HEALTH S O U T H W E S T U TA H P U B L I C H E A LT H F O U N DAT I O N FA L L 2 015
WHAT ABOUT THEM?
GOLDEN YEARS
VACCINES + KIDS
Protecting the vulnerable among us
How seniors can stay active
A homeschool mom’s story
PG. 16 (COVER STORY)
PG. 22
PG. 4
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EDITOR
PUBLISHER
FOUNDATION BOARD
DESIGN
David Heaton
Jeff Shumway
Chris White
Kindal Ridd
David Blodgett, MD
Todd Stirling
VACCINES & KIDS
LEARNING THE HARD WAY
A homeschooling mom’s perspective by Tara Hills LIFESTYLE
DIABETES
An American epidemic by David Blodgett, MD, MPH V A C C I N E S & A D U LT S
10 ARE YOU COVERED?
Recommended immunizations by Kari Abeyta HOME SAFETY
12 WHO YOU GONNA CALL? Poison control by Lexie Little
PR OTECT AGGRESSIVE DRIVING
14 RECKLESS
Staying calm behind the wheel by Kylaas Flanagan COVER STORY
16 WHAT ABOUT THEM?
L ET T ER F R O M T H E H EA LT H O F F IC ER Welcome to the 11th issue of HEALTH magazine, an effort we began in 2010 to deliver valuable, health-promoting information to the residents of southwest Utah. The Foundation and this publication support the mission of the Southwest Utah Public Health Department (SWUPHD), which serves Washington, Iron, Kane, Beaver, and Garfield counties. Many people don’t realize that we are a locally controlled health department and a separate entity from the Utah Department of Health, which is administered by the state. The SWUPHD operates under the direction of the Southwest Board of Health, which is comprised of a county commissioner and an appointed citizen from each of the five counties. While our services cover a wide range of needs, one aspect of public health we are focusing on in this issue is vaccinations, across all ages. Making sure you are immunized isn’t just about protecting your own health against diseases that are quite active in much of the world - it’s an act of compassion and consideration that protects the vulnerable among us; the elderly, the young, and those with a compromised immune system. Vaccines only become effective on the community level when enough of us are immunized. This concept, called herd immunity, creates a protective barrier which prevents disease from spreading freely through the population. We hope the articles regarding this topic, along with the others selected for this issue, will be enlightening to you.
Protecting the vulnerable by David Heaton
PREPAREDNESS
18 WHEN THE BIG ONE HITS Living in earthquake country by Paulette Valentine
NUTRITION
20 POWER OF PROTEIN Practicing moderation by Lorin Lillywhite
PR OM OTE FITNESS
22 AGELESS ACTIVITY
How seniors can stay active by David Heaton FOOD SAFETY
24 WAS IT SOMETHING I ATE? Food poisoning myths by Marilie Kellis
Sincerely,
David W. Blodgett, MD, MPH SWUPHD Health Officer & Director
ON THE COVER Special thanks to Brian, Rosie and Sara Wheat for sharing their story. See page 16
HEALTH S O U T H W E S T U TA H P U B L I C H E A LT H F O U N DAT I O N FA L L 2 015
The entire contents of this publication are Copyright ©2015 HEALTH (the magazine of the Southwest Utah Public Health Foundation) with all rights reserved and shall not be reproduced or transmitted in any manner, either in whole or in part, without prior written permission of the publisher. Health magazine hereby disclaims all liability and is not responsible for any damage suffered as the result of claims or representations made in this publication. Printed by Hudson Printing Company / Salt Lake City, Utah / hudsonprinting.com
SUGAR RUSH
PG. 24
The impact of sweeteners on health
GOLDEN YEARS How seniors can stay active
PG. 22
VACCINES + KIDS A homeschool mom’s story
PG. 4
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LEARNING THE HARD WAY
TARA HILLS, GUEST COLUMNIST Tara lives in Ottowa, Canada with her husband Gavin and seven children. She is a dedicated mother and homeschooler who never expected to make international headlines when she decided to blog the following story this past spring.
APRIL 8, 2015: I’m writing this from quarantine, the irony of which isn’t lost on me. Emotionally I’m a bit raw. Mentally a bit taxed. Physically I’m fine. All seven of my unvaccinated children have whooping cough, and the kicker is
that they may have given it to my five month old niece, too young to be fully vaccinated. We’d had a games night at our house in March, my brother-in-law had a full-blown cold, so when the kids started with a dry cough a few days later I didn’t think much of it. But a week after the symptoms started the
kids weren’t improving, in fact they were getting worse. And the cough. No one had a runny nose or sneezing but they all had the same unproductive cough. Between coughing fits they were fine. Then a few days later at midnight I snapped. My youngest three children were coughing so hard they would
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gag or vomit. I’d never seen anything like this before. Watching our youngest struggle with this choking cough, bringing up clear, stringy mucus – I had heard of this before somewhere. My mom said I had it when I was a kid. I snapped into ‘something is WRONG’ mode. I jumped on Google to type in “child cough.” My kids had all but one symptom of pertussis; none of them had the characteristic “whoop.” But they had everything else.
HEALTH much. I only ended up with a handful of questions. But more potent than my questions were my biases. I just didn’t trust civic government, the medical community, the pharmaceutical industry, and people in general. By default, I had excluded all research available from any major, reputable organization. Could all the in-house, independent, peer-reviewed clinical trials, research papers and studies across the globe ALL be flawed, corrupt and untrustworthy?
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That schedule was supposed to start the week after I found myself in the waiting room of the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) with my ten-month-old son, waiting to confirm if he had whooping cough. I said before that the irony isn’t lost on me that I’m writing this from quarantine. For six years we were frozen in fear from vaccines, and now we are frozen because of the disease. My oldest two are getting better, the youngest four are getting worse and fast. Ottawa Public Health has been so helpful and communicative, trying to get us the help we need while keeping the community safe. We are
We had vaccinated our first three chilThe final shift came when I connectdren on an alternative schedule and ed the dots between a small, but real our youngest four weren’t vaccinated measles outbreak in my personal cirat all. We stopped because we were scared and didn’t know who to trust. Was the medical community just For six years we were frozen in fear from vaccines, and now we are frozen bepaid off puppets of a Big Pharma-Government-Media cause of the disease. conspiracy? Were these vaccines even necessary in this day and age? Were we unwittingly doing greater harm than help to our beloved children? So much smoke must mean a fire so we defaulted to the ‘do cles this time last year. But for the under quarantine and starting antibiotnothing and hope nothing bad hapgrace of God, our family was one step ics. Tonight, the baby started ‘whooppens’ position. from contracting measles in our mosting’. I did the right thing going to the ly under-or unvaccinated seven kids. hospital when I did. I can only hope For years relatives tried to persuade Maybe we could have weathered that this painfully honest sharing will help us to reconsider through emails and storm unscathed in personal quaranothers. links, but this only irritated us and tine. But in the four highly contagious made us defensive. Secretly, I hoped days before any symptoms show we I am not looking forward to any gloatI would find the proof I needed to hold easily could have passed on our ining or shame as this ‘defection’ from the course, but deep down I was refection to my sister’s toddlers or her the anti vaxx camp goes public, but signed to only find endless conflicting 34-week-old son in the NICU. this isn’t a popularity contest. Right arguments that never resolved anynow my family is living with the conthing. No matter if we vaccinated When I connected the dates for everysequences of misinformation and fear. or not, I thought, it would be nothing one involved it chilled me to the bone. I understand that families in our commore than a coin toss with horrible I looked again at the science and evmunity may be mad at us for putting risks either way. idence for community immunity and their kids at risk. I want them to know found myself gripped with a very real that we tried our best to protect our When the Disneyland measles outsense of personal and social responkids when we were afraid of vaccinabreak happened, my husband and I sibility before God and man. The tion and we are doing our best now, agreed to take a new look and weigh time had come to make a more fully for everyone’s sake, by getting them the evidence on both sides. A friend informed decision than we did six up to date. We can’t take it back … suggested I write out my questions years ago. I sat down with our family but we can learn from this and help so we could tackle them one by one. doctor and we put together a catch-up others the same way we have been Just getting it out on paper helped so vaccination schedule for our children. helped.
