On 16
January 2013 I contacted Danielle Oller, Communication Specialist for the El
Paso County Public Health Department in Colorado. I asked about current trends
and concerns for Colorado and the El Paso County area. This is some of the information
she gave me, though not necessarily in this order:
11.) Influenza – between October 7 and
December 29 of last year there were 373 influenza related
hospitalizations. There were also 2
pediatric deaths. The majority of these cases were children of 5 years of age
or less, or elderly. One important note was that the predominant strain of
influenza changed from earlier in the year; at the beginning of 2012 the
predominant strain was type AH3, but in the outbreaks at the end of the year
58% of cases were type B. To combat this trend they are promoting vaccinations
for everyone older than 6 months.
22.) Whooping cough – apparently there was
an increase in cases of whooping cough, or bordatella
pertussis. Whooping cough is caused
by a bacterial infection in the nose and throat. Symptoms are severe coughing
that inhibits breathing and may induce vomiting. To combat this, public health
professionals promoted the Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis) vaccine.
They say that an epidemic has been avoided.
33.) Food Safety – voters rejected a 1% increase
in sales tax that would have funded the publich health and food safety
regulation programs, so they have had to adapt and revise certain programs and
cut other programs, as well as stop enforcing strict regulations. One thing
they’re going to start doing is recognizing establishments that meet high standards
of food safety with an ‘Excellence in Food Safety” award.
44.) Obesity – one recent article says
that Colorado is currently the “healthiest” state in the country as far as
obesity (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2289444/Colorado-healthiest-state-union-deep-south-posting-highest-obesity-rates-U-S.html).
Even still, obesity is increasing. The EPPHD has outlined ‘Obesity Prevention
Efforts’ involving a Healthy Community Collaborative that looks to use
evidence-based practices to promote healthy eating and active living.
55.) Tobacco Cessation – Cancer is the leading cause of death for middle aged and senior adults
in Colorado, and tobacco is a contributor to that. The EPPHD gave a grant of $620,000 to the Tobacco Education and Prevention Partnership. The programs will run through June of this
year with the goal to increase tobacco cessation. They’re also setting up a hotline called
Colorado QuitLine, which has research based info and trained coaches to help
people quit smoking.
No comments:
Post a Comment