Falls Prevention Awareness Week
Falls Prevention Awareness
Falls among older adults continue to be a national public health concern.
Sept. 23-27, 2024, for Falls Prevention Awareness Week, a nationwide observance with state coalitions and partners to raise awareness on preventing falls, reducing the risk of falls, and helping older adults live without fear of falling.
Even though falls are the leading cause of fatal and nonfatal injuries for older Americans, falling is not an inevitable result of aging. Through practical lifestyle adjustments, evidence-based falls prevention programs, and clinical-community partnerships, the number of falls among older adults can be substantially reduced.
The challenges of falls for older adults
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other falls research:
· Fourteen million, or 1 in 4 Americans age 65+ falls each year.
· In 2021, falls caused 38,000 deaths among those age 65+, and emergency departments reported 3 million visits due to older adult falls.
As a result of falls, every 11 seconds, an older adult is treated in the emergency room; every 19 minutes, an older adult dies.
· The cost of treating injuries caused by falls among older adults is projected to increase to over $101 billion by 2030.
· Among older adults who fall, over half receive care in a hospital; the estimated annual average cost per inpatient visit for falls injuries is $18,658 and $1,112 per emergency department visit.
· In 2020, the total healthcare cost of non-fatal older adult falls was $80 billion.
· Falling once doubles the risk of falling again.
· People with hearing loss are nearly three times as likely to fall compared to those with normal hearing, but wearing a hearing aid reduces the risk of falling by 50%.
Falls, with or without injury, also carry a heavy quality of life impact. A growing number of older adults fear falling and, as a result, limit their activities and social engagements. This can result in further physical decline, depression, social isolation, and feelings of helplessness.
Physical activity
Regular exercise can help older adults stay independent and prevent many health problems that come with age. According to the 2018 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, older adults should do two types of physical activities each week to improve their health—aerobic and muscle-strengthening.
These guidelines recommend that older adults engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity a week and muscle strengthening activities on two or more days a week.
In 2019 only 23.1% of adults age 65+ met the physical activity guidelines outlined above.
Information from:
https://www.ncoa.org/article/get-the-facts-on-falls-prevention/
“You’ll thank you, for taking back control
“You’ll thank you for taking back control.” When you keep tobacco out of your life, you will add years to your life. Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW to start your quit journey today! Or click the link below!
2023 Financial Report Now Available
The Logan County Health District has completed the 2023 annual financial report. It is available for public inspection on the website at loganhealthohio.gov or in the office at 310 S Main St., Bellefontaine.
Please click here to see the 2023 Financial Report.
February 5th is Disaster Day!
Feb. 5th is Disaster Day!
It’s an opportunity not only to raise community awareness about the types of natural and man-made disasters that may impact us, but also highlights the importance of disaster management and the training necessary to undertake that responsibility. First, let’s take a quick look at the 2 broad categories of disasters that a community might face.
A natural disaster is a natural process or occurrence that can result in death, injury, or other health consequences, as well as property destruction, loss of livelihoods and services, social and economic disruption, and environmental harm. These types of disasters include earthquakes, landslides, tsunamis, floods, wildfires, and pandemics. These occurrences kill and injure thousands of people every year and destroys millions of dollars’ worth of property and habitat as well.
Man-made disasters are disasters that occur as a result of human action or inaction & technical errors resulting in danger/risk, such as war, oil spills, explosions, and train derailments. Some might argue that in a time of such wealth and knowledge all disasters are man-made, as it is only as a result of mismanagement or resource inequity that suffering results. For example, a drought may cause localized famine, but we know there is enough food globally that no one has to stay hungry.
Each type of disaster carries it own unique risks, causes, and remedies, and Disaster Day shines a light on these disasters and encourages increased awareness and preparedness for the same.