BORDETELLA PERTUSSIS BACTERIA
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Vaccination is a serious decision about our personal and public health that can’t be made out of fear, capitulation or following any crowd. No one was more surprised than us to find solid answers that actually laid our fears to rest. I am confident that anyone with questions can find answers. I would only advise them to check your biases, sources and calendar. Time waits for no parent.
APRIL 15, 2015:
When I wrote our story last week, I had no idea our story would go ‘viral’ (no pun intended). We are a private family, as most homeschooling families are, so we thought that maybe a few people in our community would see it. We never imagined that our story would travel around the globe. As encouraged as we are to hear about the positive impact our decision to share it has had on many others, it has also been hard handling a real medical crisis in the face of intense global media and public scrutiny. Last Tuesday, when the positive test results came in four days late, the waves of chaos hit us with a fury that we can’t possibly describe. Everything that day was a blur, from me editing my original post to include our diagnosis, to the reality of dealing with seven active cases of pertussis. My three youngest were hit the worst and will take longer to recover. Their coughs still turn heads when anyone hears them through the window or from our backyard. Fortunately, the avalanche of escalating symptoms (consistent with week three to four of pertussis) has been averted with the antibiotics, so the kids are on the mend. With their five day course of antibiotics complete, Ottawa Public Health gave the kids the all-clear to resume normal life as of Monday. And thank goodness. No one needs to tell us (though they still do) that this could have been so much worse for us…and for those whose lives ours touch. A week later and with our recovery underway, we can process things with more clarity. I am exhausted and emotionally raw, and I am keeping it together for my family. Every day is a little better than the one before, but I still think about this whole scenario every waking minute. I expect I will for some time. Having come through this from one ‘side’ to another, we can relate to the many real emotions of fear, anger, distrust and hurt that many have voiced against us. To those closest to us (including our kids old enough to
“Any fair trial has to consider both sides and weigh the evidence.” even have this talk), we have already offered our personal apologies and received more grace than we deserve. People who know you personally tend to give you the benefit of the doubt and stick with you when you mess up royally. You know who you are. To our community, to whom our private lives are interconnected in the public sphere, we see now how our choice to not vaccinate had an emotional impact when this went public. An issue like this invokes fear, distrust, anger, and upset, and it was never our intent to create those feelings. Words may seem cheap now that the damage is done and we can’t undo it. We can only say that we are truly sorry for the unintentional but real impacts to everyone involved. We hope that sharing our personal story will
be some token of reconciliation. We took the personal risk of going public because we knew that others like us might be willing to re-evaluate the topic sooner than we did if more people used a better approach. We understand the anger and fear. And we know that the more we communicate constructively, the more we can work together to help people make sound decisions for their family and community. Originally published in TheScientificParent.org on April 8th & 15th. Used with permission.
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Tara Hills Answers Questions From Online Readers What were the questions you asked when you were reconsidering vaccination and what were the answers that put your mind at ease? Any fair trial has to consider both sides and weigh the evidence. Yet, sometimes the sheer quantity of information online can be overwhelming. How does an average person know what source to trust? All the questions boiled down to three main headings based on the most popular accusations against vaccination.
• Do we REALLY still need to vaccinate? We had been told that vac-
cines take credit they aren’t due, that hygiene and happenstance had more to do with the death reduction, or the stats presented are slanted. We learned that vaccines are a victim of their own success, that while hygiene played a role in the prevalence of these diseases, hand washing alone can’t account for the dramatic reduction in cases after the vaccines were introduced.
• Is it REALLY safe for my kids (and me as an adult) to be vaccinated? Is there a cover up? We had been lead to believe the death
and impairment from vaccines are astronomically higher than governments and media will admit, it’s all a cover up, it’s all about money and everyone is connected to dirty big pharma. We learned that there is a difference between vaccine adverse events reported and confirmed vaccine injuries. We learned that pharma makes most of their money off of patented medications and the patents on most early childhood vaccines have either expired or never existed and are considered “generic”. The prices for vaccines are posted publicly and their ingredients are heavily regulated. We also learned that doctors usually lose money on vaccines, while pharma makes more when people actually get sick with vaccine-preventable disease.
• Can you PROVE IT? Honestly I was scared that in spite of all our search-
ing we would still be conflicted, that our kids health would come down to a 50/50 coin toss. After 50 personal hours looking for the smoking gun, no one was more shocked, embarrassed and downright angry than we were to find the weight of documentation rested on the pro-vaccine side. The weight of the evidence was overwhelming.
What’s the best way to approach parents who have concerns about vaccines? In my experience and observation, many people that are pro-vaccine can vent their anger and fear by taking a mocking, angry, sometimes bullying stance with parents who have questions about vaccines. This is seen at its worst online. When the approach is like that, it feels like they’re talking down to us or questioning our fitness as parents. This approach only made me more defensive and less inclined to even consider re-examining my position. The person who significantly helped me walk through the process of re-examination talked to me like a person and didn’t make me feel stupid or like a negligent parent for asking questions. They talked to me like I was an intellectual equal and acknowledged that I just wanted to do what’s best for my kids. If more people talked to questioning parents like this, instead of making them feel stupid or ashamed, I think more minds would be changed.
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DIABETES AN AMERICAN EPIDEMIC
DAVID BLODGETT, MD, MPH SWUPHD DIRECTOR AND HEALTH OFFICER
D
iabetes ranks number seven of the top ten causes of death in the United States. While that number might sound less than impressive, it only tells part of the story. The rate of diabetes is increasing at an alarming pace, with projections that the number of people with this disease could double in the next two decades. The toll that diabetes takes on individuals, families and the nation is truly catastrophic. Ironically, we know more about how to help prevent and lessen the effects of diabetes than many other chronic diseases.
WHAT IS DIABETES? Diabetes is a group of diseases characterized by high blood glucose (blood sugar). When a person has diabetes, the body either does not produce enough insulin or is unable to use its own insulin effectively. Medical science generally recognizes three types of diabetes. Type 1 is caused by an autoimmune response in the body. It generally affects the very young and represents about 5% of all diabetics. Type 2 diabetes is caused by insulin insensitivity and generally impacts people as they age. The third type is gestational diabetes which tends to resolve after pregnancy. Insulin functions in the body by activating glucose transporters located on fat and muscle cells. In a type 1 diabetic, the cells that produce insulin have been destroyed; while in a type 2 diabetic, cells are unable to respond appropriately to the insulin that is produced. There are a number of factors that increase your chances of type 2 diabetes. These include older age, obesity, family history of diabetes, history of gestational diabetes, impaired glucose metabolism, physical inactivity, and race or ethnicity. There is also a condition called prediabetes in which individuals have high blood glucose or hemoglobin A1C levels but not high enough to be classified as diabetes. People with prediabetes have an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, but not everyone with prediabetes will progress to that stage. The prediabetes stage of disease is a good time to start doing the things that
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will prevent progression to full-blown diabetes.
