Protect against Rabies

September 28, 2014 is World Rabies Day. Rabies is a serious disease that affects the nervous system and can be fatal if left untreated. By keeping your pets vaccinated against rabies, you are not only protecting them, but you are protecting yourself and your family too. Show your pets how much you love them by honoring September 28th and getting them vaccinated. The Foothills Animal Shelter offers rabies vaccinations for your dog or cat for only $15. Please visit their website or call 303-278-7575 for more information.

The JCPH animal borne disease program works to monitor and respond to disease threats in the county. Recently, several bats in the County have tested positive for rabies . This is a good reminder for everyone to take precautions against rabies exposure. While only a small percentage of bats are infected with rabies, it is important to avoid close contact with them. The public should contact their local animal control if they find a dead bat or if they find a bat behaving strangely. Animal control will determine whether the bat needs to be collected and tested. Animal Control will collect specimens for rabies testing if there is a possibility that the bat had contact with people or their pets--particularly within the home or other enclosed buildings.

Jefferson County Health officials advise that even what may seem as insignificant contact with a bat may still be sufficient to transmit the rabies virus. Rabies is spread most often through contact with bat saliva, as a result of bites or from exposure to cuts on the skin. In some instances, people may be unaware that they were bitten and may not see puncture wounds.

Steps to Control and Prevent rabies:

• Avoid contact with all stray and wild animals, including bats.
• Vaccinate all cats, dogs, ferrets, and valuable livestock.
• Do not allow pets to roam free.
• Teach children to leave wildlife alone
• If bitten or scratched by a pet or wild animal, immediately wash any wounds with soap and water and contact your healthcare provider.
• If you are concerned that you or one of your animals might have been exposed to rabies, seek medical or veterinary attention immediately.

Resources:

• For more information or to report a suspicious animal, please contact your local Animal Control agency or Jefferson County Animal Control: 303-271-5070
• For more information on rabies and prevention tips please visit our web site at: http://jeffco.us/public-health/animal-borne-disease/rabies/ or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at http://www.cdc.gov/rabies/ or call the JCPH Animal-borne Disease Program at at 303-271-5700.

World Food Day - Oct 24th

On October 24th, people all over the country will celebrate World Food Day, the nationwide movement for healthy, affordable, sustainable food. The goal of this day is to help people “eat real.” That means, no sugary drinks, processed and pre-packages, salty foods and fatty meats. On this day, we encourage you to eat vegetables, fruits, whole grains and sustainably raised protein.

Today’s typical diet is contributing to some of the leading causes of death and disease in our country, including heart disease, obesity and diabetes. The reality is that these health issues are costing Americans almost $150 billion every year. By eating healthier, you are not only saving your health, but your tax dollars too. And, who knows? You may find that you enjoy eating nutritious foods. Let this October 24th be the start of a new healthier you!

Love Your Pets? Protect against Rabies

September 28, 2013 is World Rabies Day. By keeping your pets vaccinated against rabies, you are not only protecting them, but you are protecting yourself and your family too. Show your pets how much you love them by honoring September 28th and getting them vaccinated.

The Foothills Animal Shelter offers rabies vaccinations for your dog or cat for only $15. Please visit their website or call 303-278-7575 for more information. The JCPH animal borne disease program works to monitor and respond to disease threats in the county. Please read our animal borne disease newsletter for up-to-date information and data.

JCPH Offers No Charge HIV Testing for National HIV Testing Day

Do you know your status? Join the nation and find out on National HIV Testing Day, Thursday June 27th. On this day, Jefferson County Public Health (JCPH) will offer HIV testing and counseling for no charge. Call 303-232-6301 to make your appointment!

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that 18.1% of people aged 13 years and older living with HIV infection do not even know they are infected. Getting tested, and encouraging your partner to get tested is the best way to make sure you are both safe. For more information, visit the Jefferson County Public Health website.

World No Tobacco Day

Ban Tobacco Advertising, Promotion and Sponsorship 

May 31, 2013, marks World No Tobacco Day - an annual day of observance that highlights health risks caused by tobacco use and encourages advocacy for policies that will reduce tobacco use. This year, the World Health Organization (WHO) is focusing on the importance of banning tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship. Jefferson County Public Health joins WHO in taking a global stand against tobacco and asks that your business or organization make a commitment to ban tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship.

Jefferson County Public Health is committed to making our community a healthier place to live, work and play. Tobacco use remains the most preventable cause of death, and by banning tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship we can work together in reducing the harms of tobacco in our communities. To get more information on World No Tobacco Day, please visit the WHO website. For resources on quitting tobacco, visit the JCPH website.

Earth Day

"Some people who talk about the environment talk about it as though it involved only a question of clean air and clean water. The environment involves the whole broad spectrum of man's relationship to all other living creatures, including other human beings. It involves the environment in its broadest and deepest sense. It involves the environment of the ghetto which is the worst environment, where the worst pollution, the worst noise, the worst housing, the worst situation in this country -- that has to be a critical part of our concern and consideration in talking and cleaning up the environment."- Gaylord Nelson Read more from the source document.