Although disasters come in many forms and flavors, there are some practical tips that can prove helpful no matter the category you’re faced with, such as:
v Canned goods are a preparation staple due to their long shelf life. However, it’s still important to be mindful of expiration dates and the freshness of your stash. Use the Foodkeeper app to help maintain the freshness of your emergency food supply.
v Back up important files (medical & financial records, photos, important emails) on removable storage devices, such as USB drives or external hard drives
v Download, fill out, and print a Emergency Checklist, such as this one from Consumer Finance, so you can have all your personal and account info in one place in case of an emergency.
v Consider taking a free SKYWARN Storm Spotter class, where you can learn from volunteers the signs of an impending storm/ tornado/severe weather.
v Prep your pets. Never leave a pet chained outdoors should you evacuate, what’s good for you is also good for them. Plan to evacuate with them and prepare for such as event by ensuring they have portable carriers/crates for each pet with their name, your name, and contact info clearly labeled. Also include two weeks’ worth of pet food and water in your emergency kit, as well as any medications.
In addition to these tips, there is a wealth of emergency preparedness information videos from FEMA available @ Ready.gov. This info is curated for both children and adults, and even by specific disabilities and special circumstances, such as wheelchair users and the Deaf community.
“You’ll thank you, for moments like these.”
You’ll thank you, for moments like these. Quitting Smoking can drastically improve your quality of life, giving you more time for special moments with friends and family. Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW to start your quit journey today. Or visit the link below!
Environmental Health Education Day
Today is environmental education day! The day aims to raise awareness about environmental issues, promote sustainable practices, and encourage individuals to act for the planet's well-being. The day has been celebrated since 1975. To celebrate and spread awareness about this day we sat down with Arie, one of our environmental health specialists and picked his brain a bit.
What does a typical day look like for an environmental health specialist?
Arie: “So, it does vary based upon the day, even the time of year. During the summer months, we’re doing a lot more with outdoor pools, RV parks, manufactured homes. All throughout the year we’re doing food inspections, landfills, all sorts of different inspections and reports. We answer questions the public might have, we’re inspecting wells and septic systems…obviously they may not all be in the same day, but that’s a broad overview of the things that could be coming on a normal day.”
What kind of hazards/risk do EHS look out for?
Arie: “Normally we’re looking for water pollution, so e. coli, a lot of solid waste-especially at the landfill, methane gas, leachate collections. A lot of pollutants and chemicals that may adversely affect the public or the environment.”
How does an environmental health specialist assess risks/hazards to the community?
Arie: “I think the biggest one would be the severity of the risk. Like, is there a gas leak at a pool that could kill people? Is the power out at a restaurant? Or does someone have trash collecting in the back that may only impact one person? So, it’s the severity and the number of people that could potentially be harmed by the hazard/risk.”
How does the EH division stay up to date on best practices & recommendations?
Arie: “We go to a lot of conferences. We’re required to have 24 hours of continuing education every 2 years, so we do a lot of conferences with other professionals in the field. The big one is keeping up with codes, being familiar with the ins and outs of reading code and following government websites.”
What motivated you to get into the field of EH?
Arie: “Well, I’m a local boy. I grew up in Logan County, I got my degree at University of Cincinnati, came home and the environmental tech position was open and I slowly worked my way up to an inspector- an environmental health specialist. I grew up here and always had a knack for helping any way I can.”
What has been your favorite thing about working in EH?
Arie: “Oh, getting out and meeting people and educating people. The flexibility here is awesome. You’re kinda your own boss in a way. You can set your schedule in terms of where you wanna inspect and how you set up your day; unless there’s an emergency, of course, that takes precedence.”
What has been the most challenging aspect of EH?
Arie: “Juggling all the responsibilities. I came in pretty much at the start of COVID, so just being able to prioritize certain things and not- I guess- trying to fix the world in one day. It takes a village to fix problems, so mainly juggling all the different inspections; food, wells, septics, manufactured home inspections, RV parks, pools, all the food in the county- and that can be from the micro-market in a factory to the gigantic Wal-Marts that take 3-4 hours to go through and pick everything...so I would say that’s one of the biggest hurdles, making sure you structure your day to everything gets done, especially what’s mandated to get done.”
