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.

PUBLIC HEALTH IS ROI (Return on Investment) . . . Saves Lives, Saves Money

Celebrate National Public Health Week April 1-7, 2013

National Public Health Week will be celebrated across the nation April 1-7, 2013 with the theme, “Public Health Is ROI, Saves Lives, Saves Money.” This year’s theme as declared by the American Public Health Association fits perfectly with Jefferson County Public Health’s focus on the results of its recent community health assessment and the health profile report “Healthy People Healthy, Places Jefferson County” being released this Spring. Visit www.healthypeoplehealthyplacesjeffco.com to learn more about the community health assessment, community health profile and work being done to complete a 5-year community health improvement plan.

Healthy People Cost Less

Investment of $10 per person, per year in proven community-based programs that help people increase their physical activity, eat better, and avoid smoking and other tobacco use could save the country more than $16 billion annually within five years. This is a return of $5.60 for every $1 invested.

• For more information on National Public Health Week, please visit: http://www.nphw.org/nphw11/first1.htm
• For more information on Jefferson County Public Health, please visit: www.jeffco.us/health
• Download and print the Colorado National Public Health Week Poster produced each year by Jefferson County Public Health.

National Public Health Week 2013

Jefferson County Public Health (JCPH) is proud to be a part of National Public Health Week (NPHW), celebrated each year during the first full week of April. April 1-7, 2013.

We all have a role in supporting a strong public health system and in putting prevention to work in our lives. This year’s theme as declared by the American Public Health Association is Public Health is ROI, Saves Lives, Saves Money. The return on investment on the preventive services, programs and policy initiatives provided by public health departments across the nation is cause for celebration. View the APHA website for more information and daily themes. Jefferson County Public Health celebrates public health week with the announcement and celebration of the 2012 Public Health Champions of the Year. Check our web page for the announcement and other important news items. We will also include the Champions in our April newsletter.

JCPH Celebrates March as National Nutrition Month

Eat Right, Your Way, Every Day

JCPH dieticians and WIC educators (Women, Infants and Children) are celebrating the 40th anniversary of National Nutrition Month by offering healthy recipes for you to “Eat Right, Your Way, Every Day!” This year’s theme encompasses the idea that each of us has our own food preferences, lifestyles, traditions and health concerns. “Eat Right, Your Way, Every Day” focuses attention on the importance of making informed food choices and developing healthy eating habits.

Visit the JCPH nutrition web page or our social media sites to get recipes for your family! Mix together a little physical activity, and you’ve got the recipe for a healthier Jefferson County! Jefferson County Nutrition Services provides nutrition education and counseling, the WIC (Women, Infants and Children) Program and more.

National Condom Month

Jefferson County Public Health (JCPH) reminds everyone, that having safe sex means using a condom. Other forms of birth control may prevent pregnancies; however, they do not prevent the spread of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). According to a recent survey, almost 40% of US high school students said that they did not use a condom during their last sexual encounter. 

If you are sexually active and have not been using a condom, you are at risk. Get tested at one of our clinic locations in Lakewood or Arvada. Call 303-232-6301 for an appointment. And, when sexually active, make sure you or your partner uses a condom!

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

Healthy and Affordable Grocery Shopping

Healthy and Affordable Grocery Shopping
WIC educator and retail food coordinator, Shellie O’Brien Laws shopping for fresh produce.

Jefferson County Public Health Nutrition Services offers the following helpful tips for making grocery shopping healthy and affordable.

Plan Ahead, Make a Grocery List: Having a grocery list helps with menu planning and decreases impulse buying. A list also helps you to remember needed items and can cut down on gas-guzzling trips to the grocery store.

Tips for planning ahead:
· Keep a running list of the groceries that your family needs
· Before going to the grocery store, check what foods you already have
· Consider what meals and recipes can be made with the foods on hand
· Find healthy recipes, plan a menu for the upcoming week, and add needed ingredients to your shopping list
· Stick to the list
· Plan one night every week for leftovers

Resources for healthy recipes and planning ahead:
www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/columnnn/nn080703.html
http://snap.nal.usda.gov/
http://recipefinder.nal.usda.gov/
http://www.kraftrecipes.com/
http://www.epicurious.com/

Shop the Perimeter - Fresh and whole foods are stored around the perimeter of the grocery store. Look for fresh produce, lean meats, low-fat dairy and whole grain breads. These foods contain fewer additives and more nutrients than the more processed foods found in the aisles.

Tips for shopping the perimeter
· Buy seasonal fruits and vegetables, and buy only what you’ll use. Produce has a short shelf-life and may spoil if bought in bulk.
· Buy lean meats. Lean cuts of beef include chuck, round, sirloin, and tenderloin. Lean cuts of pork include tenderloin or loin chops. The leanest poultry is white meat from the breast with no skin. When choosing ground meats, look for at least 90% lean meats.
· Check sell-by dates on fresh foods and buy the freshest food possible to reduce waste.

