Dawson County Health Department News

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Dawson County Health Department News O rgan i zation N am e July 2014 Volume 3, Issue 7 Inside this issue: Teens & Cigars 2 Everyone Has A Story 2 Facts About Secondhand Smoke 2 Precautions for

com WIC Participates in Farmer s Market by Connie Undem The Dawson County WIC Program is once again participating in the Farmer s Market Program in Glendive, starting in July.

The Farm Direct Program combines the WIC Farmer s Market Nutrition Program Benefits (FMNP) and the WIC Fruit and Vegetable Benefits (FVB) allowing qualifying WIC participants the opportunity to

1 Dawson County Health Department News O rgan i zation N am e July 2014 Volume 3, Issue 7 Inside this issue: Teens & Cigars 2 Everyone Has A Story 2 Facts About Secondhand Smoke 2 Precautions for Summer 3 Top 10 Vaccination 4 Safe Sitter 5 Teens In Cars 6 Calendar W. Bell Glendive, MT Tel: (406) Website: dawsoncountymontana.com WIC Participates in Farmer s Market by Connie Undem The Dawson County WIC Program is once again participating in the Farmer s Market Program in Glendive, starting in July. Glendive WIC was awarded a contract for participation in the Farmer s Market, which is held on Saturday mornings, 9:00 AM 12:00 Noon at the EPEC parking lot on Main Street. The Farm Direct Program combines the WIC Farmer s Market Nutrition Program Benefits (FMNP) and the WIC Fruit and Vegetable Benefits (FVB) allowing qualifying WIC participants the opportunity to purchase farm fresh produce from an authorized vendor at a Farmer s Market, roadside stand, a farm, or u-pick style. Local farmers participating this year include: Price Gardens, Farm to Table, Pat and Brenda Mischel, and Stevenson Farms. Eligible participants are issued FMNP coupons valued at $30.00 per participant, in addition to their regular Fruit and Vegetable benefits. When receiving the coupons, the WIC staff share nutrition education to the family, by providing nutritious fruit and vegetable recipes, information on safe food handling or a variety of topics related to fruits and vegetables. Information for the nutrition education portion is obtained from the local extension service, CDC or from information obtained from other WIC agencies participating in a FMNP program. The coupons enable the WIC participant to purchase a wonderful variety of locally grown fruits and vegetables, with the hope recipients improve and expand their diets by the addition of fresh fruits and vegetables. Farmer s Market benefits will be available for qualifying WIC participants at the WIC office during the month of July. For more information, call Public Health: Tel: (406) WIC Program: Tel: (406) Home Health: Tel: (406) Family Planning: Tel: (406) Tobacco Prevention: Tel: (406) Baseball Hall of Famer Dies From Spit Tobacco Use By Laureen Murphree & AP On Monday June 16, 2014, baseball lost one of their great players because of spit tobacco. Tony Gwynn, the Hall of Famer with a sweet lefthanded swing who spent his entire 20-year career with the Padres and was one of San Diego's most beloved athletes, died of cancer He was 54. Gwynn had two operations for cancer in his right cheek between August 2010 and February The second surgery was complicated, with surgeons removing a facial nerve because it was intertwined with a tumor inside his right cheek. They grafted a nerve from Gwynn's neck to help him eventually regain facial movement. Gwynn had said he believed the cancer was from chewing tobacco.

The bad news: essentially no change in cigar smoking or smokeless tobacco use. In fact, high school boys now smoke cigars at the same rate as cigarettes (16.5 percent for cigars and 16.

Cigar makers have been marketing a growing variety of products called little cigars, cigarillos and blunts with sweet flavors, cheap prices and colorful packaging.