According to the BLS, the demand for environmental health specialists is expected to increase substantially over the next decade, with an anticipated 6,900 openings/year. With that in mind, what kind of advice would you give a student looking to get into the EH field?
Arie: “I would say to be patient, it’s a lot and there’s a lot to inspections and paperwork and questions. It can take a while to really grasp and have an idea of how everything flows, how to read code. I say empathy without limits is self-destruction, don’t try to fix the world in a day. You do have to think of your self-care and your capacity, so be patient. Talk to other professionals. Be open minded. It’s ok to make mistakes, I make mistakes all the time, just know how to fix them and correct it for next time.”
Environmental Health Staff Group Photo
Thanks again to Arie for sitting down with us and talking about his environmental health experience and the impact they have within the health district and the community!
“You’ll Thank You…for being your youest self.”
You’ll thank you…for being your youset self. Quitting smoking can drastically improve your mental health, giving you more opportunity to live as your most authentic self! Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW to start your quit journey today!
January is National Blood Donor Month
Written by Gavin Ruzicka
President Richard Nixon declared January National Blood Donor Month in 1969 in Proclamation 3952. This was chosen to spread awareness for blood drives and blood donation because the end of the holiday season and inclement weather causes a low number of donors and a shortage of blood for those who need it.
Can you Donate?
The American Red Cross outlines general guidelines for blood donation as follows:
· Be in good general health and feeling well.
· Be at least 17 years old in most states (16 years old with parental consent in some states).
· Weigh at least 110 pounds. Additional weight requirements apply for donors 18 years old and younger and all high school donors.
· Have not donated blood in the last 56 days.
What does the process look like?
The blood donation process takes around an hour. When donating blood, you will need to provide your ID and asked some health history questions to determine eligibility. Your temperature, blood pressure, and hemoglobin levels will also be taken.
If you’re donating whole blood, the staff will cleanse an area on your arm and insert a brand-new, sterile needle for the blood draw. (This feels like a quick pinch and is over in seconds). Other donations, such as platelets, are made using an apheresis machine, which will be connected to both arms. A whole blood donation takes about 8-10 minutes, during which you’ll sit comfortably or lie down. A platelet donation takes around 2 hours. When approximately a pint of whole blood has been collected, the donation is complete; a staff member will place a bandage on your arm.
After donating blood, you’ll have a snack and something to drink in the refreshment area. You’ll leave after 10-15 minutes and continue your normal routine.
Before you donate
Before you donate, make sure to drink plenty of water. This makes it easier for them to find a vein and lowers your chances of other complications during donation. Make sure to have iron-rich foods, such as red meat, fish, poultry, beans, spinach, iron-fortified cereals, or raisins and to have a complete meal before you donate. Lastly, get a good night's sleep the night before your donation.
After you donate
Have a Snack, as you may feel a bit woozy after donating. Drink extra liquids (about four glasses of water) as this helps more quickly replenish the blood you donated. Do not do any heavy lifting or vigorous activity to not stress the arm they took blood from. Continue to eat iron-rich foods and make sure to eat complete meals.
How Can you Donate?
The American Red Cross always looks for donors and holds blood donation drives. The best way to find drives near you is to enter your zip code at https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/find-drive
References
National Blood Donor Month. www.aabb.org. (n.d.-a). https://www.aabb.org/for-donors-patients/national-blood-donor-month#:~:text=More%20than%2050%20years%20ago,this%20critical%20resource%20is%20needed.
