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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Public Health PostApril - June 2007
Contents Health Department Celebrates Thirty Years Physical Activity For Families Food Allergies or Food Fussiness?
Health Department Celebrates Thirty Years In 1977, Star Wars was the number one movie, Laverne and Shirley was the most popular television show, a first-class stamp cost 13 cents, and Grundy County voters approved a mill tax to establish the Grundy County Health Department. As Trenton celebrates its sesquicentennial, the Grundy Health Department celebrates its own beginning. Many residents remember when the Health Department was located in the Courthouse. The Grundy County Health Unit began in 1976 as a demonstration unit funded by the State of Missouri. The demonstration unit offered home health, children's immunizations, blood pressure and blood sugar screenings, vision and hearing tests, and administered swine flu vaccinations to Grundy County residents. In April, 1977 voters approved a mill tax to support the Grundy County Health Department. Without voter support, the demonstration unit would have been dissolved in June of that year. Lois Coleman was the first nurse/administrator. A look through the minutes from the late seventies show our first Board of Trustees purchasing a desk, a file cabinet, and a typewriter for the office. Other highlights from the typewritten minutes:
This April we celebrate our 30th Anniversary along with Public Health Month. Worldwide, two significant public health events took place in 1977: the last naturally occurring case of smallpox and the bacteria that causes legionnaires disease was identified. Locally, in March of that year the Grundy County Health Unit offered measles clinics in response to outbreaks in northern Missouri and southern Iowa. In recent years, the resurgence of mumps and pertussis has been a concern. Public health remains vigilant globally and in your own backyard. Public health and local health departments have changed a great deal in thirty years. Your Grundy County Health Department has grown from two employees to ten and serves more clients in each of its programs. Home health services are now provided by other agencies but we stay busy performing a wide variety of services that promote, prevent, and protect—school health, environmental inspections, immunizations, health screenings for adults and children, health education programs, communicable disease investigation, and vital records. It all began 30 years ago with your support. Stop in and learn about the many services we offer our residents and supporters. Thank you!
Physical Activity For Families Spring is finally here, and warmer weather lures families outside to enjoy yard work, baseball games, or camping. With childhood obesity on the rise, it is important for parents to encourage their children to be physically active. Physical activity builds a great foundation for a healthy life. Health experts agree on the benefits of physical activity for children--improved self-esteem and capacity for learning, stress relief, healthy bones, muscles, and joints, and weight control. The best way for parents to encourage an active lifestyle for children is to get moving together. At home. Yard work is a great way to be active while working together outside; set up a badminton net or croquet stakes; shoot baskets in the driveway. Around town. Walk around the walking trail; visit Moberly Park; go hiking or fishing at Crowder State Park. On vacation. Raft down the river; walk through a museum or historic site; play in the hotel swimming pool. Give active gifts. Give children toys that encourage movement like a ball, jump rope, bicycle, or hula hoop. Organized activities. Sign up for soccer, baseball, dance, or tae kwon do.
National organizations are working together to help families improve fitness together. Visit these websites for more information:
Now that you've been thinking of improving your physical fitness, a walk about your neighborhood seems the easiest way to get started. Be careful, however, of dogs along your route. Each year 800,000 Americans seek medical attention for dog bites, the rate of dog bite injuries is highest among children aged 5-9.
If you are a dog owner, make sure your animal receives the rabies vaccine. Although most cases of rabies occur in wildlife, most humans are vaccinated for rabies as a result of exposure to domestic animals. To curb aggressive behavior in your dog:
For more information about dog bites contact your veterinarian or the Grundy County Health Department at 359-4196.
Food Allergies Or Food Fussiness? Your child has enjoyed her morning snack, but 30 minutes later, she's cranky. Her eyes look swollen, and she's crying. Does she have a food allergy, or is she just being fussy? Food allergies are a reaction to food that isn't normal. The body's immune system gets confused. Within minutes (or in up to 2 hours) it triggers symptoms that may seem like an illness:
Most allergic reactions are just uncomfortable, but a small percentage of people have severe reactions that can threaten their lives. Symptoms that seem like allergies could be other serious health problems. If you suspect a food allergy, have your child checked by your health care provider. That's the only way to know if your child really has a food allergy. Do NOT try to diagnose an allergy yourself. If you take away a food, such as milk, your child might miss nutrients needed to grow and stay healthy. Common Food Allergies For adults: peanuts, tree nuts, fish, and shellfish (especially shrimp) For children: peanuts, milk, eggs, tree nuts (such as pecans, almonds, cashews, walnuts), soy, and wheat About one out of 20 children is allergic to at least one food. There's good news! Except for peanuts and tree nuts, most children outgrow food allergies. Until then, here's what you can do:
Beginning, April 1, 2007 the Grundy County Health Department Board of Trustees will pay 70% of the cost for optional immunizations for Grundy County clients that do not qualify for free vaccine through the Federal Vaccines for Children program. Immunizations that are required for school enrollment will continue to be provided at no charge according to VFC guidelines. Vaccines are less effective if they are not administered according to dosage guidelines. Clients that participate in the program will be required to adhere to the recommended series schedule for vaccines with multiple doses. Covered vaccines are:
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Grundy County Health Department is an Equal Opportunity
Provider.
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