THUMP! THUMP! February is American Heart Month!

Do you have a good heart beat?

February is American Heart Month. Did you know that each minute of physical activity may contribute toward reduced risk of heart attack and death from heart-related problems? This is according to a study from the American Heart Association (AHA).

And...more than 67 million Americans have high blood pressure. High blood pressure is the leading cause of heart disease and stroke. If you have high blood pressure, here are some tips to control it:

·         Reduce sodium intake

·         Eat more fruits and vegetables

·         Exercise more often

·         Avoid alcohol

·         Quit smoking

·         Limit caffeine intake

·         Reduce stress

High blood pressure often shows no signs or symptoms, which is why having it checked on a regular basis is important. Consult with your healthcare team to keep your heart healthy! Visit http://www.cdc.gov/features/heartmonth/ for more information.

Happenings at CCHD: Health Facility Comptroller

This month’s “Happenings” features Darlene Eddy, Health Facility Comptroller.

A little background first, I have my Bachelors of Science in Professional Accounting from SUNY Plattsburgh.  I worked eight years as a senior accountant at a private business and 17 years here at CCHD as the Health Facility Comptroller.  Governmental & Business accounting are really similar; however, our funding is mainly provided by taxpayer dollars, whether it is through grants, Medicaid billings, sales or property taxes.  With that, it is very critical that we be good stewards of those funds entrusted to us and function with a high degree of integrity.  This is what I love most about CCHD, the high degree of professionalism, accountability and integrity that staff emulate.

At CCHD, I am the Chief Financial Officer and the Leader of the Finance & Information Technology (FIT) division which consists of one Senior Computer Programmer and six account clerks (entry level to principal level).  Our acronym, FIT, fits with how we embrace CCHD’s motto “Working Together for a Healthier Community” J.  I work with managers, supervisors, front line, clerical staff and my own team here at CCHD focusing on the outcomes and impact we are making on our community!

Today, January 27, 2016 was yet another fun-filled, fast-paced day. 

·         The accounting year closed 12/31/2015 and there is lots to do with very tight deadlines to ensure the books are closed out properly.  We focused on some critical accounts payable transactions that relate to “special” state aid funding that ends 01/31/16 thus maximizing revenues from New York State. 

·         We are working together on the details and different phases for several projects involving much needed renovations: new office furniture, staff movement, VOIP phones and new network switches to improve connection speeds.  All of this helps organize us and keeps the infrastructure running smoothly, so staff can do what needs to be done for the public. 

·         At the Agency meeting today, I discussed the 2016 Budget highlights and ended with this comment to all staff:  “In order to support the programs of our department it is imperative that we all work together towards our Department’s vision and keep the communication lines open, since none of us function in a vacuum.  We are reliant on each other to do their part.  And, we don’t know, what we don’t know, so share the knowledge and information with each other so we can be the best Public Health Department.”

It is truly a team effort requiring active listening, asking questions, and requesting help when needed.  We are all here to make our vision come true “Clinton County.….Healthy People in a Healthy Community”!

Are You Emergency Prepared?

Disasters or emergencies come unannounced. To plan for these unexpected events, it’s essential to be prepared before they strike. Having an emergency kit will put you ahead of the game. It is recommended to have supplies on hand to survive for at least three days. Some of these basic supplies include:

§  Water, one gallon per person and per pet each day for drinking and sanitation purposes

§  Non-perishable food

§  Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries

§  Flashlight and extra batteries

§  First aid kit

§  Whistle to signal for help

§  Dust mask to help filter contaminated air

§  Plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter in place

§  Moist towelettes, garbage bags, and plastic ties for personal sanitation

§  Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities

§  Manual can opener for food

§  Local maps

§  Cell phone with chargers, inverter, or solar charger

When organizing the food in your emergency kit, be sure to choose nutritious options. Avoid foods high in salt that will increase your thirst. Including protein, carbohydrates, and healthy fat sources will help keep you full and energy levels up. Foods such as nuts, dried meat, whole grains, canned beans, fruits, or vegetables are all good options. Lastly, you should regularly check the expiration dates and condition of the foods in your kit. Be sure the canned foods are not dented or damaged. Store the food in a dry, cool place.

