"HEALTH DEPT FIRST CHOICE HEALTHCARE CLINICS NOTE JUNE-NATIONAL MEN'S HEALTH MONTH & JUNE 14-20 MEN’S HEALTH WEEK!"
ATTACHED PHOTO: First Choice Healthcare Clinic Family Nurse Practitioner, Marilou Johnson goes over lab results with a patient during a routine exam. The Health Department’s First Choice Healthcare Clinics in Kewanee and Colona are noting June’s designation as Men’s Health Month and June 14-20 being National Men’s Health Week. For more information on their health services for men call the First Choice Healthcare Clinics at (309) 852-5272 (Kewanee) or 792-4011 (Colona).
Release:
The Henry and Stark County Health Department and its First Choice Healthcare Clinics announce that June has been designated National Men’s Health Month and June 14-20 has been designated Men’s Week. It’s not just good luck and good genes that lead to a healthy life. Research shows that our actions have a big say in the matter, too. Many major health problems that affect men and boys are preventable through lifestyle changes, early detection, and treatment.
The First Choice Healthcare staff notes Men’s Health Week by focusing on these top tips for men to maintain good health and long lives.
*Get routine exams and screenings. Ask your doctor how often you need to be examined.
*Get enough sleep.
*Eat healthy.
*Stay at a healthy weight.
*Get moving - take part in regular exercise.
*Be smoke-free. If you smoke, quit today!
*Avoid heavy drinking.
*Manage stress.
The Health Departments note that as many people consider health care today; the ideas of prevention and early detection of disease will become increasingly important. To illustrate this point the Department staff notes the following statistics:
* Despite advances in medical technology and research, men continue to live an average of five years less than women, with African-American men having the lowest life expectancy.
* Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men, afflicting 1 out of every 11 American men and killing 34,000 men every year.
* If prostate cancer is detected early it can be treated effectively, but early prostate cancer has no symptoms.
* Appropriate use of tests such as Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) exams, blood pressure screenings, cholesterol checks, etc., in conjunction with clinical examination can result in the detection of many of problems in their early stages and increase survival rates to nearly 100%.
The Health Department’s First Choice Healthcare Clinics offers many Men’s Health Services, to schedule an appointment call (309) 852-5272 (Kewanee) or (309) 792-4011 (Colona). For more information visit our website at www.henrystarkhealth.com or find us on Facebook at Henry and Stark County Health Departments or Follow Us on Twitter.
June 10, 2021
"EVENT FOOD VENDORS MUST REGISTER WITH HEALTH DEPARTMENT"
The Henry and Stark County Health Departments' Environmental Health Division notes that most local community calendars from the Memorial Day holiday to the Labor Day observance will feature many community events. Summertime is outdoor activity time. It's the season for community activities, festivals, and events, family reunions, backyard barbecues and other friendly get-togethers.
This year, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, please follow the Governor’s guidelines as each phase opens up. If you have any questions please call our office at (309) 852-0197 Extension 266. We highly recommend that at the bare minimum you adhere to the following guidelines:
Single and Multiple vendor events
Only carryout, drive-thru, curbside or delivery is allowed for Temporary Food vendors operating out of a tent or non-permanent structure that is not equipped with floors, walls, ceiling, plumbing, electricity, etc.
Can have tables 6’ apart.
Outdoor seating may be allowed for Temporary Food Vendors operating out of a permanent structure, i.e., brick and mortar building equipped with floors, walls, ceiling, plumbing, electricity, etc., as long as the guidelines set forth in the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) document “Restaurants and Bars (outdoor dining and drinking guidelines)” are followed.
No self-service area or pre-stocked tables (including condiments, napkins, beverages, silverware).
Handwashing stations/sanitizers must be provided for customers.
Encourage pre-ordering to help control crowds
Social distancing guidelines must be followed, i.e., lines marked to indicate 6’ separation in the pickup/carryout/order lines. Table at least 6’ apart.
Develop signs reminding people to maintain social distance, to be ready to order.
When you are advertising online have your menu posted so that your customers can decide before they get to your booth.
No groups larger than 10 per table, etc.
Preorder where possible to speed up transaction process. If possible have menu displayed before they enter your tent/table.
In accordance with CDC guidance for indoor businesses where everyone present is not fully vaccinated, unvaccinated persons should wear a face covering and maintain six feet social distance. Business and venues may continue to require face coverings and/or social distancing. At outdoor businesses and venues, unvaccinated persons may choose not to wear a face covering when able to maintain a six-foot social distance while outdoors, unless required to do so by a business or municipality.
Must have a plan of how employee health will be monitored and what practices will be put into place to prevent the spread of diseases during set, operation, and cleanup of the Temporary Food Event.
In addition pleased be informed that the Health Department would like to remind area residents that if you are preparing to serve food to the Public through an event that is serves food on less than two consecutive days (preparation counts as day 1); and/or no more than 12 intermittent days in any calendar year, you are required to register with the Health Department so that we can better assist you in the sanitation standards of food preparation. These completed registration forms must be submitted no later than five (5) calendar days with a fee before the event.
