Category: Public Health

Best way to avoid lung cancer? Quit smoking.

On By idhwmediaIn Public HealthLeave a comment

You may not know that lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in Idaho. Other kinds of cancers certainly get a lot more attention, but we should all be aware of the risks. Smoking causes about 85 percent of lung cancer deaths in Idaho, but that leaves 15 percent that are not caused by smoking. And since November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month, it’s important to understand what we can do to reduce our risk for developing this terrible disease.

Are there symptoms of lung cancer?

Symptoms can vary a lot for everyone, so they’re not very reliable. Some people don’t have symptoms at all, but others may have shortness of breath, coughing and wheezing that doesn’t go away and that might include blood, chest pain, fever, and weight loss.

Who is most at risk?

Everyone has the potential to develop lung cancer, but some people have a higher risk than others because of lifestyle choices (like choosing to smoke), environmental exposures (like radon), and family history. Current smokers or those who have smoked in the past are 10 to 20 times more likely to develop lung cancer than nonsmokers. Secondhand smoke also causes lung cancer – nationally about 38,000 nonsmokers die each year from secondhand smoke exposure. Continue reading “Best way to avoid lung cancer? Quit smoking.” →

Here’s how to protect your children from lead poisoning

On By idhwmediaIn Public HealthLeave a comment

It’s National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, so it’s a good time to learn about it and consider having your children tested for lead exposure, especially if you live in a home that was built before 1978. Although lead poisoning is considered the most preventable environmental disease among children, there are still about half a million kids in the U.S. with elevated levels of lead in their blood.

How does lead get into your child’s body?

The most common way a child is exposed to lead is from dust from deteriorating lead-based paint in older homes and apartments. This is by far the most dangerous lead exposure for most children. Lead-based paint was used in more than 38 million homes until it was banned for residential use in 1978. More than half of the homes in Idaho were built before 1978 and could have lead-based paint in them. Lead also can be found in soil near mining or smelting sites, tap water in homes with older plumbing, car batteries, bullets, and even some folk medicines such as azarcon or greta. Grown-up hobbies that use lead such as reloading and making bullets, or making stained glass and pottery can also increase a child’s exposure to lead. Continue reading “Here’s how to protect your children from lead poisoning” →

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

On By idhwmediaIn Public HealthLeave a comment

There’s a good chance this disease will affect your life or the life of someone close to you because it is so common. Only skin cancer has higher rates. One in eight women will develop breast cancer in their lifetimes. Nationally, 246,660 women and more than 2,500 men will be diagnosed with the disease this year, and almost 40,500 women and 440 men will die from it. Here in Idaho, more than 1,000 breast cancer cases were diagnosed in 2013 with almost 200 deaths (191 in 2014).

Let’s talk about risk. Is it possible for a person to reduce their risk?

Risk factors for breast cancer include being female, getting older, and becoming a mother later in life. Other factors include a family history of breast cancer, being overweight and not getting enough exercise. Even though you can’t control your genetic risk for the disease, you can take steps to stay healthy and help prevent it. Maintaining a healthy weight, limiting alcoholic drinks, knowing your family history, and getting the recommended regular screenings all help reduce your risk. Continue reading “October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month” →

It’s time to get your yearly flu vaccine

On By idhwmediaIn Public HealthLeave a comment

It’s time to get the annual flu vaccine so you’re ready for flu season, which can run from October to May. Flu activity typically peaks anytime between December and March, and positive flu tests are already showing up this year. Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones from what can be a serious infection, even for otherwise healthy people.

There are some new recommendations for the flu vaccines this year. Can you talk about those?

The yearly recommendation that everyone over the age of the 6 months get the flu vaccine has not changed. But you will notice the lack of a nasal vaccine this year. It was commonly called the flu mist. Research has shown that it wasn’t as effective as the flu shot for several years, so the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recommended that people should get the injection instead.  Continue reading “It’s time to get your yearly flu vaccine” →

The power of preparedness in case of disaster

On By idhwmediaIn Public HealthLeave a comment

Wildfires, once again, have consumed our attention this summer in Idaho. But Idaho is also prone to other natural disasters, including floods and earthquakes. A flu pandemic, extreme temperatures, and accidents involving long-term power outages also are very real possibilities. Are you prepared if one of these disasters strikes?

How do you prepare for the unknown?

