Public Health Communicator

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

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

Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health

February 2014

Day in the Life of...

Marcy Ballantyne, Customer Service Assistant

We have a new face at the Health Department! Marcy Ballantyne, Customer Service Assistant, joined us in early January.

Ballantyne started her career at North Iowa Area Community College (NIACC) taking classes in Business Administration. During her time at NIACC, Ballantyne started working at IC Systems as a bill collector and eventually as a supervisor. "In my role as a supervisor for IC Systems, I trained new hires and worked with staff members to improve their collecting methods," Ballantyne stated. "I also oversaw the hiring process and ran reports."

After six years, Ballantyne wanted a change of pace and started working at the Village Cooperative as the Residents Services Coordinator. At the Village Cooperative, she was responsible for managing the property and the bookkeeping. "I worked with staff and the Board of Directors to implement policies," Ballantyne said. "I also worked to develop new funding opportunities for the organization as well as planning social events for the residents."

In 2011, she joined North Iowa Community Action Organization as a Weatherization Clerk. "In this position, I scheduled crew members to weatherize residents' houses in North Iowa and was in charge of payroll," Ballantyne noted. "I also performed clerical and general administration duties."

This January, Ballantyne joined the Health Department. "I saw an opportunity that I couldn't pass up," she noted. As Customer Service Assistant, she is responsible for providing customer service for all departments. "When clients call in, I work to address their concerns and questions and direct their call to the appropriate source," she stated. "I also work with the state and federally funded grants tracking their budget expenses and revenues." Ballantyne also maintains the front reception area by greeting clients and is a new member of the Department's social committee. "I enjoy being a member of the social committee," she noted. "It's a fun way to learn more about the Health Department and interact with the staff while planning activities to encourage staff unity and fundraising for organizations throughout the community."

Ballantyne has only been with us for about a month, but one of the things she enjoys most is the staff. "I love coming to work at the Health Department," she stated. "The staff here is really nice and everyone works well together, sometimes it doesn't even feel like work." Ballantyne believes one of the challenges in this new position is learning about the vast services and programs the Health Department offers. However, she feels with time, she will successfully understand the programs and services. Ballantyne thinks our services will always be around, especially our homecare services. "We have an aging population, therefore, it will be vital for our home care and public health nursing services to be around to keep our clients healthy and safe," Ballantyne noted.

We are excited Marcy has joined us and she will play a vital role making sure our clients receive access to our services and programs.

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Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning During Winter Storms and Power Outages

Every year, at least 430 individuals accidentally die in the United States from carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide can be found in the fumes produced by energy sources such as portable generators, stoves, lanterns and gas ranges Carbon monoxide poisoning can also happen while burning charcoal and wood for warmth. The fumes from these sources can build up in enclosed or partially enclosed spaces. Individuals and pets located in these spaces can be poisoned and die from breathing in carbon monoxide (CO).

The most common symptoms of CO poisoning are:

headache
dizziness
weakness
nausea
vomiting
chest pain
confusion

People who are sleeping or who have been drinking alcohol can die from CO poisoning before ever having symptoms.

Here are several tips to ensure your family's safety during power outages:

Never use a gas range or oven to heat a home.
Never leave the motor running in a vehicle parked in an enclosed or partially enclosed space, such as a garage, even with the door open.
Never run a motor vehicle, generator, pressure washer, or any gasoline-powered engine less than 20 feet from an open window, door, or vent where exhaust can vent into an enclosed area.
Never use a charcoal grill, hibachi, lantern, or portable camping stove inside a home, tent, or camper.
If conditions are too hot or too cold, seek shelter with friends or at a community shelter.
If CO poisoning is suspected, consult a health care professional right away.

Carbon monoxide poisoning is entirely preventable. You can protect yourself and your family by acting wisely in case of a power outage. For more information regarding carbon monoxide and carbon monoxide poisoning, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's website at www.cdc.gov.

*Information Provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Happy February!

February 16 - 22, 2014 is Through with Chew Week. Quitting smokeless tobacco will have some noticeable effects right away and some that will develop over time. Here are a few ways that your life will improve immediately when you are Through with Chew:

Better smelling breath
No more tobacco stains on your face, teeth or clothes
Your mouth is healing so you can eat spicy foods without feeling the burn
You don't have to look for empty cans or bottles so you can spit
People won't judge you for dipping or chewing
You no longer have to brush your teeth before kissing your spouse or partner

Call Quitline Iowa for support and FREE nicotine replacement therapy at 1-800-QUITNOW.

In this month's Public Health Communicator, we highlight the top ten reasons to get vaccinated. We include tips to keep your family safe from carbon monoxide poisoning during winter storm power outages. It looks like winter is sticking around for awhile, so we present snowplow safety tips from the Iowa Department of Transportation. 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

Top 10 Reasons to Get Vaccinated!

1. You may be at risk for serious diseases that could be prevented by vaccines. Many of these diseases (like influenza, pertussis, and shingles) are common in the US, and many can be spread easily.