Even worse, some manufacturers have deliberately manipulated their cigar products to get around bans on sweet-flavored cigarettes and other regulations like higher taxes aimed at reducing youth

2 Page 2 Dawson County Health Department Newsletter Sweet, Cheap and Colorful No Wonder Kids Are Smoking Cigars Source: Campaign For Tobacco Free Kids The CDC's 2013 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, released on Thursday, had both good news and bad news. The good news: a big decline in cigarette smoking among high school students from 18.1 percent in 2011 to 15.7 percent in The bad news: essentially no change in cigar smoking or smokeless tobacco use. In fact, high school boys now smoke cigars at the same rate as cigarettes (16.5 percent for cigars and 16.4 percent for cigarettes). Nearly a quarter of 12th grade boys (23 percent) smoke cigars, compared to 19.6 percent who smoke cigarettes. So what makes cigars popular with teens? It's simple. Cigar makers have been marketing a growing variety of products called little cigars, cigarillos and blunts with sweet flavors, cheap prices and colorful packaging. Sweet, cheap and colorful lures kids. Even worse, some manufacturers have deliberately manipulated their cigar products to get around bans on sweet-flavored cigarettes and other regulations like higher taxes aimed at reducing youth tobacco use. These manipulations make these cigars more affordable and appealing to kids. These images tell the story. Sweet Flavors Cigar products are sold in flavors like chocolate, strawberry, grape, peach, watermelon, sour apple, fruit punch and banana. These sweet flavors mask the harsh flavor of tobacco and make cigars seem as harmless and fun as candy or ice cream. Cheap Prices Small cigars can be purchased individually and come as cheap as three for 89 cents, which makes them very affordable to kids with limited budgets. Cigarettes, on the other hand, must be sold in packs of 20 and average more than $6 per pack nationally. (Continued on page 5) Everyone has a Story in Life Source: livin3.com Facts About Secondhand Smoke Source: cdc.gov A 24 year old boy seeing out from the train s window shouted Dad, look the trees are going behind! Dad smiled and a young couple sitting nearby, looked at the 24 year old s childish behavior with pity, suddenly he again exclaimed Dad, look the clouds are running with us! The couple couldn t resist and said to the old man Why don t you take your son to a good doctor? The old man smiled and said I did and we are just coming from the hospital, my son was blind from birth, he just got his eyes today. Every single person on the planet has a story. Don t judge people before you truly know them. The truth might surprise you. During , an estimated 88 million nonsmokers in the United States breathed other peoples' tobacco smoke. Each year, about 34,000 nonsmokers in the United States die from heart disease caused by secondhand smoke. Secondhand smoke exposure causes an estimated 7,300 lung cancer deaths annually among adult nonsmokers in the United States. Nonsmokers who are exposed to secondhand smoke at home or work increase their lung cancer risk by 20 30%. Secondhand smoke exposure is higher among persons with low incomes. For example, 60.5% of persons living below the poverty level in the United States were exposed to secondhand smoke in , compared with 36.9% of persons living at or above the poverty level.

Volume 3, Issue 7 Page 3 PRECAUTIONS TO KEEP SUMMER FUN AND ENJOYABLE!

and dawn when mosquitos are the most active Insect bites, stings Apply insect repellent (according to directions) before going into woods or areas you may contact insects Wear light-colored, long

to insect bites, have someone else mow lawns and trim hedges Snakes Avoid places where snakes may live Watch where you step or sit When moving through tall grass/weeds poke the ground in front of you

cell phone away; don t drink in excess) Know how to swim and teach children how to swim Take a safe boating course and wear a lifejacket Protection from ultraviolet light: Be A.W.A.R.E.

3 Volume 3, Issue 7 Page 3 PRECAUTIONS TO KEEP SUMMER FUN AND ENJOYABLE! Prevention Steps Mosquitos Wear protective clothing and use insect repellent (CDC recommends use of products containing DEET for adults and children aged > 2 months) Limit outdoor activity at dusk and dawn when mosquitos are the most active Insect bites, stings Apply insect repellent (according to directions) before going into woods or areas you may contact insects Wear light-colored, long sleeved, long-legged clothing Do not wear perfumed lotion or scented hair products Avoid flowering plants Do not put your picnic out until you are ready to eat If you have severe allergic reactions to insect bites, have someone else mow lawns and trim hedges Snakes Avoid places where snakes may live Watch where you step or sit When moving through tall grass/weeds poke the ground in front of you with a long stick to scare away snakes Shine a flashlight on your path when walking at night Never handle a snake Drowning Never leave children alone around water Supervise children carefully (put cell phone away; don t drink in excess) Know how to swim and teach children how to swim Take a safe boating course and wear a lifejacket Protection from ultraviolet light: Be A.W.A.R.E. Avoid unprotected exposure to sunlight, seek shade, and never indoor tan. Wear sun protective clothing, including a long-sleeved shirt, pants, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses year-round. Apply broad-spectrum sunscreen with a sunburn protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher. Routinely examine your whole body for changes in your skin and report concerns to a healthcare provider. Educate your family and community about the need to be Sun A.W.A.R.E.