WHAT’S SO BAD ABOUT DIABETES? I HAVE IT AND I DON’T FEEL SICK. It is true that diabetes doesn’t cause noticeable symptoms in most people for years after they develop diabetes. In fact, it’s likely that 30% of people with diabetes do not know they have the disease. Because people do not feel badly, it is easy for many to think that their diabetes is not serious. That is simply not true. Diabetes impacts virtually every system in the body. Over time, high blood glucose can lead to serious medical problems. • Diabetes is a major cause of heart disease and stroke. Death rates for heart disease and the risk of stroke are about two to four times higher among adults with diabetes. • 16% of diabetes-related deaths are caused by stroke. • 71% of diabetics have blood pressure (140/90 or higher) or use prescription medications. • Diabetes is the leading cause of new cases of blindness among adults aged 20-74. Over 28% (4.2 million) of diabetics aged 40 and older have diabetic retinopathy (damage to blood vessels in the retina). • Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure, accounting for 44% of new cases each year. • About 60-70% of the people with
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diabetes have mild to severe forms of nervous system damage. • More than 60% of non-traumatic lower-limb amputation are performed on people with diabetes. • The risk of death for a person with diabetes is twice the risk of a person of similar age who does not have the disease.
DIABETES IN AMERICA 9.3% of Americans and about 6.8% of those living in southwestern Utah have diabetes. Alarmingly, about 25% of people age 65 and over have diabetes. Women are slightly less likely to have diabetes than men. The cost of diabetic care in the United States was $249 billion in 2013, and those costs are only going up About 37% of U.S. adults have prediabetes, while 51% of those 65 and older have prediabetes. As the number of older people in our population continues to increase, and as rates of obesity increase, it is projected that 15% of Americans will have diabetes and 50% will have prediabetes by 2050. This is truly an epidemic of colossal proportions.
PREVENTION AND MINIMIZATION Is there anything that can be done? Actually, yes! Diabetes is highly preventable, and there is much that can be done to minimize the effects of diabetes for those who have it. If you don’t have diabetes or are prediabetic, now is the time to start liv-
ing the kind of healthy lifestyle that will keep diabetes from developing. Although only 22% of us do this on a regular basis, consistent exercise - 30 to 60 minutes of moderate activity most days of the week - has been shown to have dramatic impacts on the progression of diabetes. As a perk, exercise is good for almost every other chronic disease as well. Eating a healthy diet with five or more servings of vegetables and fruits daily is another simple solution that works, although only 18% of Americans have developed this habit. For those who are already diabetic, the advice above is even more important. Additionally, it is critical that diabetic therapy regimens are followed as outlined by a doctor. It has been proven that diabetics who follow their recommended treatment have far fewer short and long term complications of diabetes. Kidney disease can be decreased by as much as 56%, nerve damage by as much as 60%, and eye disease by as much as 76% in patients with chronic diabetes. Some patients who are diligent are even able to go off their medications altogether. For diabetics who control their disease, the risk of complications can be very similar to those who don’t have the disease. We hope that most of us will be able to avoid diabetes altogether, and that those who have it will take control of this chronic disease and enjoy a happy and productive life. It is evident that diabetes prevention and management will require a deliberate departure from the current American lifestyle.
LOCAL RESOURCES Besides our efforts to inform and encourage the public regarding diabetes through this publication, the Southwest Utah Public Health Department has launched a series of free, in-depth diabetes education classes for Kane County residents, a pilot program that we hope to offer district-wide at some point. Additionally, our offices in Kanab, St George, and Cedar City offer low cost laboratory testing to help you monitor your disease (hemoglobin A1C testing for $35).
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ARE YOU COVERED? VACCINES FOR ADULTS
DIPHTH ERIA
INFLU
TET A NUS
ENZA
KARI ABEYTA, RN, BSN SWUPHD PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE
PERTUSSIS ITISA
AT HEP
I
n my work as a nurse for the Southwest Utah Public Health Department, I am often asked by parents bringing their children in for vaccines, “Should I be getting that shot, too?” My answer is, “Maybe.” While there are vaccines that are specific for children, there are a number
of vaccines that are recommended for adults as well. Some of these are boosters, while others weren’t available to us when we were children but are recommended for our protection as well as that of vulnerable people we have contact with; like infants, children, and chronically ill. There are certain vaccines that are encouraged, based on a person’s age or health
status, and others are required or rec-
ommended for travelers and missionaries. It’s best to consult with your doctor regarding your vaccinations and specific situation to avoid confusion, but here are some basics on a few vaccines that are recommended for most adults.
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TETANUS, DIPHTHERIA, PERTUSSIS (TD OR TDAP) The Td vaccine protects against Tetanus and Diphtheria. Tetanus is a serious disease that is caused by spores in the environment that enter the body, usually through a wound. It typically causes painful tightening of the muscles in a descending pattern. There is a “locking” of the jaw so the victim cannot open their mouth or swallow. Tetanus leads to death in about 1 in 10 cases. Diphtheria is an acute disease caused by a toxin (poison) made by a bacterium. Human carriers can have no symptoms, but can spread the bacteria through their respiratory tract. Once infected, a thick coating in the back of the nose or throat forms and makes it hard to breathe or swallow. It can be deadly. It is recommended that all adults receive a Td booster every ten years, or sooner if they experience a dirt-contaminated injury. Tdap protects against tetanus and diphtheria as well as pertussis (also known as whooping cough or the “100 day cough”). Pertussis is found all over the world, even in southern Utah, and is very contagious, spread by respiratory droplets. Many adults will have a mild case and feel well enough to be out in public. They just have an annoying cough, but can then spread the disease to others. When babies get pertussis they can become very sick and develop complications that may require hospitalization or even lead to death. One dose of Tdap is recommended for adults who did not receive Tdap as an adolescent. Tdap can be given no matter when you got your last Td shot. Pregnant women should get a Tdap shot in their 3rd trimester of every
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pregnancy. Mom’s body will produce antibodies that are passed on to the baby and provide some protection against pertussis.
shed the virus in their stool for up to three weeks, but the time the virus is most concentrated is one to two weeks before there are any symptoms.
Everyone who is around babies should be up-to-date with their Tdap vaccine. This helps to protect our vulnerable children indirectly by creating a circle of protection around them.
Utah schools require that children are vaccinated for Hepatitis A. The vaccine was first introduced in 1995, so most adults did not receive the series as children.
INFLUENZA
Hepatitis A vaccine is a series of two shots, with at least 6 months between each dose.
Influenza is a highly infectious virus. Classic influenza disease is characterized by the abrupt onset of fever, body aches, sore throat, dry cough and headache. Influenza is not a stomach/ intestinal virus - many people think that they have “the flu” if they are having vomiting and diarrhea. Influenza is a respiratory tract illness. Influenza vaccine is recommended yearly for all adults. The vaccine may occasionally cause some side effects such as a sore arm where the shot was given, fever, body aches, and headache. These sound like symptoms of influenza but they are very mild compared to the actual disease. While the flu shot cannot give you the flu, I like to tell people that if they develop side effects from the vaccine, it just means their body is doing it’s job by getting ready to fight the virus if exposed.
OTHER VACCINES ADULTS SHOULD CONSIDER: • Hepatitis B - series of 3 shots • Measle/Mumps/Rubella (MMR) - 2 doses are recommended. Most adults probably only received one as children • Meningococcal - especially if living in a dormitory/group setting, or if you have other health problems • Varicella - if you’ve never had the chicken pox • Pneumococcal - if over age 65, or sooner if you have problems with your immune system. Protects against a variety of pneumonia strains • Shingles - if over the age of 60, even if you have already had shingles disease
If you travel, like to eat out at restaurants, or handle food occupationally, it is a good idea to be vaccinated against Hepatitis A.
If you are wondering about your immunization status, ask your doctor. Your local health department is also ready, willing and able to help answer questions you may have (see page 2 for contact information).