Resources for shopping the perimeter:
http://www.mypyramid.gov/
www.dartmouth.edu/~mascoma/grocery.htm

Choose Whole Foods –Whole foods are foods that are unprocessed and unrefined as much as possible before being consumed. Whole foods do not contain added ingredients, such as sugar, salt, or fat and give you more nutrition for your dollar. Whole foods include fruits and vegetables, unprocessed meat, and non-homogenized milk.
Tips for using whole foods
· Cooking from scratch is better for your health and your budget. When compared to its whole food counterpart, the processed food is often higher in price, sodium, fat, and calories.

For more information on whole foods:
http://www.mypyramid.gov/
http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=62664

Check the Entire Shelf for Best Prices– Grocery stores often place higher priced items at eye-level. Be sure to look at the shelf from top to bottom to find the best deals.

Tips for shopping the shelves:
· Consider store brands. They are often cheaper while still providing comparable quality.
· Buy in bulk. Buying bulk items that you know you will use before they spoil can help save money.
· Don’t buy an item just because it’s on sale. Buy foods that are on your list and that are needed.

Don’t Shop on an Empty Stomach – If your stomach is growling, you’re more likely to buy more food and choose less healthy options.

To learn more about strategic shopping:
www.moneyinstructor.com/art/savegrocery.asp

Budget for your Food – It is important to determine how much money will be available for food each week or month in order to shop wisely.

Tips for budgeting
· Calculate the resources you have to spend on food
· Make a shopping list that fits into your budget for the week
· Buy only the amounts of fresh foods that you can use before they spoil
· Consider frozen fruits and vegetables, look for deals on day-old whole-grain breads, and check the meat counter for manager’s specials and the meat mark-down bin.

For more information on budgeting for food:
http://www.fns.usda.gov/FSP/outreach/pdfs/making-ends-meet.pdf

Use Coupons – Check newspaper ads and grocery store websites for weekly specials and coupons. Also, sign up for a discount card if you don’t already have one.

Tips for using coupons:
· Cut coupons for items that you typically buy.
· Keep coupons in an envelope that is easy to retrieve when you’re ready to check out.

For free coupons:
http://www.couponmom.com/
http://www.kingsoopers.com/in_store/Pages/coupon_landing.aspx
http://www.safeway.com/IFL/Grocery/Coupons

March is National Nutrition Month . . . "Nutrition from the Ground Up."

Jefferson County Public Health reminds everyone of the importance of making informed food choices and developing good eating and physical activity habits. This year’s National Nutrition Month, March 2010 theme "Nutrition from the Ground Up" offers excellent resources for parents and children. The American Dietetic Association campaign also includes, Registered Dietitian Day, March 10, 2010 which raises awareness of the important role registered dietitians play in our communities. Do you know who your family nutritionist is? Learn more about nutrition services and how dietitians help people live healthier. >> http://www.eatright.org/NNM/content.aspx?id=5342

Jefferson County Public Health Nutrition Services Program dietitians have compiled information on a variety of topics they feel everyone should pay some attention to. “The importance of healthy eating and active living really cannot be over-emphasized, says Sara Lemley, RD Nutrition Services Manager. “We hope people take some time to learn about food choices and nutrition. There is a lot of information out there and all of us thought compiling some of the best resources could help consumers make informed decisions.”

Throughout the month of March, Nutrition Services will provide nutrition advice and resources. Please check Jefferson County Public Health’s web site for upcoming articles and resources on stretching your food budget while improving nutrition with meatless meals and on the benefits of buying local.>> www.jeffco.us/health

The first of four articles provided by JCPH Nutrition Services and their team of Registered Dieticians encourages all of us to plan ahead and shop smarter. Check in next week for the latest article titled - Healthy and Affordable Grocery Shopping.

Getting to Know a Public Health Nurse

By this time, I’m sure most of you have heard about the Salmonella outbreak related to products containing certain types of peanut butter. It still amazes me that epidemiologists are able to narrow down a source for a national outbreak affecting hundreds of people. One of the exciting parts of my job is that, often, I get to be involved in these investigations. With this outbreak, I had the chance to interview someone who had become sick with this particular type of Salmonella.
Certain illnesses are required to be reported to the state health department, and every day our team is notified of Jefferson County residents who have tested positive for a reportable condition. Salmonella is a “reportable” illnesses, and after receiving the original report, I started our standard investigation for Salmonella infection. After the first interview, I heard from the state health department that this individual “matched” an outbreak being tracked nationally. From there, we did more and more focused interviews. Initially, this individual thought the illness came from eating some undercooked chicken or cleaning out the cage of a pet snake. (Both legitimate ways of getting a Salmonella infection.) After further interviews, we discovered that peanut butter sandwich crackers were eaten 6 to 7 times each week, prior to the illness.
Though we regularly deal with diagnosed illnesses, at times we receive reports of illnesses in the community that have not yet been identified. School nurses may call to report a rash illness in their schools, or a nursing home may call for guidance with an outbreak of a diarrhea in their residents. This can start with a call to one of the communicable disease control nurses, and depending on the situation, different people within the county health department may become involved. For example, a person who calls with a complaint of getting sick after eating at a restaurant may need to speak with an Environmental Health Specialist. Other situations require intervention by our epidemiologists. Each person plays different roles at different times, but the overall goal is the same- to protect Jefferson County citizens from infectious diseases.