First Time donors. First Time Blood Donors Guide | Red Cross Blood Services. (n.d.). https://redcrossblood.org/donate-blood/how-to-donate/common-concerns/first-time-donors.html
Donation process overview. Blood Donation Process Explained | Red Cross Blood Services. (n.d.). https://www.redcrossblood.org/donate-blood/blood-donation-process/donation-process-overview.html
What to do before, during and after a donation. Tips For A Successful Blood Donation | Red Cross Blood Services. (n.d.). https://www.redcrossblood.org/donate-blood/blood-donation-process/before-during-after.html
Hey Logan County! Drive Sober So You Don’t Get Pulled Over
Written By: Gavin Ruzicka, Community Health Intern
With the Holidays coming up impaired driving is an increased concern. That is why December is impaired driving awareness month. According to the National Safety Council, New Year’s Eve and Christmas Eve are among the deadliest holidays for impaired driving.
Alcohol impairs brain function which affects physical reaction time, reasoning, and coordination, which are all important when operating a motor vehicle. A person’s alcohol level is determined by the weight of alcohol in a person’s blood or blood alcohol content (BAC). A person’s BAC is measured with a breathalyzer. In all 50 States, it is illegal to drive with a BAC of .08 or Higher. Below is a table of how your body is affected at different BAC levels.
Drunk driving. NHTSA. (n.d.). https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/drunk-driving
When you drive impaired you not only are putting your life in danger but the lives of those around you along with possible damage to property and motor vehicles. Driving while drunk is referred to as driving while under the influence or a DUI. Charges for a DUI range from a misdemeanor to a felony depending on the damage caused. A DUI can also cause the suspension of your driver’s license, fines, and jail time. Sometimes states require offenders to have a breathalyzer installed on the car that they must blow into before the car starts.
The best way to be responsible while drinking is to not drive at all. Try to have a plan before you start drinking. Assign a designated driver or use a ride service such as Lyft or Uber. If someone you are with has been drinking, make sure that they do not drive by taking their keys and arranging a sober drive home. Lastly, no matter what, while in a motor vehicle ALWAYS wear your seat belt as it is the best defense in the case of an accident whether or not that accident was caused by an impaired driver.
To wrap up alcohol is not the only thing that can impair driving. Drugs such as marijuana or opioids can also impair driving. Fatigue and stress can also impair driving. If while driving, you feel drowsy make sure to take a break. Studies have shown that being awake for 18 hours without sleep is like driving with a BAC of 0.05%. If you feel off or in any way that you should be driving, pull over or have someone else drive. It’s not worth risking your life or the lives of others.
References:
Drunk driving. NHTSA. (n.d.). https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/drunk-driving
Impaired or drunk driving. National Safety Council. (n.d.). https://www.nsc.org/road/safety-topics/impaired-driving#:~:text=December%20is%20National%20Impaired%20Driving%20Prevention%20Month&text=Two%20of%20the%20most%20celebrated,National%20Impaired%20Driving%20Prevention%20Month.
Logan County Health District Service Survey
The Logan County Health District would like to hear from you! Please fill out our Services Survey to help us better serve you and your needs!
Please respond by 10/31/2023 using the link below.
https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=VWhuqvIEJEee_2en-RHuYn6KShoHepFOoUvZOxtfcoFUMDRYVTkwTldNRk85M1o4NVZXSzRHRDcyNyQlQCN0PWcu
Calling all Russells Point Residents!
Calling all Russells Point Residents! Do you have a healthy recipe you would like to share with your community and have published? Please scan the QR code or click the link below to participate in this healthy eating initiative! The Logan County Health District is partnering with the Village of Russells Point to create this cookbook to help foster healthy eating habits. This cookbook will be available at the Indian Lake Farmers Market on Fridays beginning in June! Please submit your recipes by May 20th.
Village of Russells Point Policy, Systems, and Environmental (PSE) Assessment
In collaboration with Mayor Robin Reams, and the village council, the health district conducted a policy, systems, and environmental change assessment for the Village of Russells Point to help determine the need for healthy eating and active living strategies. This assessment was conducted in November of 2022, and analyzed in April of 2023. Below, you will find a presentation that outlines the purpose of the assessment, as well as the healthy eating strategy that was selected for the village, a community cookbook! More details about the cookbook will be available soon, as well as a survey for the residents of Russells Point to submit their favorite healthy recipes to be featured in the cookbook. The cookbook will be distributed at the Indian Lake Farmers Market this summer. We appreciate the Village of Russells Point’s support in helping us find ways for more healthy eating and active living strategies to support the community.