Hepatitis A virus (HAV) is acquired by mouth - usually by what is known as “fecal-oral route.” It can be spread person-to-person or by ingesting contaminated food or water. HAV usually causes an abrupt onset of symptoms such as fever, nausea, abdominal pain and jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes). An infected person will
As a public health nurse, I believe wholeheartedly in prevention. It makes so much more sense to put in the effort to prevent an illness or injury if possible, rather than treat the problem after it has occurred. Vaccines are one way to take steps beforehand to prevent illness.
HEPATITIS A
It makes so much more sense to put in the effort to prevent an illness or injury if possible, rather than treat the problem after it has occurred.
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WHO YOU GONNA CALL? POISON CONTROL
LEXIE LITTLE SWUPHD HEALTH EDUCATOR
THERE ARE NO SUCH THING AS STUPID CALLS TO THE POISON CONTROL CENTER, OR CALLING TOO MUCH; ESPECIALLY WHEN CHILDREN ARE INVOLVED.
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ou catch your child eating a laundry detergent pod because she thought it was candy; your elderly father mistakenly took his blood pressure medication twice this morning; you enter the kitchen and find your four-year-old drinking the candy flavored juice that goes into your electronic cigarette, or you accidentally take one of your husband’s prescriptions, thinking it was yours. What do you do now? How do you prevent further harm? Where do you turn for accurate information?
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UTAH POISON CONTROL
PREVENTING POISONINGS
Call Utah Poison Control at 800-2221222. You will be instantly connected to a highly trained, certified specialist who will help. Be prepared with the following information:
Prevent poisonings by (1) storing all household products, e-liquids, and medicines away from small children and pets, (2) turning on the light when giving or taking medications, (3) using child-resistant containers, and (4) never storing potential poisons in containers made for eating and drinking. Finally, keep the phone number for Poison Control in an easily viewed spot in your house, like the refrigerator.
• • • •
Exact name of the product Amount taken When the poisoning happened The age and weight of the poisoned person • How the person is doing • Phone number where you can be reached
Source: poisoncontrol.utah.edu
E-JUICE POISONINGS Sherrie Pace, Public Information Officer for the Utah Poison Control Center, explains one of the troubling trends her office is seeing. “We saw a 350% increase, just between 2012 and 2013, in calls received for electronic cigarette juice poisonings. The problem is that these vials of e-cigarette liquid, or e-juice, come in a variety of flavors, smells, and colors that are very attractive to kids. When e-juice is left in the reach of children, even a small amount of the potent, nicotine-laced liquid can be harmful to a young child. A teaspoon could be fatal. E-juice can even be absorbed through the skin.” An 18 month old child died in December 2014 in New York after ingesting just 1/50th of a teaspoon of concentrated nicotine being used to mix e-juice in the home.
TOP 5 CHILD POISONS 63% of calls to the Utah Poison Control Center are for children under the age of 6 Here are the Top 5 categories of poisonings in this age group: • • • • •
Cosmetics/Personal Care Products (toothpaste, makeup, hand sanitizer, deodorant, soap) Household Cleaners (dishwasher detergent, bleach, bathroom cleaner, laundry soap) Pain Medication (prescription and non-prescription) Vitamins & Minerals (iron and other over-the-counter products) Foreign Bodies (batteries, magnets, toys, coins, misc.)
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RECKLESS & AGGRESSIVE DRIVING
I
n 2008, while driving in Arizona with some family members, I noticed an exotic convertible in front of me and caught up to take a few looks at the car. Curiously, this car was going approximately 10 miles per hour under the speed limit. I got within 100 feet of the car when the other driver decided to “punch it” and test out the vehicle’s capabilities. At first, the car twisted to the right of the road, up onto the sidewalk, and the driver tried to overcorrect. Then, because the car was so light, it whipped across the road, heading right for me, it suddenly veered and slammed into a
KYLAAS FLANAGAN SWUPHD HEALTH EDUCATOR
tree in the median. Luckily, the driver was alone in the vehicle, as the tree currently occupied the position where a passenger would have been sitting. The elapsed time from the moment the driver put his foot on the gas to the moment the tree was occupying the passenger seat was less than two seconds.
Driver: “Um, 26? I think. I bought it yesterday.”
As we were filling out the police report, I overheard a small piece of the conversation.
When I ask this question, most new drivers and their parents respond:
Officer: “How many miles were on the car?”
Yikes. I couldn’t help wondering: what if I had pulled up alongside that car before he hit the gas? What if there was a person in his passenger seat?
WHAT IS AGGRESSIVE DRIVING? • Driving way too fast • Illegal passing (i.e. over double-yellow lines) • Weaving in and out of traffic
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In August 2010, my best friend, Brandon Curtis, died in a car rollover and I was the driver of the vehicle. It was like any other day: we had just finished our early morning football practice, we all hopped in my car and as we pulled into our school parking lot, I decided to do something stupid. I “hit the gas” and got going too fast and lost control of my vehicle. At that moment my life changed and it will never be the same. My best friend was in critical condition and passed away the following day. You never expect something as tragic as this to happen to you, but it can, as soon as you decide to drive recklessly. It’s never something you intend to happen, but it does and you have no control over it. You will never forget the horror of the event - it stays in your mind for the rest of your life; the sirens blaring, images of your friends lying on the ground and your car totaled. I want you to understand that things can change in less than a second. The world you thought you knew can be flipped around and tossed out the window. Please learn from my story and always drive safely. -Kaleb Cook Photo courtesy of BrandonCurtis.org
Originally published in ‘All They Left Were Memories’ (2010), with permission from the Utah Department of Health Violence and Injury Prevention Program
• Brake checking • Blocking or cutting off another driver • Obscene gestures at other drivers, or verbal abuse • Flashing lights or honking the horn • Driving on the shoulder • Running red lights or stop signs • Drafting behind larger vehicles (like semi-trucks)
The purpose of driving, for the most part, is to get from point A to point B. The road is no place for aggression or recklessness. Staying calm is the best way to get to your destination safely.
Think about it. You know an aggressive driver when you see one and you know when you are driving aggressively. When your driving behaviors increase the risk of a crash to yourself or others, that is aggressive driving.
DRIVE THE SPEED LIMIT
In Utah, two out of every three traffic deaths involve aggressive driving. Here are some tips to avoid becoming a statistic: Speeding won’t make that much of a difference. “I was in a hurry” is a poor excuse for causing a crash. Would you rather get to your destination late, or not at all?
AVOID AGGRESSIVE DRIVING (AND AGGRESSIVE DRIVERS!) When encountering aggressive driv-
ers, do your best to ignore them. Avoid eye contact or the temptation to play their game. Just let them pass. There’s nothing more satisfying than having an aggressive driver blast by, then seeing that same driver pulled over ten miles down the road, “discussing the situation” with a highway patrolman.
ALWAYS WEAR YOUR SEATBELT In 2012, 68 people in Utah were saved by seatbelt use, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Additionally, it was determined that 27 people who died would likely have survived had they worn a seatbelt. As a driver, it’s your responsibility to provide a safe environment for yourself and any passengers that might be along for the ride. Driving in a wreckless manner endangers your life and the life of others.
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WHAT ABOUT THEM?
