Healthy Lifestyle – July 2017
Have a family disaster plan
Disasters and emergencies can happen at any time to anyone. It is important to think about how you will respond BEFORE something happens. With your family or household members, discuss how to prepare and respond to the types of emergencies that are most likely to happen where you live, learn, work and play.
Here are a few easy steps to start your emergency communication plan:
Understand how to receive emergency alerts and warnings. Make sure all household members are able to get alerts about an emergency from local officials. Check with your local emergency management agency to see what is available in your area.
Discuss family/household plans for disasters that may affect your area and plan where to go. Plan together in advance so that everyone in the household understands where to go during a different type of disaster like a hurricane, tornado, or wildfire.
Collect information. Create a paper copy of the contact information for your family that includes: phone numbers (cell, home, work), email address, social media info, medical facilities contacts, doctors and other service providers.
Identify information and pick an emergency meeting place. Decide on safe, familiar places where your family can go for protection or to reunite. Make sure these locations are accessible for household members with disabilities or access and functional needs. If you have pets or service animals, think about animal-friendly locations. Examples of meeting places may include: a mailbox at the end of the driveway, or a neighbor’s house; the library, a community center, place of worship or family friend’s house. Make sure everyone knows the address of the meeting place and discuss ways you would get there.
Share information. Make sure everyone carries a copy in his or her backpack, purse, or wallet. You should also post a copy in a central location in your home, such as your refrigerator or family bulletin board.
Practice your plan. Have regular household meetings to review your emergency plans, communication plans and meeting place after a disaster, and then practice, just like you would a fire drill.
On a separate note, it is important to point out that Kentucky is one of the unhealthiest states in our nation; but, a few healthy lifestyle choices could change this. First, eating normally proportioned helpings of nutritious foods including at least five fruits and vegetables a day can lower weight and reduce heart disease and diabetes. Second, exercising about 30 minutes per day can lower blood pressure. Third, avoiding the use of tobacco products can reduce several types of cancer. Finally, making sure you get your needed preventive screenings can detect diseases early and greatly increase your chances for a positive health outcomes, while receiving
your recommended vaccinations can prevent acquiring disease in the first place. Visit our website at www.LCDHD.org and click the “52 Weeks to Health” banner to learn more about each of these areas.
While at our website fill out the Health Calculator & Wellness Profile to take the first step toward personal wellness AND to be entered for a chance to win $1,000.00.
Family Disaster Supply Kit
Build a Kit
Disasters and emergencies can happen at any time to anyone. It is important to think about how you will respond BEFORE something happens. With your family or household members, discuss how to prepare and respond to the types of emergencies that are most likely to happen where you live, learn, work and play.
A disaster supplies kit is simply a collection of basic items your household may need in the event of an emergency.
Try to assemble your kit well in advance of an emergency. You may have to evacuate at a moment’s notice and take essentials with you. You will probably not have time to search for the supplies you need or shop for them.
You may need to survive on your own after an emergency. This means having your own food, water and other supplies in sufficient quantity to last for at least 72 hours. Local officials and relief workers will be on the scene after a disaster but they cannot reach everyone immediately. You could get help in hours or it might take days.
Additionally, basic services such as electricity, gas, water, sewage treatment and telephones may be cut off for days or even a week, or longer. Your supplies kit should contain items to help you manage during these outages.
A basic emergency supply kit could include the following recommended items:
• Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation
• Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
• Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• First aid kit
• Whistle to signal for help
• Dust mask to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-inplace
• Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
• Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
• Manual can opener for food
• Local maps
• Cell phone with chargers, inverter or solar charger
Visit our website at www.LCDHD.org and click the “52 Weeks to Health” banner to learn more about each of these areas.
While at our website fill out the Health Calculator & Wellness Profile to take the first step toward personal wellness AND to be entered for a chance to win $1,000.00
Important women’s health screenings
Routine medical screenings are an essential element of a healthy lifestyle. Many health screenings are recommended for both men and women, but women also should include some gender-specific testing in their health routines.