Click here to see the Results of the Policy, Systems, and Environmental Change Assessment
National Public Health Week: Sunday
Today’s theme is food and nutrition!
Food is a defining aspect of our diverse cultures, from holiday traditions to special recipes passed down through the generations. Food and nutrition are at the core of many public health concerns, from chronic disease to climate change. In 2021, 10.4% of Americans (33.8 million people, including 9.3 million children) lived in households that experienced food insecurity, meaning they lacked access to adequate nutritious foods. Children need a balanced diet to grow into healthy adults and long-term food insecurity can lead to serious illness, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease and mental health issues. Food-insecure families also face difficult decisions like choosing between buying groceries or paying for health care. The most readily available foods are often ultra-processed products that are correlated with multiple health conditions. Researchers say the food industry is putting profit before people. Furthermore, climate change puts our global food supply at risk as an increase in severe weather threatens agriculture. Our current food systems are part of the problem, contributing at least a quarter of greenhouse gas emissions.
The federal government offers food safety net programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), and free school meals, but many food-insecure families are ineligible because of income level and other factors. Encourage your representatives in Congress to support legislation that expands eligibility for these programs. You can also provide input on the 2023 Farm Bill, which determines funding for SNAP. Contribute to your own community by volunteering with a food bank in your area, and while you’re at it, ask Congress to keep food banks fully funded. For inspiration, read about how community leaders across the country are shaping policy.
While broad structural shifts will be most effective for long-term improvements in food and nutrition, we have promising stopgap solutions from the local to national levels. Research shows that children who participate in federal programs such as SNAP and WIC have higher levels of food security into adulthood. For those enrolled in SNAP, fruit, and vegetable prescription programs have been shown to encourage healthy eating and help with diabetes management by reducing blood glucose levels.
National Public Health Week: Saturday
The theme for today is accessibility!
About 26% of U.S. adults have a disability. To move toward health equity, it’s critical we recognize that people with disabilities are facing health disparities. One in three adults with disabilities does not have a primary health care provider, and one in three adults with disabilities has unmet health care needs due to financial cost. Since the passing of the Affordable Care Act, uninsured rates have decreased. In 2008, 83.2% of people under the age of 65 reported having medical insurance, but by 2020, the percentage of people with insurance coverage was 91.4. Early intervention for hearing loss among young children is proven to help with their language development.
Improving access to nutritious food — particularly in areas with limited access to fresh produce — has been linked to improving overall health and eating habits. For example, when a mobile farmers market was introduced to a low-income community in Michigan in 2014, residents reported eating more fruits and vegetables since they were more accessible. The initiative has grown in the years since it was launched and five convenience stores in that neighborhood now provide fresh produce, with more collaborations being planned.
National Public Health Week: Friday
Today’s theme for National Public Health Week is Rural Health!
Fourteen percent of Americans live in rural areas. Rural Americans have higher rates of cigarette smoking, high blood pressure, and diabetes. Compared to urban residents, they are at higher risk for poor health outcomes because of the range of health disparities they face. These health disparities include poverty, food deserts, exposure to specific environmental hazards, and less time for leisurely physical activity. People living in rural areas have less access to health care because of fewer providers and facilities and more transportation barriers. They are also not as likely to have health insurance. These factors play a part in the greater risk of death from heart disease, cancer, stroke, chronic lower respiratory disease and unintentional injury from motor vehicle crashes and opioid overdoses that rural residents face.
Children living in rural areas also face greater challenges with their development, mental health and behavioral health. Youth working on farms are at higher risk of injuries. They are 7.8 times more likely to die because of a work injury compared to youth in other jobs.
So what can be done to improve health in rural areas?
Improve mental and physical health and community involvement by creating activity programs and modifying local areas like parks and playgrounds and creating walking trails and protected bike lanes.
