March 8 has been designated International Women’s Day, and the Henry and Stark County Health Departments are using the day to promote women’s health.
“The goal of Women’s Day is to celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women,” said RaeAnn Tucker, director of health promotions for the department. “We want to use this special day to empower women to make their health a priority.”
The Health Departments hope to raise awareness of the women’s health services available at their First Choice Healthcare locations. The First Choice Healthcare Clinics in Kewanee, Colona and Toulon offer area women such services as annual exams, pap smears, pregnancy testing, contraceptive counseling and supplies, clinical breast exams, fasting blood profiles, and immunizations. Payment for department and First Choice Healthcare services include medicaid, some grant funding and most insurances.
“Every woman should have access to affordable health care services. We encourage local women to take advantage of the savings offered through our First Choice Healthcare Clinics,” said Tucker.
To find out more about their First Choice Healthcare Clinic’s health services for women, call their location nearest you: Kewanee 309-852-5272; Colona 309-792-4011; or Toulon 309-852-3115.
Colorectal cancer is the second leading cancer killer in the United States. And yet, this need not be the case.
Studies show if everyone age 45 or older had regular screening tests, at least one-third of deaths from this cancer could be avoided.
With that in mind, the First Choice Healthcare Clinics are offering free home FIT tests available to local residents aged 45-75. The free FIT tests are available at their clinics in Kewanee 309-852-5272; Colona 309-792-4011; and Toulon 309-852-3115. Call for more information or stop by any location from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday through Friday for your free FIT test. First Choice Healthcare also offers digital and clinical exams by their family nurse practitioners.
To better inform the public about this deadly disease the staff of First Choice Healthcare offers the following facts on colorectal cancer. Colorectal cancer is cancer that occurs in the colon or rectum. Sometimes it is called colon cancer, for short.
Who gets colorectal cancer? Both men and women can get colorectal cancer. Colorectal cancer is most often found in people 50 and older, so the risk of getting colorectal cancer increases with age.
Are you at high risk? Your risk of colorectal cancer may be higher than average if: you or a close relative have had colorectal polyps or colorectal cancer; or you have inflammatory bowel disease. People at high risk for colorectal cancer may need earlier or more frequent tests than other people. Talk with your doctor about when you should begin screening and how often you should be tested.
If you’re 50 or older, getting a screening test for colorectal cancer could save your life. Here’s how:
● Colorectal cancer usually starts from polyps in the colon or rectum.
A polyp is a growth that shouldn’t be there.
● Over time, some polyps can turn into cancer.
● Screening tests can find polyps, so they can be removed before they turn into cancer.
● Screening tests can also find colorectal cancer early. When it is found early, the chance of being cured is good.
People who have polyps or colorectal cancer sometimes don’t have symptoms, especially at first. This means that someone could have polyps or colorectal cancer and not know it. That is why having a screening test is so important.
Some people with colorectal polyps or cancer do have symptoms. They may include:
● Blood in or on your stool (bowel movement).
● Pain, aches, or cramps in your stomach that happen a lot and you don’t know why.
● A change in bowel habits, such as having stools that are narrower than usual.
● Losing weight and you don’t know why.
If you have any of these symptoms, talk with your doctor or healthcare provider. These symptoms may also be caused by something other than cancer. However, the only way to know what is causing them is to see your doctor.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, call the First Choice Healthcare location nearest you: Kewanee 309-852-5272; Colona 309-792-4011; or Toulon 309-852-3115.
March has been designated National Nutrition Month, and the Henry and Stark County Health Departments believe it’s a great time to remind local residents about their WIC program.
The program promotes the health of local children and mothers, by providing free groceries to participants; and creating healthier families by encouraging healthy eating and lifestyles.
“Henry, Stark, Marshall and Putnam County residents have fully returned to only in-person “face to face” appointments and services delivery,” said Heather Aldred, RN, Maternal and Child Health Services supervisor with the Health Department.”
The Health Department still offers an online application feature to the program. They once again have the chance to offer these important and vital family services directly to their participants.
“We 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. “ said Aldred. 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 the health departments WIC Staff.
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.
“We are so excited about this new WIC EBT Card, sometimes referred to as eWIC. Participants now have the ease of taking their shopping list to the store and then buying the food they need when they need them,” said Aldred.
The Health Department WIC and case management staff promote 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 Health Department at: Kewanee 309-852-5272) or Colona 309- 792-4011 or visit their website to apply at https://www.henrystarkhealth.com/FormCenter/WIC-10/WIC-Application-Form-65.
For more information you can also visit www.fns.usda.gov/wic. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
