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VDH Provides Comprehensive Public Health Response to Hurricane Isabel Kelly Vance Lobanov Editor Hurricane Isabel tore through northern, eastern and central Virginia last September, destroying homes and businesses in its path. Power outages, fallen trees and flooding compromised water systems in several areas causing many towns and cities to undergo boil water advisories. Thirty hurricane-related casualties were reported. Isabel wreaked havoc, but state and local health department staff were prepared to respond. "I commend our state and local health departments for rising to the challenges posed by Hurricane Isabel and their dedication to the protection of the public's health," said State Health Commissioner, Robert B. Stroube, M.D., M.P.H. Leading up to the storm, Emergency Preparedness and Response Programs staff coordinated preparations and activities. Local health districts received Hurricane Response plans for assistance in assessing vulnerabilities and preparing for the imminent arrival of Hurricane Isabel.
Representatives from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services were also present to offer assistance and support as needed.
VDH supported statewide restoration and recovery efforts by:
As boil water advisories are lifted, trees are cleared away and community life returns to normal, many VDH staff will evaluate its preparedness and response efforts. These evaluations, or "lessons learned," will help the state health department improve upon its emergency preparation and response for the future.
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| In the News
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| Protect
Yourself! Protect Your Loved Ones! Get Vaccinated Against
Influenza!
Influenza is a serious disease that is easily transmitted to and by people who are not immunized. It is caused by viruses that infect the nose, throat, and lungs. Influenza viruses usually spread through the air from person to person when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. Getting vaccinated is your best protection against influenza. Although you may think the influenza vaccine is only important for older adults, rates of infection with influenza are actually highest among children. Almost everyone can benefit from being immunized. The vaccine is the best way to prevent the illness and its potentially severe complications. Influenza, also called the flu, can cause fever, cough, sore throat, headache, chills, and muscle aches. Unlike the common cold, the flu causes severe illness and can be life threatening. Complications from the flu can lead to pneumonia and other serious illnesses. Each year in the United States influenza causes an average of 36,000 deaths and 114,000 hospitalizations. Some people are at increased risk for developing complications from influenza. Vaccination is recommended for these high-risk groups and for people who come in contact with them (such as household members and health care workers). An annual dose of flu vaccine is recommended for anyone six months of age or older who falls into one of the categories listed below:
The best time to get the flu vaccine is in October or November; however vaccination in December, or even later, can still prevent the flu. Protection develops about two weeks after vaccination and may last up to a year. Most people need only one dose of vaccine each year to prevent influenza. However, children under 9 years of age getting flu vaccine for the first time will need a booster dose one month after their first flu shot.
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"This milestone of $1 billion means we have changed our buying culture and shown Virginia to be a model for the nation in public sector e-commerce," said Governor Warner. The State Health Department was an "early adopter" of the eVA system. Since March 2001, VDH has processed over 8,500 purchase orders totaling in excess of $36 million dollars. "eVA allows us to enter information electronically that was previously submitted by hard copy," said Debbie Vergara, Acting Director, Office of Purchasing. "It helps save time and money." Eight more local health districts are expected to begin ordering products through eVA by the end of 2003. By 2004, all 35 Virginia health districts will have access to the eVA system.
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Virginia Fights Antibiotic Resistance Kate
Grant Statistics indicate the inappropriate use of antibiotics is widespread and poses a severe threat to public health. According the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 50 percent of all antibiotic prescriptions are unnecessary and 30 percent of the bacteria Streptococcus Pneumoniae, the bacterium responsible for most ear infections is resistant to penicillin. The Get Smart Virginia campaign aims to raise consumer awareness about when and how antibiotics should be used. A variety of media and awareness activities are being planned for the early Fall. The campaign will deliver key messages to consumers including:
Individuals and organizations interested in participating with the state in this campaign should contact Kate Grant, Project Director, Virginia Department of Health at (804) 225-2309.
