Summer has officially begun. With summer here, Americans will spend more time outdoors enjoying the sunny weather.
RaeAnn Tucker, director of Health Promotion at the Henry & Stark Counties Health Departments, said, “The department recognizes the importance of outdoor physical activity, but we encourage people to exercise precaution when spending time in the sun in order to reduce their risk of developing skin problems.”
One American dies every hour from Melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. With more than one million cases diagnosed in the U.S. each year, skin cancer is more common than all other major types of cancer combined. “In some parts of the world, melanoma is increasing at rates faster than any other cancer. Yet it’s probably the most preventable type of cancer since the vast majority of cases are simply due to overexposure to the sun.” said Tucker
Of special concern to the department staff is educating residents about sun safety with children’s health as the focus. Children spend a great deal of time in the sun, getting an average of three times more exposure to the sun’s rays than adults. Since unprotected sun exposure early in life can be life-threatening later, it is critical to form positive sun safety habits at a young age. According to a recent study:
● More than half of an individual’s lifetime exposure to UV – ultra violet rays occurs during childhood.
● If you have one or more blistering sunburns before the age of 18, you will be twice as likely to develop melanoma later in life.
● And, 65-90% of melanomas are caused by sun exposure and UV rays.
With these disturbing statistics in mind; the Health Department staff offers the following sun safety tips:
● Keep in mind the sun is strongest between 10am and 4pm.
● Always wear protective clothing when outdoors.
● Wear a wide brimmed hat and UV blocking sunglasses.
● Do not use tanning beds.
● Keep very young children – 6 months or less out of the sun.
● Sunscreens need to be applied liberally and evenly over all exposed areas.
● Apply sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher whenever outdoors and reapply often.
● For children, the American Academy of Dermatology recommends sunscreen with an
SPF of 30 or higher.
● And remember, stay in the shade whenever possible
Friday June 27 is National HIV Testing Day. The National HIV Testing Day is observed each year on June 27 to highlight the importance of HIV testing as a critical component of prevention and treatment efforts.
The theme for 2025 is “Level up your self-love: check your status.” This theme emphasizes valuing yourself, showing yourself compassion and respect, and honoring your health needs with self-love.
In honor of National HIV Testing Day, the health department’s First Choice Healthcare Clinics in Kewanee, Colona and Toulon will be offering free Rapid HIV testing on Friday, June 27. “Walk-ins” are welcome for the HIV test at all locations.
In addition to HIV testing, the health department staff will provide screening for other STIs – sexually transmitted infections, including chlamydia, gonorrhea, hepatitis, and syphilis. The availability and promotion of syphilis testing as part of National HIV Testing Day is especially important in the wake of the current syphilis epidemic. Events like these are one way to normalize regular screening for syphilis, which is a strategy that has been successful in helping to address the HIV epidemic.
Here are some HIV “fast facts” to consider:
● Approximately 1.2 million people in the U.S. have HIV. About 13 percent of them don’t know it and need testing.
● HIV continues to have a disproportionate impact on certain populations, particularly racial and ethnic minorities and gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men.
● In 2021, an estimated 32,100 new HIV infections occurred in the U.S.*
For more information on confidential HIV/STI testing and counseling, educational materials, and prevention services call the First Choice Healthcare Clinics in Kewanee, 110 N. Burr Blvd. 309-852-5272; Colona, 103 1st St. 309-792-4011; or Toulon, 120 E. Court St. 309-852-3115.
The Henry & Stark County Health Department reminds local residents that the WIC program promotes the health of our local children and mothers, by providing free groceries to participants; and creating healthier families by encouraging healthy eating and lifestyles.
Heather Aldred, RN, Maternal and Child Health Services supervisor with the health department, said “Henry, Stark, Marshall and Putnam County residents have fully returned to only in-person “Face to Face” appointments and services delivery.” They do, however, still offer an online application feature to the program. In addition, they remind those who may be interested in taking advantage of all that WIC offers, that the new Illinois WIC EBT card is available to all WIC participants. This makes WIC Services even more easy for area families to use.
“All current WIC participants and households are now issued just one Illinois WIC EBT card with all the food benefits on this one card: no more handling multiple checks for different members of your family. The WIC process remains the same, benefits are reloaded on your card every three months after contacting and checking in with our WIC staff.” said Aldred
The Health Department WIC staff have expanded WIC hours in order to be more convenient to working families and school children participating in the program. WIC benefits are available to eligible children up to the age of 5, pregnant women, infants, postpartum and breastfeeding women.
The Health Department WIC and Case Management staff promotes healthy pregnancies, babies, children and families through their services. The WIC Supplemental Food Program offers supplemental foods and nutrition education to residents who meet certain nutrition and economic guidelines. In addition, clients may receive healthy food items such as milk, formula, eggs, and cereal; fruits, vegetables, juices, whole grain breads and tortillas.
For more information on the department’s WIC and Case Management services call the department at Kewanee-309-852-5272 or Colona-309-792-4011 or visit their website to apply here.
For more information you can also visit www.fns.usda.gov/wic.
