Nicotine is an addictive drug, no matter how you ingest it

On By idhwmediaIn Public HealthLeave a comment

 Electronic cigarettes and vaping have become increasingly popular over the last several years. But no matter where you stand in the debate about whether an e-cigarette is healthier than a traditional cigarette, there’s no denying that both are extremely efficient at delivering nicotine, which is a highly addictive drug, into our bodies.

Here’s a short Q&A that highlights the reasons public health officials are so concerned about vaping.  Continue reading “Nicotine is an addictive drug, no matter how you ingest it” →

Happy Diabetes Awareness Month! Now go get tested.

On By idhwmediaIn Public HealthLeave a comment

Diabetes is a huge health problem for so many: Nearly 86 million Americans have prediabetes and are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association (ADA). And around 8 million people have diabetes but don’t know it. In Idaho, nearly 8 percent of people have been diagnosed with the disease and about 6 percent have prediabetes. That’s more than 200,000 Idahoans.

November is Diabetes Awareness Month, so it’s a good time to learn what you can do to prevent the disease or to get help managing it. Although some people do not experience any symptoms of diabetes, the most common include having to urinate often, feeling very hungry and thirsty, extreme fatigue, blurry vision, and cuts and bruises that don’t heal normally. Continue reading “Happy Diabetes Awareness Month! Now go get tested.” →

Idaho earns an ‘A’ on the March of Dimes Premature Birth Report Card

On By idhwmediaIn Public HealthLeave a comment

Each year, the March of Dimes releases a “Premature Birth Report Card” for every state and territory in the nation to help raise public awareness and measure progress toward reducing premature births. Each state’s premature birth rate is compared to the March of Dimes goal and given a grade based on the comparison.

The premature birth rate is calculated by taking the number of premature births divided by the total number of live births with known gestational age and multiplied by 100. Idaho’s premature birth rate for 2014 was 8.1, which is equal to the March of Dimes goal for 2020. Idaho was one of only four states that received an “A” report card rating. The other states are Oregon, Washington and Vermont.  Continue reading “Idaho earns an ‘A’ on the March of Dimes Premature Birth Report Card” →

Be aware: Carbon monoxide poisoning is a silent killer

On By idhwmediaIn Public HealthLeave a comment

Temperatures outside are falling, prompting us to close up our houses and turn on our furnaces. Carbon monoxide can build up in enclosed and even partially enclosed places, and you might not know it. It’s an odorless, colorless gas that can kill before you’re even aware it’s in your home.                                                   

Dangerous levels of the gas can be produced by fuel-burning appliances such as hot water heaters, furnaces, stoves, ovens and clothes driers. Fireplaces and woodstoves, charcoal grills, lawnmowers, snow blowers and other yard equipment, as well as cars and trucks also produce it. (One quick note about gas stoves: If you do a lot of cooking and you have an unvented gas range, the carbon monoxide levels in the kitchen can rise quickly. You should open a window to help reduce the levels of the gas.)  Continue reading “Be aware: Carbon monoxide poisoning is a silent killer” →

Kuna dairy begins selling raw milk again

On By idhwmediaIn Public HealthLeave a comment

Raw milk from a Kuna dairy in southwest Idaho is available again in the Treasure Valley after 13 illnesses were linked to the dairy during October. The Idaho State Department of Agriculture reported no deficits during an inspection of Natural Farm Fresh Dairy on Oct. 27. The Ag Department evaluated the whole process from milking to bottling. Upon passing the inspection, the dairy is now selling its milk in stores again.  Continue reading “Kuna dairy begins selling raw milk again” →

Idaho Poison Center can answer your Halloween safety questions

On By idhwmediaIn Public HealthLeave a comment

HalloweenGhostOne of the most common calls to the Idaho Poison Center at this time of year involves glow sticks. Parents often give them to their children to make them easier to see in the dark as they trick-or-treat. However, they are soft to chew on and can break open easily. If the liquid comes into contact with your child’s mouth or the eyes, it can cause stinging and a burning sensation, but there is no need to run to an emergency room. Call the Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222 and a nurse will help.

The Poison Center managed 134 calls about glow sticks last year, and the calls are on track to reach that number again this year. No spells will be cast on young spooks this Halloween with a few sensible tips from the Idaho Poison Center.  Continue reading “Idaho Poison Center can answer your Halloween safety questions” →

Women’s Health Check offers breast and cervical cancer screenings for low-income women in Idaho

On By idhwmediaIn Public HealthLeave a comment

All Idaho women need access to healthcare, no matter their income. The Idaho Women’s Health Check program can provide that healthcare coverage for cancer screenings and diagnosis for women in the state who are eligible.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer for American women — 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer during their lifetimes. Cervical cancer is not as common, but it is the easiest gynecologic cancer to prevent with regular screenings. Even so, around 13,000 new cases of cervical cancer will be diagnosed this year in the United States, and nearly 4,000 women will die from it. Continue reading “Women’s Health Check offers breast and cervical cancer screenings for low-income women in Idaho” →

Explaining the numbers behind Idaho’s expanded access drug program for severe pediatric epilepsy

On By idhwmediaIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

Dr. Christine Hahn M.D., the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare’s Public Health Medical Director, recently reported to the State Health Care Task Force on development of an Idaho program to allow children with severe epileptic seizures to receive an experimental drug derived from the cannabis plant, called Epidiolex.

The newly expanded access program often is referred to as a “compassionate use” program. It is regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, which limits participation. Idaho is allowed up to 25 children for its program.

Dr. Hahn said Idaho does not track Idaho children with severe epileptic seizures so it is difficult to tell how many might be eligible to apply for the program. Continue reading “Explaining the numbers behind Idaho’s expanded access drug program for severe pediatric epilepsy” →

Idaho health officials investigate raw milk as likely source of recent illnesses

On By idhwmediaIn Public Health7 Comments

Idaho Public Health officials are investigating eight illnesses in southwest Idaho likely associated with drinking unpasteurized (raw) milk. To date, four Campylobacter and four E.coli 0157:H7 cases have reported drinking raw milk produced by the Natural Farm Fresh Dairy of Kuna in the week prior to getting sick. The investigation is ongoing with Southwest and Central District Health departments, working in association with the Idaho State Department of Agriculture.

“If people have recently purchased raw milk from this dairy, we advise them not to drink it and to discard it,” says Dr. Leslie Tengelsen, State Public Health Veterinarian with the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare. Continue reading “Idaho health officials investigate raw milk as likely source of recent illnesses” →

Parents in Idaho may want to consider lead poisoning testing for their children

On By idhwmediaIn Public HealthLeave a comment

It’s National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, so it’s a good time to educate yourself on lead poisoning and have your children tested, especially if you live in a home that was built before 1978. Lead poisoning is considered the most preventable environmental disease among children, but about half a million kids in the United States have dangerous levels of lead in their blood.

The most common way lead gets into our bodies is from dust in older homes and buildings and hobbies like reloading and making bullets. The dust comes from deteriorating lead-based paint and contaminated soil that gets tracked into the places we live and work. Older homes and buildings are the most common places for exposure because of lead-based paint, but the metal also can be found in soil and water and is used to make batteries, bullets and metal products, such as pipes.  Continue reading “Parents in Idaho may want to consider lead poisoning testing for their children” →