Monthly Archives: July 2010

Diabetes Self-Management Education Program-Classes in Pittsboro and Siler City

Posted on July 29, 2010 | Leave a comment

The Chatham County Public Health Department’s Diabetes Self Management
Education (DSME) program has been educating Chatham County residents with diabetes for almost two years. Health Educator, Kelcy Walker and Nutritionist, Zach Deaton conduct the classes and work with patients. Deaton says, “We really enjoy doing these classes and working with patients. It’s great to see them take control of their diabetes and overall health.” 

To enroll in the program, an individual needs a referral from a primary care provider. Once referred, the health department performs an initial assessment and checks the patient’s A1c level. A1c is the average blood glucose over a three month period. The American Diabetes Association recommends an A1c under 7%. This is equivalent to an average blood sugar of 170. 

The group education portion of the program lasts for 8 hours. The classes cover different aspects of diabetes care such as stress management, nutrition, physical activity, medications, monitoring, chronic complications, and goal setting. 

Mr. Deaton and Ms. Walker continue to follow up with patients after the classes end. At the three month mark, A1c levels, blood pressures, and foot checks are tracked. All participants are also added to the diabetes support group mailing list for continued education and support in managing diabetes. 

The program has been very successful. Of the 52 patients that have participated in the DSME program, the average A1c dropped over two percentage points from 9.1% to 6.9%. Approximately 75% of patients report doing daily self foot checks which is very important to maintain healthy feet. 

Kelcy Walker says, “We’re very happy about the overall success of the program and that we can now offer these services in Pittsboro and Siler City. We feel that we can serve the public better by holding classes in the western and eastern parts of the county.” 

For more information, please go to www.chathamnc.org/diabetes or contact Kelcy Walker at 542-8520 or Zach Deaton at 742-5641.

Share

→ Leave a comment

Posted in Programs, Services, Staff

Tagged , , ,

How to Beat the Summer Heat

Posted on July 27, 2010 | Leave a comment

It’s definitely the dog days of summer. The high
in the Raleigh area on July 25th was 102 degrees, setting a new record. According to the National Weather Service, the month of June was the warmest recorded since data has been kept. The triangle area is hoping to get a break from the heat and humidity this week, but the hot temperatures will likely return.

Here are tips from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on dealing with the heat:

  • Drink more fluids (nonalcoholic), regardless of your activity level. Don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink.
  • Don’t drink liquids that contain alcohol or large amounts of sugar–these actually cause you to lose more body fluid.
  • Stay indoors and, if at all possible, stay in an air-conditioned place. If your home does not have air conditioning, go to the shopping mall or public library
  • When the temperature is in the high 90s, fans will not prevent heat-related illness. Taking a cool shower or bath, or moving to an air-conditioned place is a much better way to cool off.
  • Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.
  • Visit adults at risk at least twice a day and closely watch them for signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke. 

If you must be outside, please follow the following guidelines:

  • Limit your outdoor activity to morning and evening hours.
  • Cut down on exercise. If you must exercise, drink two to four glasses of cool, nonalcoholic fluids each hour.
  • Try to rest often in shady areas.
  • Protect yourself from the sun by wearing a wide-brimmed hat (also keeps you cooler) and sunglasses and by putting on sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher.

For the full list of guidelines from the CDC, please go to- http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/heattips.asp

Share

→ Leave a comment

Posted in Health Information

Tagged , ,

F as in Fat 2010

Posted on July 22, 2010 | Leave a comment

Americans are continuing to get more obese. This is according to the F as in Fat: How Obesity Threatens America’s Future  report from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and Trust for America’s Health. The report finds that “Adult obesity rates climbed in 28 states during the past year and now exceed 25 percent in more than two-thirds of the states, with rates higher among Blacks and Latinos.” 

That is a sobering thought. Even more so is that North Carolina is tied for 10th in the nation for highest obesity rates. Approximately 29.4% of North Carolinians are obese. The report also finds that “adult obesity rates for Blacks are greater than or equal to 30 percent in 43 states and the District of Columbia. In nine states, the rates exceed 40 percent.” (In North Carolina, this figure is 41.1%). Other trends include that “nine of the 10 states with the highest rates of obese children are in the South, as are nine out of the 10 states with the highest rates of poverty.”

Most Americans know that obesity is a major health issue. In fact, the reports states that approximately 80 percent of Americans think that childhood obesity is a problem. Instead of thinking that this problem is too big to deal with, there are many things that can be done to reverse the obesity trend. 

Efforts have been made in the last several years to try and curtail the obesity epidemic in Chatham County. Examples from initiatives at the Chatham County Public Health Department are: 

  • Active Chatham  hosts an annual Reindeer Run 5K. All proceeds are used to enhance facilities for physical activity in Chatham County.
  • The School Health Program works with Chatham County schools to support the Chatham County Public Schools in providing quality health education programs and health promotion activities and healthy school environments for Chatham County Schools’ staff, students, and families.
  • Healthy Chatham’s Obesity Task Force worked with Bennett School during the 2009-2010 school year by helping staff implement an incentive-based wellness challenge.
  • Grants from Eat Smart, Move More NC and the Health and Health and Wellness Trust Fund will allow the health department to partner with schools, the community, and other organizations to provide environments that encourage healthy lifestyles.
  • The health department has been working with three childcare centers to implement the Nutritional and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Childcare (NAP-SACC) program. The evidence-based program helps preschools make healthy changes in food served to children and increase physical activity.
  • The Chatham County Board of Commissioners has approved a new Obesity Prevention Coordinator position in the 2010-2011 budget that will focus on reducing childhood obesity in Chatham County.
  • Numerous other organizations in the county also have obesity prevention initiatives.

Eliminating the obesity epidemic will require a call to action not only from public health but also from individuals, communities, schools, churches, workplaces, businesses, and governments nationwide. 

Please go to the following link for the full F as in Fat 2010 report- http://www.rwjf.org/files/research/20100629fasinfatmainreport.pdf

Share

→ Leave a comment

Posted in Health Information, Programs, Public Health News, Services

Tagged , , ,

Eating Healthy on a Budget

Posted on July 20, 2010 | Leave a comment

The general train of thought is that it is cheaper to eat unhealthy than it is to eat healthy. You can get dinner at a fast food drive thru for three dollars or less a person off the dollar menu. People often think, “I’m saving money by eating here, fresh fruits and vegetables are too expensive! This is not the case. There are plenty of healthy foods that are low cost but high on nutrition and health benefits. In addition, a well rounded diet full of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains is better for your health. 

This High Health, Low Cost article from the July 14th News and Observer focuses on this very topic. There is a little more effort required in planning, shopping, and cooking meals at home but saves you money in the long run. 

For full text of the article, go to- http://www.newsobserver.com/2010/07/14/579934/high-health-low-costs.html 

Other resources to Eating Healthy on a Budget

Share

→ Leave a comment

Posted in Health Information

Tagged , , ,