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Dr. Sheila Pinette Director, Maine CDC Osteopathic physician Public Health Update April 5, 2012 In this update: County health rankings Salmonella from baby chicks Donate Life Month Autism Sodium Influenza Human rabies pre-exposure prophylaxis services Immunization conference Awareness campaigns Call for abstracts Follow us County health rankings The third annual County Health Rankings (http://www.countyhealthrankings.org/) were released April 3. Rankings were completed in all 50 states. Counties were ranked within states only, with no comparison between states. The report helps identify factors that influence health in each county. All Maine counties, regardless of their ranking, have to celebrate and challenges to address. For years, public health data have shown that many counties in Maine with lower incomes and educational attainment are less healthy. Such disparities continue to be reflected in these rankings. However, the report also shows significant variation. For instance, some counties with similar socioeconomic profiles have very different rankings for health factors and outcomes, suggesting that a complex array of factors influences the health of our communities. Although some of our counties have better health outcomes than others, it is important to note that overall Maine is one of the healthiest states in the nation, ranking eighth healthiest state in 2010 and 2011 by the United Health Foundation’s America’s Health Rankings. Maine’s public health system is charged with using a variety of data sources, including rankings such as these, to improve the health of all communities in Maine. Significant health improvement planning efforts are underway at the local, district, and state levels. Salmonella from baby chicks Traditional springtime activities may include purchasing baby chicks. Baby chicks can be wonderful pets, but it is important to know that even healthy-looking chicks may be carrying dangerous germs called Salmonella. Keep kids from getting sick by making sure they: Do not put their hands in their mouths after touching chicks Do not kiss chicks on their beak or feathers Do not handle or clean cages or food containers Do not eat or drink near baby chicks Do not put their mouths on objects that have been near chicks or their cages Children younger than five should not handle baby chicks, but if they do, be sure you: Keep chicks out of the kitchen and other living areas Wash children’s hands thoroughly with plenty of running water and soap after contact with chicks Contact your health care provider or go to a clinic if your child has diarrhea or vomiting For more information, visit http://go.usa.gov/mZF ---PAGE BREAK--- Donate Life Month April is National Donate Life Month. More than 100,000 US patients are currently waiting for an organ transplant. More than 4,000 new patients are added to the wait list each month. Organ donation takes healthy organs and tissues from one person for transplantation into another. Experts say that the organs from one donor can save or help as many as 50 people. Organs you can donate include Kidneys, heart, liver, pancreas, intestines, lungs Skin Bone and bone marrow Cornea Most organ and tissue donations occur after the donor has died. But some organs and tissues can be donated while the donor is alive. Maine residents who are 16 years of age or older can help save lives by signing up on the Maine Organ Donor Registry. Registration is free and takes a few minutes a couple of minutes. You can sign up or check your registration at http://www.maine.gov/sos/bmv/donatelife/ Maine CDC Director Dr. Sheila Pinette will join other members of the Organ Donation Advisory Council appointed by Gov. Paul LePage and Secretary of State Charles E. Summers Jr. at a ceremony to raise awareness of organ donation at 2 p.m. today at the State House. For more information about organ donation, visit http://www.organdonor.gov/ Autism US CDC has released a report on the prevalence of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). The MMWR is available at http://go.usa.gov/mBl The community report is available at http://go.usa.gov/mBi US CDC estimates 1 in 88 children has been identified with an ASD and considers ASDs an important public health concern. US CDC is committed to continuing to provide essential data on ASDs, search for risk factors and causes, and develop resources that help identify children with ASDs as early as possible. Maine CDC supports US CDC’s new training for health professionals to help them identify autism and provide quality care, which is described at: http://www.cdc.gov/Features/AutismTraining/ For more information, visit http://www.cdc.gov/Features/CountingAutism/ Sodium According to a study released in 2010 by Stanford University, less than a 10 percent reduction in sodium in a person’s diet could help many Americans avoid heart attacks and fatal strokes. This April, Maine CDC’s Cardiovascular Health Program began a campaign to raise awareness of foods that are high in sodium and the importance of monitoring how much to reduce sodium consumption. According to a study done by US CDC, the average American adult eats about 3,300 milligrams of sodium each day. That is at least 1,000 milligrams more than people should be eating. Most sodium is found in packaged, processed and restaurant foods. The foods that are the biggest sources of sodium may be surprising. According to US CDC, bread and rolls are the top sources of sodium in the American diet, followed by cold cuts, pizza, poultry, and soups. More information on sodium and how to reduce the risks of heart attack and stroke is available at www.mainehearthealth.org ---PAGE BREAK--- Influenza Maine CDC continued to report sporadic flu activity for the week ending March 31. Weekly updates on flu activity are available online: for Maine: http://go.usa.gov/NoK for the US: http://go.usa.gov/ITB for the world: http://go.usa.gov/ITK Maine CDC reminds everyone to take everyday preventive