Public Health Communicator 

22 N. Georgia Ave. Suite 300 Mason City, IA  50401         

Ph: 641-421-9300      Fax: 641-421-9350    Toll Free: 1-888-264-2581 

 Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health 

 

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November 2013 

 

Day in the Life of...

   

      

  Erik Gustafson,

Healthy Homes Coordinator 

  

Six years ago Erik Gustafson started his career at the Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health.

 

Gustafson originally began college at Iowa State University (ISU) as a chemical engineering student. With a change of mind, he switched into the food science program. This switch was easy without taking too many additional classes. During Gustafson's time at ISU, he worked under a professor who was doing research for NASA. In this role, Gustafson was responsible for conducting the radiation analysis on soybeans. "We looked at how food would be affected by radiation during the seven month journey to Mars," he stated. "We ground highly irradiated soybeans and put them in different reagents to see how the soybeans were affected due to the radiation levels." Gustafson also was a teaching assistant for several food science courses.  In 2006, he graduated with Bachelor of Science in Food Science and Technology. He worked several jobs until landing at the Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health as an Environmental Health Specialist.  

 

Currently, Gustafson is the Healthy Homes Coordinator for the Health Department.  In this role, he is responsible for overseeing the childhood lead poisoning prevention grant. He also works with home owners to prevent and improve radon, indoor air quality, mold and moisture problems. Gustafson also inspects food establishments and septic systems. Recently, he became the project manager for a grant that examines unregulated drinking water in wells. "This new grant will help us to examine untested private wells for nitrates, bacteria, and arsenic," he said.  Gustafson is also crossed trained in every Environmental Health program to provide additional assistance to the Health Department and the residents.  

 

In his position as Healthy Homes Coordinator, he deals with the reality that children are still exposed to lead poisoning 35 years after lead based paint was banned. "Lead poisoning is still prevalent in our country and its effects are detrimental on children," Gustafson noted. "It is my role to educate residents on maintaining a healthy home." Lead poisoning can impair cognitive learning, increase aggression and cause speech problems. Gustafson also believes the government stigma is sometimes difficult for residents to look past when accessing programs. "The Health Department is here to provide residents with help and at the same time uphold the law," he says. Yet, he enjoys working for an organization that provides information to help change lives and improve them for the better. "We receive great feedback from county residents and that makes my job worth it, Gustafson stated. He also enjoys working for an organization that values teamwork and a fun atmosphere.  

 

From NASA to the Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health, we are glad Erik Gustafson works here. His dedication to improving residents' health will continue to benefit the county for many years to come!

 

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Are you ready for

WINTER?? 

It's that time of year where we need to start thinking about winter coats, snow shovels and icy roads. The Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health wants to remind you of the importance of being ready for a winter weather emergency.

 

Get a winter emergency kit in your car as it could save your life.  A basic kit might include:

  • Blankets or sleeping bags
  • Extra socks, hats and mittens
  • Flashlight with extra batteries
  • First aid kit
  • Shovel
  • Jumper cables
  • Windshield scraper
  • Water and high calorie, non-perishable food (raisins, candy bars, energy or protein bars)
  • Sand or cat litter for traction
  • Cell phone and charger

 

When you must go, plan your travels and always check the latest weather reports. You can look at road conditions by visiting the Iowa Department of Transportation Traveler Information website at www.511ia.org or by calling 511. If you are expecting bad weather during your trip, tell someone at both ends of your journey where you are going and the route you plan to take. Report your safe arrival. Make certain both parties have your cell phone number and your license plate number before you leave.

 

It's also important to always keep your gas tank at least half full to avoid ice in the tank and fuel lines. This might also allow you to run the heat in the car if you become stranded. Make sure your car's battery is in good shape, cold temperatures can reduce the effectiveness of a battery by 50 percent. Along with having a full tank of gas, be sure your cell phone is also fully charged to be able to make calls for help if needed.

               

Some of the dangers associated with winter can also occur while you are home with loss of heat, power, and telephone service. To protect you and your family at home, put together a kit with these basic items:

  • Flashlight and extra batteries
  • Battery powered NOAA weather radio and commercial radio
  • Bottled water and non-perishable food that requires no cooking
  • First aid supplies
  • Fire extinguisher, smoke detector
  • If appropriate, extra medications and baby items
  • Food and water for pets

 

If you have an emergency heating source such as a fireplace or space heater, make sure you have proper ventilation. Carbon monoxide is the leading cause of poisoning deaths in the United Sates according to the Centers for Disease Control. To protect your family from carbon monoxide, follow these safety tips:

  • Make sure you have a working carbon monoxide detector
  • Inspect your furnace or wood burning stove annually
  • Never run a gasoline or propane heater or inside your home or an unventilated garage
  • Never run a car in an enclosed space
  • Generators should be run a safe distance from the home

 

With some parts of Iowa already seeing a few flakes of snow, now is the time to be sure you are ready for what may be in store as we continue to head into the winter months. For more winter weather preparedness tips, please visit www.cghealth.com.