Increase access to health facilities and other public resources by arranging transportation services using volunteer rideshare, public buses, and scheduled vans.
Provide mentoring, counseling, vocational training, and college prep for underrepresented students.
Advocate for easier access to and training of first responders and citizens to use naloxone to decrease the fatal opioid overdose rates.
School breakfast programs help reduce food insecurity and improve student diet, health, and academic achievements.
Research also shows that vocational training for adults and high school students helps strengthen the health workforce available in rural communities and set residents on a path to succeed in and improve their communities.
School-based health care and dropout prevention programs also help high school students achieve academic success.
National Public Health Week: Thursday
Today’s National Public Health Week theme is mental health!
Mental health is important at every stage of life. It continuously affects how we think, feel and act. It also plays an important role in our physical and social well-being. In the U.S. alone, millions of Americans are affected by mental illness. Anxiety disorders, bipolar disorders, and depression are some of the most common. In fact, one in five U.S. adults experiences mental illness each year. Cases of mental illness have recently risen due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Rates of anxiety, depression, and substance use disorder have increased.
Take action to make an impact on your community’s mental health and well-being. Volunteer for a local mental health organization. Attend events, such as walks and fundraisers, that support the mental health movement. Ask Congress and local politicians to prioritize making mental health services available. Pledge to #Vote4MentalHealth and find out more about the connection between key policy issues and mental health. Learn about suicide prevention and intervention by joining the National Alliance on Mental Illness or APHA’s Mental Health Section. Use resources and toolkits to explore how to engage in conversations where mental health is viewed negatively. Collaborate with members of your community to locally shift policies and practices toward improving mental health conditions.
If you or someone you know need mental health services, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s national helpline at 1-800-662-HELP. You can also call, text, or chat at 988 to connect with a trained counselor through the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
To help in improving your mental health, Practicing mindfulness, eating a well-balanced diet, engaging in physical exercise, and getting a good night’s rest are proven actions you can take. However, improving mental health for both ourselves and our communities requires an all-hands-on-deck approach. Communities need to continue to expand access to health services and invest in mental health.
National Public Health Week: Wednesday
The theme of the day for National Public Health Week is reproductive and sexual health!
When people receive quality reproductive and sexual health care, education, and access, they can fulfill happier and healthier lives. We must recognize structural discrimination, biases, and injustices which can block inclusive and accessible reproductive and sexual health care. Women who receive quality reproductive and sexual health care are more likely to be socioeconomically stable and less likely to stay in violent relationships compared to women who do not. Students who receive quality sex education are less likely to report bullying based on sexual orientation and gender expression. Quality sex education programming and healthcare can lead to a delay in the age of first-time sexual intercourse, reduce the overall number of sexual partners, increase the use of contraception, reduce unintended teen pregnancy, and reduce rates of teen HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.
2022 saw public health recognize that Mpox was disproportionally affecting men who have sex with men and took action to protect those most vulnerable with an increase in vaccine distribution- this action shows that we have come a long way since the days of inaction and stigmatization seen during the AIDS epidemic, which also acknowledging that there is still work to go.
National Public Health Week: Tuesday
Today’s theme for National Public Health Week is Violence Prevention!
National data show gun-related deaths are on the rise: in 2020, the U.S. was home to 19,384 homicides and 24,292 suicides involving guns. Those numbers are the highest documented levels in a decade. In 2022, eight Logan County residents were ruled as death by suicide, and all eight deaths involving guns.
We recommend everyone urge policymakers to provide research funding that's on par with the nation's gun violence epidemic and call on lawmakers to pass commonsense measures that reduce the risk of gun deaths and injuries. We should advocate for community-driven solutions that identify and target the root of violence and don't criminalize entire communities.
