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The Community Health and Health Education Services Division of the McDonough County Health Department seeks to improve the health of McDonough County's families by promoting, assuring and providing health education, prevention activities, quality assurance and access to health care services.
Community health wears many hats in our effort to reach county residents. The focus of community health is to provide program participants with health information and services to improve the health of the community. Through the promotion of health and wellness, we strive to address the needs of families, schools, and the workplace. Health promotion, preventive activities and school-based programs have been designed to address prevention, early detection, and health maintenance of diseases. Our mission is to provide quality services with a personal touch.
What's New
| Children's Carseats 1-25-08 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 25, 2008- A new baby needs lots of things a crib, stroller, clothes, diapers and a carseat. All of these things add up and can be a sizeable chunk of money. Expectant or new parents may consider trying to find ways to cut costs. Parents may go to yardsales and used clothing stores in an effort to save money. This is a great way to save money on baby clothes but not good when buying a carseat.
Second-hand car seats can be dangerous. There are several reasons why the seat may not be safe:
Many times the history of the seat is not known. The person selling the seat may think that its safe but they may not know its full history either. The seat may have been in an accident and may no longer be structurally safe.
-Some of the labels may be missing.
-The original instructions may not be with the seat.
-The seat may have been recalled at some point in time.
-The manufacturer may not be in business any longer.
-Parts may be missing, in poor condition or not working
properly.
-The seat may have invisible cracks or loose parts.
-The seat may be more than six years old. A seat should never
be used more than six years after the manufacture date.
For more information or help installing a carseat, contact the McDonough County Health Department at 309-837-9951.
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| Smoke-Free Illinois FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 28, 2008- According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, as of January 1, 2008, the Smoke-Free Illinois Act requires that public places and places of employment must be completely smoke-free inside and within 15 feet from entrances, exits, windows that open and ventilation intakes. This includes but is not limited to:
Public places and buildings, offices, elevators, restrooms, theaters, museums, libraries, educational institutions, schools, commercial establishments, enclosed shopping centers and retail stores
Restaurants, bars, taverns and gaming facilities
Lobbies, reception areas, hallways, meeting rooms, waiting rooms, break rooms and other common-use areas
Concert halls, auditoriums, enclosed or partially enclosed sports arenas, bowling alleys, skating rinks, convention facilities, polling places and private clubs
Hospitals, health care facilities, health care clinics, child care, adult care or other similar social service care
No less than 75 percent of hotel or motel sleeping quarters rented to guests
Public conveyances, government-owned vehicles and vehicles open to the public
If you have any questions please contact the McDonough County Health Department at (309) 837-9951 and ask to speak with the Tobacco Coordinator.
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Overview
Community Health Services
Oral Health
Oral health is more than just healthy teeth. It is an important part of our general health and well-being. Everyone can improve their oral health and help prevent disease. Illinois is specifically concerned with children’s oral health, oral health and pregnancy, oral cancer, oral health and general health, and community water fluoridation. In an effort to improve oral health in McDonough County , the McDonough County Health Department offers dental sealants to children in 2 nd and 6 th grades in the McDonough County public schools.
Dental Sealants
Sealants are thin plastic coatings placed on the surfaces of the back teeth to seal out the food and bacteria, which cause cavities. Sealants are applied on-site at McDonough County Schools. Age range: 5-17 years old (who are eligible to participate in the free or reduced school meals program). It is generally done in 2 nd and 6 th grade classes.
Fluoride
Fluoride is a mineral very important to teeth and bones. It makes teeth stronger and better able to fight decay.
If you have a private water supply and would like to find out if your water has adequate fluoride, please call 309-837-9951.
State Oral Health Plan
Oral Health Needs Assessment
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Vision and Hearing Screenings
Vision and hearing are important to learning. Impaired vision or hearing can make learning difficult or impossible for a child. Early diagnosis and intervention are of vital importance. Vision and hearing screenings are offered by a certified technician to children 3 to 5 years of age and school aged children.
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Car Seat Checks
Did you know…
4 out of 5 car seats are installed incorrectly? Our certified car seat technicians are specially trained. We install the car seat correctly, while showing the parent how to install it as well. Car seat checks can be performed during normal office hours (M-F 8-4pm ) or during special car seat clinics
Appointments are preferred.
Please note: your child must be with you to properly install the car seat.