 

Happy early Thanksgiving!

With the first snow falls, winter is quickly approaching.  Winter typically means on the onset of flu season. Below are tips you can take to keep yourself and your family healthy this flu season:

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs spread this way.
  • Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
  • Practice good health habits. Get plenty of sleep and exercise, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat healthy food.
  • Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
  • If you are sick with flu-like illness, stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone without the use of fever-reducing medicine.

You can still receive a flu shot/mist at the Health Department. Our Immunization Clinic is open Monday - Friday from 10:00 AM - Noon and 12:30 - 4:00 PM.

 

In this month's edition of the Public Health Communicator, we celebrate National Home Care Month. Learn how our public health nursing and home care aides can help residents of Cerro Gordo County stay healthy and independent. Teresa Hietland, Chronic Disease Prevention and Self-Management Service Manager provides her knowledge and insight for National Diabetes Awareness Month. November 21 marks the Great American Smoke Out. Below are tobacco cessation resources in the county. Jodi Willemsen, Public Health Preparedness Service Manger offers tips to ensure you and your family have a safe winter. As always we include the "Day in the Life of" Column and the Wellness Corner. Enjoy!

 

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to stay up-to-date on all the current information surrounding the Health Department. Make sure to check out the left side of our newsletter, which features our Quick Response (QR) Code. Scan it with your smartphone to get directly to our website.

 

For more information about our services, visit our website at www.cghealth.com.

 

Best wishes,  

 

Nola Aigner

Public Information Officer

Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health 

 

 

November is National Home Care Month

 

Since before the establishment of the Health Department in 1990, our county nurses have been  keeping our residents healthy and independent at home.  

 

The Health Department has five registered nurses who are able to provide care to Cerro Gordo clients 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Public health nurses keep your physician updated on your recovery. They perform skilled tasks such as drawing blood for lab tests, giving medicine by injection, caring for a wound or teaching you and loved ones about medications and treatments. Our nurses are skilled in many areas to help improve recovery and enhance health conditions.

 

Our nursing team can provide the following services:

  • Evaluate client's nursing needs.
  • Provide any services requiring skilled nursing such as injections, blood draws, dressing changes, diabetic teaching, refilling of insulin syringes, etc.
  • Coordinate all services including doctor appointments required by the client.
  • Assist frail and elderly in long-term planning to stay in home or nursing home placement.
  • Client and family health teaching.  

The team would not be complete without the Department's home care aides. The Health Department home care aide team includes 10 aides. Each aide completes a 75-hour Certified Nursing Assistant course prior to employment and must participate in continuing education classes. Home care aides provide a wide variety of services. These services include:

  • Provide personal care such as bathing, skin and hair care.
  • Assistance with budgeting, home management and light housekeeping.
  • Assistance with grocery shopping and laundry.
  • Assistance with meal planning and preparation.
  • Assistance with rehabilitation and exercise therapy.

Home care services are funded by Medicare, Medicaid, private insurances, grants, Elderbridge Agency on Aging and the Cerro Gordo County Board of Supervisors. Our home care services are available to all members of the county, but you need to ask for it when you visit your health care provider.

With over 30 years of home care services and public health nursing experience, give the Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health a try. Know us before you need us!

 

 

Great American Smoke Out

Say NO to Big Tobacco!!

 

The Partnership for a Tobacco Free Cerro Gordo County encourages all area worksites to participate in the Great American Smoke Out (GASO) on Thursday, November 21st.  Established by the American Cancer Society, GASO is a day set aside for tobacco users to put down their cigarettes, chew or other tobacco products for the day.  Besides the financial impacts, tobacco users will immediately feel the health benefits of not smoking.  Within 20 minutes, the heart and blood pressure drop and within 12 hours, carbon monoxide levels in the blood return to normal.

The Partnership is offering a number of worksite tobacco cessation and prevention resources this year in recognition of GASO:

Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health

  • Tobacco-free worksite policies
  • Customizable tobacco cessation challenges for the work place
  • Quit bag starter kits (while supplies last)
  • Quitline Iowa enrollment with 8 weeks of free Nicotine Replacement Therapy
  • Useful tobacco education models, FREE to check out and use for your programming.

