Wednesday, January 13, 2016

5210 Jeffco

Jefferson County Public Health is excited to be using the 5210 message campaign aimed at improving child health by promoting healthy eating and physical activity.  5210 Jeffco is adapted from 5210 Let’s Go!, a program started in 2006 by The Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital at Maine Medical Center.   5210 Jeffco reminds every one of four healthy habits to aim for each day:



*Keep TV/computer out of the bedroom.  No screen time under the age of 2.

The 5210 Jeffco message will be used by public health and our partners to educate and inspire community members where they live, learn, work, and play.  The message encourages awareness and action with easy-to-remember messages and vivid educational materials.

Early childhood, from birth to age five, is an extremely important developmental time of life when many health habits are formed, habits that can have lifelong impacts on health.  Across the nation and in Colorado, young children are not getting enough physical activity or consuming the daily recommended amounts of fruits and vegetables. In Jefferson County, one in five children and over half of all adults are considered overweight or obese. Obesity is associated with many chronic diseases, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer.   Jefferson County’s 2013 Community Health Assessment shows that rates of these chronic diseases are on the rise.

Jefferson County Public Health supports the behavior changes promoted by the 5210 messages as important educational messages that can help reduce obesity rates among Jeffco’s children. It is our goal that the 5210 Jeffco message does more than educate, but also inspires community change through policies that support healthy environments for all.   

We are looking for opportunities to promote 5210 Jeffco throughout the county as we work in collaboration with early childhood partners.  5210 Jeffco messaging will also be used by the Jefferson County Community Health Network coalitions working to improve health for everyone in the County.

Upcoming Jefferson County Community Health Improvement Network Meeting


The Jeffco Community Health Improvement Network is a group of multi-disciplinary coalitions in Jefferson County, Colorado working together to increase physical activity, healthy eating, and psychosocial well-being among low-income families with children ages 0-18. The next network meeting will take place on January 26, 2016 from 3:30 PM to 5:00 PM.

This Jeffco Community Health Improvement Network meeting will include:

  • Updates from each of the Network’s six coalitions: Active Living, Food Access, Health in Early Childhood, Healthy Beverage, School Wellness and Preventive Care & Mental Health Resources.
  • Opportunities for attendees to give input and to take action.
  • The release of the newly updated Jefferson County Community Health Improvement Plan, which focuses on coalition goals and strategies for increasing healthy eating, active living and psychosocial well-being.
  • Networking and idea sharing among organizations.


For more details and to sign up to attend, please visit the Jeffco Community Health Improvement Network website or contact Pamela Gould, Jefferson County Public Health Planner, at pgould@jeffco.us or 303-275-7526.

Make Time for Cervical Health & Cancer Prevention

January is Cervical Health Awareness Month, and Jefferson County Public Health wants you to know that there’s a lot you can do to prevent cervical cancer. HPV (human papillomavirus) is a very common infection that spreads through sexual activity. It’s also a major cause of cervical cancer. About 79 million Americans currently have HPV, but many people with HPV don’t know they are infected.

The good news?
  • The HPV vaccine (shot) provides protection against 70% of cervical cancer.
  • Cervical cancer can often be prevented with regular screening tests (called Pap tests) and follow-up care.


As part of your Annual Wellness Visit, Jefferson County Public Health will provide you with breast and cervical cancer education and/or screening if you are a woman 20 years of age or older (including male to female transgender and female to male transgender).

Cervical Cancer Prevention

ü  It starts with you! If you or your partner is under 27 (male or female), complete the HPV (Human Papillomavirus) vaccination series (3 separate injections over 6 months). This vaccine provides immunization against specific HPV types that can cause 70% of cervical cancer.

o   We offer the HPV vaccination in our clinic. Call and make an appointment today.

ü  It continues with you! Because HPV is a sexually transmitted virus, consider abstinence or limit your number of partners and use condoms. Once HPV is contracted, having a strong immune system will help you fight against the infection.  Adopt a healthy lifestyle of eating nutritious foods, exercise regularly, limit your alcohol intake and don’t smoke.

Cervical Cancer Screening

ü  Once you turn 21, you are encouraged to have your first Pelvic Exam and Pap Test. As long as the results are normal, your health care provider will repeat these procedures every 3 years until you turn 30.

o   A Pelvic Exam is when the health care provider inspects your external genitalia, vagina and cervix; and also feels your uterus, ovaries and fallopian tubes.
o   A Pap Test is when the health care provider collects some of your cervical cells so that it can be tested for pre-cancerous cells.

ü  Once you turn 30, in addition to a Pelvic Exam and Pap Test, Jefferson County Public Health will also perform an HPV Test. As long as the results are normal, we will repeat these three procedures every 5 years up to and including age 65. However, screening may be stopped earlier if you have had your cervix removed for benign reasons; or it may continue for many more years depending on the type of abnormal results in your history.

o   An HPV Test is when the collected cervical cells from the Pap test are examined for the types of human papillomavirus that can cause cervical cancer.

