Fall back, stock up! Nov. 2 is time to prep

The Henry and Stark County Health Departments and the Henry County Office of Emergency Management (OEM) are encouraging the public to remember to make sure that their emergency preparedness stockpiles are up to date when they change their clocks this weekend – Sunday, Nov. 2.

This is all a part of the APHA’s Get Ready: Set Your Clocks, Check Your Stocks campaign. RaeAnn Tucker, health department director of Health Promotion said the effort is designed to remind Americans to make sure that their emergency preparedness stockpiles have adequate food, water and supplies and ensure that nothing is missing or has expired. “The biannual campaign is also designed to encourage Americans who don’t have an emergency stockpile to create one,” she said.

The next clock change for daylight savings time is Sunday, Nov. 2, but the campaign will also be used in the spring, when Americans change their clocks once again. The Health Department and the APHA is also reminding people that they should check their smoke alarm batteries when changing their clocks.

Get ready: Set Your Clocks, Check Your Stocks is part of APHA’s overall Get Ready campaign, which is working to help Americans prepare themselves, their families, and communities for pandemic flu, other emerging infectious diseases, and natural disasters like tornadoes and ice storms.

For a list of what should be in an emergency stockpile, information on rotating stored food and water, stockpiling recipes and other materials, click here.

For more information on the Health Department’s Emergency Preparedness program visit their website at www.henrystarkhealth.com.

Health Departments urge early detection this October

The Henry and Stark County Health Department announced that October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Breast cancer is the most common cancer among American women, except for skin cancers. It accounts for 30%, or one in three of all new female cancers each year.

The American Cancer Society’s estimates for breast cancer in the United States for 2025 are:

● About 316,950 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in women in the U.S. as well as 59,080 new cases of non-invasive (in situ) breast cancer.
● About 42,170 women will die from breast cancer in the U.S.
● The average risk of a woman in the US developing breast cancer sometime in her life is about 13%. This means there is a 1 in 8 chance she will develop breast cancer.

“When considering facts such as these it’s obvious that we, in the public health field, must emphasize the importance of early detection and screening,” said RaeAnn Tucker, health department director of Health Promotion. “Breast cancer is the second most common kind of cancer in women. The good news is that many women can survive breast cancer if it’s found and treated early.”

The Health Departments would like to encourage women to partner with a friend or family member to remind each other to practice monthly breast self-exam and make annual clinical exams and mammogram appointments.

The First Choice Healthcare Clinics of Kewanee and Toulon can provide annual physical exams to area women, including a clinical breast exam and pap smear.

The clinic accepts most insurances and private pay. For more information on the First Choice Healthcare Clinics Women’s Health services call Kewanee 309-852-5272 or Toulon 309-852-3115 or find them on Facebook at Henry and Stark County Health Departments or follow them on Twitter and Instagram.

Walk-In COVID-19 shots offered at First Choice Clinic

The Henry and Stark County Health Departments announce that this year’s updated adult Covid-19 Shots are available at their First Choice Healthcare Clinic in Kewanee while supplies last. Covid-19 shots will be available on a “walk-in” basis Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.- 4 p.m. or by appointment at their Kewanee location, by simply calling 309-852-5272.

At this time, adults with Medicare or “insurance coverage” for the Covid-19 vaccination can obtain the Pfizer 2025-26 updated vaccine. Simply bring your Medicare or insurance card with you. Those with “no insurance coverage” for the Covid-19 vaccination may obtain the Pfizer 2025-26 updated Covid-19 vaccine through the “317 Access Program.”

The Health Department notes the Illinois Department of Public Health -IDPH recommends vaccination with the updated COVID-19 vaccine for the following adult groups:

● All individuals who are or will be pregnant, during any trimester of pregnancy, postpartum, or during lactation.
● All adults ages 18 years and older.

To schedule your appointment, check vaccine availability, cost or coverage, or for more information; call the First Choice Healthcare Kewanee location at 309-852-5272.

Health Insurance help available at upcoming community events

The Henry and Stark County Health Departments and the Get Covered Illinois Navigator Program asks, “Do You Need Health Insurance?” Their Health Insurance Navigators will be present at some upcoming local events to assist anyone looking to set up health insurance coverage:

Chance’s Unique Collectibles, 118 W. 2nd St., Geneseo, Ill.
Thursday, Oct. 30
Noon -3 p.m.

Geneseo Public Library, 805 N. Chicago St., Geneseo, IL
Tuesday, Nov. 4
Noon -3 p.m.

Colona Township Hall, 801 1st St., Colona, Ill.
Friday, Nov. 7
1-3 p.m.

Kewanee Public Library, 102 S. Tremont St., Kewanee, Ill.
Monday, Nov. 10
1-3 p.m.

“Get Covered Illinois” Navigators can help you:

● Find affordable health coverage that meets your needs
● Fill out and submit your application
● Compare quality health plans side-by-side
● Find out if you qualify for financial help to lower your monthly premium
● Find out if you qualify for Medicaid or an affordability program
● Understand your benefits
● Understand health insurance terms
Remember you may be eligible to enroll in a Get Covered Illinois health plan outside of the usual Open Enrollment, or make changes to your existing coverage, if you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP). The SEP may require you to enroll within 60 days of a Qualifying Life Event.

A qualifying life event is a life change, such as:
Loss of Health Coverage, due to:

● Losing job-based coverage
● Losing Medicaid coverage
● Losing Health Benefits for Immigrant Seniors or Health Benefits For Immigrants Adult coverage
● A divorce or legal separation
● Turning 26 years old, no longer eligible for parents’ coverage

Other Qualifying Life Events include:

● Getting Married
● Having a baby or adopting a child
● Moving to a new ZIP code or county
● Becoming a US Citizen
● Leaving incarceration.

For more information on this Get Covered Illinois Navigator Event or assistance in enrolling in a Get Covered Illinois Healthcare Marketplace please call 309-852-5272.