In the News:
- The Florida Department of Health (DOH) warns Floridians with certain health conditions to avoid consuming raw oysters.
- The Florida Department of Health (DOH) recognizes March as National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.
- The Florida Department of Health (DOH) recognizes March as National Nutrition Month.
- The Florida Department of Health (DOH) announces the kickoff of “Healthy Floridians Months”
- The Florida Department of Health (DOH) joins the American Dental Association (ADA) and the Florida Dental Association (FDA) to recognize February as National Children’s Dental Health Month and February 6th as “Give Kids a Smile Day.”
- The Florida Department of Health (DOH) and the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) join agencies nationwide in recognizing February 2-6 as National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Week.
While otherwise healthy persons eating raw oysters with this bacterium are less susceptible to becoming ill, at-risk individuals are more likely to become extremely ill or potentially die. Those most at-risk for developing serious illness from Vibrio vulnificus include heavy drinkers with liver damage or individuals with liver disease. Other at-risk conditions include hemochromatosis (iron overload), diabetes, cancer, stomach disorders or any illness or treatment that weakens the immune system. People in these high-risk groups are also at risk of illness if they have wounds, cuts or scratches and wade in estuarine areas or seawater where the bacteria might be present.
Thoroughly cooking oysters, either by frying, stewing or roasting, eliminates harmful bacteria and viruses in the meat. Consuming raw oysters that have undergone a post-harvest treatment process to eliminate the bacteria can also reduce the risk of illness.
Initial symptoms of Vibrio vulnificus infection can include mild nausea, vomiting or diarrhea, followed by distinctive swollen skin lesions and septicemia (blood poisoning). Individuals experiencing these symptoms after consuming raw oysters should contact a physician immediately for diagnosis and antibiotic treatment.
To date, one death has been reported in 2009, attributed to raw oyster consumption and there has been one wound infection. In 2008, DOH investigated 15 cases of Vibrio vulnificus, five of which resulted in death. Eight cases were attributed to wounds (two of these died), and seven to raw oyster consumption (three of these died).
DOH promotes, protects and improves the health of all people in Florida. For more information about DOH’s Food and Water Borne Disease Program, visit www.doh.state.fl.us/environment/medicine/foodsurveillance/. Additional information is also available by visiting the Interstate Shellfish Sanitation Conference website at www.issc.org/Education/VibrioVulnificus.aspx or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website at www.cdc.gov/nczved/dfbmd/disease_listing/vibriov_gi.html.
TALLAHASSEE – The Florida Department of Health (DOH) recognizes March as National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, an opportunity to educate and increase awareness of colorectal cancer prevention among Floridians.
Colorectal cancer is the third most diagnosed cancer and the third most common cause of cancer death for both males and females. According to the Florida Cancer Data System, 10,173 colorectal cases were diagnosed and 3,738 deaths recorded in 2006, the most current year that data are available.
Colorectal cancer, most commonly known as colon cancer, is one of the most preventable cancers. However, fewer than half of people who need a colonoscopy receive one. Screening tests can help prevent colorectal cancer by finding pre-cancerous polyps so that they can be removed before they turn into cancer. “We need to ensure that Floridians get the appropriate screening because early detection and treatment can prevent colorectal cancer deaths,” said Annette Phelps, A.R.N.P., M.S.N., DOH Division Director of Family Health Services.
Colon cancer develops in the colon or rectum slowly over a period of several years. There are often changes in the lining of the colon or rectum, which may be non-cancerous (benign) or cancerous (malignant) that can be removed easily. According to federal screening experts, screening for colorectal cancer should include fecal occult blood testing (FOBT), sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy to detect early-stage cancer. The physician chooses the screening method determined by the person’s age and other individualized factors. All screenings aim to save lives and improve health outcomes through early detection.
Risk factors that increase a person's chance of getting colorectal cancer include aging (the average age at diagnosis is in the late-60s), consuming a high-fat diet, having polyps or being diagnosed with bowel disease, having a family or personal history of colorectal cancer, and smoking.
A comprehensive fact sheet on colorectal cancer in Florida is available at the DOH Bureau of Epidemiology’s website: www.doh.state.fl.us/disease_ctrl/epi/cancer/Colorectal_Report.pdf.