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Preventing Food Borne Illness During the Holidays: Tips for a Safe and Savory Holiday Season
Common food-borne illnesses are usually caused by different kinds of bacteria that can be found in foods, such as raw meats, eggs, and unpasteurized milk or juice and cheese products. "Proper handling and cooking of these foods is the key to preventing illness," Dr. Woolard said. The Virginia Department of Health offers the following recipes for safely serving your favorite holiday foods:
Chitterlings
Eggnog &
Cider Sipping Cookies &
Cakes More tips from the Virginia Department of Health to prevent food-borne illnesses:
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| Your
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| VDH
Supports Remote Area Medical Exposition
Dr. Sue Cantrell, Lenowisco Health District Director who plays a key role in the RAM organization, said this year event in southwest Virginia had 4,749 patient encounters setting a world record for the clinic. RAM is a non-profit health outreach organization founded in 1985 by Stan Brock, former co-host and associate producer of "Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom " television program. RAM partners include the Virginia Department of Health, Bon Secours St. Mary's Hospital, the University of Virginia Hospital, Virginia Dental Association, Lions Club of Virginia, the Appalachian Regional Community Head Start and the Virginia chapter of Volunteer Optometric Services. People began lining up by 6:30 a.m. on Friday, July 25, at the Wise County fairgrounds for the free services being provided for those who cannot afford to pay - uninsured, underinsured or unemployed. Services included dental care, eye and hearing exams, bone density tests, blood work, cholesterol and diabetes screenings, pulmonary checks, pap smears, cancer screenings and other medical assistance. Reports show that the people who waited in line for hours to get dental, vision and other medical treatments received about $653,000 worth of services. Dental services were most in demand and the Virginia Dental Association estimates about $412,000 in services dispensed. The Lenowisco Health District has participated in providing services for the past four years of the event, including diabetes screening and education, pap testing and referral for mammography, general medicine evaluations, HIV testing, follow-up for dental patients who have complications and other services. The health district provides its mobile clinic and gathers donated supplies. "I think this year's pre-event planning made it seem like it was less work than in the past three years. We improved the layout, patient traffic pattern, communications, volunteer orientation, scheduling and work assignments," Dr. Cantrell said. "Each year is a learning experience and that recognition creates an atmosphere of cooperation, respect and camaraderie that is unequaled in my experience. Governor Mark R. Warner also attended this year's exposition to announce an expansion of Medicaid telemedicine services, including a link between Bon Secours St. Mary's Health Wagon in Dickenson County and the University of Virginia Health System in Charlottesville. Also attending the RAM clinic were state Secretary of Health and Human Resources Jane Woods and Virginia State Health Commissioner Robert B. Stroube, M.D., M.P.H.
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Charles City County: On the Road to "Living Fit" Sue Whittaker and John Jason Cecil
"Living Fit!" is the name of the local Virginia Cardiovascular Health Project in Charles City County and neighboring New Kent County. The Virginia Cardiovascular Health Project is a statewide initiative funded by a grant from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and implemented by VDH through seven health districts. The goal of "Living Fit!" is to increase opportunities for physical activity and healthy nutrition in Charles City County and New Kent County through environmental and policy change. The vision of the Charles City County Health and Fitness Center originated a few years ago with Charles City County residents. Securing the necessary community support and resources was a daunting task. When Project Coordinator JohnJason Cecil and Project Supervisor Sue Whittaker began organizing a "Living Fit!" coalition in the community, the development of a health and fitness center became a possibility and a priority. With support from Acting County Administrator Jacqueline Wallace, together they assembled a project steering committee and facilitated its meetings, ensuring focused and efficient efforts to accomplish the group's mission. With over $35,000 of in-kind support from Charles City government and community partners, two rooms in a former school were renovated. Floor matting, wall mirrors, air conditioning and new or gently used commercial-grade fitness machines project a professional atmosphere similar to larger fitness centers found in the surrounding counties. During its business hours, the center is attended by staff and volunteers of Charles City Department of Parks and Recreation. After more than a year of planning and hard work, the Charles City County Health and Fitness Center held a grand opening on July 1. Many community organizations, such as the American Heart Association, the American Lung Association, Massey Cancer Center, John Randolph Hospital and Bon Secours provided booths and educational information at the grand opening celebration. In 2000, over 60 percent of the deaths in Charles City County were attributed to cancer, heart disease, diabetes or stroke, ranking Charles City among the localities with the highest chronic disease mortality rates. Studies have shown that all four of these diseases can be positively affected through regular physical activity. With the help of "Living Fit!" and the new Charles City County Health and Fitness Center, residents are working together to reduce the prevalence of these chronic conditions.
