Family Health: Reach out and read event teaches the importance of going to the doctor

Pediatric patients at the Mobile County Health Department's Family Health clinic
listened on Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2014, as staff member Denise Peel read "Nicky
Goes To The Doctor" by Richard Scarry during a Reach Out and Read event.

MOBILE, Ala. -- Dozens of Mobile County Health Department pediatric patients gathered Tuesday morning for a reading event that featured Nicky the rabbit visiting his favorite physician in Richard Scarry’s book “Nicky Goes To The Doctor.”

Denise Peele, a member of MCHD’s human resources department, grinned as she described the ways Nicky’s doctor, a friendly brown rabbit with floppy ears, measured his height, listened to his heart and checked his vision. When she was finished, children took home a copy of the book and a healthy snack of apples, bananas and bottle of water.

 “We want to remind parents and caregivers that reading to children is one of the most important things you can do to foster an early love of learning,” said Dr. Bernard Eichold, Health Officer for the Mobile County. “That’s why our pediatric clinics take part in the Reach Out and Read initiative every year.”

Throughout the year, children between the ages of 6 months and 5 years seen at MCHD pediatric clinics receive new books during regular checkups as part of the Reach Out and Read-Alabama initiative. This year, copies of the book will be distributed by pediatric healthcare providers statewide who will also talk to parents about the importance of annual well-child visits.

Reach Out and Read is an evidence-based, national nonprofit organization that promotes early literacy and school readiness by giving new books to children and advice to parents about the importance of reading aloud. The model includes providing a new, age-appropriate book for each child to take home from every checkup from 6 months through 5 years of age.

Along with the free book for every child, health providers also offer guidance to parents about the importance of reading out loud with their children daily. Research shows that families served by Reach Out and Read do read together more often, and their children enter kindergarten with larger vocabularies, stronger language skills and a six-month developmental edge
.
Nationwide, Reach Out and Read doctors and nurses serve nearly 4 million children and their families annually at 4,688 pediatric practices, hospitals, clinics, and health centers in all 50 states, targeting those centers which serve children at socioeconomic risk. The 67 Reach Out and Read programs in Alabama serve a total of 129,000 infants, toddlers, and preschoolers annually.

“Scheduled well-child visits help us make sure our youngest patients are developing as they should,” Eichold said. “The book brings that message home in a fun way that even young children can understand.”

University of South Alabama Psychology Clinic offering free depression screenings Oct. 9

MOBILE, Ala. -- The University of South Alabama Psychology Clinic will provide free screenings for depression and other mood disorders at the USA Psychology Clinic, 75 South University Blvd., from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 9, as part of National Depression Screening Day.

National Depression Screening Day raises awareness and screens people for depression and mood disorders and allows individuals to identify warning signs and connect with the appropriate treatment resources. Similar to many physical illnesses, early recognition and treatment offers the best opportunity for recovery from mental illness.

National Depression Screening Day, held on Oct. 9 through the nonprofit, Screening for Mental Health, serves as a supportive community initiative to connect the public with mental health screenings. This year’s theme focuses on viewing and treating mental health with the same gravity as physical health. Hundreds of organizations across the country including community centers, hospitals and colleges are hosting National Depression Screening Day screening events. 

“Mental Health deserves the same attention as physical health,” said Dr. Kim Zlomke, director of the USA Psychology Clinic. “We want to raise awareness for mental health disorders and connect community members who may be struggling with depression or other mood disorders with quality, local treatment options.”

Although the screenings are not diagnostic, they will determine if someone is exhibiting symptoms associated with depression and other mood disorders and if they should seek help. In a recent independent study commissioned by the nonprofit Screening for Mental Health, 55 percent of study participants who completed a depression and mood disorder screening sought treatment within three months. The USA Psychological Clinic is a community based clinic that provides psychological and counseling services on an affordable sliding fee scale. More information on the USA Psychology Clinic is available at www.southalabama.edu/psychology.

The USA Psychology Clinic is also providing free, online screenings for depression and other mood disorders during the month of October at: http://screening.mentalhealthscreening.org/usouthal

Mobile County Health Department HIV Coordinator Diane Glass found her niche in HIV/AIDS education

MOBILE, Ala. -- More than a decade ago, Diane Glass decided it was time to take back her life. Divorced with no job, she took the plunge and enrolled in college. That was in 2002.

At 49, she received tuition assistance to earn an Associate’s Degree at the University of Mobile from a local program. After working for the Mobile County Health Department for a few years, and becoming a Registered Nurse, she is now MCHD’s HIV Coordinator.

