by Diana Williams | Jan 15, 2019 | News
The Mesa County Women, Infants & Children (WIC) program has received reserve funding that will allow operations to continue as usual through February, amid a partial government shutdown. WIC participants will be notified early of any changes past the end of February.
Current and potential WIC participants and their families should know that no services are being cut back at this time.
- WIC clinics will maintain normal schedules. Appointments will not be cancelled and WIC clinic staff is available to assist participants.
- WIC transactions at grocery stores will be processed normally.
- WIC is still accepting new participants.
“We understand that this is a stressful time for our WIC families,” Mesa County Public Health (MCPH) WIC Program Manager Karla Klemm said. “Our funding is distributed through the Colorado WIC state office and their team is monitoring this situation closely, working hard to maximize the reserve funding.”
Klemm said at this time there’s no reason for clients to worry and encourages residents who’d like to use WIC services to sign up. She also noted that the best source for information about WIC is the MCPH website and/or your WIC educator.
“A lot of rumors about WIC funding are flying around through word-of-mouth and social media. We’re committed to transparency, so families should be contacting us with any concerns they might have,” Klemm said.
WIC improves the lives and health of its 2,800 Mesa County participants through nutrition education, healthy food, breastfeeding support and more, but it also makes a difference in our community.
- WIC lowers Medicaid costs by helping to combat poor nutrition at an early stage rather than treating the effects once it becomes more serious.
- For every dollar spent on WIC, up to $3 is saved in future medical costs.
- Women who participate in WIC give birth to healthier babies.
- Children in WIC are current on their immunizations and are more likely to have regular health care.
- Health care costs are reduced due to the decrease in the number of low-birth-weight babies.
Click here to learn more about WIC.
by Diana Williams | Jan 8, 2019 | News
UPDATE – JANUARY 15, 2019
Mesa County Public Health lifted the burn restrictions on non-Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved woodstove burning and agricultural burning, January 15, as air quality improved from moderate to good.
Stay up-to-date on air quality in Mesa County by visiting our Air Quality page!
UPDATE – JANUARY 11, 2019
Air quality in Mesa County has moved from the Moderate category to Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups.
People with lung disease, heart disease, older adults and children should avoid heavy exercise or prolonged periods outside.
Visit our Air Quality page to learn more about air quality levels in Mesa County.
ORIGINAL POST – JANUARY 8, 2019
Mesa County Public Health has issued burn restrictions on non-Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved woodstove burning and agricultural burning until further notice. Residents will be notified when the restrictions are lifted.
Air quality was pushed into the moderate category Tuesday, January 8 due to an inversion. Conditions aren’t expected to improve during the next few days.
All agricultural burns should be discontinued until further notice. No residential open burning should take place, as we aren’t in an open burning season. Woodstoves should be approved by the EPA in order to burn. If your woodstove doesn’t have an EPA sticker, please do not burn.
Residents in sensitive groups, including people with heart or lung disease, older adults and young children should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion while these bans are in place.
All residents can do the following to improve air quality in the Grand Valley:
- Avoid vehicle idling.
- Carpool when possible.
- Combine errands into one trip.
- Avoid waiting in drive-thru lines.
Stay up-to-date on air quality by visiting our Air Quality page!
by Diana Williams | Dec 31, 2018 | News
The Mesa County Women, Infants & Children (WIC) program will remain open for business through January, amid the partial government shutdown. Mesa County Public Health (MCPH) received confirmation from the Colorado WIC state office that reserve funds from the previous fiscal year are available to provide both operational funding and food purchases. WIC participants will be notified early of any changes past the end of January.
Current and potential WIC participants and their families should know that no services are being cut back at this time.
- WIC clinics will maintain normal schedules. Appointments will not be cancelled and WIC clinic staff is available to assist participants.
- WIC transactions at grocery stores will be processed normally.
- WIC is still accepting new participants.
- Click here or call (970) 248-6900 to apply for WIC.
“Our biggest concern is protecting the health and well-being of our WIC families and minimizing disruptions to the best extent possible,” MCPH WIC Program Manager Karla Klemm said. “Our clinic remains open throughout January, so WIC participants should keep their scheduled appointments to avoid interruption of benefits.”
WIC improves the lives and health of its 2,800 Mesa County participants through nutrition education, healthy food, breastfeeding support and more, but it also makes a difference in our community.
- WIC lowers Medicaid costs by helping to combat poor nutrition at an early stage rather than treating the effects once it becomes more serious.
- For every dollar spent on WIC, up to $3 is saved in future medical costs.
- Women who participate in WIC give birth to healthier babies.
- Children in WIC are better immunized and are more likely to have regular health care.
- Health care costs are reduced due to the decrease in the number of low-birth-weight babies.
“WIC is one of many early intervention programs in Mesa County that uses an upstream approach to achieve good health and a higher quality of life,” MCPH Executive Director Jeff Kuhr said. “This program ensures access to healthy foods and it lifts some of the burden off of Mesa County families, paving the way for healthy behaviors now and in the future.”
The Colorado WIC state office is monitoring the financial situation on a day-to-day basis to maximize benefits to participating families. MCPH will keep residents up-to-date on any changes.
Click here to learn more about Mesa County WIC.
by Diana Williams | Dec 26, 2018 | News
VAPING ON-THE-RISE IN MESA COUNTY, COLORADO AND NATION
- The use of electronic vapor products is increasing throughout the nation, and Colorado and Mesa County are no exception.
- Electronic vapor products heat a liquid and produce an aerosol, or mix of particles in the air and can look like cigarettes, cigars, tank devices and even USB flash drives.
- Nearly half (48 percent) of Mesa County high school students report ever using an electronic vapor product and one-third have used one in the past 30 days.