For more information please contact the McDonough County SafeKids Chapter at 309-837-9951 or
e-mail: dixiecanon@mchdept.com
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Health Screenings
Blood Pressure
- Available to those 18 years of age and over on Tuesday mornings from 9:30 to 11:00am.
Coronary Risk Profile
- A total cholesterol screening including HDL, LDL, cholesterol, triglycerides, and cholesterol/HDL ratio is offered on Tuesday mornings from 8:15 to 9:30am. Fasting is required. Please call for an appointment.
Diabetes Screening
- A finger stick blood test (results in one minute) is offered Tuesday mornings from 9:30 to 11:00am. A venous blood draw test (results in 3 days) is offered on Tuesday mornings from 8:15 to 9:30am. Please call to make an appointment for the venous blood test. These tests are available to those 18 years of age and over. Fasting is required for both tests.
OOPS (Ounce of Prevention Screening)
- A comprehensive blood test featuring 32 blood profiles is offered on Tuesday mornings from 8:15 to 9:30am. Fasting is required. Please call for an appointment. Available to those 18 years of age and over.
PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen)
- A blood test used as a screening tool by your physician; available to men ages 50 and over or men under 50 with a physician’s order. Offered Tuesday mornings from 8:15 to 9:30am. Please call for an appointment.
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Smoking Cessation
Make Yours A Fresh Start Family
- Make Yours A Fresh Start Family is a simple and effective intervention using a staged method to
S urvey all new patients/parents to identify smokers.
T ailor the health risk message and urge the smoker to quit.
A ssess the smoker’s readiness to quit.
G ive a self-help guide and help plan with appropriate steps to quit.
E valuate progress at subsequent visits
- This method is used as an intervention for pregnant patients and parents who smoke.
Illinois Tobacco Quitline
1-800-QUIT-YES
Visit them on-line
American Lung Association
Visit them on-line
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Health Education
What is a health educator?
Health educators inform people, groups and communities about the causes and prevention of health problems, especially those that relate to lifestyle, work and cultural factors. Health educators help others improve their health by providing counseling, planning programs and organizing community efforts. They may conduct a community diagnosis to assess the health risks and local expertise in an area, and then plan a way to work with the community to reduce the risks and build on the strengths. (Definition from the Greensboro AHEC kids website)
Get more information about health educators
McDonough County Health Education Network (H.E.N.)
The group is made up of health educators from a variety of organizations/agencies who get together on a quarterly basis to share what is happening in their organizations/agencies related to health education. For more information please contact Dr. Pamela K. Terry, Community Health and Health Services Management Department, Western Illinois University, or call me at 309-298-1076.
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Teacher’s Corner
Why have health education presentations and lessons in your class? Because health education works! Our behaviors and attitudes about health begin to develop during our childhood. Health education presentations and lessons in the school are one way we can provide children with the tools they need to prevent poor health behaviors and make more informed decisions. Each presentation is tailored to the appropriate audience, grade level, time limits, etc. Our health educators are experts in the field and are available to you at no cost!
Health Related Presentations
- Abstinence/Teen Pregnancy- Discusses consequences of teen pregnancy with discussion on abstinence, teen pregnancy, and STD’s. Handouts are available.
- Genetics- Offers age appropriate activities to help children learn more about heredity. Handouts are available. Material from the March of Dimes.
- Good Health Habits- Helps students understand their ability in making choices in the habits they are developing each day.
- Infection Control- Discusses the importance of good hand washing, and the use of universal precautions. Handouts and parent sheets are available.
- It’s A Heart- Provides a basic understanding of the anatomy of the heart and its vital function to the human body. Stethoscopes are used for students to listen to their hears. Handouts and a video will also be provided.
- Nutrition- Students will construct a food pyramid with discussion of food groups and why good nutrition is important for a healthy body. Handouts, activity sheets, and parent sheets are available.
- Oral Health- The video “Geena’s Amazing Tooth Adventure”, takes children through the world of a giraffe and how she resolves to keep her teeth healthy. Stresses nutrition, flossing, brushing teeth, and avoiding sweets. Handouts, toothbrushes, and Mr. Gross Mouth are available. Also discusses the effects of smokeless tobacco.
- Personal Hygiene- Basic techniques of hygiene are discussed including washing hair, bathing regularly, dental hygiene, and use of deodorant. Age appropriate. Handouts are available.
- Monster Cigarette- Children learn of the harmful chemicals found in tobacco.
- National Spit Tobacco Education Program (NSTEP)- Presentation on the effects of smokeless tobacco. Handouts are available.