PROTECTING THE VULNERABLE AMONG US
R
osalind is an active two and a half year old. She goes by “Rosie”, loves to watch Disney movies, and is developmentally on track for kids her age. In fact, she’s in the 90th percentile for height and weight. About the only thing that might draw some attention is a bellowing cough when she catches a cold, which sounds unexpected coming from a little girl. The effect that even common illnesses have on Rosie is the reason she’s not seen much in public. She’s never been to church or a grocery store. Rosie has cystic fibrosis (CF), a rare genetic disease affecting the lungs and digestive system. “We didn’t know this existed,” says Sara Wheat, Rosie’s mother. “She was failing to thrive at six weeks, so we took her in for testing. It turns out my husband and I unknowingly have a recessive gene
DAVID HEATON EDITOR, SWUPHD PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER
which was passed on to Rosie. Cystic fibrosis had never manifested itself before in our families, but we quickly learned what we were dealing with.” About 1 in 3500 people in the United States have CF, which is more common among those of European descent. It’s usually found by six months of age and requires daily, lifelong treatment because the cilia lining the respiratory tract don’t function. CF causes the normally thin secretions of mucus, sweat, and digestive juices to become thick and sticky; causing blockage in the lungs and pancreas. “Rosie’s lungs can’t move infection out on their own,” Sara says. “We give her two treatments every day with a vibrating vest which loosens the mucus in her lungs, along with a nebulizer every morning and night.” If Rosie catches a cold her daily treatments
are doubled and powerful antibiotics are prescribed to prevent pneumonia. So far, her parents have been able to keep her out of the hospital with diligent care at home. More aggressive respiratory diseases such as influenza, whooping cough, or measles, would likely be fatal for Rosie. “As soon as we realized what we were dealing with, it was sink or swim,” recalls Sara. “We moved from Montana to Utah to be closer to parents. We started planning errands so one of us could stay home with Rosie. Time spent going out with my husband seriously diminished. Our family and friends know to stay away if they have an illness of any kind, and it can be hard to explain to a two year old why we can’t go to grandma’s house for weeks at a time. After a while I developed a sort of sixth sense as far as what might put her at risk. I notice
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immediately when someone coughs or
sneezes. If we’re at the park and a car full of kids pulls up, I approach their mom and ask if anyone has a cold or flu. When the answer is ‘yes’, we head home.” In the 1950s the life expectancy for a child with CF was six months. Now, children diagnosed with this disease can survive into their 30s. The Wheats are trying to balance how they help their daughter navigate her world. Sara explains, “Sometimes it terrifies me that I’m potentially risking Rosie’s life by taking her out in public. But we want her to experience everything life has to offer and not keep her in a bubble forever. We have to weigh that against also trying to extend her life as long as possible. I try not to inconvenience people too much; I’m just trying to protect my child.” Part of that protection includes diligence in creating a healthy environment among those closest to her. Rosie is barely old enough to be fully immunized and her family stays current on
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recommended vaccinations, including annual flu shots. Still, no vaccine is 100% effective and protection wanes over time with some of them. “I was really nervous when I heard about the measles outbreak in Disneyland making it into Utah last year,” Sara says. “I’ve also heard about the rates of whooping cough locally. Personal choice is such an important thing, and it’s hard to argue with parents who feel apprehensive about vaccinations, which is sometimes based on misinformation. I would just urge them to talk to their doctor, look at the actual risks, and expand their perspectives to include situations like ours. Any risks from getting vaccinated are small; my daughter’s chance of dying if she were to get any of these preventable respiratory diseases is 100%.” “I was unfamiliar with the special needs world before,” continues Sara. “Now we’re one of those families. But at least my child can get vaccinated. Not all these kids can.” Children undergoing cancer treatment, being immunocompromised, having certain
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heart problems or allergies, and even some forms of asthma, are unable to get vaccinated and are reliant on the immunity of those around them for protection. In reality, all infants are not able to be fully immunized until at least the age of two. Sara and her husband, Bryan, are part of a tight-knit group of parents in southwest Utah who have had to restructure their lives to care for their children with CF. These families get together for dinner occasionally and hold an annual fundraiser. “It’s really a comfort thing,” admits Sara. “We talk and support each other about this unique situation only we can understand. My personal worldview has expanded in ways I could not have imagined before Rosie came into our lives. I try to see the positives. The half hour every morning and night I spend together with Rosie during her treatments is time I might not otherwise have. To be able to enjoy each other or just sit quietly... - I value that.”
“MAKING SURE YOU ARE IMMUNIZED ISN’T JUST ABOUT PROTECTING YOUR OWN HEALTH AGAINST DISEASES QUITE ACTIVE IN MUCH OF THE WORLD - IT’S AN ACT OF COMPASSION AND CONSIDERATION THAT PROTECTS THE VULNERABLE AMONG US; THE ELDERLY, THE YOUNG, AND THOSE WITH A COMPROMISED IMMUNE SYSTEM. VACCINES ONLY BECOME EFFECTIVE ON THE COMMUNITY LEVEL WHEN ENOUGH OF US ARE IMMUNIZED. THIS CONCEPT, CALLED HERD IMMUNITY, CREATES A PROTECTIVE BARRIER WHICH PREVENTS DISEASE FROM SPREADING FREELY THROUGH THE POPULATION.” -David Blodgett, MD, MPH SWUPHD Director & Health Officer
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WHEN THE BIG ONE HITS EARTHQUAKE PREP
PAULETTE VALENTINE SWUPHD EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS DIRECTOR
One of three homes destroyed during the 1992 St. George earthquake Photo by B.D. Black, courtesy of the Utah Geological Survey
“Earthquakes occur without any warning and may be so violent that you wouldn’t be able to walk or crawl without being knocked to the ground.”
M
ost of Utah’s population lives within an active earthquake belt. The Wasatch fault, which runs parallel with Interstate 15 through the north half of the state, is one of the longest and most active earthquake faults in the world. The Hurricane fault is the major fault line in southwestern Utah. Although a large-scale quake along the Wasatch fault could be quite devastating due to the density of people and structures, we should take note that one-third of all damage-causing quakes in the state since 1850 (5.5 magnitude and above) have occurred in southwestern Utah. The most recent of these was a 5.9 quake in 1992 with the epicenter near St. George.
While earthquakes are difficult to predict, scientists estimate the possibility of a severe quake in Utah to be one in seven in the next 50 years. What would you do if right now, as you’re reading this article, the room suddenly started to shake and rock back and forth and the ground felt like it was dropping out from under you? What objects and furniture around you aren’t secure and would tip over or become airborne? What if the shaking didn’t let up for at least a minute or two? A higher magnitude earthquake causes a lot of movement and instability, so it’s important to take actions that will reduce injury.
The best response is to... ...DROP, COVER, and HOLD ON. The main point is to try not to move, while immediately protecting yourself the best you can, right where you are. Earthquakes occur without any warning and may be so violent that you wouldn’t be able to walk or crawl without being knocked to the ground. If you cannot... ...DROP, COVER and HOLD ON, there are modified actions you should immediately take such as crouching down and covering your head and neck with your arms.
SWUHEALTH.ORG INDOORS:
DROP to the ground immediately and take COVER by getting under something (desk, table, counter, etc.) and HOLD ON to the object until the shaking stops.
IN BED:
Stay there and HOLD ON. Protect your head with a pillow.
IN A PUBLIC BUILDING:
DROP, COVER, and HOLD ON or protect your head and neck as best as possible. Do not use the elevators. When the shaking stops, move to designated areas and wait for instructions.
STADIUM OR THEATER:
DROP, COVER and HOLD ON or protect your head and neck. Don’t try to leave until the shaking is over.
OUTDOORS:
Move to a clear area away from buildings, wires, or anything that could fall and hurt you, but only if you can safe-
BEAVER IRON
2/7/2013
ENOCH: MAG 3.7
DRIVING:
Try to pull over to the side of the road and stop. Set the parking brake. Avoid bridges and overhead hazards. Stay inside your vehicle until the shaking is over. What if you use a wheelchair or have other mobility impairments and cannot DROP, COVER and HOLD ON? Protect your head and neck with a pillow or your arms, and bend over to protect yourself if you are able.