Using public health-based interventions can make a difference in the reduction of violence. During 2001-2015, suicide rates were consistently higher in rural areas than in metropolitan areas. Suicide rates tend to be higher in rural areas in part because there is greater access to guns, high rates of drug and alcohol use, and few healthcare providers and emergency medical facilities. Reducing the mental health stigma in rural health communities and interventions such as safe storage of guns and medications has shown to reduce the risk of attempted suicide among adolescents.
National Public Health Week: Monday
Today is the first day of National Public Health Week and the theme of the day is Community! Plenty of science shows your community has a direct link to your health and well-being. Community is where we are. It’s our connections with others who share similar interests, attitudes, and goals. Over the past few years, those connections have been greatly impacted. Physically distancing from one another and limiting communal gatherings can lead to social isolation, increasing rates of depression, impaired immunity, and premature mortality. There are also other conditions in our communities that impact our health and well-being called social determinants of health. People living just a few blocks apart may have very different life expectancies because of the safety of their neighborhood or the quality of their schools. Transportation barriers and lack of health insurance can limit access to health services. This can increase the risk of harmful health behaviors like skipping medication or postponing care. Having to travel long distances to access nutritious foods is linked to food insecurity. This puts communities at higher risk for chronic conditions like heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. There are also negative environmental health conditions like poor air quality that can result in cancer and lung and heart diseases.
Take action today! Become more engaged or re-engage with your community and make an impact on public health. You can join a community garden, donate healthy and culturally appropriate canned food options to food pantries, or volunteer at local food distributions. Join a recreational sports league or fitness group to engage in physical activity and connect socially. Support community-led solutions by asking questions at public forums or joining a community advisory board. Advocate for your local elected officials to use funds to address health disparities. Encourage your local government to support healthy community design that includes parks, sidewalks, and bike lanes. Tell them to fund programs to prevent unhealthy living conditions. Pursue community-engaged and multi-sector partnerships. Advocate for a health-in-all-policies approach as a strategy to improve community health. Engage your public health peers and elected officials on health topics on social media to gain more understanding about specific threats and to hold people in decision-making roles accountable.
Make a plan to get involved with your community and take steps to improve your health! People with greater feelings of support, connection, and inclusion within their networks may live longer, respond better to stress, and have stronger immune systems than those who are isolated from their communities. Neighborhood programs like community gardens improve access to nutritious foods and cultivate social support and emotional well-being. Adding elements such as sidewalks, parks, libraries, or bike routes to neighborhoods supports physical activity and decreases the negative health effects of air pollution. Local efforts must improve housing, education, food, transportation, and the environment to support equity, resilience, and health at the individual and community levels.
Syphilis Outbreak in Logan County
Since 2018, Syphilis cases have been on a steady incline in Logan County. Between March 2022 through December 2022, there have been 9 reported cases of syphilis. The average age of those individuals is 29.3 years, and the cases are split between 50% male and 50% female.
Syphilis Cases in Logan County from 2012 to 2022
Because of this continued increase in Syphilis cases, the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) has classified Logan County as having a Syphilis outbreak. Syphilis has been on the rise in Ohio for a few years now and was typically seen in the larger, more metropolitan, and urban areas of the state. However, during the last two (2) years, increases in syphilis cases have been seen more in Ohio’s rural areas, and Logan County is not the only rural area seeing an increase nor the only rural area being classified as having an outbreak by ODH.
Syphilis is treatable with antibiotics, but because symptoms in the primary and secondary stages of infection are often painless and go unnoticed, the transmission of the disease without knowledge of its existence is probable. If left untreated, the disease can spread to the brain, nervous system, eyes, and ears. It’s important to know your sexual partners and have discussions about sexual history before engaging in any sexual activities. Other factors such as alcohol and drug use may also increase risky sexual behavior. Logan County Health District has free condoms available to help prevent the spread of disease as well as STD prevention education.
Logan County Health District is hosting a Syphilis and HIV testing clinic on February 14th, 2023, from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM. No appointment required, and you will receive same day results.
Read more on syphilis from the Ohio Department of Health here, or the Center for Disease Control and Prevention here.