ü  Depending on your age, risk factors and the results of your cervical cancer screening, your health care provider may recommend more frequent screening and additional procedures. At Jefferson County Public Health, we will support you in scheduling appointments for any follow-up procedures that may be required.

But I don’t need to…but I feel fine…but I can’t afford…

ü  Most invasive cervical cancer occurs in women never screened or those who have not had a Pap Test within the past 5 years.

ü  Early stages of cervical cancer usually have no symptoms and can take years to develop and spread. Early detection is very important.

ü  Jefferson County Public Health will provide you with accessible and cost effective care. We serve individuals who are uninsured, underinsured, enrolled in Medicaid and those with certain private insurance.

Care Coordination Program

If you are a woman between the ages of 40 and 64, you may be eligible for a new program at Jefferson County Public Health called the Women’s Wellness Connection (WWC), Care Coordination Program. This program helps ensure access to breast and cervical cancer screening among women who have or are eligible for health insurance, including Medicaid, and who meet WWC’s income and lawful presence eligibility criteria.

This program is offered as part of your Annual Wellness Visit and includes:
·         Assessing your need for breast and cervical cancer screening;
·         Assisting you through completing the recommended cancer screening; and,
·         Supporting you with the required follow-up if there are any abnormal results.

If you are already seeing another health care provider for your Annual Wellness Visit and you are receiving breast and cervical cancer screening with them, please consider this a reminder that your annual visit is due in 2016.

Otherwise, please call us today to see if you qualify and/or to schedule your Annual Wellness Visit with Jefferson County Public Health at 303-239-7078.


There is no cost to you for this care coordination program, as this is a benefit provided to you through a grant from the WWC. This program does not provide any financial reimbursement for cancer screenings services as these are provided through your health insurance coverage.  If you no longer have current health insurance, you may be eligible for services through another WWC grant program. You can call the Family Healthline at: 303-692-2229 to find the name of another agency that could provide this service.

Take Steps Now to Eliminate Radon Gas from Your Home . . . January is National Radon Action Month

Jefferson County Public Health encourages all residents to have their homes tested for radon gas, a naturally occurring gas that you can’t see, smell, or taste, but it could be present at a dangerous level in your home.  According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), radon is the leading cause of lung cancer deaths among nonsmokers in America and claims the lives of about 21,000 Americans and 500 Coloradans each year.

Elevated levels of radon have been found in homes all across the country.  In Colorado, all 64 counties are at risk for radon.  Due to the gas’s unpredictable nature, two houses right next to each other may have very different radon levels.  Testing is the only way to know for certain if you and your loved ones are at risk.

January is an excellent time to test your home. Testing requires all windows and doors be closed, but is simple to do. Residents in Jefferson and Gilpin counties can now pick up a free testing kit while supplies last and on a first come, first serve basis at Jefferson County Public Health Environmental Health Services. Visit us at 645 Parfet Street in Lakewood. When new kits are ordered, residents will be able to purchase short-term test kits for $10.00. Long-term test kits are also available at local hardware stores, supermarkets and other retail outlets.

For more information on radon, radon testing, and radon mitigation call 1-800-846-3986 or JCPH Environmental Specialist John Moody at 303-271-5714.

Resources:

Littleton Boy Scout Builds and Delivers Bookshelves to Jefferson County Public Health

In pursuit of his Eagle Scout rank, Boy Scout Peter Montano from Troop 47 of Littleton, CO has chosen to assist the Reach Out and Read Colorado program by leading a book drive, creating a prototype bookshelf, and constructing these bookshelves with his troop, family members and friends. Jefferson County Public Health (JCPH) is proud to have been selected to house two beautifully handcrafted bookshelves with over 2,000 books collected at a book drive led by Peter, in the Department’s Reach Out and Read waiting room for children. The shelves took six hours to build, including applying a stain.

Peter chose Reach Out and Read because of his love for reading and desire to help and encourage children to enjoy reading as much as he does. “I actually benefited from Reach Out and Read as a young boy when I received a book at one of my doctor’s appointments at Denver Health Clinic,” remembers Peter. “My parents tell me stories of how much I loved to read, even as a baby and toddler. I would ask them to read the same books over and over again!”

JCPH has been a participant in the Reach Out and Read program since 2009. While the Department has received book donations in the past, this is the largest number of books donated by a community member and the first time bookshelves have been donated. Christine Schmidt, Community Health Services Manager at JCPH, added, “We are most appreciative to Peter and his family, and all of his helpers for their wonderful contribution to promoting early literacy in this way for the children of Jefferson County.”


For more information or to find out how to get involved, visit the Reach Out and Read Colorado website