The words above, spoken on April 19, 1970 by the founder of Earth Day are as pertinent today as they were 40 years ago. Read this article to gain insight on how Your zipcode can determine your health. Our environment includes the natural world and the physical environments we create, also known as built environments. Jefferson County Public Health strives to protect the earth through its programs and services designed not only to reduce environmental health hazards but also to promote healthy living.

Light Rail Comes to JEFFCO . . . Look for the Public Health display
This coming April 27, 2013 Jefferson County will celebrate RTDs light rail coming to Jefferson County. Look for the Jefferson County Public Health display and learn more about public health’s commitment to the health of its community. http://jeffco.us/health.

• For more information on JCPH Environmental Health Services please visit the JCPH Environmental Health Services web page or call 303-271-5700. For more information on built environments and improving access to healthy eating and active living, please contact Molly Hanson, Health Policy Analyst at mhanson@jeffco.us .

Drug Take Back Day

Jefferson County Public Health encourages all residents to take part in Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, April 27. The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office and other agencies nationwide have teamed up to remove potentially dangerous controlled substances from our nation’s medicine cabinets. This is an opportunity for you to get rid of any expired, unwanted, or unused pharmaceutical controlled substances and other medications. Drugs that are not disposed of correctly are a potential source of supply for illegal use and an unacceptable risk to public health and safety.

There will be two drop off location open between 10:00 am-2:00 pm in Jefferson County:

• Dakota Ridge High School, 13399 W. Coal Mine Ave., Littleton (west parking lot)

• Evergreen Fire Rescue, 1802 Bergen Parkway, Evergreen To get more information, visit the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office online or call, 303-277-0211

Know Your Status

December 1st is National World AIDS day. Jefferson County Public Health asks you to recognize the day by knowing your HIV status.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, an estimated 1.2 million people are living with HIV and 1 out of every 5 aren’t even aware that their status is positive. They also estimate 50,000 Americans are newly infected every single year.

This is why Jefferson County Public Health urges you and your partner to get an HIV test. The only way for someone to know if they have HIV is to take the HIV test. Knowing your status can prevent you from inadvertently infecting someone else. There is no cure for HIV, but there are new treatment options allowing people to live productive lives while living with HIV.

Get HIV counseling and testing at low cost at one of our conveniently located HIV testing clinics. With a rapid test, you can even get results during your visit. Make an appointment today by calling 303-239-7078.

Food Day is October 24th!

Food Day is a nationwide celebration and a movement toward more healthy, affordable, and sustainable food. Residents throughout Jefferson County are reminded that the food we eat should boost our health and enhance our communities.

Food Day was created to:

• Promote safer, healthier diets
• Support sustainable and organic farms
• Reduce hunger
• Reform factory farms to protect the environment
• Support fair working conditions for food and farm workers

For more information or to get involved, please visit the Food Day Website.

In addition, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and Trust for America’s Health recently published its report, F as In Fat: How Obesity Threatens America's Future http://healthyamericans.org/assets/files/TFAH2012FasInFatfinal.pdf The report highlights the alarming trend of obesity rates and potential impacts if trends are not reversed.  “This report outlines how policies like increasing physical activity time in schools and making fresh fruits and vegetables more affordable can help make healthier choices easier. Small changes can add up to a big difference. Policy changes can help make healthier choices easier for Americans in their daily lives.” said Jeff Levi, PhD, executive director of Trust for America’s Health.

HIV Testing Day is June 27, 2012

June 27, 2012 is National HIV Testing Day. Across the country, public health partners will be encouraging people to take the test and take control. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone between the ages of 13 and 64 be tested for HIV at least once, as part of their routine health care. HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is the virus that causes AIDS. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 21% of HIV-positive people don’t know they are infected and may be transmitting HIV without knowing it.

In Jefferson County, residents are encouraged to get tested and to learn more about HIV and the current status of the AIDS epidemic.

JCPH HIV Counseling and Testing Appointments

Arvada: 303-275-7555; Lakewood: 303-239-7078

HIV Counseling and Testing Program

JCPH HIV Recorded Information Line 303-239-7036

Today is Earth Day

The earth is like our body. We need to eat right and exercise – take care of our bodies. Likewise we need to respect and take care of the earth. Everyone has a right to a clean and healthy environment regardless of race ethnicity or socio-economic status. 



Our planet, our home is being neglected. Climate change continues unabated. It seems there's a new ecological disaster happening almost daily. This Earth Day it's time to mobilize the planet from the ground up to send a message that the Earth won't wait! Do a good deed for the earth today on Earth Day and everyday.

Earth Day Website
JCPH Recycling Resources

Earth Day... A note from Environmental Health

Hi, I’m Dr Jim Dale, Director of Environmental Health here at Jefferson County Public Health in Golden, Colorado. Today is Earth Day. The earth is like our body. We need to eat right and exercise – take care of our bodies. Likewise we need to respect and take care of the earth. American Indian Chief Seattle got it right, He noted, “Man did not weave the web of life, he is merely a strand in it. Whatever he does to the web, he does to himself.” Do a good deed for the earth today on Earth Day and everyday.