“I feel like I found my niche,” Glass said. “I really love teaching. I love going out into the community and educating people about HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases. It’s very rewarding.”

Glass, who has served in the HIV Coordinator role for two years, was spotlighted by Mobile Works on its Facebook page this week as one of their success stories. One reason her job in public health is meaningful, she said, is because of the opportunities she has every week to change perceptions about HIV/AIDS within the community.

“The education piece is really key because of the lack of understanding about how HIV is transmitted,” Glass said. “I talk about how to protect yourself and empower people to take their health into their own hands.”

On Oct. 7, 2014, Glass will travel to Montgomery to be an exhibitor for HIV/AIDS at The Alabama Youth Council. Young people from across Alabama will gather to promote healthy behaviors among local teens.  Students will be encouraged to take a more active role in the prevention of bullying, HIV/AIDS, STIs, teen pregnancy and other adolescent risk behaviors.

As the HIV Program Coordinator for Public Health Area 11, which is all of Mobile County, Glass also provides education on HIV/AIDS and STDs/HIV testing at homeless shelters, drug and alcohol rehabilitation sites, to Mobile Prison Work Release participants, troubled youth in alternative schools, nursing home employees, at Senior Centers. She performs community outreaches at health fairs, and community events such as National HIV Testing Day and World AIDS Day.

“The state also sends me the names and contact information for those who have been newly diagnosed with HIV in Mobile County,” Glass said. “I confirm they are in care. If they are not, I try to find them and encourage them to get into care.”

MCHD: Stylishly protecting public health

MOBILE, Alabama -- The '80s brought us Dynasty and Dallas and big hair. It also brought Mobile County Health Department inspectors to local plants to inspect packaged milk for distribution throughout the area. An MCHD employee looks stylish in a paper hat (Thanks Barbers!) as she carefully inspects cartons of white milk. #TBTMCHD Be sure to check us out on Facebook.

Health officials: Rabid raccoon should serve as reminder to use caution with wild animals

MOBILE, Ala. -- A rabid raccoon discovered in the Foley area in Baldwin County has prompted public health officials to issue precautions about rabies prevention in humans and animals. Rabies in wildlife continues to be a public health threat locally and throughout much of Alabama. Raccoons and bats are the primary reservoir species for rabies, but the virus can infect other animals such as dogs, cats, foxes, coyotes, skunks and ferrets. 

“Rabies in raccoons is not really anything new to this area, however, the biggest challenge for rabies control continues to be keeping it out of the domestic animal population," said State Public Health Veterinarian Dr. Dee W. Jones.

Raccoons can spread rabies through infected saliva by biting or scratching a pet. An infected pet becomes extremely dangerous for owners, family members, and other animals that come into contact with it. The Alabama Department of Public Health tests animals that have bitten or scratched people or their pets. Each year, approximately 50 samples test positive, with raccoons and bats accounting for the vast majority.

In Baldwin County, since 2011, there have been six positive raccoons, two foxes, and one bat, health officials said.  “It is important to note that the positive samples tested only represent those that exposed a person or an animal, which is a fraction of the total positive animals in the wild.”

Once rabies develops in an animal, it is always considered to be fatal. The good news is that rabies can be prevented in animals by vaccination. Alabama state law requires that all dogs, cats and ferrets must be kept current with rabies vaccination. Rabies vaccines are also available for horses and other livestock if recommended by a veterinarian. 

In addition to vaccinating animals, the following precautions should be taken to avoid possible exposure to rabies:
·         Don’t go near domestic animals that are acting in a strange or unusual manner.
·         Instruct children not to go near any non-domesticated animal regardless of its behavior.
·         Advise children to tell an adult if they are bitten or scratched by an animal.
·         Never touch a bat, and contact the county health department if you suspect a bat has been in contact with sleeping adults, unattended children, or pets.

A person who is bitten or scratched by an animal should wash wounds immediately with mild soap and water, apply first aid, and seek medical attention or contact the county health department as soon as possible.  Rabies is preventable in humans exposed to a positive animal if special medical treatment is provided in a timely manner.

For more information, contact the Alabama Department of Public Health, Bureau of Communicable Disease, Division of Epidemiology, at 1-800-338-8734 or the Baldwin County Health Department at (251) 972-6834.

Healthy eating habits topic of student-produced Kinect 6 Extreme video series in Mobile

Mobile County Health Department Social and Nutritional Programs staff members

Rachel Myers and Dana Herazo pick up healthy snacks after the premier of the

Kinect Extreme 6 video series at the Crescent Theater in downtown Mobile on Sept. 20, 2014.