DOH encourages Floridians 50 and older to discuss their risk for colorectal cancer with their physician, as well as recommendations for colorectal cancer screening and treatment, if diagnosed. For more information about colorectal cancer, visit the DOH website at www.doh.state.fl.us/family/cancer/, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's website at www.cdc.gov/, or call the National Cancer Institute at 1-800-4-CANCER
TALLAHASSEE – The Florida Department of Health (DOH) recognizes March as National Nutrition Month®, which is sponsored annually by the American Dietetic Association. This year’s theme is “Eat Right.” The campaign focuses on the importance of making informed food choices that are healthy and cost-effective and developing sound eating and physical activity habits. “We should focus on eating right at any age,” DOH Division Director of Family Health Services Annette Phelps, A.R.N.P., M.S.N., said. “It is never too late to take steps to a healthy lifestyle.” The American Dietetic Association suggests these tips to help make healthy changes in your lifestyle: Make a plan: Adopt a few specific changes, such as adding one piece of fruit to your diet each day. Another idea is to search online for easy one-pot healthy recipes. These changes are not difficult and can make a huge difference for your health and save you money. Focus on your food: Plan your meals so that you do not make unhealthy decisions based on convenience. Make calories count: Make meal choices that focus on nutrient rich foods. The majority of your food choices should be packed with vitamins, minerals, fiber and other nutrients. Be active: The 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans recommend that all Americans should engage in regular physical activity to improve overall health and to reduce risk of health problems. Play it safe: Even the right food choices can affect your health if you do not follow food safety rules. Always clean your hands and surfaces in contact with food, keep raw and cooked foods separate, cook foods to a proper temperature, and chill leftovers promptly to avoid illness. Be aware of special needs: Nutritional needs change depending on your age and overall health. Check with a registered dietitian to determine what your specific nutritional needs are. DOH promotes, protects and improves the health of all people in Florida. For more information about nutrition and the “Healthy Communities, Healthy People Program,” visit these DOH websites: www.doh.state.fl.us/Family/FLHC/index.html, www.doh.state.fl.us/Family/ccfp/ or www.floridawic.org/. For more information about National Nutrition Month®, visit the American Dietetic Association website at www.eatright.org/.
TALLAHASSEE – The Florida Department of Health (DOH) announces the kickoff of “Healthy Floridians Months” to promote physical activity and healthy nutrition for Floridians of all ages and abilities. County health departments, state and local partners, schools and worksites will host events throughout February and March to bring attention to the critical need for all Floridians to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle.
“The risks of obesity and other chronic diseases can be reduced with regular physical activity and a healthy diet,” said State Surgeon General Ana M. Viamonte Ros, M.D., M.P.H. “Citizens with healthy lifestyles are less likely to develop heart disease, cancer, stroke, chronic lung disease and diabetes, accounting for 62 percent of all deaths in Florida in 2007.”
This is the sixth year that county health departments and their partners will have the opportunity to highlight the variety of opportunities available in their communities that promote healthy lifestyles. For the past five years, DOH has promoted healthy lifestyles through “Step Up, Florida!”, which has been renamed to “Healthy Floridians Months” to align with the recommendations of the Governor's Council on Physical Fitness.
Floridians are fortunate to have a climate conducive to engaging in physical activity year round. For specific events in your area, please contact a local county health department.
DOH promotes, protects and improves the health of all people in Florida. For more information about DOH programs, including the Bureau of Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, visit www.doh.state.fl.us. For detailed statistics, visit Florida’s Community Health Assessment Resource Tool Set (CHARTS) webpage at www.floridacharts.com. To learn more about the Governor's Council on Physical Fitness, visit www.healthyfloridians.com.
TALLAHASSEE – The Florida Department of Health (DOH) joins the American Dental Association (ADA) and the Florida Dental Association (FDA) to recognize February as National Children’s Dental Health Month and February 6th as “Give Kids a Smile Day.”
“The need for improved dental services for children is one of DOH’s major priorities throughout the last few years,” said Joseph Chiaro, M.D., Deputy Secretary of Children's Medical Services. “We are committed to making dental care more accessible and affordable so children can grow up with healthy smiles.”
Children's Dental Health Month and Give Kids a Smile Day are two complimentary observances focused on educating families and children about the importance of oral health. Oral health can affect many other health conditions including osteoporosis, diabetes, pre-term or low birth weight babies, or stroke.