“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” That popular adage can be applied to personal health, particularly with respect to women’s health screenings.
• Breast cancer: Both men and women can get breast cancer, but women are at a far greater risk than men. According to Breastcancer.org, roughly one in eight women in the United States will develop invasive breast cancer over the course of her lifetime. The Canadian Cancer Society says breast cancer is the second leading cause of death from cancer in Canadian women. The earlier a woman finds breast cancer, the better her chance for survival. Cancers caught early are less likely to spread to the lymph nodes and vital organs than cancers caught at later stages. Recommendations on mammogram screening start time and frequency vary with age and risk factor, so women should discuss and develop an individualized plan with their doctors.
• Cervical cancer: Doctors advise that women should receive pelvic exams beginning at age 21, or earlier for women who are sexually active. Pap smears are screenings that help detect the presence of cancerous cells on and around the cervix that may be indicative of cervical cancer. Guidelines continually change regarding the frequency of Pap smear testing, but the general consensus is women age 30 and older may need screening every three years if they have not had any abnormal tests in the past, according to Everyday Health. Women should speak with their gynecologists regarding how frequently they should be tested for cervical cancer.
• Bone density test: Osteoporosis, a weakening of bones that causes them to become more fragile, may initially be symptom-free. Osteoporosis is often discovered only after a fracture. The National Osteoporosis Foundation says that estrogen decreases during menopause can cause bone loss, which is why women have a higher risk of developing osteoporosis than men. In addition to healthy living habits, bone mineral density tests beginning at age 65 or earlier can help identify problems early on. Certain risk factors may require women to begin receiving bone density tests before age 65.
• Skin cancer screening: A report from the National Cancer Institute appearing in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology revealed startling melanoma trends among young women. This deadly skin cancer is rising in incidence. Screening for changes in skin markings can help identify melanoma and other non-melanoma cancers early on. Skin should be checked by a dermatologist or a general health professional during regular physicals.
Guidelines recommended by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, a group of experts in disease prevention, also recommend these screenings for women: blood pressure, cholesterol, colorectal cancer, and diabetes. Proper care and early identification of illness risk factors can keep women on the road to good health.
Did you know?
The American Psychological Association recommends that men and women interested in making lifestyle changes begin by making realistic short- and long-term goals and then starting small. Unrealistic short-term goals can compromise people’s efforts at making positive changes, ultimately derailing their efforts. But realistic short-term goals can pave the way to realizing the loftier long-term goals. For example, the APA recommends that people who set a long-term weight loss goal of 20 pounds begin by aiming to lose one pound a week. Accomplishing that short-term goal can give people the confidence and satisfaction they need to propel them toward achieving their long-term goal. The APA also advises that men and women who want to change unhealthy behaviors do so one unhealthy behavior at a time, unless several unhealthy behaviors are putting their overall health in imminent danger. Quitting smoking and eating healthy requires considerable effort and dedication, and individuals may encounter problems when they try to do too much at one time. As a result, the APA recommends waiting until one new healthy behavior has become routine before attempting to change another unhealthy behavior.
Freedom from Smoking® tobacco cessation program
The health of every individual affects us all.
Learn how to overcome your tobacco addiction…so you can start enjoying the benefits of better health.
• Small group setting
• Fun, interactive learning environment
• Participant workbook and other informative materials provided
Join Health Educator Samantha Sexton for the 8-week Freedom from Smoking® tobacco cessation program for 2017. Upon completion, participants will be awarded a 1 month gym membership at Fitness Edge, FREE.
Topics include: • Medicines that can help you stop smoking • Lifestyle changes that make quitting easier • Preparing for Quit Day • Managing stress • Avoiding weight gain • Developing a new self-image • Staying smoke-free for good.
Program begins on: Tuesday August 15th, 2017 at 5:00 pm EST. McCreary County Health Department, 119 Medical Lane, Whitley City, KY 42653
These classes are provided free of charge by McCreary County Health Department. For more information or to register call Samantha Sexton at 606-376-2412 ext 5242.
