To the citizens of Crawford County, Illinois:

The mission of Crawford County Health Department (CCHD) is to prevent disease and to assist in the maintenance of optimum health for the citizens of Crawford County through the assessment of needs, development of policy, provision of education and the assurance of services.

Some way, every day, the Health Department has a role in your daily activities. We are guardian of your health in relation to community activities. Each individual or family can maintain their own safe environment, but, when many individuals and families come together to form a community, public health as a whole must be protected. We appreciate the trust you place in us in our efforts to accomplish this.

We are your County Health Department. We work for you.

Current Annoucements

 

School Physical and Immunization Schedule

Once again this year, nurse practitioners Lynn Phillippe and Debra Waggle will be offering school physicals at the Crawford County Health Department. Physicals will be offered by appointment only. The cost for a physical is $45.00, hemoglobin is $5.00, and urinalysis is $5.00.

Physical Schedule (by appointment only)

June 25, July 23, & August 13 - 3:00pm to 7:00pm with Debra Waggle, FNP

July 7 & August 18 - 3:00pm to 7:00pm with Lynn Phillippe, FNP

Immunizations are also offered by appointment. Clinics are generally held every Tuesday evening of the month from 4:00pm to 6:00pm and every second & fourth Thursday morning of the month from 8:30am to 11:00am. There is a $10.00 charge per immunization.

Summer Immunization Clinic Schedule (by appointment)

June 2, 16, 23, & 30; July 7, 14, 21, & 28; August 4, 11, 18, & 25 - 4:00pm to 6:00pm

June 11 & 25; July 9 & 23; August 13 & 27 - 8:30am to 11:00am

Lead screens available for $16.00 (free if income eligible).

Weekly walk-in sessions take place every Monday morning from 8:00-11:00 AM and are on a first come, first serve basis. Please plan to come during the early summer months unless you don't mind waiting as August walk-in clinics get VERY busy.

 

Swine Influenza Information

Local Emergency Partners Address Swine Flu

 

April 30, 2009 - Crawford County, IL– After receiving initial reports of Swine Influenza A (H1N1), “Swine Flu” cases in the United States, local emergency planning partners began coordinating efforts in preparation for potential illness in our area.  Our overall goal is to reduce transmission and illness severity of Swine Flu by providing information to healthcare providers, emergency response partners, and the public.  Past planning efforts among Crawford County Health Department (CCHD), Crawford County Emergency Management Agency (EMA), Crawford County Sheriff, Crawford Memorial Hospital and other emergency response agencies in Crawford County has set plans in place for an event of this nature.  This kind of planning has been happening all across the State of Illinois.

Swine flu is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by a type A influenza virus that regularly causes outbreaks of influenza among pigs.  Swine flu viruses do not normally infect humans; however, human infections with swine flu do occur.  Public health officials have determined that this strain of swine flu virus spreads from human to human and can cause illness.  Currently in Illinois, there are no confirmed cases of Swine Flu; however, Chicago and surrounding suburban counties have nine probable cases, which are awaiting confirmation by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

A person should only be tested for Swine Flu if they have the following symptoms (very similar to seasonal flu):

• Fever (greater than 100°F or 37.8°C)

• Sore throat

• Cough

• Stuffy nose

• Chills

• Headache and body aches

• Fatigue

AND 1 of the following:

 

• Onset of illness within 7 days of close contact with a person who is a confirmed case of Swine Influenza A (H1N1) virus infection, or

• Onset of illness within 7 days of travel to a community either within the United States or internationally where there is one or more confirmed Swine Flu cases, or

• Reside in a community where there is one or more confirmed Swine Flu cases.

 

If someone feels they may have been exposed to Swine Flu and fit the criteria above, they should call their healthcare provider.  You cannot be exposed to Swine Flu by eating pork, pork products, or food products from affected areas.

There is currently no vaccine for Swine Flu; however, two antiviral medications (oseltamivir and zanamivir) are effective for treatment and/or prevention of infection with the current Swine Flu virus.  The vaccine for seasonal flu is not effective against Swine Flu.