WHAT NOT TO DO:
DO NOT try to get to a “safer place” or move outside. Movement will be very difficult, and many earthquake-related injuries and deaths in the U.S. are caused by falling or flying objects (TVs, lamps, bookcases, glass, bricks) rather than a collapsed building. Earthquakes in Utah are both unpre-
GARFIELD panguitch
IRON SPRINGS: MAG 3.8
4/11/2012
TROPIC: MAG 4.3
cedar city
KANE WASHINGTON 9/2/1992
kanab
dictable and inevitable. How would we handle a “Big One”? Utah emergency officials invite individuals and organizations throughout the state to participate in the annual Great Utah ShakeOut, held every April to practice preparedness and response to a major quake. But you don’t have to wait to complete your own earthquake preparedness measures. Start now by relocating and anchoring (into wall studs) furniture such as bookcases away from beds, sofas, or other places where you sleep or often sit. Move heavy objects to lower shelves. Then look for other items in your home that may be hazardous in an earthquake, such as a non-secured water heater. Taking simple action now can prevent injury or even save a life down the road. To find out more about the Great Utah ShakeOut, visit shakeout.org/utah Read Putting Down Roots in Earthquake Country, a comprehensive handbook for earthquakes in Utah, at ussc.utah.gov/publications/roots_ earthquake.pdf
5 COUNTY MAP KEY magnitude: (past 50 years)
3.5 -3.9 4.0 -4.4 4.5 -4.9 5.0 -5.4
CEDAR CITY: MAG 4.1 1/4/2010
WASHINGTON: MAG 5.6 st. george
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ly do so. Otherwise, stay where you are and DROP, COVER and HOLD ON or protect your head and neck.
beaver
parowan
8/8/2010
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5.5 -5.9 fault line age:
FREDONIA: MAG 5.6 7/1959
< 15,000 years < 130,000 years
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POWER OF PROTEIN WHERE DO YOU GET IT AND HOW MUCH IS ENOUGH?
LORIN LILLYWHITE SWUPHD ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST & Adjunct Professor of Nutrition and Physical Fitness at Dixie State University
L
ike many things in life, popular trends in nutrition swing back and forth like a pendulum, from one extreme to another, with the truth found somewhere in the middle. This is especially true of protein consumption. Protein is a special nutrient made up of smaller molecules called amino acids. Protein plays many vital roles in the body including building all the cells, providing an energy source, and maintaining a healthy immune system.
You must consume protein on a regular basis to maintain good health. Recently though, the protein pendulum has begun to swing wildly, with some advocating extremely high protein diets and others decrying protein sources as the cause of chronic disease. As always, the truth is found in a moderate approach. For most Americans, the major sources of protein are animal products: meat, poultry, milk, eggs, and cheese. Plant products can also provide protein through legumes, nuts, vegetables, and even grains.
BROCCOLI (1 CUP)
ALMONDS (1/3 CUP)
PEANUT BUTTER (2 TBL) BLACK BEANS (1/2 CUP)
31 cal. 2.6 g. protein
176 cal. 6.6 g. protein
188 cal. 8 g. protein
113 cal. 7.6 g. protein
Each protein source will have different advantages and disadvantages. In general, animal products are referred to as “complete proteins” because they contain all the amino acids necessary for human health. Plant proteins are referred to as “incomplete proteins” because individually they do not contain all the necessary amino acids and must be consumed in combinations. For example, beans with rice or bread with peanut butter are both complete proteins when eaten together. The major disadvantages of animal proteins are that they are generally more expensive, higher in
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calories, and lower in some vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Animal sources do contain some things that plants do not, like vitamin B-12. Much of the debate surrounding protein has more to do with how much you should be consuming rather than which types. The most notable claim about protein is that it speeds up your metabolism and burns fat and calories, which is partially true. Increased protein consumption has been shown to increase the body’s heat production, decrease energy efficiency, and improve the metabolism of fats; all of which can help you burn more calories throughout the day. The issue has to do with the magnitude of these effects. While it is technically true that eating more protein will cause you to burn more calories, it might take a year or two for those extra calories to add up to just one pound of weight loss. Protein is also touted as a way to help you eat less overall. This is also somewhat true. Higher protein meals help you feel full longer—called satiety. This can be helpful for those who are trying to watch their calories. If you are trying to lose weight by cutting back on your calorie consumption, you’ll probably feel some hunger. Most people can deal with this hun-
ger for a few days, but soon they’ll probably give in and eat too much, potentially thwarting their efforts at weight loss. Eating more protein though, while cutting calories, keeps you from feeling quite so hungry and can make this process less unpleasant. When you are cutting calories, the first calories you should try to reduce should be those from carbohydrates, followed by fats. The last major claim made by protein proponents is that eating more protein will help you build more muscle, but moderation is often neglected. Our bodies do use protein to build and repair all cells, including muscles cells. When a person exercises, protein is needed to repair and rebuild muscles, and eating higher levels of protein can help this happen more efficiently and faster. But this process does not take as much protein as most people think. If you are consuming one gram of protein for every pound you weigh - which most American do - you are nearly doubling the amount necessary to support muscle growth and repair, even for high-level athletes. You may also have heard some negative things about protein, like the assertion that high-protein diets are bad for your kidneys. If you already have kidney disease, this is true; but
CHICKEN (1/2 BREAST, 3 OZ) CHEESE (1.4 OZ)
EGG (1 LARGE)
SALMON (3 OZ)
142 cal. 27 g. protein
78 cal. 6 g. protein
121 cal. 16.9 g. protein
120 cal. 9.2 g. protein
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for most people, high-protein diets will not adversely affect their kidneys. High levels of protein can be dehydrating, so it is important to drink enough water to help support your kidneys in their proper function. There is also the claim that protein can lead to thinning of the bones. However, this only becomes an issue if the person is not getting adequate amounts of calcium. So how much protein should you consume? Current recommendations say between 10 and 35% of your calories should come from protein. At the lower end you’ll support all vital functions, while being on the higher end of the range may help you control your weight better. Most people don’t enjoy doing math before eating, so try to make sure each meal contains one healthy protein source, or about a third of your calories. Evidence does not suggest that there is much to be gained from consuming any more than this. For best results, try to spread your protein consumption throughout the entire day - breakfast, lunch and dinner - with a variety of plant and animal sources. This will help control appetite, blood sugar levels, and many other bodily functions far better than just eating a massive steak for dinner or relying on protein shakes.
PROMOTE 22
ACTIVITY IS AGELESS
DAVE HEATON EDITOR, SWUPHD PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER
JOAN AND AARON TIPPETTS
“YOU can have a good, productive, OLDER life, but you have to keep moving! If you stop and sit down it’s going to catch up to you, and then you are going to feel your age.”
E
ubie Blake, a popular composer and songwriter, said on his 92nd birthday, “If I’d known I was going to live this long, I would have taken better care of myself!”
Average life expectancy in the United States is at a record high of 78.8
years (76 years for men, 81 for women). The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) credits much of the recent improvement in life expectancy to reductions in deaths from such major illnesses as heart disease, cancer and stroke. A healthy lifestyle plays an important part in not only living longer,
but increasing the quality of our golden years. Joan, 69, and Aaron Tippets, 66, are proof that exercise is not only beneficial, but essential for seniors. Following retirement, the Tippets moved from Las Vegas to Parowan, Utah in 2007.
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HOW PHYSICALLY ACTIVE WERE YOU IN YOUR YOUNGER YEARS? JOAN: Well, after spending 64 months of
pregnancy - we had eight children, including a set of twins - I felt motivated to get out of the house and become more active. I started walking, then got into running, which I did for years. I loved it!