measures against the flu: Wash your hands frequently Cough and sneeze into your elbow or shoulder Stay home when you feel sick Get vaccinated Human rabies pre-exposure prophylaxis services The following table is a non-exhaustive list of healthcare providers in Maine known to provide rabies pre- exposure prophylaxis. The purpose of this list is to assist Mainers in finding a location to receive rabies pre- exposure prophylaxis. Unfortunately, Maine CDC is unable to assist financially. County Town Facility/Provider Phone # Androscoggin Auburn Work Med Travel Clinic 753-3080 Androscoggin Lewiston Central Maine Medical Center (CMMC) 795-2892 Androscoggin Lewiston CMMC Infectious Disease Associates 795-2729 Androscoggin Lewiston Occupational Health + Rehabilitation Inc. 784-1680 Androscoggin Lewiston Saint Mary's Regional Medical Center 777-8515 Aroostook Ashland Ashland Health Center 435-6341 Aroostook Limestone Pines Health Services Loring Health Center 328-4631 Aroostook Mars Hill Central Aroostook Health Center 429-8333 Aroostook Presque Isle Pines Health Services 769-2025 Aroostook Presque Isle TAMC Occupational Health & Wellness 768-4568 Cumberland Bridgton Occupational Health & Rehabilitation 647-6063 Cumberland Brunswick Maine Bowdoin Health Services 725-3770 Cumberland Portland City of Portland Public Health 874-8446 Cumberland Portland Maine Medical Center International Clinic 662-2911 Cumberland Portland Marginal Way Intermed 347-2908 Cumberland Portland Occupational Health & Rehabilitation Inc. 774-7751 Cumberland So. Portland Beacon Occupational Health 871-1800 Cumberland Yarmouth Harbor Side Family Practice 846-2229 Franklin Farmington Franklin Memorial Hospital Travel Medicine Clinic 779-2367 Franklin Farmington Franklin Memorial Hospital 779-2367 Hancock Blue Hill Blue Hill Memorial Hospital 374-3495 Kennebec Augusta Maine General Medical Center-Workplace Health 626-1936 Kennebec Augusta Occupational Health & Rehabilitation Inc. 629-5005 Kennebec Waterville Inland Hospital 861-3329 Kennebec Waterville Maine General Medical Center 872-4260 Knox Rockport Health Connections Occupational Health 593-5566 Lincoln Boothbay Harbor Lincoln County Healthcare 563-4385 Oxford Rumford Rumford Hospital 369-1090 Penobscot Bangor Bangor Department of Health 992-4548 ---PAGE BREAK--- Penobscot Bangor Health works 992-0099 Penobscot Bangor Occupational Health & Rehabilitation 941-8300 Penobscot Bangor St. Joseph Hospital 907-1970 Sagadahoc West Bath Occupational Health Associates of Maine 442-8625 Somerset Skowhegan Redington-Fairview General Hospital 858-2423 Washington Machias Down East Community Hospital 255-0495 York Biddeford Work Well at Southern Maine Medical Center 283-7600 York Kennebunk Goodall Occupational Health Clinic 490-7099 York York York Hospital 361-3636 Immunization conference Maine CDC’s annual Immunization Conference will be held from 8 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. April 23 at the Augusta Civic Center. This conference is dedicated to a review of emerging and existing issues relating to immunization practice, at the federal, state and local levels. Current and near future immunization issues will be presented by Maine CDC as well as national and local experts. The intended audience includes health professionals who are responsible for managing or staffing at a professional level, or supporting child and adult immunization programs, health program administrators, nursing professionals, physician assistants, and physicians. The cost is $50. For more information and to register: http://adcarecdc.neias.org/immunization/ Awareness campaigns April is STD Awareness Month, an annual observance to call attention to the impact of STDs and to promote STD testing across the country. Adolescents and young adults are particularly vulnerable to STDs. In fact, young people between 15 and 24 years of age account for nearly half of all STD cases. Health care providers can make a difference by educating young patients about sexual health and STD prevention. For more information, visit www.mainepublichealth.gov/std April is also Minority Health Month. This year’s theme is “Health Equity Can't Wait. Act Now in Your CommUNITY!” Learn more at http://minorityhealth.hhs.gov/ or A new CDC national tobacco education campaign called "Tips from Former Smokers" features real people who are living with the complications of smoking-related diseases and exposure to secondhand smoke. This campaign encourages smokers to quit and is available at http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/campaign/tips/ For local resources, visit www.tobaccofreemaine.org or call 1-[PHONE REDACTED] Call for abstracts The Maine Public Health Association has issued a Call for Abstracts for breakout sessions at its 2012 fall conference. The conference theme is “Community Connections: Building Creative Partnerships for the Health of All Mainers.” It will be held Oct. 17 at the Augusta Civic Center. MPHA encourages abstracts in all areas of public health. Students are also encouraged to apply. Abstracts should be 500 words or less and must include learning objectives. MPHA membership is not required to submit an abstract; however, presenting authors must register for the annual meeting at a discounted rate. All abstracts must be submitted by e-mail ([EMAIL REDACTED]) or fax (207- 622-3616) by 5 p.m. April 10. The Call for Abstracts form is available at http://www.mainepublichealth.org/news.php Follow us Follow Maine CDC’s Social Media Updates: Facebook: www.facebook.com/MaineCDC Twitter: http://twitter.com/MEPublicHealth Blog: http://mainepublichealth.blogspot.com ---PAGE BREAK--- You may subscribe to these updates for free through an RSS feed at http://www.maine.gov/tools/whatsnew/rss.php?tid=1049. In Internet Explorer and Firefox, you will be prompted to Subscribe to the Feed and then select the folder where feeds are stored. For clinical consultation and outbreak management guidance, call Maine CDC’s toll-free 24-hour phone line: 1-[PHONE REDACTED]