  

MOBILE, Alabama -- Dozens gathered on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2014, for the premier of Kinect Extreme 6, a series of short videos starring local public school students presented at the Crescent Theater in downtown Mobile.  With messages about healthy eating and exercise habits, the audience watched as the local teens acted out real-life situations that offered suggestions on how to make better nutritional choices.

The Kinect Extreme 6 series is a project of the Junior League of Mobile and the Mobile County Public School System, in collaboration with the Mobile County Health Department and the University of South Alabama. In August, MCHD Social and Nutritional Programs staff members visited three area middle schools to weigh and measure more than 550 sixth-grade students as part of an initiative with other agencies to determine the extent of obesity challenges facing area youth.

MCHD has partnered with Junior League of Mobile, the University of South Alabama and the Mobile County Public School System to conduct an assessment study to determine the outcome of evidence-based nutritional and fitness program intervention in sixth-grade students in Mobile County.
"We are working together to combat unhealthy eating," said Tabitha Olzinski, the Nutrition and Assessment Chair for Junior League of Mobile. "Middle school is a time when students really start making their own choices about what they want to eat. We want to help them learn about healthier options."

The assessment will be created by compiling data taken from sixth-grade students and implementing evidence-based programs at three local middle schools. Data collection methods include pre and post participant surveys to gauge nutrition knowledge, demographics, nutrition choices and weight measurement assessments.

Junior League of Mobile will implement the nutrition and fitness program at two area middle schools to students who have permission from their parents to take part. JLM also will implement an evidence-based program called Planet Health through the JLM Kids in the Kitchen program at a third middle school.  The student-produced videos will be shown to students at some of the schools taking part in the project.

Tobacco free: Mobile County Health Department commends CVS on ditching tobacco

MOBILE, Alabama. -- The Mobile County Health Department would like to congratulate the CVS Caremark Corporation, owner of CVS pharmacies, on its decision to stop selling cigarettes and other tobacco products at all of its locations by October 1 of this year.

“We are delighted to have such an innovative business as part of the landscape here in Mobile County,” said Dr. Bernard H. Eichold, Health Officer of the Mobile County Health Department. “Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death and disease in the United States and exposure to secondhand smoke is a preventable cause of significant morbidity and mortality.”

CVS Caremark Corp. announced in February, 2014, it would end sales of all tobacco products by October. The company met the goal a month early, according to media reports, declaring that all tobacco products were out of stores on Sept. 3, 2014. The parent company also announced a name change to CVS Health, to more accurately reflect the vision of the business.

“We hope more pharmacies will follow the lead of CVS as Americans try to kick the tobacco habit,” Eichold said. “Eventually, we want to see every business in Mobile become smoke-free.”

Making the community a healthier place for babies topic of Friday workshop in Mobile

Mobile, Ala. -- An Infant Mortality Conference presented by the Alabama Baby Coalition and the Mobile County Health Department was held Friday, Sept. 12, 2014, at the American Red Cross Headquarters in Mobile. More than 130 participants took part in the day-long seminar.


MCHD's Tony Bondora, who is the ABC coordinator, led the state conference that offers a chance for health care workers and others interested in the health of children to gather and share effective strategies for saving more babies. A presentation was given on the centering pregnancy initiative, which offers expectant mothers at risk for a poor birth outcome the opportunity to join a group of women with similar due dates for monthly visits with a health care provider.   

The Alabama Baby Coalition held the infant mortality workshop in conjunction with National Infant Mortality Awareness Month. In Mobile County in 2013, 54 infants died before their first birthday, at a rate of 9.7 per 1,000 births. That figure represents an improvement from 2012 when 60 Mobile County infants died before their first birthday, at a rate of 10.9 per 1,000 live births, health data shows.

Alabama’s infant mortality rate of 8.6 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2013 is lower than the 8.9 rate recorded in 2012. In 2013, there were 58,182 live births in Alabama and the infant mortality rate represents the deaths of 500 of these infants who did not reach their first birthday.

Research indicates that babies born before 37 weeks of gestation face a higher risk of health problems. The percent of births at less than 37 weeks in Alabama has been trending down steadily to 11.8 percent of all live births in 2013. This compares to 13.4 percent in 2005. Low birth weight infants, defined as those weighing less than 2,500 grams (5 pounds, 8 ounces) were almost 20 times more likely to die than infants of normal weight. Ten percent of births in 2013 were of low weight.
                                                                                    

TEEN Center engaging community in programs to nurture youth

Baby Buggy Walk in the Park: Making Mobile a safer, healthier place for babies to thrive

Human case of mosquito-borne Eastern Equine Encephalitis confirmed in Mobile man

MOBILE, Ala. -- A Mobile resident has tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), lab reports confirm. The 66-year-old male patient remained hospitalized Friday, Sept. 5, 2014, in Mobile. He resides in the 36618 ZIP code of Mobile County.

