New guidelines make getting healthier less overwhelming

Read an article that shows new guidelines for getting healthy. Let’s make this year a healthier year by getting healthy one day at a time. Click here to read the entire article here “

In an article titled “New Physical Activity Guidelines Urge Americans: Move More, Sit Less”  You will find some good tips on how the updated guidelines to get healthier can be easier and less overwhelming.

The information starts out with –

“You’ve likely heard the idea that sitting is the new smoking.

Compared with 1960, workers in the U.S. burn about 140 fewer calories, on average, per day due to our sedentary office jobs. And, while it’s true that sitting for prolonged periods is bad for your health, the good news is that we can offset the damage by adding more physical activity to our days.

The federal government has just updated recommendations for physical activity for the first time in 10 years, essentially to get that message across. Based on a review of several years of new research, the key takeaway of the new guidelines, released Monday, is: Get moving, America!

“The new guidelines demonstrate that, based on the best science, everyone can dramatically improve their health just by moving — anytime, anywhere, and by any means that gets you active,” Adm. Brett Giroir, assistant secretary of health at the Department of Health and Human Services, said in a release.

With a few exceptions, the advice in the new guidelines is not so different from what we were told in the 2008 guidelines. But, here’s the trouble: Only about 20 percent of Americans meet them. This lack of physical activity is linked to $117 billion in annual health care costs, according to a report published Monday in the Journal of the American Medical Association that lays out the new guidelines.”

 

Don’t forget to read more by clicking here. And let’s all get healthy together.

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UINTAH BASIN HEALTHCARE COALITION HOSTS ISO-POD TRAINING

Healthcare and emergency response professionals from throughout the Basin met Wednesday morning at Ashley Regional Medical Center for a special training hosted by the Uintah Basin Healthcare Coalition. Gary Hall, from Global Preparedness, LLC, provided ISO-POD training. An ISO-POD is a portable vinyl enclosure that creates a negative airspace to transport patients with biologically infectious diseases. The unit is used to quarantine an infected person in cases like Ebola, Influenza, or other highly contagious diseases. It also allows first responders and medical staff to treat the patient without contaminating ambulances or areas passed within the hospital during transport.  Thankfully, the ISO-POD can also be decontaminated and reused. In attendance at the training were representatives from Jensen Fire, Gold Cross Ambulance, Ashley Regional Medical Center, Uintah Basin Healthcare, TriCounty Health Department, Bureau of Land Management, Uintah School District nurses and other area partners.

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GARY HALL, GLOBAL PREPAREDNESS, LLC, DISCUSSES THE ISO-POD IN TRAINING

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GIVE EM’ HEALTH: NATIONAL FAMILY MEAL MONTH

It’s National Family Meal Month and local health educators are encouraging Basin residents to make family meal time a priority. Ashley Stegeman, USU Extension educator over the Food Sense program, has a list of reasons why Basin families should invest in family meal time and how to make it easier. Meals provide an opportunity to take time to connect as a family, explains Stegeman. To make it easier, plan meals ahead of time, research meal planning ideas, schedule a set meal time, involve family members in meal prep as well as meal cleanup. Another key to success is establishing family rules and setting all phones and devices aside during meal times. Your efforts can pay off quickly as studies show that children who participate in regular family mealtimes have an overall healthier diet, perform better academically, develop larger vocabularies, and are less likely to engage in risky behaviors. For more information on making the most of family meal time, visit www.tricountyhealth.com.

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TRICOUNTY HEALTH PRESENTS ON EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS AT CHAMBER LUNCHEON

September is Emergency Preparedness Month and while the TriCounty Health ‘Flu Shoot Out’ event has been postponed, Director Jordan Mathis didn’t miss the chance to present on public health preparedness at the Vernal Chamber luncheon this week. Using the Spanish Flu as an example, Mathis asked what would happen if there was a public health event now. He explained that among the impacts would be high absenteeism from work and school as well as shortages of supplies. TriCounty Health tracks all communicable diseases locally and continually trains and prepares for the possibility of a public health event. The annual ‘Flu Shoot Out’ is one example as they use it as an opportunity to practice a method of vaccinating large numbers of people. Citizens are urged to prepare their own families by practicing good health practices, getting all needed vaccinations including the flu shot, and having a family plan and supplies on hand in case of emergency. Households should have at least 72-hour portable kits that include water, food, medication, and other supplies. Families should establish a plan in the event of an emergency that includes setting up communication lines with family and friends, identifying a gathering place, and making arrangements for children and pets if caretakers are stuck at work during an emergency. Finally, it’s important for families to practice what they plan.