2. You may be at increased risk for complications from certain diseases if you have a chronic health condition or weakened immune system. Adults with chronic conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, or lung disease and those with weakened immune systems are more likely to develop complications from certain vaccine-preventable diseases. These complications can include long-term illness, hospitalization, and even death.

3. You can reduce the chance that you'll pass on a serious disease to your loved ones. Most vaccine-preventable disease can be contagious, like influenza, meningitis, and whooping cough. Receiving your recommended vaccines can reduce the risk that you get sick and spread disease on to others.

4. You can help protect those who can't get vaccinated. People with certain medical conditions (like pregnant women or people undergoing cancer treatment) may not be able to get certain vaccines, but are very vulnerable to illness. Vaccines can help prevent the spread of contagious diseases to them. For example, newborns who are too young to get vaccinated for whooping cough are also most at risk of severe illness from the disease. In case where the source is known 4 out of 5 babies caught the disease from someone in the for home - a parent, sister or brother, grandparent, or babysitter.

5. You can't afford to miss work. You have too much responsibility to risk getting sick, including taking care of your family and other people important to you. Vaccines can help you stay healthy so you have less chance of missing work days because of illness.

6. You don't want to miss what's important to you. Spending time with family and friends or taking time out for your hobbies may not be possible if you get sick. Vaccines can help you stay healthy and enjoy the things you like to do.

7. You don't want to pay the price of getting sick. Adults who get a vaccine-preventable disease face the financial costs of medical visits and treatment, in addition to other costs like taking time off work, hiring babysitters, and traveling to and from healthcare professionals.

8. You like to travel - or have to travel for work. Travel can present exciting opportunities, but it can also put you at risk for certain diseases. Make sure you only bring back great memories, not illness! If you are going to travel internationally, you might need additional vaccines.

9. You want the peace of mind that comes with protecting your health. People sometimes wait to get vaccines until they hear of outbreaks of disease like pertussis or influenza in their community. The time to be vaccinated is before disease arrives. It's important to stay up-to-date on your immunizations because no one can predict when disease will appear.

10. You don't want to feel crummy if you can prevent it! No one wants to feel sick. There are more than a dozen diseases that you can protect against simply by getting vaccinated! Adult vaccines are available at doctor's offices, health departments, pharmacies, and even workplaces.

Contact your physician or your local public health agency regarding your vaccinations. Visit www.cghealth.com to learn more about the types of vaccines.

*Information Provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Snowplow Safety!

With winter still here, it's common to meet a snowplow on the road during your daily commute or while running errands. Here are some tips from the Iowa Department of Transportation to make sure you are safe when meeting a snowplow on the road:

When overtaking a snowplow, be aware that snowplows often travel only 5-35 mph. When you spot a snowplow ahead, slow down to reduce speed differential.
Snowplows may need to stop or take evasive action to avoid stranded vehicles. Maintain a safe following distance and be prepared to stop.
Be cautious in areas of blowing snow as it could conceal a snowplow.
If you do pass a snowplow, be sure that you have clear vision ahead before passing. Allow plenty of room when passing, and don't cut in too quickly. On two lane roads, operators will pull over periodically to let vehicles pass.
On multi-lane roads, watch for plows operating in the left lane.
Don't travel beside a snowplow. When encountering a large drift or packed snow, the impact can move the truck sideways.
Don't attempt to pass a snowplow when visibility is severely reduced.
Never pass a snowplow on the right. Many snowplows are equipped with a wing blade that expands to the right and may be hidden by blowing snow.
Move as far away from the centerline of the pavement as you safely can when meeting a snow plow on a two-lane road.
When two or more snowplows are working together to clear a multi-lane road, do not attempt to pass.

For more tips on drive safe during the winter, visit the Iowa Department of Transportation's website at www.iowadot.gov

*Information provided by the Iowa Department of Transportation

Wellness Corner

Mediterranean Diet: A Heart Healthy Eating Plan

If you're looking for a heart-healthy eating plan, the Mediterranean diet might be right for you. The Mediterranean diet incorporates the basics of healthy eating - plus a splash of flavorful olive oil and perhaps even a glass of red wine - among other components characterizing the traditional cooking style of countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea.

Most healthy diets include fruits, vegetables, fish and whole grains, and limit unhealthy fats. While these parts of a healthy diet remain tried-and-true, subtle variations or differences in proportions of certain foods may make a difference in your risk of heart disease.

BENEFITS:

Reduced risk of death from heart disease
Reduced risk of death from cancer
Reduced incidence of Parkinson's Disease
Reduced incidence of Alzheimer's Disease

The Mediterranean diet emphasizes:

Eating primarily plant-based foods, such as fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes and nuts
Replacing butter with healthy fats, such as olive oil
Using herbs and spices instead of salt to flavor foods
Limiting red meat to no more than a few times a month
Eating fish and poultry at least twice a week
Drinking red wine in moderation (optional)

The diet also recognizes the importance of being physically active, and enjoying meals with family and friends.

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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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