AARON: I was an athlete in high school and later became an avid bike rider.
HOW HAVE YOUR EXERCISE HABITS CHANGED WITH AGE? JOAN: I ended up getting shin splints in
both legs with all the street running. After four or five years of recovery I took up bicycling. Aaron and I would take long bike rides in Vegas, although the traffic would panic me. There’s no traffic in Parowan, though! Now I also enjoy walking and hiking.
AARON: I developed ankle problems that
got so severe that I became mostly disabled for about a year before I had an ankle replacement. After the surgery about all I could do was rock back and forth on an exercise ball. I couldn’t even walk around the block.
JOAN: His surgeon said “I do things that
should change people’s lives, but the majority of them will go home and just do nothing.” Aaron was an exception. Even though it was discouraging at first, he kept doing a little more each day until he was more active. AARON: It actually amazed me what a person can do at my age. You can go from being sedentary and in the hole to getting in really good shape. I found a mini trampoline and started jogging on it and I made myself a promise, that I would get on the trampoline every day, religiously, even if I didn’t do any more than stepping on and back off again. Eventually I was out walking, then back on the bike, sometimes I would come home exhausted. Now, two years later, my wife is trying to keep up with me.
WHAT DOES YOUR CURRENT EXERCISE PROGRAM LOOK LIKE? AARON: I exercise over an hour at least
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five days a week, including weight training, 100 sit-ups and 300 crunches. I take at least a 20 mile bike ride weekly. When I was down with my ankle I couldn’t contemplate riding my bike to the park, but this last weekend I rode 65 miles out to Minersville and back, including a ten mile uphill section!
JOAN: I don’t bike as much as he does,
but I love hiking. I invited him to go hiking with me at Brian Head one day, even though he didn’t think he could handle it. It was quite a revelation! He actually ended up ahead of me, for the first time ever, which didn’t sit well with me. I also lift weights. I started off with five pounds and got discouraged, so I tried one pound weights. Soon, I had moved up to two pounds, and now I’m ready to try three. Last winter, Aaron finally talked me into trying the mini trampoline, and wow! I could exercise out of the cold and it’s much better than jogging on hard surfaces. After ten days I was really enjoying it. I’ll move my arms while on the tramp and watch movies or listen to music, singing off-tune to songs from my youth. I’ll fall off the wagon with exercise sometimes, but that’s OK. I just start again at a slower pace and get back into a routine.
WHAT IS YOUR MOTIVATION TO STAY ACTIVE AS A SENIOR? JOAN: I’d like to be with my family as
along as I can. I’m not afraid of dying, but when you feel healthy you want to live longer and enjoy life. We also encourage each other, especially if we see the other dragging in the morning. We’ll say “You’ll feel better if you exercise, “ or “If you get moving it will hurt less!’
AARON: My reason for wanting to be healthy is my wife and my family. Having that focus has helped me from the very beginning, when I started to recover.
WHAT BENEFITS DO YOU ENJOY FROM REGULAR EXERCISE? JOAN: Now that Aaron is in better shape,
he gets more done in an afternoon than he would do in a month before his ankle replacement and recovery. He does all the gardening now, too - which is why it looks so good, by the way. I love the invigorating oxygenation I get hiking at high alti-
PROMOTE 23
tudes, it makes me feel fabulous, and the endorphins are wonderful!
AARON: I used to say working out made me
tired, now I realize it actually gives me energy. Also, I’ve lost 90 pounds over the past two years!
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE OTHER OLDER ADULTS WHO AREN’T ACTIVE OR DON’T KNOW WHERE TO START? JOAN: You can have a good, productive
older life, but you have to keep moving! If you stop and sit down, it’s going to catch up with you, and then you’re going to feel your age. Take baby steps to begin and steadily increase your activity. Don’t worry about what you see in the mirror. You’re not going to turn into a 29-yearold but you’ll feel great. You’ll be able to do more things with loved ones and not always be in pain. If you slack off, you can always start again, slowly and work up. Try to be as consistent as you can.
AARON: Do something every day and try
to do a little more. Don’t give up, you’re never a failure until you fail to try again.
JOAN: Use weights, that’s especially im-
portant for older people to fend off osteoporosis. Also, we eat lighter, in smaller portions at our age, except on holidays! We want to enjoy life, but we eat to live instead of living to eat.
AARON: I can’t say enough about the mini-
tramp. Anything you do on it is twice as beneficial. It’s the best way I know of to slowly reduce pain throughout the body. Elderly people can even benefit from sitting on a chair and bounding their feet on it.
JOAN: It’s also great for moms with little kids at home. Kids actually enjoy watching their parents exercise, and you can watch them at the same time!
With 33 grandchildren and one great-grandchild, the Tippets may well be setting an example of healthy, moderate physical exercise that will affect generations to come!
PROMOTE
WAS IT SOMETHING
24
I ATE?
FACTS & MYTHS ABOUT FOOD POISONING
V
MARILEE KELLIS GUEST COLUMNIST Marilee is a writer and epidemiologist who currently works for the Arizona Department of Health Services.
omiting, diarrhea and stomach 48 million people in the U.S. each year The details: Despite being frequently cramps, oh my! It starts when who get sick from foodborne diseases, called foodborne diseases, these enteryou feel a little under the weathwith 128,000 hospitalizations and 3,000 ic pathogens are really good at getting er, maybe some body aches and deaths. That means that 1 in 8 Amerifrom one person to another. They are fatigue. Then you might start to cans gets sick from something they ate almost always spread through the ferun a fever. “Do I have the flu?” each year. cal-oral route, which means you have to you ask yourself. Then maybe you lie swallow fecal matter to get sick (gross!). down to rest for a while. But then, faster According to foodsafety.gov, these are Often, that happens when you consume than you can say “barf bag,” you can’t make it to the bathroom soon enough. Most of the time, the last thing you ate wasn’t what made you sick. As the hours and days of misery pass with you lying on the couch thinking about anything other than food, some of the nasty bugs that cause illfood or water that has been contaminatyou contemplate between visits to the nesses sometimes referred to as food ed with the pathogen. bathroom: What was it that made me poisoning or stomach flu: Norovirus, sick? Is this just the stomach flu? That Rotavirus, Salmonella, Shigella, CamBut they can also be spread from direct nasty 24-hour bug everyone’s had? Or or indirect contact with animals that is this food poisoning? carry the germs, or contact with another person who was sick. So, germ particles What is food poisoning? How is it difget on your hands, then they are transferent than the stomach flu? ferred to your mouth. Guess what: There are no real mediAnd often a germ is spread to one percal diseases called “food poisoning” son in one way — say, through food — or “stomach flu.” There is no disease then transferred to other people directly called “the 24-hour flu.” These are just (person-to-person). Really, they’ll get common terms to describe a myriad into your belly any way they can. Salmonella of illnesses that all have very similar symptoms: vomiting and/or diarrhea, MYTH NO. 2: I know I got sick from the chicken maybe with stomach pain, fever and pylobacter, Escherichia coli, Clostrid(or the taco or the take-out) because I started body aches. This cluster of illnesses is ium difficile, Staphylococcus aureus, feeling sick right after I ate it. sometimes called enteric diseases beBacillus cereus, Giardia and Cryptospocause they affect your intestines. They ridium. FACT: Many diseases spread through are also sometimes called foodborne food strike days or weeks after you eat diseases. They are not related to influHere are some myths and facts about it. enza, and the seasonal flu shot does not food poisoning: protect against these diseases, accord The details: Most of the time, the last ing to the Centers for Disease Control MYTH NO. 1: It had to be something I ate. thing you ate wasn’t what made you and Prevention. Many foodborne diseases don’t FACT: Bacteria, viruses and parasites sick. start to produce the toxins that make that are spread through food can be The CDC estimates that there are around you sick until after they are in your spread other ways, too.
