Health

IDPH to recognize National Public Health Week

Submitted by Amber Ruch, KFVS12 County News Web Producer

Monday, April 2nd, 2012, 1:26pm

IDPH to recognize National Public Health Week

(KFVS) - The Illinois Department Public Health announced they will be joining communities nationwide recognizing National Public Health Week April 2-8 to raise awareness about the prevention and wellness through this year's theme: "A Healthier America Begins Today: Join the Movement."

The first full week of April has been observed as National Public Health Week since 1995 for communities nationwide to recognize the contributions of public health and highlight issues that are important to improving the public’s health.

“Everyone has a role to play in creating healthier communities and this year’s theme encourages all of us to start now in taking active, strategic steps to get healthy and stay healthy,” said IDPH Acting Director Dr. Arthur Kohrman.

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IDPH recognizes World Tuberculosis Day

Submitted by Amber Ruch, KFVS12 County News Web Producer

Saturday, March 24th, 2012, 10:00am

(KFVS) - The Illinois Department of Public Health is recognizing March 24 as World Tuberculosis Day by embracing the local theme, “TB: Waves of Change, Oceans of Opportunity” and adopting the global slogan “Stop TB in My Lifetime.”

World Tuberculosis Day is a reminder that although the illness is not common in the United States, it is still circulating around the world. IDPH says Illinois ranks fifth in the nation for the highest number of tuberculosis cases.

“Although Illinois experienced a record low number of new tuberculosis cases during 2011, the increase is cases worldwide can mean more cases here. And many of the new cases are drug-resistant tuberculosis cases, which are harder to overcome” said Dr. Arthur F. Kohrman, acting director for the Illinois Department of Public Health. “I urge all citizens to increase their awareness of tuberculosis and to join the global effort to stop the spread of this disease.”

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UCH to hold Healthy Woman event in March

Submitted by Amber Ruch, KFVS12 County News Web Producer

Friday, March 16th, 2012, 7:00pm

UCH to hold Healthy Woman event in March

UNION COUNTY, IL (KFVS) - Union County Hospital will hold their Healthy Woman Anniversary Event on March 29.

The event will be at Von Jakob's Vineyard just north of Alto Pass. They will host a women's expo at 5 p.m. followed by a dinner and keynote speaker at 6:30 p.m.

The keynote speaker this year is Eliz Greene. She suffered a massive heart attack while pregnant with twins and now speaks across the nation about health and wellness while entertaining with her wit and humor. Greene is a national spokesperson for the American Hearth Association. You can click here to look at her website.

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Free colon cancer screenings scheduled throughout Southern Ill.

Submitted by Amber Ruch, KFVS12 County News Web Producer

Tuesday, March 6th, 2012, 6:59pm

Free colon cancer screenings scheduled throughout Southern Ill.

(KFVS) - Hospitals across Southern Illinois are offering free colon cancer screenings Friday, March 30 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

You can stop by the following locations for a free screening:

CHESI in Cairo
Chester Memorial Hospital
Fairfield Memorial Hospital
Ferrell Hospital
Franklin Hospital
Hamilton Memorial Hospital
Hardin County Hospital
Harrisburg Medical Center
Heartland Regional Medical Center
Marshall Browning Hospital
Massac Memorial Hospital
Pinckneyville Community Hospital
Red Bud Regional Hospital
Salem Township Hospital

According to the American Cancer Society, while the cancer incidence rates have been steadily declining over the past decade, colon cancer remains the third leading cause of cancer death in both men and women in the U.S.

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COWL introduces "Go Red for Women" walking challenge

Submitted by Amber Ruch, KFVS12 County News Web Producer

Thursday, February 23rd, 2012, 3:29pm

COWL introduces "Go Red for Women" walking challenge

(KFVS) - The Illinois Department of Public Health, Conference of Women Legislators and the American Heart Association team up in February for "Go Red for Women."

According to the COWL, each legislator that signs up for the challenge will receive a pedometer donated by the AHA. Each day between March 5 and April 29, participating legislators will record the number of steps they take each day, and report the total number of steps to IDPH each week.

“Today we are challenging the women of COWL to help us spread awareness of the fight against heart disease by taking personal action to prevent it,” said Mark E. Peysakhovich, senior director of Governmental Relations with the American Heart Association. “We challenge each participant to track their steps over the next several weeks of the legislative session with the pedometer. Pfizer Inc. will donate $1 for every mile walked, up to $5,000, to go toward the COWL scholarship fund.”

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Health Dept. to participate in American Heart Month

Submitted by Amber Ruch, KFVS12 County News Web Producer

Thursday, February 2nd, 2012, 4:37pm

Health Dept. to participate in American Heart Month

FRANKLIN AND WILLIAMSON COUNTY, IL (KFVS) - The Franklin-Williamson Bi-County Health Department is participating in American Heart Month during February to help prevent heart disease and increase awareness of its affects.

The health department says heart disease kills an estimated 630,000 Americans each year. In the U.S., the most common type of heart disease is coronary artery disease, which can lead to a heart attack. The health department says you can greatly reduce your risk for CAD through lifestyle changes and, in some cases, medication.

According to the health department, you can make healthy changes to lower your risk of developing heart disease. Some tips include:

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Friday is National Wear Red Day for the AHA

Submitted by Amber Ruch, KFVS12 County News Web Producer

Wednesday, February 1st, 2012, 1:56pm

Friday is National Wear Red Day for the AHA

(KFVS) - The American Heart Association is reminding everyone to wear red on Friday, Feb. 3 for National Wear Red Day.

The AHA says this is the day hundreds of thousands of men and women remember the women who lost their lives to heart disease and pledge to fight this number one killer of women.

For more information, you can click here to visit the Wear Red Day website.

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