- Samantha the Magenta Skunk- Costumed character presents tobacco prevention message. Targets pre-school, primary children.
- Smoke-Free That’s Me- Program is designed to educate children about the adverse health effects of using tobacco. Target group is 2 nd, 4 th, and 6 th graders.
- “Wellness” Promotions- Program provides overview of wellness concept and offers the opportunity to assess potential barriers to wellness.
Safety Related Presentations
- David Dinosaur- “Crash Dummies” video teaches the importance of seat belt use. Visit from David Dinosaur. Presentation includes handouts, seat belt contract and bookmark.
- Freddie the Firefly- Children learn basic fire safety rules, stop, drop, and roll, and use of 911. Used in conjunction with the Fire Department. Presentation includes a visit from Freddie Firefly, handouts, and parent sheet.
- Home Safety- Children learn safe household practices. Presentation includes activity coloring page, poem and sticker.
- Poison Safety- The video “Sniffy Escapes Poisoning” discusses how poison enters the body. Presentation includes coloring book and parent sheet.
- Summer Safety- Water safety, skin and eye protection, bike and sports safety, kite flying, summer food safety, and summer weather safety are discussed. Handouts and parent sheets are available.
- Winter Safety- Discusses choosing the appropriate clothing for winter weather. Safe sledding and outdoor winter activities are also discussed.
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Public Health Education/Promotion
Programs and Presentations
- Arthritis- Presentation provides overview of arthritis self-management resources.
- Asthma- Education is available through presentations, workshops, displays, and resource materials.
- Asthma Coalition- Asthma Community Collaboration Development Initiative- The focus of the coalition is to educate the public about issues concerning asthma health. It is open to professionals and general public interested in asthma issues in McDonough and Hancock Counties.
- National Spit Tobacco Education Program (NSTEP)- Presentation on the effects of smokeless tobacco. Handouts are available.
- Tobacco Coalition- The focus of the coalition is to educate the public about tobacco and the related health risks. Open to professionals and the general public interested in preventing or stopping tobacco use.
- McDonoughCounty SAFEKIDS Chapter- The focus of SAFEKIDS is to educate the community on how to prevent injuries to children. Open to professionals and the general public interested in injury prevention.
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Health Information
The list below is a basic list of chronic diseases and a couple of websites related to each. We recommend that for more information about any health topic visit the National Library of Medicine website and click “health information”. You will find a wealth of information on a wide variety of topics.
Chronic Diseases
- Alzheimer’s Disease
- Arthritis
- Asthma
- Cancer
- Diabetes
- Heart Disease
- Hypertension
- Osteoporosis
- Osteoarthritis
- Prostate Cancer
- Stress
- Stroke
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Community Needs Assessment
IPLAN
What is IPLAN?
The Illinois Project for Local Assessment of Needs (IPLAN) is a community health assessment and planning process that is conducted every five years by local health jurisdictions in Illinois. Based on the Assessment Protocol for Excellence in Public Health (APEX_PH) model, IPLAN is grounded in the core functions of public health and addresses public health practice standards. The completion of IPLAN fulfills most of the requirements for Local Health Department certification under Illinois Administrative Code Section 600.400: Certified Local Health Department Code Public Health Practice Standards. The essential elements of IPLAN are:
- an organizational capacity assessment;
- a community health needs assessment;
- and a community health plan, focusing on a minimum of three priority health problems.
McDonough County IPLAN
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Oral Health Needs Assessment
The purpose of an oral health needs assessment is to identify major oral health issues and to ensure that a dental health program will best meet the needs of its community. It should be tailored to match current needs and to solve current health problems. Resources are best used when targeted to populations currently at risk, rather than toward established programs or localities with a past incidence or prevalence of disease.
An Advisory Committee set the goals for the Needs Assessment process. There became four high priority goals; providing network opportunities, building a constituency for oral health issues, target resources to specific populations, and educate decision makers. The Committee easily provided a networking opportunity for those in attendance to discuss oral health needs with other agencies and providers. Another opportunity provided by the Committee was building support for the oral health issues facing McDonough County. The Committee stayed committed to targeting resources to specific population who were underserved in the community. This is evident by a focus on pregnant women and the low-income populations.
Through a nominal group process, the Committee identified several high priority issues related to two health problems, dental caries and access to care. The committee identified the need for school prevention programs that included parent education as the top health issue in the community. Other high priority issues included providing a low-income dental clinic and fluoride education.
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Additional Resources
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