June is Men’s Health Month

The DuPage County Health Department reminds men that just a few lifestyle changes will result in a healthier and longer life.

Statistics show that men die earlier than women, but more than half of these early deaths can be prevented.  The Health Department recommends these changes

  • Eat more fruits and vegetables.
  • Keep serving sizes in check; watch your intake of salt, fat and empty calories.
  • Get enough sleep.
  • Protect yourself from injuries at work, home or play.
  • Get at least 30 minutes of physical activity most days.
  •  Quit smoking.
  • If you drink, do so in moderation. Read more

Avoid The Sun; Avoid Skin Cancer

In honor of “May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month,”  the DuPage County Health Department  reminds residents to protect themselves from the sun, which can damage skin in as little as 15 minutes.

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. Even if it’s cool and cloudy, you still need protection.
Take precautions against sun exposure every day of the year, especially during midday hours (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) when ultraviolet (UV) rays are strongest and do the most damage. UV rays can reach you on cloudy days, and can reflect off of surfaces like water, cement and sand.

The Health Department recommends these precautions:

  • Seek shade, especially during midday hours.
  • Cover up with clothing to protect exposed skin.
  • Wear a hat with a wide brim to shade the face, head, ears, and neck.
  • Wear sunglasses that wrap around and block as many rays as possible.
  • Put on sunscreen with a sun protective factor (SPF) 15 or higher.
  • Avoid tanning beds and sunlamps. The UV rays from them are as dangerous as the UV rays from the sun.

National Infant Immunization Week is April 21-28

National Infant Immunization Week is April 21-28 and the DuPage County Health Department is reminding parents to follow the recommended immunization schedule to protect their children from disease.

Each year, approximately 170,000 babies are born in Illinois and they need to be immunized against 14 diseases before the age of two.

Immunizations not only provide individual protection to each child, but protect the health of the entire community. Vaccines have been so successful that parents may not have heard of some of today’s vaccines or the serious diseases they prevent. Read more

Say "YES" to Good Health

National Public Health Week is April 1-7 and the DuPage County Health Department is celebrating the work of public health professionals and reminding DuPage County residents to take small steps to protect their health.

Since 1995, communities from coast to coast have observed National Public Health Week every April as we raise awareness of issues that are important to everyone’s health. This year’s daily themes will be:

    Monday, April 1: Ensuring a Safe, Healthy Home for Your Family: Health and safety begin at home. Make prevention a fun family tradition.
    Tuesday, April 2: Providing a Safe Environment for Children at School: Schools are the perfect setting for improving child health. Plus, children’s health is a rallying point few can ignore.

Read more

Opportunity for Health Care Providers to Learn About Preventing Childhood Obesity

Healthcare providers are invited to learn more about preventing and treating childhood obesity on April 11, 2013, from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. at Hotel Arista in Naperville. 

The Summit, “Strategies for Pediatric Obesity Prevention and Control,” is free and is intended for healthcare professionals working with children and their families. Continuing Medical Education credits are available. Registration is at 7 a.m. with the program from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. and a local Resources Fair from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Read more

Help Support Smart Snacks in Schools

Parents, students, school staff, community partners and others are invited to comment on USDA’s newly proposed rule supporting “Smarter Snacks in Schools.” These new nutrition standards will ensure that schools offer healthier snacks for our children, while limiting less nutritious foods and beverages sold in school vending machines, snack carts, a la carte, and school stores during the school day.

Parents and schools can and should work together to make certain children are eating healthfully. Many children consume up to half their daily calories at school, and most are eating a snack. Let’s make sure our children are eating healthy options!

The proposed rule:

    Promotes snack foods with whole grains, low-fat/fat-free dairy, fruits, vegetables or protein as the main ingredient. Read more

Dr. Tim Shares Information on Chiropractic Health

Dr. Tim Weselak is a guest on the April 2013 edition of SchoolScape, the District 44 cable television program. In order to share his presentation with a wider audience, it has been uploaded to the Healthy Lombard You Tube Channel.

You can view it by clicking here.

Spring Into Action Against Allergies

Spring arrives today and the DuPage County Health Department has suggestions for people with hay fever to limit their exposure to pollen and mold.

Spring marks the beginning of symptoms for people who cope with this allergy. Seasonal hay fever is one of the most common kinds of allergies. About 35 million Americans suffer from hay fever. Symptoms include sneezing, stuffiness, a runny nose, and itchiness in your nose, the roof of your mouth, throat, eyes or ears. Sometimes the symptoms can turn into chronic respiratory problems, such as asthma. Read more

Use Daylight Saving To Get Healthier

The DuPage County Health Department urges DuPage County residents to add some physical activity to their lives as they “spring forward” into Daylight Saving Time on Sunday, March 10, 2013.
 
The health department recommends that residents use the extra hours of daylight to add some “healthy habits” to their lives. For example:

    Use the extra hour of daylight in the evening to go for a walk,
    begin your gardening when the weather is a little warmer
    begin a new outdoor hobby such as golf or tennis.

District 87 Receives FUTP60 Grant!

 The Glenbard District 87 Wellness Committee is pleased to announce that it is the proud recipient of a $15,500 grant from Fuel Up to Play 60, a program founded by the Midwest Dairy Council and NFL, in collaboration with the USDA.  This initiative provides opportunities that empower students to take charge in ‘choosing good-for-you-foods’ and in exercising for at least 60 minutes per day. Fuel Up to Play 60’s nationwide funding-program offers schools up to $4,000 each to help increase awareness of and access to nutrient-rich foods and physical activity opportunities for students. Funding for this competitive program is provided by the Midwest Dairy Council.  By making changes in their daily school routines, today’s teens can make a difference — not only in their own lives, but also in their communities — by modeling and promoting healthy lifestyle choices. Read more