The staff of the Health Department urges everyone to practice good food handling habits before, during and after warm weather meals. Please remember to send your completed food registration forms if you are serving to the public. Help make summertime fun, delicious and safe. For more information on the Health Department's Food Program visit our website at www.henrystarkhealth.com or find us on Facebook at Henry and Stark County Health Departments or Follow Us on Twitter.
June 3, 2021
"STARK COUNTY HEALTH BOARD HONORS DORIS BOGNER FOR YEARS OF SERVICE"
CAPTION FOR ATTACHED PHOTO:
Duane Steven (left), Public Health Administrator with the Henry and Stark County Health Departments and Dr. Remi Satkauskas (right), Stark County Health Board President present retiring Stark County Health Board member, Doris Bogner of Bradford (center) with a service award. Bogner is leaving the Health Board after a total of 10 years of service.
Release:
Duane Stevens, Public Health Administrator with the Henry and Stark County Health Departments, and the Stark County Health Board recently honored retiring Health Board Member Doris Bogner of Bradford for her 10 years of service to the citizens of Stark County.
Dr. Remi Satkauskas, Stark County Health Board President, notes "Doris Bogner has been devoted to the community; and her many years of service to the Stark County Board of Health in the betterment of health services to Stark County citizens. Her tenure of service has been and will always be appreciated."
Stevens adds, "Doris has been a devoted member of the Stark County Health Board. She served on the Health Board from 2011-2021. Doris has been a wonderful advocate for the health of all Stark County residents. I will personally miss working with her."
The Stark County Health Board consists of 2 physicians; 1 dentist; 1 county board member; and 4 other residents of the county with an interest in the county's health needs. The Health Board meets quarterly and members serve with no compensation.
For more information on the Stark County Health Department call the Department at (309) 852-0197. You can also visit our website at www.henrystarkhealthcom or find us on Facebook or Follow Us on Twitter.
June 3, 2021
“Henry and Stark County Health Department and Health Boards Honor Employees for Years of Service and Dedication”
CAPTION FOR ATTACHED PHOTO: The Henry and Stark County Health Department and Henry and Stark County Health Boards of Health announce the recent retirement of 2 long-term employees: Sandy Sommer, RN (Left) Director of Clinical Services, 28 Years of Service and Dorothy David, (Right) Director of Environmental Health Services, 10 Years of Service. Here are the two ladies pictured at their recent retirement celebration.
RELEASE:
The Henry and Stark County Health Department and Henry and Stark County Health Boards of Health announce the recent retirement of 2 long-term employees: Sandy Sommer, RN Director of Clinical Services, 28 Years of Service and Dorothy David, Director of Environmental Health Services, 10 Years of Service.
Health Department Public Health Administrator, Duane Stevens states, "The Henry County Board of Health recognizes that honest, loyal and qualified employees are the most valuable assets of the Health Department. It is because of their dedication and commitment that we have been able to contribute so much to the health and well-being of the community."
The Health Department and Boards of Health invite all area residents to join them in thanking these special ladies for all their years of service and dedication to the residents Henry and Stark Counties.
For more information on the services of the Henry and Stark County Health Departments and our First Choice Healthcare Clinics in Kewanee and Colona, call (309) 852-5272 Kewanee or (309) 792-4011 Colona or visit our website at www.henrystarkhealth.com or find us on Facebook at Henry and Stark County Health Departments or Follow Us On Twitter.
June 1, 2021
“HENRY & STARK COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND HENRY COUNTY OEM NOTE COVID CLINICS WILL NOW BE HELD AT FIRST CHOICE HEALTHCARE CLINICS IN KEWANEE & COLONA AND REGISTRATION IS AVAILABLE ONLINE”
The Henry and Stark County Health Department and the Henry County Office of Emergency Management ask local residents, “Are you Tired of Your Masks and Mitigation? If so, remember, the easing of restrictions from the CDC and the State of Illinois is ONLY FOR THOSE FULLY VACCINATED AGAINST Covid-19. Therefore, they announce a new online registration system and locations for dispensing Covid-19 vaccine is OPEN on our website www.henrystarkhealth.com.
Appointments slots will open for Monday through Friday appointments for anyone seeking a First or Second Dose of the Moderna Covid-19 Vaccine. Appointment slots will be for appointments beginning Thursday, June 3rd and thereafter. Those with appointments will now go to the Henry and Stark County Health Department’s First Choice Healthcare Clinics at 110 N. Burr Blvd., Kewanee or 103 1st St., Colona for their Covid-19 shots. Those eligible to participate include anyone 18 years of Age and older who have not yet been vaccinated.
To reserve your Covid-19 vaccination appointment, simply to go to our website at www.henrystarkhealth.com and complete an On-Line “COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic Registration Form” for the date, time and location of your choice. To enroll you will only need to be able to access our website. Be sure to check the appropriate box denoting First or Second Dose. Please note, upon completion of registration for the clinic participants will now see a confirmation page and no longer receive a confirming email. Please continue to email any questions and cancellations to covid@ema-hc.com.
Please note, the Health Department and OEM will be conducting “Pop Up” Pfizer and Johnson and Johnson clinic from time to time based on available vaccine supplies. Please stay tuned for announcements on our website, Facebook, Twitter and traditional media sources.
