Local clinics highlight services for World Contraception Day, Sept. 26

Sept. 26 has been designated World Contraception Day -WCD.
The primary goal of the World Contraception Day campaign centers around a vision where every pregnancy is wanted. WCD’s mission is to improve awareness of contraception and to enable young people to make informed choices on their sexual and reproductive health.

The Henry and Stark County Health Departments remind area residents that their First Choice Healthcare Clinics offer confidential services:

● Free Condoms
● STD Testing for Males and Females
● Treatment of STDs
● Contraceptive Supplies
● Preventative immunizations against such STDs as Hepatitis B and HPV ~ Counseling, Education, and Referral
● Expedited Partner Treatment

“Though the subjects of contraception, condoms and STDs may not be comfortable healthcare issues to discuss; we want people to remember we are a source of confidential education, prevention, testing and treatment. And we are literally just a phone call away. People should know we offer the tools and services people need to stay healthy.” said Rae Ann Tucker, director of Health Promotion.

First Choice Healthcare accepts medicaid payments, insurance, and cash payment. In addition, grant funds may be available for those who meet certain eligibility requirements.

For more information or to schedule an appointment call their First Choice Healthcare locations at Kewanee 309-852-5272; Colona 309-792-4011; and Toulon 309-852-3115. You may also find them on Facebook at First Choice Healthcare.

Local health officials reinforce smoke-free rules on World Lung Day

The Henry and Stark County Health Department announces that Sept. 25 is World Lung Day.

Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer death in the United States and worldwide. In fact, lung cancer is responsible for more deaths in this country than the next three most common causes of cancer death combined – colorectal cancer, breast cancer, and pancreatic cancer.

Smoking is the most common cause of lung cancer. Other risk factors for lung cancer include being exposed to secondhand smoke, having a family history of lung cancer, being treated with radiation therapy to the breast or chest, exposure to asbestos, chromium, nickel, arsenic, soot, or tar in the workplace, and exposure to radon. When smoking is combined with other risk factors, the risk of lung cancer is increased.

Therefore, the health department would like to remind area residents about the Health Departments’ Illinois Tobacco-Free Communities Grant activities.

In both Henry and Stark County their staff works continually to enforce, educate and encourage compliance with the Illinois Smoke-Free Act. The Smoke-free Illinois Act prohibits smoking and use of e-cigarettes and vapes in virtually all public places and workplaces, including offices, theaters, museums, libraries, educational institutions, schools, commercial establishments, enclosed shopping centers and retail stores, restaurants, bars, private clubs and gaming facilities.

The Smoke Free Illinois Act requires that all business owners:

● Do not permit smoking, vapes & e-cigarettes within 15 feet of entrances, exits, windows, that open and ventilation intakes.
● Post “No Smoking” signs at each entrance.
● Remove ashtrays from areas where smoking is prohibited.
The Health Department notes that failure to comply with the Smoke Free Illinois Act can result in fines.

The Health Department in coordination with the State of Illinois has taken these important steps to protect its residents, workers and visitors from the harmful and hazardous effects of smoking and secondhand smoke. Cigarette smoking is responsible for more than 480,000 deaths per year in the United States, including more than 41,000 deaths resulting from secondhand smoke exposure. This is about one in five deaths annually, or 1,300 deaths every day.

For more information about the Health Department’s Illinois Tobacco-Free activities, or for “No Smoking” signs for your business, call 309-852-0197 Ext. 249 or visit their website at www.henrystarkhealth.com or find them on Facebook.

Local health officials urge action and awareness for Suicide Prevention

The Henry and Stark County Health Departments announces that September has been designated as Suicide Prevention Month. Too many people are experiencing suicidal crisis or mental health-related distress without the support and care they need, and sadly, the pandemic only made a bad situation worse when it comes to mental health and wellness in America.

In 2022:

● The U.S. had one death by suicide about every 11 minutes.
● The number of suicides was the highest number ever recorded in the U.S.
● Over 950,000 youth and 1.6 million adults attempted suicide.
● 12.3% of Asian youth; 12.6% of Latino youth; 12.2% of Black youth; and 15.2% of multiracial youth had serious thoughts of suicide, made suicide plans, or attempted suicide in the past year.
● Nearly 108,000 people died from a drug overdose.

The Health Department reminds everyone of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. People can call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org for themselves or if they are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support. 988 offers 24/7 access to trained crisis counselors who can help people experiencing mental health-related distress. That could be: thoughts of suicide; mental health or substance use crises; and emotional distress.

The Health Department reminds all local residents that their First Choice Healthcare offers Mental Health Services. Through their First Choice Healthcare psychiatric nurse practitioner, clinic and school-based mental health therapists, mental health nurse and supportive staff they are able to offer this support to the community.

In addition, the Health Department and First Choice Healthcare staff offers area employers and groups the QPR – Question, Persuade, Refer Suicide Prevention Training. QPR training is designed to help individuals to possibly save a life. QPR is not a form of counseling or treatment. Rather it is intended to offer hope through positive action.

By learning QPR, participants will come to recognize the warning signs, clues and suicidal communications of people in trouble, and gain skills to act vigorously to prevent a possible tragedy. To arrange a QPR training for your staff or organization or for more information please call 309-852-5272 Ext. 261.

Get Covered Illinois Health Insurance navigators at upcoming 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 an upcoming local event to assist anyone looking to set up health insurance coverage:

Dollar General, 600 N. Main St., Kewanee, Ill.
Thursday, Sept. 25 from 1-4 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.

Drive-thru flu clinic set for Oct. 17 in Kewanee

The Henry and Stark County Health Departments in conjunction with the Henry County Office of Emergency Management -OEM announce they will be conducting one Drive-Thru Adult Flu Shot Clinic in Kewanee on Friday, Oct. 17 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Henry & Stark County Health Department’s West Parking Lot, 110 N. Burr Blvd.

This drive-thru flu clinic is for Adults -18 years of age and older only. Flu shots will only be given on a “drive-thru” basis, No “walk ups.” In addition, participants must have working car windows. Bring your Medicare and/or Insurance card, $60 cash or check at the time of vaccination.

According to the CDC, flu activity most commonly peaks in the US in January or February; so, this is a great time to get your seasonal flu shot. This year the Health Department announced that they will be administering the 3-component Trivalent Seasonal Flu shot at their upcoming Kewanee drive-thru flu clinic and at their First Choice Healthcare Clinic locations in Kewanee, Colona and Toulon. They believe this vaccine is going to give our area residents the most comprehensive protection from influenza this year.

As usual, they are encouraging everyone 6 months of age and older to get vaccinated against the flu this year. People at high risk of serious flu complications are strongly encouraged to be vaccinated.

These “at-risk” persons include small children, pregnant women, people with chronic health problems like asthma, diabetes, smokers, heart and lung disease, health care workers and people 65 years and older.

For more information on the Health Department’s Oct. 17 Drive-Thru Flu Clinic call the Department’s First Choice Healthcare Clinics at 309-852-5272 Kewanee or visit their website at www.henrystarkhealth.com or find them on Facebook at Henry and Stark County Health Departments