Fargo Cass Public Health

North Dakotans Encouraged To Take Prevention Measures to Live Longer and Healthier Lives 

The North Dakota Department of Health is highlighting the importance of  prevention and wellness to improve our state’s health during National Public Health Week recognized April 2 through 8, 2012. 

To highlight this year’s theme of “A Healthier America Begins Today:  Join the Movement,” public health leaders across the country are calling on Americans to take actions aimed at preventing disease before it begins and lowering the cost of health care. Chronic illnesses such as heart disease, cancer and diabetes are responsible for millions of premature deaths and cause Americans to miss 2.5 billion days of work. Heart disease and cancer are the leading causes of death for people ages 40 and older.  In 2005 through 2009, more than 2,600 North Dakotans died from chronic disease each year.  

“Many diseases are preventable,” said Karalee Harper, director of the Division of Chronic Disease for the North Dakota Department of Health. “It is important to remember that everyone has a role to play and each action, no matter how small, can make a big difference.” 

Three easy things everyone can do to stay healthy and prevent chronic disease are:

• Eat more fruits and vegetables.
• Be more physically active.
• Live tobacco free. Need help quitting? Call 1.800.QUIT.NOW. 

These preventive measures can help create a healthier state and nation and reach the country’s goal of becoming the healthiest nation in just one generation. Small actions are needed for communities, homes and families to see the large benefits of preventive care and grow the movement.

Public Health Week is part of the American Public Health Association’s annual celebration of the role of public health. Since 1995, communities around the country have celebrated National Public Week each April to draw attention to the need to protect and improve the nation’s health.

For more information about Public Health Week and steps you can take to prevent chronic disease, contact Karalee Harper, North Dakota Department of Health, at 701.328.4517.

In observance of National Poison Prevention Week March 18 through 24, 2012, the North Dakota Department of Health is encouraging North Dakotans to take measures to avoid unintentional poisonings. 

A poison is any product or substance that can harm someone if it is used in the wrong way, by the wrong person, or in the wrong amount. Potentially poisonous items could include some household products, chemicals, drugs (prescription, over-the-counter, herbal, illegal or animal medicines), snake bites, spider bites and scorpion stings. Poisons can enter the body through the eyes and/or ears, on or through the skin, by breathing them or by swallowing. 

Adults and teens should be aware of the dangers of improper use of medicines, inhalants, carbon monoxide and alcohol. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), deaths from prescription painkillers have reached epidemic levels in the past decade. The number of overdose deaths is now greater than those of deaths for heroin and cocaine combined. Enough prescription painkillers were prescribed in 2010 to medicate every American adult around-the-clock for a month. Although most of these pills were prescribed for a medical purpose, many ended up in the hands of people who misuse or abuse them. 

“Prescription painkiller overdoses are a public health epidemic,” said State Health Officer Terry Dwelle, M.D., M.P.H.T.M “A big part of the problem is the nonmedical use of prescription painkillers – people using drugs without a prescription or just for the ‘high’ they cause.”  

In 2011, there were 5,100 exposure calls made to the National Poison Helpline. Of those 5,100 calls, 56 percent were for children younger than age 6 who had a misadventure serious enoughfor someone to call for help. Poison Prevention Week is an opportunity to remind parents, grandparents, caregivers and the public about the dangers of poisoning and to provide some basic prevention strategies to keep kids from getting hurt. 

“Most poisonings are preventable,” said Diana Read, Injury/Violence Prevention Program director for the North Dakota Department of Health. “I encourage all adults to take preventive measures to protect children and themselves from unintentional poisonings. Many of the most dangerous poisons are things found in a home such as antifreeze and window washer products, some medicines, corrosive cleaners like drain openers or toilet bowl cleaners, fuels like kerosene and lamp oil, or pesticides.” 

The Department of Health recommends the following poison-prevention measures:

• Keep all medicines, household chemicals and other poisonous substances away from children and away from food.  Never leave them on the bedside stand, kitchen table or bathroom counter. Lock them up if possible. This is applicable for visitors as well. 
• Warn children never to put medicines, chemicals, plants or berries in their mouths unless an adult says it’s O.K. At an early age, teach children that some pretty things, like vitamins and aspirin, can hurt them. Never call medicine “candy” to get a child to take it. 
• Never store poison in food or beverage containers.
• Read all labels. Follow the instructions and measure carefully. Open and take medicines only when the lights are on. Only take medicines prescribed for you.
• Put all unused medications in a sturdy, securely sealed container and then in the trash can where children and pets can’t reach them. You also can dispose of them through the North Dakota Attorney’s General’s Take Back Program. To find out more about the program visit: http://www.ag.nd.gov/PrescriptionDrugAbuse.htm.
• Do not carry medicine in your purse or diaper bags; children like to play with them. 
• Do not put decorative lamps and candles that contain lamp oil where children can reach them because lamp oil is very toxic.
• Keep windows and/or doors open or run fans when using strong cleaning products.  Never mix cleaning products together.
• Have the national poison control phone number with other emergency contacts available.  Telephone stickers and magnets with the phone number are available from the North Dakota Department of Health. 

In case of a poisoning or a questionable episode, people should do the following:

• Call 9-1-1 if the person is unconscious, having difficulty breathing or not breathing.
• Do not give the person anything to eat or drink. Call the Poison Control Center at 800.222.1222 immediately.
• Bring the product or bottle to the phone so you can read the label to the staff at the Poison Control Center. Explain what was taken, how much was taken, when it was taken, and the age and weight of the person.
• Do not give syrup of ipecac or activated charcoal unless told to do so by the Poison Control Center or your physician. 

For more information about poison prevention or to request stickers and magnets with the national poison control number, contact Diana Read, North Dakota Department of Health, at 800.472.2286 (press 1) or visit our website at www.ndpoison.org.