4 Page 4 Dawson County Health Department Newsletter

Services Provided by the Health Department Immunizations: Adults and children, Tuesdays:1:30-4:30 and Thursdays: 9:00-11:30 and 1:30-6:00. Walk-ins are welcome.

WIC (Women, Infants and Children): Tuesdays 8:00-12:00 and 1:00-5:00. Appointments may be made by calling 377-5215.

To schedule an appointment call 377-2935. Blood Pressure Clinics: Thursdays from 9:00-11:30 no charge. Cholesterol Clinics: 2nd and 4th Thursdays of the month 9:00-11:30.

Call 377-5213 for more information or to make a referral. Public Health Home Visiting: Home visiting program for pregnant women, infants and children with special health care needs.

5 Services Provided by the Health Department Immunizations: Adults and children, Tuesdays:1:30-4:30 and Thursdays: 9:00-11:30 and 1:30-6:00. Walk-ins are welcome. To schedule an appointment call Insurance Billing: Yes, the Dawson County Health Department does bill insurance for children s immunizations. WIC (Women, Infants and Children): Tuesdays 8:00-12:00 and 1:00-5:00. Appointments may be made by calling Family Planning: Walk in hours are Mondays 9:00-5:00, Tuesdays 1:00-5:00, Wednesdays 1:00-5:00 by appointment only, and Thursdays: 1:00-5:00.. Services are based on a sliding fee scale. To schedule an appointment call Blood Pressure Clinics: Thursdays from 9:00-11:30 no charge. Cholesterol Clinics: 2nd and 4th Thursdays of the month 9:00-11:30. Cost $15 requires 12 hour fast. Home Health Services: In home services including skilled nursing. Certified Nurse Assistant, Homemaker and Meals on Wheels. Call for more information or to make a referral. Public Health Home Visiting: Home visiting program for pregnant women, infants and children with special health care needs. Tobacco Prevention: Preventing tobacco use among youth and promote quitting among adult users. Free signs for CIAA compliance. Public Health Emergency Preparedness: Planning and coordination of community resources to prepare for public health emergencies. (Continued from page 2) Colorful Packaging Many smaller cigars come in bright, attractive packaging similar to candy and gum packages. Again, this makes cigars look fun and harmless. Product Manipulations A 2009 federal law banned candy- and fruit-flavored cigarettes but did not apply to cigars. Some manufacturers have exploited this loophole to market sweet-flavored cigars that look just like cigarettes. Some have also increased the weight of their products to qualify for lower tax rates charged on large cigars. One company went so far as to add weight by using sepiolite, a clay material used in kitty litter. To protect kids, it's critical that the FDA quickly move forward to regulate all tobacco products, including all cigars. And Congress should reject legislation to exempt some cigars from FDA oversight, since we know that manufacturers can and will change their products to take advantage of any loophole. Safe Sitter Class By: Jeanette Griffin Do you feel comfortable leaving your young teen home alone even for short periods of time? Register him or her for our upcoming Safe Sitter class, provided by the Dawson County Health Department and The Nurturing Tree, on {Friday, July 18th; 9:30am-4:30pm} and know they are ready to handle any situation that may come up when you aren t home. We are on the Web! departments/publichealth To Register Call the Health Dept, Cost of course is $20, includes an Official Safe Sitter Handbook and lunch!!! If you would like to be on the mailing list for this monthly publication or submit an article for the next month, please Laureen Murphree at murphreel@dawsoncountymail.com

Community Transformation Grant Regional Tobacco Meeting Howard County. January 15, 2013 Howard County Health Department

Community Transformation Grant Regional Tobacco Meeting Howard County January 15, 2013 Howard County Health Department MDQuit CIGAR AWARENESS & PREVENTION Tobacco Industry Marketing Strategies Among all