March is National Nutrition Month

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Published on Sunday, 01 March 2020 21:47

The Andrew County Health Department would like to encourage you to eat healthy by offering these 5 tips to kick bad eating habits to the curb.

1 - Eat Breakfast

The key to a good breakfast is balance. Include lean protein, whole grains and fresh, frozen or canned fruits and vegetables. For example, oatmeal cooked with low-fat milk and sliced almonds and berries or crust-less quiche with mixed veggies, low-fat cheese and a slice of whole-wheat toast.

2 - Cut Back on Caffeine

Too much caffeine can interfere with sleep, can make you jittery and can cause you to lose energy later in the day. Skip unwanted calories and sugar by drinking it as plain as possible.

3 - Bring Lunch to Work

Preparing the week's lunches over the weekend - bake chicken, chop veggies, steam rice. Make sure your options include a combination of lean protein and carbohydrates.

4 - Eat More Fruits and Vegetables

Fruits and veggies add color, flavor and texture, plus vitamins, minerals and fibers to your plate. Don't let winter stop you from enjoying produce either. It might be harder to find fresh options, but frozen and canned are great alternatives.

5 - Cook Dinner at Home

Making meals at home doesn't have to zap the last bit of your time and energy. The trick is to plan ahead. Use shortcuts such as pre-cut or frozen veggies and keep staples on hand such as low-sodium broth, herbs and lemons for flavoring. A quick and easy idea is to turn leftover beef into stew with beans, no-salt-added diced tomatoes and pre-cut veggies.

6 - For your baby

Breastfeeding is the best way to meet your baby’s nutritional needs during his/her first year of life.  Breast milk contains everything the baby needs for the first six months of life, in all the right proportions. Breast milk has the perfect combination of proteins, fats, vitamins, and carbohydrates.  Its composition even changes according to the baby's changing needs, especially during the first month of life.  There is nothing better for the health of your baby.

COVID-19 Information

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Published on Sunday, 16 February 2020 19:53

The current outbreak of 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) was first identified in China but has now spread internationally, impacting an increasing number of countries. Sustained community spread is occurring in China. Limited person-to-person spread, most associated with close contact with a patient with confirmed 2019-nCoV, has been seen outside of China. No community spread of 2019-nCoV has been identified in the United States at this time.

In the coming days and weeks, we expect more confirmed cases in the United States, including some person-to-person spread. The goal of CDC’s aggressive ongoing public health response is to prevent spread of 2019-nCoV in in the United States.

Information Hotline

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) activated a statewide public hotline for citizens or providers needing guidance regarding the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19. At 8 a.m. today, the hotline opened and can be reached at 877-435-8411. The hotline is being operated by medical professionals and is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

 How to Prevent Infection

• Novel Coronavirus Fact Sheet
  Overview of Novel Coronavirus, including what it is, how it is spread, symptoms, prevention and treatment
• Environmental Cleaning and Disinfection Recommendations
  Cleaning and disinfection recommendations for the general public to reduce spread of viruses
• COVID-19: Caring for Your Hands
  Guidance and recommendations on hand care, including handwashing guidance and hand sanitizer application
• COVID-19: Washing Hands Can Save Lives
  Guidance, created more specifically for kids, on how to wash hands and correctly use hand sanitizer

Information for Food Service Facilities

• COVID-19 Cleaning, Sanitizing, and Disinfecting for Food Establishments
  Information and guidance for cleaning and disinfecting for food establishments to support a healthy work environment and community
• COVID-19 Prevention for Food Service Facilities
  Prevention and protection guidance for food service facilities to protect customers and employees

Information for Lodging Establishments

• Cleaning Recommendations for Lodging Establishments to Help Prevent the Spread of COVID-19
  Cleaning and disinfecting recommendations to lodging establishments to help prevent the spread of viruses

Information for Confirmed or Presumptive Positive Cases and their Households

• COVID-19: Home Care Guidance
  Guidance and recommendations for individuals with presumptive or confirmed COVID-19, and others in their household
• COVID-19 Cleaning Practices for Individuals in Home Isolation/Quarantine
  Guidance and recommendations for cleaning a home with a presumptive or confirmed COVID-19 case

What you should do

• STAY INFORMED – CDC is updating its website daily with the latest information and advice for the public. (www.cdc.gov/ncov)
• REMEMBER TO TAKE EVERYDAY PREVENTIVE ACTIONS that are always recommended to prevent the spread of respiratory viruses.
• Avoid close contact with sick people.
• While sick, limit contact with others as much as possible.
• Stay home if you are sick.
• Cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands; germs spread this way.
• Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with germs.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol- based hand rub with at least 60% alcohol.
• IF YOU FEEL SICK with fever, cough, or difficulty breathing, and have traveled to China or were in close contact with someone with 2019-nCoV in the 14 days before you began to feel
  sick, seek medical care. Before you go to a doctor’s office or emergency room, call ahead and tell them about your recent travel and your symptoms.

What you should not do

• DO NOT travel to China.
• DO NOT use facemasks. CDC does not recommend the use of facemasks for the general U.S. public to prevent the spread of 2019-nCoV.
• DO NOT show prejudice to people of Asian descent, because of fear of this new virus. Do not assume that someone of Asian descent is more likely to have 2019-nCoV.

All persons in the U.S.— including those of Asian descent—who have not traveled to China or been in contact with someone with a confirmed or suspected nCoV case in the last 14 days are at low risk of becoming sick.

For more information go to: www.cdc.gov/nCov

Free Smoke Alarm

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Published on Friday, 07 February 2020 15:30

Get A Free Smoke Alarm

Get a free smoke alarm from the Red Cross go to https://getasmokealarm.org/ or call 816-385-5955.

February is American Heart Month

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Published on Monday, 03 February 2020 09:25

February is American Heart Month.  The Andrew County Health Department wants you to reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke by knowing your ABCS.

Heart disease and stroke are the first and fourth leading causes of death in the United States. Heart disease is responsible for 1 of every 4 deaths in the country. The good news is that heart disease and stroke can be prevented, and February - American Heart Month - is a great time to refresh your memory on the small but important actions you can take.

A: Aspirin

Talk to your health care provider and team to see if taking an aspirin each day is right for you.

B: Blood Pressure Control

High blood pressure is one of the leading causes of heart disease and stroke. One in three American adults has high blood pressure - that's about 70 million people. Unfortunately, less than half of people with high blood pressure have their condition under control. Work with your health care team to find out if you have high blood pressure. If you do, take steps to reduce it:

• Get active by exercising for at least 30 minutes most days of the week.
• Eat a heart-healthy diet that is high in fresh fruits and vegetables and low in sodium, saturated and trans fats, and cholesterol.
• Follow your health care provider's instructions when it comes to taking medicines or measuring your blood pressure at home.

C: Cholesterol

High cholesterol affects 1 in 3 American adults. Getting a simple blood test is the only way you can know if you have high cholesterol. Your doctor can suggest steps you can take to prevent high cholesterol or to reduce your levels if they are high.

S. Smoking

Cigarette smoking greatly increases your risk of heart disease. If you're a smoker, quit as soon as possible, and if you don't smoke, don't start. Get help from 1-800-QUIT-NOW or SmokeFree.gov.

Breastfeeding is also good for the heart! For moms, breastfeeding may help lower their risk of heart attack and stroke even a decade after giving birth. For babies, breastfeeding regulates their cardiovascular system, provides more oxygen to their heart and brains and provides essential nutrients their bodies use to grow and repair organs.

Learn more about Million Hearts and ways to protect your heart during February and throughout the year at MillionHearts.hss.gov