Eastern Equine Encephalitis is one of the most severe mosquito-transmitted diseases in the United States with a mortality rate of approximately 33 percent, said Dr. Bernard Eichold, Health Officer of Mobile County. “It’s a very serious illness that can leave significant brain damage in survivors.”

Eastern Equine Encephalitis and other mosquito-borne viruses such as West Nile Virus are transmitted from bird to mosquito to bird. Mosquitoes can spread these viruses by feeding on the blood of infected birds and then biting another host animal or mammal such as a horse or human. Although humans and horses can become ill from the infection, the diseases cannot be spread from people or horses. The likelihood of transmission to humans can be decreased by avoiding mosquitoes. There is no vaccine available for humans, Eichold said.

Eastern Equine Encephalitis can be more dangerous to people and other mammals than other mosquito-borne viruses. However the same mosquito-prevention measures reduce exposures to all such viruses. Bites to children should be watched for secondary infections that need to be treated by a physician.

The Mobile County Health Department’s Vector Control division monitors encephalitis in sentinel poultry flocks placed throughout the county to detect the presence of viruses carried by mosquitoes. Mosquitoes are trapped throughout the county and tested for Eastern Equine Encephalitis, West Nile Virus, and St. Louis Encephalitis. According to Vector Control staff, aggressive surveillance and control activities are ongoing.

The most effective and economical method to quell the adult mosquito population is to reduce their emergence from as many breeding sites as possible with larviciding treatments. Inspectors regularly check areas with standing water for mosquito breeding and treat as necessary using both portable and truck mounted equipment.

MCHD inspectors also respond to service requests from residents to inspect backyard areas as well as to treat identified breeding areas and to provide education. Because of large volumes of calls received daily, service requests are responded to on a first-call, first-served basis and may take a few days to be addressed, health officials said.

Whooping cough outbreak: Number of pertussis cases still climbing in Mobile County

MOBILE, Ala. – Seventy-eight cases related to the pertussis outbreak have been reported by the Mobile County Health Department this year. Known as whooping cough, pertussis is a highly contagious respiratory disease marked by uncontrollable, violent coughing which often makes it hard to breathe.

Between May and Sept. 3, 2014, Mobile County reported 78 pertussis cases. That number is up from 27 cases reported in June 20, 2014. In all of 2013, only eight confirmed and probable cases were reported in Mobile County. Of the 78 cases reported so far in the most recent outbreak, 63 have been confirmed, health officials said. There are 13 probable cases. There are open investigations on seven of the pertussis cases.

Pertussis most commonly affects infants and young children and can be fatal, especially in babies less than 1 year old, health officials said. After a coughing fit, someone with pertussis often needs to take deep breaths which can result in a "whooping" sound. The best way to protect against pertussis is immunization.

Doctors who have diagnosed local cases urge residents to be aware of the disease and its consequences. Once a pertussis case has been confirmed, all family members residing with the infected person should receive treatment with antibiotics.

Beginning with the 2010-2011 school year, a Tdap vaccination became mandatory for students age 11 and older entering the sixth grade in Alabama. The Tdap shot protects against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis, also known as whooping cough.

Vaccinations are available on weekdays at MCHD’s downtown location, 251 North Bayou St., from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. All required or recommended vaccinations are free or low-cost based on eligibility. Appointments are recommended, but not required.

Parents and caregivers must bring their children’s immunizations records, Social Security cards and Medicaid cards or other insurance verification. Immunizations by appointment are available at all Family Health locations in Mobile. For appointments, call 251-690-8889.

Here are two links from the CDC to hear what whooping cough sounds like:
http://www.cdc.gov/pertussis/pubs-tools/audio-video.html#pertussis-sounds
http://www.pkids.org/diseases/pertussis.html

TEEN Center planning three-day event focused on helping youth thrive in Mobile Sept. 18-20

 

MOBILE, Ala. -- The Mobile County Health Department's TEEN Center is planning a three-day event: "Nurturing the Roots: Building the Village & Helping Our Youth Thrive Adolescent Conference," scheduled for Sept.18-20 in Mobile.

