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.

Egg Safety

With the arrival of spring, many Jefferson County residents will celebrate by decorating eggs for Easter. Jefferson County Public Health asks that you keep these safety tips in mind when coloring your eggs:

Before decorating, decide whether or not you want to eat the decorated eggs later. If you do, follow these rules:

• Wash your hands between all the steps. 
• Be sure that all the materials you use are food safe. 
• Keep the eggs refrigerated as much as possible. 
• Dye the eggs in water warmer than the eggs so the insides don’t absorb the dye. 
• If you hide the decorated eggs, avoid contact with animals or lawn chemicals. 
• Throw out any “found” eggs that have cracked or have been out at room temperature for more than 2 hours. 
• Eat the refrigerated eggs within one week. 

Fresh eggs must be purchased, handled, prepared and stored carefully to avoid the possibility of foodborne illness. Even eggs with clean, un-cracked shells may contain bacteria called Salmonella. 

• Buy eggs only sold from a refrigerated case. 
• Make sure that the eggs are not cracked. 
• Refrigerate at 40ºF or below. 
• Wash hands, utensils, equipment, and work surfaces with hot, soapy water. 
• Cook eggs until the yolk and the white are firm. Scrambled eggs should not be runny. 
• Cook egg dishes until they reach 160°F. Use a food thermometer to be sure. 

Please see our Egg Safety fact sheet for more information or click here for information from Fight BAC, the Partnership for Food Safety Education.

Attention: Jefferson County Food Service Establishments

Revisions to the Colorado Retail Food Establishment Rules and Regulations will take effect March 1, 2013. To ensure operators are familiar with the revisions, the Division of Environmental Health and Sustainability has worked in collaboration with State Food Safety to develop an online training of the major changes to the revised Colorado Retail Food Establishment Rules and Regulations. This training is available for a fee of $2.50 for any retail food operator or food handling employee that wishes to take the course. For more information view the JCPH food safety web page.

In addition the JCPH Excellence in Food Safety Program celebrates its 20th anniversary this year! Consider taking a class on safe food handling and preparation.

Provide a Safe Sleep Environment for Infants

Watch this Jefferson County Insights video featuring a Jefferson County mother and her infant during a visit with one of our public health nurses as well as an interview with Dr. Ann Halbower with Children’s Hospital.

Creating a safe sleep environment for infants is easy to do and can reduce risk of suffocation, as well as sudden unexplained infant death syndrome (SUIDS). Start by removing all items from the crib, including crib bumpers, blankets and toys. Be sure to place infants on their backs to sleep and keep them warm by using a simple sleep sack or one-piece sleep wear. Some parents and caregivers feel more comfortable having the infant sleep in the same room, this is fine, but only if there is a portable sleeping crib or bassinette. The risk of suffocation is real! Never share a bed or sleeping space with an infant. Parents and caregivers can also protect infants by making sure that anyone else who might be putting the baby down for sleep, including grandparents and other family members, understands the importance of a safe sleep environment and follows these guidelines. Visit the JCPH injury prevention page to learn more about safe sleep and injury prevention across the lifespan.

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!

Celebrating 10 Years!

Last month, the Colorado Quit Line celebrated its 10th anniversary. Since it began in 2002, the Quit Line has helped more than 75,000 people quit using tobacco. This free service connects people who want to quit with a Quit Coach who can help them through the process. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over 658,000 individuals in Colorado are current cigarette smokers. If you are one of them who would like to quit, please call the Colorado Quit Line at 800-QUIT NOW (1-800-784-8669) or visit them online at coquitline.org.

Poll: Few Americans know all the risks of overweight/obesity

A recent article in the Denver Post highlights results of a survey completed by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research showing that most people still don’t understand the enormity of health risks associated with overweight/obesity. The poll asked over one thousand adults, nationwide, to list the consequences of obesity. While many listed heart disease and diabetes as consequences, most did not realize there are many other health concerns resulting from overweight/obesity, including: cancers, infertility, joint issues, sleep apnea and respiratory problems.

View our health connections model video to learn more about how risk factors such as unhealthy diet, physical inactivity and lack of access to care can lead to health conditions such as overweight/obesity, diabetes and hypertension and how ultimately the health conditions contribute to the leading causes of death in Jefferson County such as cardiovascular disease and cancer. To be a part of the JCPH Community Health Assessment or to find out more about how certain health concerns and risk factors can lead to causes of death, please visit our website at www.healthypeoplehealthyplaces.com. 

In the meantime, make sure to stay healthy! Getting outdoors- even during the winter months- and taking advantage of what Jefferson County has to offer is a great way to increase your physical activity! Jeffco Outdoors has some fantastic ideas and resources to help get your family physically active. After all, health and parks go hand in hand.