Some other items you may think about including in your kit may include:

§  Prescription medications and glasses

§  Infant formula or diapers

§  Pet food

§  Cash

§  Sleeping bag/blankets

§  Change of clothing

§  Matches

§  Fire Extinguisher

Cold Enough For You?

Seeing temps at or below the freezing mark leave many people wishing they lived somewhere warmer. Though our area has a lot of very fun things to do in wintertime, extended periods of extremely cold weather can be dangerous if you aren't prepared.

The CDC has a great resource, "Extreme Cold: A Prevention Guide to Promote Your Personal Health & Safety" that covers the following topics and more:

• Emergency Supply List
• Preparing Your Home and Car for Winter
• Monitoring Body Temperature
• Understanding Wind Chill
• Frostbite/Hypothermia

Enjoy the beauty of the snow and ice, but remember to plan ahead and be safe!

The DIY Vaccine

Hand washing is like a "do-it-yourself" vaccine—it involves five simple and effective steps (Wet, Lather, Scrub, Rinse, Dry) you can take to reduce the spread of diarrheal and respiratory illness so you can stay healthy.

Regular hand washing, particularly before and after certain activities, is one of the best ways to remove germs, avoid getting sick, and prevent the spread of germs to others.

It's quick, it's simple, and it can keep us all from getting sick. Hand washing is a win for everyone, except the germs.

Here's some humor to share with friends who may roll their eyes at your attempts to keep them healthy:

Happenings at CCHD: Public Health Nutritionist

This month's "Happenings" features KayLeigh Raville, Public Health Nutritionist.

I went to school for nutrition, completed a dietetic internship and passed an exam to become a registered dietitian (RD). Typically when people think of an RD they think of a hospital setting or someone who can help them lose weight, but when I finished my community nutrition rotation during my internship I knew I would work in public health one day. And here I am!

I work with Obesity Prevention in Pediatric Health Care Settings (OPPHCS).* The goal of this grant is to reduce the percentage of overweight and obese children in Clinton, Essex, Franklin, and Hamilton counties by working with pediatricians to change guidelines and policies.

How do I do that?

·        I complete chart audits at the doctor’s office to see what is already being done and what we can work on.

·        I provide trainings and resources to pediatricians and their staff. Examples of some of the resources are: snow man kits to promote physical activity in the cold North Country winters, MyPlate placemats to encourage healthy eating habits and scales to be sure the correct height and weight are documented.

·       I also help doctor’s offices become “Breastfeeding Friendly” by walking them through the New York State 10 Steps to a Breastfeeding Friendly Practice. To read more about the 10 Steps visit: http://www.albany.edu/sph/cphce/prevention_agenda/bf_ny_10_steps_practice.pdf. To see if your Pediatrician’s office is designated as Breastfeeding Friendly visit: http://www.health.ny.gov/prevention/nutrition/cacfp/bfpraclst.htm.

I enjoy working with everyone here at CCHD and with all of our participating practices. They make coming to work fun and exciting! Although it can be hectic at times, I find my job very fulfilling. Aside from interacting with numerous people on a daily basis, I think the best part of my job is being part of something that can impact so many lives.  


*A grant funded by the New York State Department of Health

A Shot in the Arm

Many adults are unaware that they need vaccines. Keeping up-to-date on vaccinations reduces the risk of getting sick and passing that illness on to other people. No one likes suffering from influenza but it is just one disease that adult vaccines can protect against. Clinton County Health Department is conducting a survey on adult vaccine knowledge and information on where they receive their vaccinations. This survey will allow us to gather data to determine strategies, barriers, gaps in treatment, and services needed to help ensure adults receive the recommended vaccines. This adult vaccine project aims to optimize vaccination rates and outcomes across adult populations.

This survey attempts to answer these questions:

• What is the status of adult vaccination rates in Clinton County?
• What is the accessibility and availability of recommended adult vaccines in Clinton County?
• What is general adult population’s knowledge or awareness of adult vaccine needed and scheduled?
• What/Where are the gaps in vaccine management?
• What recommendations should be given for ensuring Clinton County meets the Healthy People 2020 objective for adult vaccination?

Want to participate?  Our quick survey is anonymous and can help answer these questions.  https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/58JPWMY