- One in four Mesa County adults report ever using an electronic vapor product. Just six percent report using one in the past 30 days.
- These percentages are in-line with Colorado use in the same age groups.
- Less than half of Mesa County high school students (45 percent) believe vaping is harmful, even though electronic vapor products are known to contain harmful substances including heavy metals, cancer-causing chemicals, flavoring linked to serious lung disease and nicotine, which can harm the developing brain.
- Young people who use electronic vapor products may be more likely to smoke cigarettes in the future.
- Federal and state government entities are working to reduce the marketing and availability of electronic vapor products to youth.
- The U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams issued an advisory on e-cigarette use among youth, in December. The advisory notes e-cigarette use among youth has become an epidemic.
- Governor Hickenlooper declared November Vape-Free November in Colorado due to the youth vaping epidemic in our state.
- In September, the U.S. Food and Drug Administrations (FDA) issued more than 1,300 warning letters and fines to retailers who illegally sold JUUL and other e-cigarette products to minors.
- The FDA also issued 12 warning letters to online retailers that are selling misleadingly labeled and/or advertised e-liquids resembling kid-friendly food products such as candy and cookies.
- Parents are advised to talk with their kids about the risks of using electronic vapor products. Click here to learn more about these products and how to talk to your kids about them.
IMMUNIZE TO PREVENT MEASLES OUTBREAKS
- One in ten Mesa County Valley School District 51 students aren’t immunized against Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR).
- In order to prevent outbreaks, it’s important for at least 93 percent of a population to be immunized; in this case, only 90 percent are immunized, making it easier for measles to spread.
- In Mesa County, 63 percent of elementary schools, 88 percent of middle schools, 100 percent of high schools, and 50 percent of alternative schools have at least 93 percent of students up-to-date on MMR vaccine.
- Although Mesa County hasn’t seen a case of measles since reporting began in 2000, Colorado has had one reported case of measles each year in 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017. Cases of measles continue to be reported across the nation.
- People who aren’t up-to-date on their MMR vaccine are at risk of getting sick with measles – a highly contagious viral illness spread by coughing and sneezing.
- Children younger than five years are at higher risk for serious complications related to measles, including death.
- The best way to prevent the spread of measles is through immunization.
- Children need two doses of the MMR vaccine:
- One dose between 12 and 15 months of age, and
- Another dose between 4 and 6 years of age.
- Adults who were immunized prior to 1968 with either inactivated measles vaccine or measles vaccine of an unknown type should be re-immunized.
- Talk to your health care provider for guidance if you’re unsure if you need to be re-immunized.
- Adults born before 1957 are considered to be immune to measles.
- Signs and symptoms of measles usually appear between 7 and 14 days after a person is infected and include high fever, cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes.
- Later symptoms include: tiny white spots inside of the mouth, fever and a flat red rash that starts at the top of the body and works its way down.
- Mesa County Public Health (MCPH) offers MMR vaccine. We serve all patients regardless of ability to pay and can help residents figure out which vaccines they need. Call (970) 248-6900 to make an appointment.
HELP PREVENT NOROVIRUS IN MESA COUNTY
- Winter months are a great time for norovirus to spread in homes, schools, child care centers, long-term care facilities, gyms, workplaces and any other place people gather.
- Norovirus is a very contagious virus that causes vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, stomach pain, fever, headache and body aches.
- Symptoms usually occur 12 to 48 hours after being exposed to norovirus and last between one and three days.
- Norovirus can be a serious illness, causing dehydration – especially in the very young, the elderly and people with other illnesses.
- Norovirus is not a reportable condition to public health, but our team works with child care facilities, schools and long-term care facilities when outbreaks occur.
- One confirmed outbreak of norovirus was reported to MCPH in November.
- Norovirus is spread when tiny particles of poop or vomit from an infected person get into your mouth – which can happen easier than you think.
- Foods and drinks can be contaminated with norovirus.
- Surfaces or objects – like counter tops or toys – can be contaminated with norovirus. If you touch a contaminated surface and then put your fingers in your mouth, you can be infected with the virus.
- Direct contact with someone who is infected with norovirus also increases your risk of getting sick – especially if you’re caring for them, changing diapers or sharing food or utensils.
- Prevent the spread of norovirus by:
- Practicing good handwashing, often.
- Disinfecting surfaces using a bleach-based household cleaner as directed.
- Staying home when sick.
- Contact your health care provider if you have symptoms of norovirus.
For more information, visit health.mesacounty.us.
by Diana Williams | Dec 7, 2018 | News
*****UPDATE*****
12/10/18 – 9:28 a.m.
Mesa County Public Health has lifted the burn restrictions on non-Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved woodstove burning and agricultural burning, as air quality has improved from moderate to good.
Stay up-to-date on air quality in Mesa County by visiting our Air Quality page!
Mesa County Public Health has issued burn restrictions on non-Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved woodstove burning and agricultural burning until further notice. Residents will be notified when the restrictions are lifted.
Air quality was pushed into the moderate category Friday morning due to an inversion. Conditions aren’t expected to improve over the weekend.
All agricultural burns should be discontinued until further notice. No residential open burning should take place, as we aren’t in an open burning season. Woodstoves should be approved by the EPA in order to burn. If your woodstove doesn’t have an EPA sticker, please do not burn.
Residents in sensitive groups, including people with heart or lung disease, older adults and young children should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion while these restrictions are in place.
All residents can do the following to improve air quality in the Grand Valley:
- Avoid vehicle idling.
- Carpool when possible.
- Combine errands into one trip.
- Avoid waiting in drive-thru lines.
Stay up-to-date on air quality by visiting our Air Quality page!
UPDATE – JANUARY 15, 2019
