Grundy County Health Department
1716 Lincoln / Trenton, MO 64683
PH: 660.359.4196 FAX: 660.359.5470
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Grundy County Health Department 1716 Lincoln / Trenton, MO 64683 PH: 660.359.4196 FAX: 660.359.5470
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April - June 2006
Contents History Of Public HealthCheck These Websites Before You Travel
History Of Public HealthAs the Grundy County Health Department celebrates Public Health Month this April, here's a short history of the important science of public health. History of public healthIn some ways, public health is a modern concept, although it has roots in antiquity. From the early beginnings of human civilization, it was recognized that polluted water and lack of proper waste disposal may spread vector-borne diseases. Early religions attempted to regulate behavior that specifically related to health, from types of food eaten, to the extent which certain behaviors could be indulged, such as drinking alcohol or sexual relations. Governments recognized the importance of controlling disease to ensure stability, prosperity, and maintain order. Early public health interventionsBy Roman times, it was well understood that proper diversion of human waste was a necessary tenet of public health in urban areas. The Chinese developed the practice of variolation following a smallpox epidemic around 1000 BC. An individual without the disease could gain some measure of immunity against it by inhaling the dried crusts that formed around lesions of infected individuals. The practice of vaccination did not become prevalent until the 1820s, following the work of Edward Jenner to treat smallpox. During the 14th century Black Death in Europe, it was believed that removing bodies of the dead would further prevent the spread of the bacterial infection. This did little to stem the plague, however, which was actually spread by rodent-borne fleas. Burning areas of cities resulted in much greater benefit, since it removed the rodent infestations. The development of quarantine in the medieval period helped mitigate the effects of other infectious diseases. The science of epidemiology was founded by John Snow's identification of a polluted public water well as the cause of an 1854 cholera outbreak in London. Snow believed in the germ theory of disease as opposed to the prevailing miasma theory (diseases are caused by "bad air"). Micro-organisms, which are now known to cause many of the most common infectious diseases, were first observed around 1680 by Anton van Leeuwenhoek. But the modern era of public health did not begin until the 1880s, when the culmination of Robert Koch's germ theory and Louis Pasteur's production of artificial vaccines revolutionized the study of infectious disease. Modern public healthAs the rate of infectious diseases in the developed world decreased through the 20th century, public health began to put more focus on chronic diseases such as cancer and heart disease. Meanwhile, the developing world remained plagued by largely preventable infectious diseases, exacerbated by malnutrition and poverty. Since the 1980s, the growing field of population health has broadened the focus of public health from individual behaviors and risk factors to population-level issues such as inequality, poverty, and education. Public health programsToday, most governments recognize the importance of public health programs in reducing the incidence of disease, disability, and the effects of aging, although public health generally receives significantly less government funding compared with medicine. In recent years, public health programs providing vaccinations have made incredible strides in promoting health, including the eradication of smallpox, a disease that plagued humanity for thousands of years. Health economics studies show, for example, where limited public resources might best be spent to save lives or cause the greatest increase in quality of life.
From Wikipedia contributors, "Public health," Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/ (accessed March 28, 2006).
FAQs About Colorectal CancerWhat is colorectal cancer?Cancer is abnormal and uncontrolled growth of cells in the body. "Colorectal" refers to the colon and rectum, which together make up the large intestine. Colorectal cancer can begin anywhere in the large intestine. The majority of colorectal cancers develop first as polyps, abnormal growths inside the colon or rectum, that may become cancerous. What causes colorectal cancer?The exact cause of most colorectal cancers is not yet known. However, research has established that approximately 75 percent of colorectal cancers occur in people with no known risk factors. Factors that may increase a person's risk of developing colorectal cancer include:
What are the symptoms of colorectal cancer?Colorectal cancer first develops with few, if any, symptoms. However, if symptoms are present, they may include:
These symptoms can also be associated with many other health conditions. If you have any of these symptoms, discuss them with your doctor. Only your doctor can determine why you're having these symptoms. Who is at risk of developing colorectal cancer?Colorectal cancer occurs in men and women of all racial and ethnic groups. Approximately 75 percent of colorectal cancers occur in people with no known risk factors. Other important facts about risk for colorectal cancer include:
Is there anything I can do to reduce my risk for colorectal cancer?Studies have also shown that increased physical activity and maintaining a healthy weight can decrease the risk for colorectal cancer. Evidence is less clear about other ways to prevent colorectal cancer. Currently, there is no consensus on the role of diet in preventing colorectal cancer; however, medical experts recommend a diet low in animal fats and high in fruits, vegetables, and whole grain products to reduce the risk of other chronic diseases, such as coronary artery disease and diabetes. This diet also may reduce the risk of colorectal cancer. Overall, the most effective way to reduce your risk of colorectal cancer is by having regular colorectal cancer screening tests beginning at age 50. Screening tests can find precancerous polyps (abnormal growths) in the colon and rectum, and polyps can be removed before they turn into cancer. For more information about colorectal cancer, visit www.cdc.gov/colorectalcancer.
From the Centers For Disease Control
Food Safety Tips--Easter EggsDyeing eggs is a favorite Easter activity. Follow these tips to handle eggs safely. Consider using plastic eggs for the Easter egg hunt instead of hard-boiled eggs. It is safer to treat colorful hard-boiled Easter eggs as disposable decorations, not food. If you do use real eggs as part of your family's Easter tradition, follow these simple safety measures to help keep dyed Easter eggs safe to eat:
From the American Egg Board and the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services
Check These Websites Before You TravelWhether your summer travel plans take you abroad or here in the United States, check these websites before you leave. When traveling by air the national Transportation Safety Administration website www.tsa.gov public will give you information about airport security, including information on reducing wait times and items that are prohibited in the air. Visit the CDC website at www.cdc.gov/travel to find out about immunizations that may be recommended for travel to certain countries. The website also contains information about where it may not be safe to drink the water. You will also find information on their website about a variety of issues that may affect your health when traveling, such as motion sickness, altitude sickness, protection from insects, and climate concerns. For more information about vaccines that you may need before your trip, call the Grundy County Health Department.
Newborn Home VisitsThe first days after you bring a new baby home can be pretty confusing; there are so many questions new parents have about feeding, bathing, diapering, etc. The Grundy County Health Department will now offer newborn home visits for Grundy County residents. Sheryl Searcy, RN, and Jennifer Westcott, LPN, will visit new parents at home, ideally during the first week after birth, to give the new baby a health assessment, including length, weight, head circumference, temperature, respiration. They can also answer your questions about breastfeeding (Sheryl Searcy is a Certified Breastfeeding Educator) newborn care, children's immunizations, and offer information about programs that may benefit your family, such as WIC and well-child exams. Our nurses are also Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians and can check the installation of your infant car seat. The Newborn Home Visit program is just one of the many programs at the Grundy County Health Department for families with young children. Find out more about this or any of our other services, call us at 359-4196.
Community Assessment FindingsAs part of the Core Functions Contract, the Grundy County Health Department must perform a community health assessment of primary and secondary data. The Health Department also recently completed two large health surveys of county residents. One was conducted in partnership with Wright Memorial Hospital, "2005 Grundy County Community Health Opinion Survey" and the other through Truman State University, which was a regional survey with neighboring local public health agencies, "North Central Missouri Regional Health Needs Assessment, February 2006." Some of the statistical findings of these surveys include:
The three most significant problems affecting the health status of the population within the jurisdiction of the local public health agency are chronic disease, prenatal care, and domestic violence.
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Grundy County Health Department is an Equal Opportunity
Provider.
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