For those “Without Internet Access” or “Spanish Speaking” we now have a “Phone In” Registration for the COVID-19 Vaccination Series. Those eligible to participate in this Phone-In registration are any Henry and Stark County residents who truly have no internet access or are Spanish speaking only. The number of appointments is limited and will be given out on a first come, first served basis. To register please call the Health Department at (309) 852-0197 Extension 277 Monday through Friday, 8:30am-4:30pm.
May 27, 2021
"HEALTH DEPT NOTES WORLD NO-TOBACCO DAY, MAY 31, 2021"
The Henry and Stark County Health Departments announce that every year May 31st is proclaimed World No-Tobacco Day. The theme for World No Tobacco Day 2021 is "Commit To Quit." The campaign will encourage everyone to protect youth from industry manipulation and prevent their use of tobacco and nicotine.
RaeAnn Tucker, Director of Health Promotion with the Henry and Stark County Health Departments notes that this important health designation is an important time to remind area residents about the Health Departments’ Illinois Tobacco-Free Communities Grant activities.
In both Henry and Stark County our staff works continually to enforce, educate and encourage compliance with the Illinois Smoke-Free Act. The Smoke-free Illinois Act prohibits smoking in virtually all public places and workplaces, including offices, theaters, museums, libraries, educational institutions, schools, commercial establishments, enclosed shopping centers and retail stores, restaurants, bars, private clubs and gaming facilities.
The Smoke Free Illinois Act requires that all business owners:
*Do not permit smoking within 15 feet of entrances, exits, windows, that open and ventilation intakes.
*Post “No Smoking” signs at each entrance.
*Remove ashtrays from areas where smoking is prohibited.
The Health Department notes that failure to comply with the Smoke Free Illinois Act can result in fines.
Also, this past year, the Health Department has worked towards additional Tobacco-Free initiatives. This year in both Henry and Stark County, the Health Department has a grant that is focused on the prevention and education on the hazards of vaping and the use of e-cigarettes to our area youth.
Tucker notes, “The Health Department in coordination with the State of Illinois has taken these important steps to protect its residents, workers and visitors from the harmful and hazardous effects of smoking and secondhand smoke.”
Cigarette smoking is responsible for more than 480,000 deaths per year in the United States, including more than 41,000 deaths resulting from secondhand smoke exposure. This is about one in five deaths annually, or 1,300 deaths every day.
For more information about the Health Department’s Illinois Tobacco-Free activities, call (309) 852-0197 or visit our website at www.henrystarkhealth.com or Find Us On Facebook or Follow Us on Twitter.
May 20, 2021
"HEALTH DEPARTMENT NOTES WARNS THAT WET & WARM WEATHER CAN MEAN AN INCREASE IN MOSQUITO POPULATION”
Release:
The Environmental Health Division of the Henry and Stark County Health Department notes that our wet and warm Spring weather can mean an increase in our local mosquito population.
The Environmental Health Services Staff at the Health Department notes, “The Culex mosquito is the most common vector of West Nile Virus and other viral illnesses. The Culex mosquito relies mostly on artificial containers for breeding sites. An artificial container is anything that will hold water more than 4 to 5 days. Enormous numbers of mosquitoes are produced day after day in such containers."
Therefore, the Health Department offers the following information on how to decrease the number of possible mosquito breeding sites and the potential health risks associated with mosquito bites.
* Discard all useless containers such as tin cans, tires, and stack buckets upside down when empty.
* Turn boats and canoes down when not in use.
* Don't allow water to stand in low areas for more than one week, add small amounts of fuel oil each week to standing pools of water that can't be drained.
* Empty and clean wading pools and bird baths once a week.
* Drain all livestock tanks once a week.
* Cover rain barrels and cisterns with mesh wire screening.
* Puncture holes in the bottom of tire swings to drain accumulated water.
* Clean out gutters and spouts of accumulated debris.
* Repair or replace screening on doors and windows with appropriate mesh.
Other precautions include practicing the three “R’s” – reduce, repel, and report.
REDUCE - make sure doors and windows have tight-fitting screens. Repair or replace screens that have tears or other openings. Try to keep doors and windows shut. Eliminate, or refresh each week, all sources of standing water where mosquitoes can breed, including water in bird baths, ponds, flowerpots, wading pools, old tires, and any other containers.
REPEL - when outdoors, wear shoes and socks, long pants and a long-sleeved shirt, and apply insect repellent that contains DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR 3535 according to label instructions. Consult a physician before using repellents on infants.
REPORT – report locations where you see water sitting stagnant for more than a week such as roadside ditches, flooded yards, and similar locations that may produce mosquitoes. The local health department or city government may be able to add larvicide to the water, which will kill any mosquito eggs.
For more information on West Nile Virus or Mosquito Control Measures call the Health Department at (309) 852-0197 or visit our website at www.henrystarkhealth.com or find us on Facebook at Henry and Stark County Health Departments or Follow Us On Twitter.
Henry County Health Department 110 N. Burr Blvd. Kewanee, IL 61443 309-852-0197 Copyright 2007 All rights reserved