DOH recommends the following tips and treatments to prevent tooth decay:
-
Fluoride: Makes teeth stronger and protects them from tooth decay. Community water fluoridation is the safest and most effective way to prevent tooth decay in children and adults. Professionally applied topical fluoride therapies include fluoride varnish, fluoride gel in trays, and fluoride mouth rinse. In addition, school-based fluoride mouthrinse programs are frequently used in communities where children lack access to fluoridated water systems.
-
Sealants: Plastic coatings placed on posterior teeth to protect deep pits and grooves from decay.
-
Daily Oral Hygiene: Brush twice a day for two minutes with a soft toothbrush and a pea-size amount of fluoride toothpaste to remove plaque. Parents should supervise children until they can brush well and rinse out all toothpaste, usually around ages 6-8. Toothbrushes should be replaced when the bristles fray.
-
Diet: Maintain healthy eating, choose low-sugar snacks, and avoid sweets that stick to teeth. Good oral health care is especially important for children taking sugary medicines and children with special needs.
-
Regular dental checkups: The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that children be seen by a dentist by age one to assess risk of early childhood cavities. Parents and guardians should continue to maintain regularly scheduled dental check-ups.
DOH’s Public Health Dental Program develops quality, cost-effective community and school-based oral health educational and treatment programs. The program works to eliminate oral health disparities through in-house dental programs in 49 County Health Departments and 12 mobile dental units in 10 counties.
DOH has also partnered with numerous associations and other state agencies through Oral Health Florida, developers of the State Oral Health Improvement Plan for Disadvantaged Floridians (SOHIP). This group specifically works at developing statewide, regional or local solutions to improve dental care for special populations, including the elderly, minorities, the poor, and children and adults with special health care needs. For more information on Oral Health Florida, visit the website at www.oralhealthflorida.com.
DOH promotes, protects and improves the health of all people in Florida. To learn more about the Public Health Dental Program, visit www.doh.state.fl.us/family/dental/. For more information about Give Kids a Smile, visit the FDA’s website at www.floridadental.org
TALLAHASSEE – The Florida Department of Health (DOH) and the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) join agencies nationwide in recognizing February 2-6 as National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Week. Dating violence is controlling, abusive and destructive behavior in a romantic relationship. It can happen in straight or gay relationships and may include physical, emotional and sexual abuse.
According to the “Study on Teen Dating Violence” (Teenage Research Unlimited, 2005), one in five teens in a serious relationship reports having been hit, slapped or pushed by a partner. Over 30 percent of teenagers do not tell anyone about being victimized by their partner. Less than 3 percent of teens report the abuse to police or another authority figure, and only 3 percent tell a family member about the violence (Gender and Contextual Factors in Adolescent Dating Violence, February 2000).
“It is our responsibility to help young adults, families and communities understand what makes a healthy relationship. Early intervention and violence prevention strategies are integral to the well-being of our teenagers,” said State Surgeon General Ana M. Viamonte Ros, M.D., M.P.H.
The National Crime Prevention Council offers the following tips to help teens who may be in an abusive relationship:
- Report the abuse to your parents, a school official, the police or another adult you trust.
- Know that you aren’t alone. Teens from all different backgrounds nationwide are involved or have been involved in a violent relationship.
- Understand that you have done nothing wrong; your abuser’s violence is not your fault.
- Know that you can get help from professionals at rape crisis centers, counseling centers or other health care facilities.
- Keep a daily log of the abuse for evidence.
- Do not meet the abuser alone, and avoid being alone at your school, job or on your way to and from places.
- Always tell someone where you are going and when you’ll be back.
“Violence in any relationship is unacceptable and raising awareness about the dangers and consequences of teen dating violence is an essential part of preventing this crime,” said Secretary George Sheldon of the Florida Department of Children and Families. “I encourage any youth experiencing dating violence to reach out to family, friends, law enforcement or community organizations for help and support.”
DOH promotes, protects and improves the health of all people in Florida. For more information about teen dating abuse or to help find support for someone in need, contact the National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline at 1-866-331-9474 or www.loveisrespect.org or visit the Dating Violence Resource Center’s website at www.ncvc.org. To learn more about DOH programs, visit www.doh.state.fl.us. To learn more about DCF programs, visit www.myflorida.com/cf_web/.