SWUHEALTH.ORG “Was it Something I Ate?” continued intestines. Then, it can take some time (days or weeks, sometimes) before enough of the toxin is built up to cause the symptoms. But keep in mind that there are some foodborne pathogens that do produce toxins in food that has been sitting out unrefrigerated. These make people sick more quickly than the bugs that produce toxins after being ingested. But since so many of these foodborne diseases cause similar illnesses, you can’t tell what germ made you sick just by the symptoms. Only a laboratory test of your stool can tell you what germ made you sick. Thus, you can’t tell for sure when you ate food that made you sick.
MYTH NO. 3: I had a different disease than
someone else I know who was sick because I was much more ill.
FACT: Germs can affect people in differ-
ent ways. The details: The same bug can result in different illnesses in different people. The people most severely affected by these germs are the elderly, the very young, pregnant women, and people who have weak immune systems, like people with cancer or AIDS, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Just because your symptoms were much more mild than someone else’s doesn’t mean it was a different disease. You really can’t tell what particular bug made you sick just by the symptoms. Remember that only a laboratory test through your doctor can tell you for sure what made you sick.
MYTH NO. 4: It couldn’t have been the mashed potatoes (or turkey or gravy) because everyone ate that but I was the only one who got sick.
FACT:
Sometimes only one person gets sick after eating a shared food item that was contaminated. The details: Most of the time you cannot tell what it was that made you sick.
NOROVIRUS
ROTAVIRUS
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Remember: It might not have even been the food that made you sick. You might have gotten it some other way. But let’s say that somehow we know for sure the germ that made you sick came from food. Well, sometimes more than one person can eat the same contaminated food and only one person will get sick. Or one person gets much sicker than someone else (see Myth No. 3). There are lots of reasons for this. Maybe the person who got sick was fighting off a different illness or was feeling stressed or tired, so his or her germ-fighting immune system wasn’t up to par. At the same time, maybe everyone else did swallow the germs, but their immune systems fought it off before the germs made them sick. Maybe the people who didn’t get sick actually were sick with a bout or two of diarrhea but didn’t think to mention it. (A lot of people focus on the vomiting and forget or are embarrassed to mention anything about diarrhea.) Or maybe there was a pocket of food that was more heavily contaminated, and the person who got sick drew the “unlucky” card.
MYTH NO. 5: I was the only one who ate the en-
chilada (or the hamburger or the milkshake), so it had to be that. FACT: Most of the time, you can’t tell what
it was that made you sick. The details: In reality, no one can tell for sure what it was that made one person sick. We can get some really good guesses based on risk factors that people may have been exposed to. These might be eating raw or undercooked meat, drinking raw milk, eating raw cookie dough or eating something that was clearly rotten or contaminated. There are also many well-known non-food ways to get these germs: from another person, by drinking or swimming in lake water, from pet food, and from contact with animals like live poultry or reptiles. But unless there is more evidence to prove
SALMONELLA
STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUSESCHERICHIA COLI
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that guess, it remains a guess. Public health officials called epidemiologists and other public health professionals routinely track and investigate foodborne diseases. It is an evolving science, according to the CDC, which combines a solid understanding of disease transmission, exciting and innovative laboratory methods, traditional person-tracking, in-depth interviews with people who were diagnosed with certain diseases, statistical comparisons of risk factors reported by sick people, and effective coordination between regulatory agencies. As a result, in recent years epidemiologists have identified a plethora of sources of foodborne illness that were previously undetected, like sprouted chia powder, sesame paste, spinach and more.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Here are some of the best ways to prevent getting sick from something you ate (from foodsafety.gov): • Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly, especially after using the restroom and before every meal. • Cook food all the way, especially chicken, hamburger, eggs and other foods of animal origin. Use a meat thermometer to be sure. • Do not consume raw milk or products made from raw milk. This is especially important for people most at-risk for serious complications: the very young, the elderly, pregnant women and those with weak immune systems. • Keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold. Store foods immediately after the meal is finished, or within two hours. And if you have diarrhea or vomiting: • Do not prepare food for other people. • See your doctor.
GIARDIA
CLOSTRIDIUM DIFFICILE
CALENDAR 2015 FLU SHOOT-OUT
Flu season arrives this fall. Be ready! Attend your nearest flu shoot-out to get vaccinated. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fast, convenient, and inexpensive (or FREE with some insurances)*
BEAVER
Wednesday, Sept.16 (11am - 3pm) EMS Shed, drive-thru (ages 18+) Tuesday, Sept.22 (2-4pm) Health Dept, walk-in (all ages)
ST. GEORGE
Tuesday, Sept.29 (8am-1pm, parking lot
drive-thru, ages 18+) (1pm-6pm, Center Court, all ages) Red Cliffs Mall
Saturday, Oct.17 (8am-1pm) Dixie Regional Medical Center Health Fair (all ages)
KANAB
Saturday, Oct.10 (9am-1pm) Kane County Health Fair Kanab High School (all ages) FREE for all Kane County residents!
PANGUITCH
Thursday, Oct.15 (11am-3pm) Fire Station (drive-thru and walk-in, all ages)
CEDAR CITY
Saturday, Oct.17 (9am-1pm) Valley View Medical Center Health Fair (all ages) *Flu Shots $20 (nasal spray vaccine $25), cash, check or credit card; or FREE with proof of the following insurances: Altius, Arches, CHIP, DMBA, Medicaid, Medicare (some HMOs), PEHP, SelectHealth, Tall Tree, United Healthcare Wear a short-sleeved shirt. Visit swuhealth.org for updates and consent form (print, fill out, and bring with you to save time!)
RADON POSTER CONTEST Radon is a colorless, odorless, naturally-occurring gas that can seep into homes from the ground. The EPA estimates that radon causes 20,000 deaths from lung cancer each year. Simple testing can determine if there are dangerous levels of radon in your home. To help spread awareness about this hazard, the Southwest Utah Public Health Department (SWUPHD) is partnering with the Utah Department of Environmental Quality 2015 SOUTHWEST UTAH DISTRICT WINNERS (UDEQ) to promote the 2016 Radon Poster Contest!
ELIGIBILITY: Ages 9-18 DEADLINE: October 16th by 5:00 pm PRIZES: State contest winners will receive cash
awards, while 3 local winners will also be selected to receive gift cards
RULES AND SUBMISSION FORMS:
visit www.radon.utah.gov
SCHOOLS: to schedule a short presentation for classes on radon and the contest, contact Shallen Sterner, SWUPHD Environmental Scientist, at 435986-2584
1st Place (Tatiana Lemus)
2nd Place (Kelly Woods)
LOW-COST BLOOD TESTS Tired of pricey blood tests for cholesterol and blood sugar? Does your insurance only cover one test per year? The Southwest Utah Public Health Department is offering low-cost blood tests, no appointment necessary! (St. George, Cedar City, & Kanab offices, see page 2 for addresses)
LIPID PANEL
(cholesterol screening)
$35
A1C
(blood sugar test for diabetes control)
PT-INR
(blood-clotting monitoring)
$25
$25
HEMATOCRIT$15 (anemia screening)
OCTOBER IS ADULT IMMUNIZATION MONTH Vaccines arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t just for kids. See page 10 to find out what vaccines are available to protect adults!
NON PROFIT ORG US POSTAGE PAID SALT LAKE CITY, UT 841 PERMIT # 6563
@SWUhealth