We can’t know for sure where or when a disaster will happen, but having emergency supplies, a disaster plan and making sure you are informed about the specific emergencies your area is most at risk for will help protect you and your family from the chaos of a disaster. Get a kit, make a plan and be informed.  Continue reading “The power of preparedness in case of disaster” →

Preventing suicide in Idaho

On By idhwmediaIn Public HealthLeave a comment

Idaho and the mountain western states continually rank in the top 10 states for number of completed suicides per capita. But the good news is that completed suicides are not the norm – well over 90 percent of people who make attempts do not die by suicide. And with the creation of the Suicide Prevention Program in the Department of Health and Welfare during the last legislative session, the state of Idaho has made preventing suicide a priority.

Tell us about where we are with the Suicide Prevention Program.

We just got the funding to start up the program on July 1, and we have hired three staff, including program manager Kim Kane. We’re very excited about her leadership and expertise in the program. We have one more position to hire for, and then we can turn our energy to youth suicide prevention and intervention activities and public awareness. So you’ll likely be hearing more from us about suicide prevention as the program gets up and running. Meet Kim as she introduces the state’s suicide prevention program at a recent press conference hosted by the City of Boise and the Speedy Foundation.  Continue reading “Preventing suicide in Idaho” →

Canyon County reports travel-related Zika case

On By idhwmediaIn Public HealthLeave a comment

Southwest District Health has reported a third case of travel-related Zika virus infection in Idaho. Here’s the news release:

CANYON COUNTY REPORTS TRAVEL-RELATED ZIKA

Southwest District Health officials confirmed today that a Canyon County male in his 40’s has tested positive for the Zika virus, after traveling to an area outside the U. S. with active Zika virus transmission. He was not hospitalized. The case is yet to be interviewed, but initial information suggests this was likely travel-related. This is the 3rd case of travel-acquired Zika virus disease to be reported in Idaho this year. There have been no locally-acquired cases in Idaho. At this time, there is no vaccine or medicine for the virus.

The Zika virus is an emerging mosquito-borne disease in the Western Hemisphere. It spreads to people primarily through the bite of two species of infected mosquitoes (Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus). These mosquitoes also carry dengue fever and chikungunya. These two species of mosquitoes are not native to Idaho.

According to Randi Pedersen, Epidemiologist for Southwest District Health, Zika typically does not cause symptoms or causes only a mild illness lasting up to a week. Some infected cases experience mild symptoms, such as fever, rash, joint pain, or red eyes for up to a week, but many people don’t even know they are infected. Continue reading “Canyon County reports travel-related Zika case” →

Fight the Bite – For Both Mosquitoes and Bats!

On By idhwmediaIn Public HealthLeave a comment

New reports of West Nile virus infections and bats being found with rabies are a good warning for people to watch out for biting critters.

Today, Southwest District Health Department announced three human cases of West Nile virus, two in Canyon County and one in Payette County, bringing the statewide total to 5. Also today, Central District Health issued a warning for people to be aware of an above-average season of rabid bats, documenting 7 rabid bats in Ada County since June. Last year, Ada County reported 2 rabid bats. Continue reading “Fight the Bite – For Both Mosquitoes and Bats!” →

Idaho’s obesity rates improve slightly

On By idhwmediaIn Public HealthLeave a comment

Idaho adults may not be able to tighten their belts a full notch, but they are moving their waistline measurements in the right direction, according to new data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). For 2015, 28.6 percent of Idaho adults reported they were obese, which is down slightly from 28.9 percent in 2014. This ranks Idaho with the 19th lowest rate of adult obesity in the nation, and makes the state one of 25 that saw an improvement in 2015.

“We are very happy to see Idaho adults reversing the decades-long increase in obesity in our state, which tripled over the last 25 years,” said Ivie Smart, program manager for Physical Health and Nutrition in the Department of Health and Welfare. “Obesity increases our risk for heart disease, diabetes, stroke, certain cancers, and results in overall lower quality of life. Eating healthy and being active can reverse that, which an increasing number of Idahoans are embracing.”

Idaho’s obesity rate in 1990 was 9.3 percent, and steadily increased to a peak of 29.6 percent in 2013.  Continue reading “Idaho’s obesity rates improve slightly” →

Did you know? Newborn screening panels check your baby for 47 health conditions

On By idhwmediaIn Public HealthLeave a comment

All babies born in Idaho are screened for 47 conditions before they ever even leave the hospital and go home for the first time. It’s all done in a simple blood test called the Newborn Screen Test.

Sounds like a football play. Is that a new procedure?

Idaho has been screening its babies since 1963. Initially, the test screened only for PKU, which could cause irreversible mental damage if not diagnosed. Since then, 46 other conditions have been added to the Idaho screening panel, including Severe Combined Immunodeficiency, which was added just this year. Nationally, newborn screening saves or improves the lives of 12,000 babies each year. In Idaho, one baby in 500 will be affected by these conditions.  Continue reading “Did you know? Newborn screening panels check your baby for 47 health conditions” →