Prairie Ridge Addiction Treatment Services

  • On-site Tobacco Cessation Group sessions, a Mayo-Clinic based cessation support group (offered to groups of 6 or more employees for a nominal fee)

Start your messaging early so employees can plan ahead and prepare to participate in cessation activities.  Whether GASO is the only day a person quits or the first day to a tobacco free life, the support and encouragement you provide as an employer is priceless.  Please support the Partnership in promoting the Great American Smoke Out.

For more information on the resources listed above, please contact Penny McCaslin, Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health, at (641)-421-9329.

 

November is Diabetes Awareness Month! 

According to 2010 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data, diabetes affects 25.8 million people or 8.3% of the population of the United States. This doesn't account for the number of people who have diabetes and have not yet been diagnosed. Together, that is roughly 1 in 10 of us! This probably does not surprise you. It is very likely that everyone reading this article knows of someone with diabetes.

 

Diabetes is a major cause of heart disease and stroke. It is the leading cause of kidney failure, lower limb amputations (not caused by accidents), blindness in adults and is still the 7th leading cause of death in the United States. Treatment for diabetes has come a long way but there still isn't a cure. A person with diabetes can live well with good disease management. Managing diabetes well is not a small feat for a person with diabetes. Diabetes is complex and the diagnosis can bring about some major lifestyle changes and learning challenges.

 

Awareness is not just about knowing the facts and statistics about diabetes. Awareness includes taking a look at your own risk for developing the disease.

 

Are you at risk for type 2 diabetes?

  • Family history, race, activity level and age may put you at risk for diabetes.

Have you been told you have metabolic syndrome?

  • Metabolic syndrome affects approximately 1 out of 6 people.
  • It includes elevated blood pressure (at or above 130/85), a Body Mass Index (BMI) over 30, low HDL (below 40 in men, below 50 in women), elevated fasting blood sugar (above 100), elevated triglycerides (above 150) and too much fat around the waist (35" waist in females, 40" waist in males).

Could you have prediabetes?

  • Prediabetes means your blood glucose (sugar) is higher than normal, but is not yet diabetes.

To find out if you could have prediabetes, take the survey here!

 

If you are at risk or have prediabetes, what can you do about it? Studies have shown that modest weight loss (5%-7% of body weight) and regular physical activity can help prevent or delay type 2 diabetes by up to 58% in people with prediabetes or metabolic syndrome. The National Diabetes Prevention Program can help you reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Participants work with a lifestyle coach in a group setting to receive a 1-year lifestyle change program that includes 16 core sessions (1 weekly) and 6 post-core sessions (1 monthly). The course is available in Cerro Gordo County! For more information, please visit our website at www.cghealth.com. The sessions will begin after January 1, 2014. If you are interested, please complete and return the survey or contact Teresa in Chronic Disease Prevention at hpro@cghealth.com.

Wellness Corner
  How to stay ACTIVE when you have KIDS

    
Parents and exercise are not usually words you see in the same sentence. From the moment you step on the physical and emotional roller coaster known as parenthood, your needs become second to the needs of your children. Exercising, as a parent, becomes a much more difficult task.

BUT, when it comes to abandoning physical activity, you're not just hurting yourself. Here are 8 tips to ensure you are up for the challenge of raising a healthy family by keeping yourself healthy:  

 

1. Be Active All Day

Park farther away, move around the house, take the stairs.

 

2. Defy the Myth of Time

Fit in 10 to 15 minute chunks of activity to reach 30 minutes per day of physical activity.

 

3. Define Your Priorities

Pencil out your daily routine and identify habits that could be replaced with exercise (Walk while watching your favorite TV show).

 

4. Cultivate Social Support

Find neighbors or family members who might be willing to watch your children while you visit the gym...or start a walking stroller group!

 

5. Establish Family Fitness

Exercise with your children so they learn the value of fitness...it also can be a time of great communication!

 

6. Set Goals

Set a short term goal so you have a reason to exercise but not an out-of-reach dream.

 

7. Put in the Effort

Anything worth having is hard. There's work involved. Exercise will actually give you energy!

 

8. Be a Role Model

Kids do what they see...if you're a couch potato, they likely will be too. We teach kids discipline, and as a parent, we better have some as well.



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Thank you for choosing the Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health!

 

 Our Mission Statement:   

 

The Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health works to

optimize the health of all people in Cerro Gordo County.

 

 Our Vision Statement:
   

We will be the leader in making Cerro Gordo County the healthiest

county in Iowa.

 
Our Value Statement:  

 

 We believe in human dignity, respect for individual choices, promotion for wellness and personal safety, protection of the environment, prevention of disease and access to quality health services. 

 

 

 

 

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