Area students can get ‘Ready for School’ services at First Choice Healthcare Clinics
As area schools let out for the summer the Henry and Stark County Health Departments would like to remind everyone that August will be here before you know it. With this in mind their First Choice Healthcare Clinics announce they are offering sports and school physical exam appointments throughout the summer.
The First Choice Healthcare clinics will offer school and sports physicals at all their locations at a cash price of only $50. Those with insurance coverage, please bring insurance information if billing to insurance. Appointments are available at their clinics in Kewanee, 110 N. Burr Blvd. 309-852-5272; and Toulon, 120 E. Court St. 309-852-3115.
The clinics will offer area junior high and senior high school athletes, freshmen, sixth graders, kindergartners, and preschoolers school or sports physicals. They recommend that to help reduce wait times, arrive with your physical forms, obtained through your local school districts already completed.
The First Choice Healthcare Clinics encourage parents to call early for their appointments; and thereby avoid the end of the summer rush.
Parents make sure your children are up to date on their required immunizations before school begins this fall. Immunizations, TB checks; blood lead screenings, and other needed lab tests are also available to participants at additional charges. The First Choice Healthcare Clinics have all immunizations that are required for school entry as private pay vaccines. Please call for eligibility, costs and for vaccine availability.
In addition, the health department reminds area parents that certified copies of birth certificates for children born in Henry County since 1971 can be obtained through their office at 110 N. Burr Blvd in Kewanee. The charge for obtaining birth certified copies is $13 for the first copy and $6 for each additional copy.
For more information visit their website at www.henrystarkhealth.com or find them on Facebook at Henry and Stark County Health Departments or follow them on Twitter and Instagram.
May is National Osteoporosis Prevention Month
The Henry and Stark County Health Departments ask, “Did you know that two million broken bones occur every year in the U.S. due to osteoporosis?” It’s true, but most people get their fracture fixed without ever realizing they have osteoporosis or low bone mass.
Join their First Choice Healthcare Clinics and the National Osteoporosis Foundation, in celebrating National Osteoporosis Month this May by taking action to break free from Osteoporosis. “Break Free from Osteoporosis” is a campaign that encourages everyone to get to know their risk factors for osteoporosis and make the lifestyle changes needed to build strong bones for life.
Here are some important facts about osteoporosis:
- Osteoporosis is a disease of the bone that makes a person’s bones weak and more likely to break. Approximately 9 million Americans have osteoporosis and another 43 million have low bone density, placing them at increased risk.
- This means that nearly 60% of adults age 50 and older are at risk of breaking a bone and should be concerned about bone health.
- One in two women and up to one in four men will break a bone in their lifetime due to osteoporosis. For women, the incidence is greater than that of heart attack, stroke and breast cancer combined.
- There is no cure for osteoporosis, but there are steps you can take to prevent, slow or stop its progress. Diet, exercise and a healthy lifestyle are keys to preventing and managing the disease.
First Choice Healthcare Clinics Staff and the National Osteoporosis Foundation recommend five steps to improve bone health and prevent osteoporosis.
–Get the calcium and vitamin D you need every day.
–Do regular weight-bearing and muscle-strengthening exercises.
–Don’t smoke and don’t drink too much alcohol.
–Talk to your healthcare provider about your chance of getting osteoporosis and ask when you should have a bone density test.
–Take an osteoporosis medication when it’s right for you.
For more information about First Choice Healthcare Clinics and any of their women’s health services or to schedule an appointment, just call Kewanee 309-852-5272; or Toulon 309- 852-3115.
Health department urges residents, know their blood pressure numbers
The Henry and Stark County Health Departments and their First Choice Healthcare note that May is National High Blood Pressure Awareness Month and a perfect time to remind residents about free automated blood pressure monitors available in their Kewanee and Toulon clinics and Colona office lobbies. The public is invited to stop in during regular business hours and get to “know your numbers.
It is possible to have high blood pressure and not know it. That is why it is called the silent killer. It is also why it is so important to have your blood pressure checked. If you know family or friends who haven’t had their blood pressure checked recently, encourage them to have it checked as well.
Anyone who stops in to try their new automated blood pressure monitors will receive a printout of their results to keep. So, ask yourself:
● Have you had concerns about your blood pressure lately?
● Do you have a family history of hypertension or other cardiovascular diseases?
● Have you recently started or changed your blood pressure medication?
● Or, it’s simply been a while since you’ve had your blood pressure checked.
The health department staff encourages you to stop by the Kewanee or Toulon Clinics or Colona Office and “Know Your Numbers.” It’s free, painless and only takes a few minutes.
In addition, the AHA grant funding has created a new automated blood pressure loaner program in their Toulon, Kewanee Clinics and Colona Office. Their clinics now have single and two-person monitors in various sizes. These monitors can help you keep track of your blood pressure and heart rate at home. These monitors are a great tool to help you and your healthcare provider to track your blood pressure over time.
For more information, call or stop by any location, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily: Kewanee, 110 N. Burr Blvd., 309-852-5272; Toulon, 120 E. Court St., 309-852-3115; or Colona, 103 1st St., 309-792-4011.
Health officials stress tobacco‑free laws and enforcement ahead of May 31 observance
May 31 is “No Tobacco Day.” The staff of the health department reminds everyone that tobacco use is an important risk factor for the development of coronary heart disease, stroke and peripheral vascular disease. Cardiovascular diseases kill more people than any other cause of death worldwide. Therefore, No Tobacco Day is an important time 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 Smoke-Free Illinois Act, SFIA. The SFIA protects residents, workers and visitors from the harmful effects of exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke and e-cigarette vapor by prohibiting smoking of all forms of combustible tobacco, including cigarettes, cigars, hookahs, e-cigarettes and vapes and any other electronic smoking devices, in public places and places of employment.
The Smoke-free Illinois Act prohibits smoking 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 and 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.
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.
For more information about the health department’s Illinois tobacco-free activities, or for “No Smoking” signs or window clings for your business; call 309-852-0197 Extension 249 or download a sign by following this link: https://www.smoke-free.illinois.gov/sf_signs.htm
Health department offers in‑person insurance help May 29 in Colona
The Henry and Stark County Health Departments and the Get Covered Illinois Navigator Program ask, “Do You Need Health Insurance?” Their health insurance navigators will be present at the upcoming local events to assist anyone looking to set up health insurance coverage:
Pretty Pet Parlor
530 Green Park Ave., Colona, Ill. Friday
May 29 1-3 p.m.
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.