In order to prepare for possible cases, CDC has released 25% of the federal stockpile containing antiviral medication and other supplies.  Yesterday, a Gubernatorial Proclamation issued by Governor Pat Quinn allowed for the mobilization of state assets, as the Governor deems necessary, to aid in the distribution of medical supplies and other actions needed to protect the public’s health and safety.  According to Dr. Damon T. Arnold, Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) Director, yesterday, “Our goals during this public health emergency are to quickly identify cases of swine flu and reduce the spread and severity of the illness.  The Governor’s proclamation is not cause for alarm but simply allows us to be proactive and distribute medicines and medical supplies from the state and federal stockpiles to hospitals and local health departments across the state so they are available when they are needed.” 

Crawford County Health Department (CCHD) and other local emergency partners are preparing to receive these shipments.  CCHD Public Health Administrator Darla Tracy wants to assure residents of Crawford County that this preparation will better equip the area to respond in a timely manner should we begin to see cases of Swine Flu.

To prevent the spread of swine flu:

• Avoid contact with ill persons.

• When you cough or sneeze, cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or your sleeve (if you do not have a tissue).  Throw used tissues in a trash can.

• After you cough or sneeze, wash your hands with soap and water, or use an alcohol-based hand gel.

• If you think you are ill with flu, avoid close contact with others as much as possible.  Stay at home or in your hotel room.  Seek medical care if you are severely ill (such as having trouble breathing).  There are antiviral medications for prevention and treatment of swine flu that a doctor can prescribe.  Do not go to work, school, or travel while ill.

 

For more information, contact Crawford County Health Department at (618) 544-8798 or visit  www.cchd.net, www.idph.state.il.us, or www.cdc.gov/swineflu/.  If you are not a resident of Crawford County, you can talk to your local health department for more information on Swine Flu.

 

CCHD Workplace Wellness Program

Beginning April 13, CCHD employees will be participating in a 12 week Workplace Wellness Program to promote exercising and a healthy lifestyle. In this program, employees will be broken up into teams, and will have daily and weekly walking distance goals to achieve. Alternative exercise methods that include 20 continuous minutes of cardio activity can be substituted for 1 mile of walking. Participants will also receive optional pre-screenings for blood pressure, blood sugar & cholesterol, cardiovascular risk assessment, weight, and body mass index (BMI) so progress can be tracked from the beginning to the end of the program.

With the mileage walked during this program, teams will be simulating walking from the Health Department to Huntsville, Alabama, a distance of 348 miles. Along this "journey," there will be incentive gifts given at 1, 4, 8, and 12 weeks for those that reach certain goals. At the end of the program, a grand prize will be given.

CCHD encourages other agencies and businesses to start their own workplace wellness program to promote exercising and a healthy lifestyle.

In honor of the American Heart Association's National Start! Walking Day, Wednesday, April 8, CCHD staff split into two groups and walked 1 mile each during their lunch breaks. Thankfully the weather cooperated, and a beautiful spring day was enjoyed.

 

Immunization information

Immunization clinics are available every Tuesday from 4:00-6:00 PM and on the second and fourth Thursday of the month from 8:30-11:00 AM. Appointments are required. There is a $10.00 charge per immunization.

Lead screens available for $16.00 (free if income eligible).

Weekly walk-in sessions take place every Monday morning from 8:00-11:00 AM and are on a first come, first serve basis.

 

2009 Health Department Holiday Closing Dates

 

FDA Recall Information

Information about current FDA recalls can be found by following this link: FDA recalls

 

Recycling and Conservation Information

Our Earth is a volunteer run, non-profit organization providing information and educational resources about recycling and other environmental aspects. The Our Earth website can be viewed at www.ourearth.org.

 

Healthcare 411

Healthcare 411 is a news series produced by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. AHRQ’s mission is to improve the quality, safety, efficiency, and effectiveness of health care for all Americans. Using the latest podcasting technology, these weekly audio and video programs feature AHRQ’s latest research findings as news and informational stories on current health care topics.

Visit the Healthcare 411 website for more information.  

 

Crawford County Restaurant Facts

• Crawford County Food Scores

 

 

Can you hear me?

Jodi Krick, a CCHD certified vision and hearing technician, performs a hearing screening for Layni Branson thanks to Mary Heath Foundation grant funding. This grant allowed the Health Department to purchase a new audiometer and vision equipment to continue offering hearing and vision screenings for county children. Photo courtesy of the Branson family.