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Childhood Obesity Task Force: Making Strides
Four years later, the Childhood Obesity Task Force has channeled the commitment, talent and resources of several local agencies, organizations and individuals into addressing and evaluating efforts for the prevention and treatment of overweight among community children. Task force members considered schools the highest priority for its efforts. Faced with the realities of competing academic demands, members worked with school teams to implement innovative projects. Some provide after-school physical activity programming. Others use challenges to encourage students to drink low-fat milk, eat more fruits and vegetables and walk around the track. Grants supported the purchase of bikes, helmets, storage units and the piloting of a Safe Routes to School project in Charlottesville City. Funding for these and other school initiatives came from several sources, including Martha Jefferson Hospital and Virginia Departments of Health, Education and Motor Vehicles. At the same time task force members have maintained a presence with the local school administrators, School Boards and School Health Advisory Boards. As a result, a healthy snack pyramid handout created by the task force will be distributed to Charlottesville City students in grades K-10; new guidelines for vending machines have been implemented in Albemarle High Schools this school year. With task force support, directors of the school nutrition services continue to creatively promote and sell healthier snack and a la carte items to students. Concurrently, the Childhood Obesity Task Force administered a physical activity preference survey to over 900 fifth through eighth graders in Charlottesville. Results are being used to help determine where there are gaps in community and after-school programming based on children's stated desires.
Recognizing the critical role of health care providers in addressing overweight, members developed a series of professional development opportunities on the identification, referral and treatment of overweight children. Presentations have been made at the local medical society, University of Virginia Medical Center Hour, Pediatric Grand Rounds and the Blue Ridge Area Dietetic Association. Just a year ago task force dietitians and physicians volunteered their time and expertise to implement a free clinic for children identified as overweight.
Have we made a difference? Only time and evaluation will tell. However, four years since its inception, the Childhood Obesity Task Force has made inroads that no one thought possible. And we're still moving.
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| VDH
Accolades
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Virginia Department
of Health Staff Receive National Health Communication Awards
The Virginia Department of Health public relations and Web team received recognition for excellence in public health communications from the National Public Health Information Coalition during the organization's 2003 annual conference. "Our public information and Web staff deserve this acknowlegement for their hard work and commitment to public health communication," said State Health Commissioner, Robert B. Stroube, M.D., M.P.H. The award recipients are as follows:
The National Public Health Information Coalition is an independent organization of professionals sought after to improve America's health through public health communications.
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By
September 17, VDH staff had begun working in shifts in the State
Health Department Emergency Coordination Center and State Emergency
Operations Center (EOC). They successfully maintained uninterrupted
connectivity, with continuing updates from all 
After
the storm, Emergency Preparedness and Response Programs staff continued
to participate in daily calls with the 
Last
September, 
As
the holiday season arrives many Virginians will be cooking holiday
meals for family and friends. Don't let carelessness in the kitchen
overshadow the festivities and leave a bad taste in your family
and friends' mouths! The Virginia Department of Health has recommendations
for food preparation and storage that will help prevent food-borne
illnesses. "Food-borne illnesses, such as 
The
Remote Area Medical (RAM) Exposition free health clinic in Wise
County set a record in late July for the most patients seen in one
day and the event organizers are already planning the 2004 event
with hopes to set yet another record. 
Now
residents of Charles City don't have to leave the county in order
to work out. The new Charles City County Health and Fitness Center
offers the use of resistance and aerobic equipment at an affordable
price. 
Stemming
the tide of overweight among children is not an easy proposition,
given the many factors that have contributed to this problem. In
1999, armed with local assessment data that indicated that over
one in three children were considered overweight or at-risk for
overweight and recognizing their risk for developing several chronic
diseases, the 