The goal of the initiative is to strengthen area organizations and those who serve youth throughout the community. TEEN Center team members will focus on sharing strategies to educate, engage and sustain youth and youth programming as it relates to reproductive health, organizers said. Anyone who works with teens, including through local schools, churches or at other venues throughout the community, are welcome to attend. Parents and guardians, also are invited to take part in this three-day event, health officials said.

Thurday, Sept. 18, a documentary about the importance of fatherhood will be presented by Jordan Thierry at the Ben May main branch of the Mobile Public Library downtown. The program begins at 6 p.m. and will include a discussion with Thierry, the film's director, about how to motivate active fathers and men to engage boys, especially boys of color.

Friday, Sept. 19, a day-long event is planned from 8:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. with breakout sessions on topics that include "Effective facilitating: Making youth feel safe," "How to develop youth without judgment," "Being an askable adult," "Organizing for success: Engaging parents to reinvest in their kids" and "Tools for a successful male mentoring program." All break-out sessions will be held at The Bright Spot. in Mobile.

On Saturday, Sept. 20,  from 9 a.m. until noon, a youth rally and march will be held at The Bright Spot in Mobile, and will include speeches and presentations by the TEEN Center's Youth Leadership Team.

For more information, contact Pebbles King, a program administrator with the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program, at 251-690-7525.

Low-cost rabies clinics for pets planned across Mobile County on Saturdays in September

Every month, the Mobile County Health Department’s veterinarian provides hundreds of residents with low-cost vaccines for their dogs, cats and ferrets at a variety of locations.

Between September 2013 and August 2014, the MCHD Rabies Officer provided 2,325  rabies vaccines to domesticated pets. The state of Alabama tasks local Health Department’s with providing rabies vaccinations to pet owners.

Here’s a list of the weekend rabies clinics planned for Saturdays during September in Mobile County:

·         8:00 a.m. to noon, Saturday, Sept. 6, Georgetown community, mile marker 18, on Byrd Cemetery Road, off Lott Road.

·         1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m., Sept. 13, Pet Supplies Plus, 803 Hillcrest Road

·         7 a.m. to noon, Sept. 20, Eddie Smith’s Country Store, 14045 Celeste Road

·         1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., Sept.  27, B&B Pet Stop, 5035 Cottage Hill Road

The cost of the shot is $8 per pet, except at B&B Pet Stop, where the cost is $10. Payment must be made in cash, health officials said.  

About Rabies: Rabies is a virus that attacks the central nervous system. It is transmitted from infected mammals to man and is fatal once symptoms appear. Symptoms of rabies include unusual behavior, irritability, headache, fever, inability to eat or drink, balance problems, circling, seizures, coma, and, finally, death. All warm-blooded mammals, including humans, are susceptible to rabies.

Exposure to rabies may be minimized by eliminating all stray cats and dogs; having pet dogs, cats and ferrets vaccinated; staying away from wild animals, especially those acting abnormally; and not keeping exotic or wild animals as pets, health officials said.

 

West Nile Virus detected in Health Department's sentinel chicken in South Mobile County

 

MOBILE, Alabama – A sentinel chicken used by the Mobile County Health Department to detect mosquito-borne diseases in the community has tested positive for West Nile Virus. The chicken was located in the 36544 ZIP code in south Mobile County.

West Nile virus, which is a form of mosquito-borne encephalitis, has been confirmed by laboratory results, according to Dr. Bernard Eichold, Health Officer for the Mobile County.
 “The public should assume that there are mosquitoes carrying the disease throughout Mobile,” Eichold said. “Don’t let your guard down.” The risk of encephalitis spread by mosquitoes is highest from August through the first freeze in the fall, he said.

Health officials warned that it's extremely important that people taking part in outdoor activities take every effort to reduce their exposure to mosquitoes and should keep mosquito repellent with them at all times when outdoors. Mosquito activity peaks at dusk and again at dawn.
West Nile virus is transmitted from bird to mosquito to bird. Mosquitoes can spread these viruses by feeding on the blood of infected birds and then biting another host animal or mammal such as a human or a horse.

Although humans and horses can become ill from the infection, the diseases cannot be spread from people or horses. The likelihood of transmission to humans and horses can be decreased by personal mosquito avoidance and the use of a WNV and EEE vaccine in horses. There is no vaccine available for humans.

For more than 20 years, the Mobile County Health Department’s Vector Control Division has been monitoring encephalitis in sentinel poultry flocks strategically placed throughout the county to detect the presence of viruses carried by mosquitoes.  Mosquitoes also are trapped throughout the county and tested for WNV, EEE and St. Louis Encephalitis.