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‘CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL HEALTH CARE NEEDS’ CLINICS RETURNING TO UINTAH BASIN

Partnered with TriCounty Health, a service utilized by many local families that was discontinued last year is renewing service. TriCounty Director Jordan Mathis confirmed during Tuesday’s Chamber Luncheon that the Children with Special Health Care Needs program is returning. Previous clinics of the Children with Special Health Care Needs (CSHCN) was a contract the health department used to have with specialists from the University of Utah hospital that gave Basin families a chance to get needed services without traveling to Salt Lake City. The specialists came out to TriCounty Health locations several times a year. It was devastating to some families when they learned that the clinics were discontinued so the fact that they will soon resume is exciting news to many. The program saves a lot of time and frustration and saves on traveling to the Wasatch Front for multiple appointments. For more information or to add a name to the waiting list, call 435-247-1196.

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TEEN OUTREACH PROGRAM USING PHOTOGRAPHY TO HIGHLIGHT LOCAL YOUTH

TOP or the Teen Outreach Program in Uintah County has found a unique way to highlight the youth in their program supported by TriCounty Health Department. The ‘TOP in a Box Art Show’ uses photography to show the world through the eyes of these outstanding youth. About 10 youth from Vernal Middle School are participating in the photovoice project that “gives the youth the opportunity to show others the TOP program through their eyes, through their perspective and to give others a greater understanding of what TOP is, what the youth do, and how they feel about the program.” The public is invited to come and see this unique art show and for everyone to meet the youth behind the photos and to learn how to become involved in the worthy local causes. The public event will be held May 4th from 4 to 6pm at TriCounty Health Department in Vernal.

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UPCOMING ‘DRUG TAKE BACK’ EVENT STRETCHED OVER TWO DAYS, THREE LOCATIONS

An opportunity to make your home and community a safer place is coming up this weekend with the Drug Take Back events in Uintah and Duchesne Counties. Drug Take Back events give the public an opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by giving citizens the chance to safely dispose of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs. Pills and patches will be accepted but the DEA cannot accept liquids, needles, or sharps. Last fall, 456 tons of prescription drugs were turned in at over 5,300 sites across the nation and in that last seven years, over 4,500 tons of pills have been safely disposed of. The importance of these events continue to increase as the issue of prescription drug abuse continues to rise in Utah. Drug Take Back events are planned for Friday, April 27th, at Al’s Food Town in Duchesne from 10am to noon and on Saturday, April 28th, at Davis Food & Drug in Roosevelt and Walmart in Vernal from 10am to 2pm. For more information, visit www.tricountyhealth.com.

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TRICOUNTY HEALTH: IMMUNIZE BY 2 AGAINST 14 DISEASES

TriCounty Health Department is encouraging the community to protect their children and immunize by 2 against 14 serious diseases. The CDC estimates that vaccines will prevent 855,000 deaths in the lifetime of children born between 1994 and 2016. “What an amazing thing that we have vaccines to be able to protect our kids. We need to utilize what we have so we can protect them and create a brighter future,” shares vaccine coordinator Cynthia Mattinson. “As a parent and grandparent, vaccinations help give me peace of mind knowing all that they do to protect those I love.” To learn more information about vaccines, visit www.cdc.gov or speak with a nurse at TriCounty Health Department. TriCounty Health is holding a coloring contest and drawing for children that receive immunizations in April. The health department’s website is www.tricountyhealth.com

On basinnow.com 4-11-18

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WIC HOSTING FIRST ANNUAL HEALTHY EASTER EGG HUNT

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An upcoming Easter activity is health department approved. TriCounty Health’s Women, Infants and Children program, also known as WIC, is adding a twist to the traditional Easter egg hunt by holding its first annual Healthy Easter Egg Hunt next week for kids ages 5 and under. “Unlike traditional egg hunts during the Easter season,” shares TriCounty Health, “WIC is ensuring the event be candy-free. Children who attend will receive healthy treats. Prizes during the egg hunt will encourage the children to get active, get outside and play.” The Easter Bunny is also making an appearance for kids to meet and get a photo with. The hunt will be held March 28th from 11am to noon at the Vernal TriCounty Health location, 133 South 500 East. Children are asked to bring their own basket.

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GIVE EM’ HEALTH: VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

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TriCounty Health Department is always welcoming new recruits to volunteer organizations including the Medical Reserve Corps or MRC. “We can always use more people, more hands on deck,” shares TriCounty representative Liberty Best. The Medical Reserve Corp is among other volunteer organizations under the Citizens Corp which President Bush started in 2002 as a way to organize and utilize volunteers during emergencies. More recruits are needed in the local Medical Reserve Corp. “We do bi-monthly trainings and get together with Citizens Corp and learn about personal preparedness, ways to get ready for a disaster, and once a year drills to learn what their part is in a disaster,” shares Best. “Recruits are only activated if something major were to happen and the Director of the Health Department would have to say we need more volunteers.” Those interested in joining need to be at least 18 years old and a background check will be performed. Learn more at www.tricountyhealth.com.

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