express clinic that takes just 20 minutes.  Click here to learn more about our Sexually Transmitted Infections program.

 

 

 While few physicians just out of medical school today will ever see a case of measles during their careers, vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles do still exist. With National Child Immunziation Week being April  26 to May 3, now is a good time to remind parents to have their children immunized. Call and make an appointment at the Health Department's Immunization Clinic.

 

 

Caring for Your Septic System in Spring

Spring is the time of year that can put substantial stress on septic systems, especially older systems. This is due to an abundance of water in the environment that must absorb into the soil or travel over the landscape. There are things septic owners can do to keep their systems working better. Click here to read more. 

 
Tony Beltran
Dear Lake County Residents:

 

A public health report card that grades the health of America's counties has ranked Lake County among the healthier counties in Illinois. The report card, developed by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation in collaboration with the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute, ranked Lake County thirteenth out of 102 counties in Illinois on health outcomes measured by length of life and quality of life, and ranked Lake County seventh on health factors measured by health behaviors, clinical care, socio/economic factors and physical environment. Last year, Lake County ranked sixteenth on health outcomes and fifth on health factors. Click here to read more.

 

Sincerely,

Tony Beltran, M.B.A.
Executive Director
Lake County Health Department/
Community Health Center

Public Health Starts Here
National Public Health Week is April  7-13

 

National Public Health Week, April 7 to 13, is a time to recognize the contributions of public health. Since 1995, communities across the nation have participated in this observance that is sponsored by the American Public Health Association. In recognition of this week, the Lake County Health Department/Community Health Center is highlighting its recent accomplishments as a way to inform residents about the role of public health in the community. Click here to read about the Health Department's accomplishments. 

Outpatient Mental Health Adult Services Program Prepares to Open in New Spot

The Outpatient Mental Health Adult Services program located at the
Gloria Bouie, Office Manager at the Libertyville location, shows a work area to Ted Testa, Behavioral Health Services Director.
Avon Township building in Round Lake Park is moving. The current clinic will close on April 10 and a new facility, located at 18698 Peterson Road near Libertyville, will open on April 15. The move will enable patients to receive behavioral health and primary
care services in one location soon. Bringing these two services under one roof with the purpose of treating the patient holistically is being universally accepted as a best practice across the country.
Health Insurance Enrollment Continues
While the open enrollment period for the health insurance marketplace ended March 31 and the next enrollment period begins November 15, 2014, there are still opportunities for people to enroll.

Insurance coverage for individuals who qualify for Medicaid is available through Enroll Lake County! throughout the year without a deadline. Meanwhile, coverage through the marketplace can be obtained after the March 31 deadline given certain circumstances.Here are some examples:
  • Loss of minimum essential coverage (includes turning 26 and no longer being covered on parent's plan). Those individuals can begin the application 30 days before they expect to lose coverage
  • Termination of job-based coverage
  • Change in job-based coverage (e.g., if it doesn't meet minimum essential coverage standards)
  • Marriage, divorce, birth, pregnancy, or adoption
  • Change in income
  • Enrollment error
  • Change in citizenship (e.g., acquiring citizenship status) or qualifying immigration status
  • Violation of a contract by a health plan
  • Gain or loss of eligibility for premium tax credits or cost-sharing reductions, or change in level of cost-sharing reduction if the consumer is already enrolled in a qualified health plan through the Marketplace
  • Relocation or change in address

For more information, you can go to the www.healthcare.gov website. You can also find local information on the Enroll Lake County! web pages.

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