“Love Yourself” With a FREE Mammogram

The very successful “Love Yourself” campaign is back for February 2016! Love yourself and get your mammogram today! Free mammograms are available for women without health insurance through the Onondaga County Cancer Services Program (CSP). Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in American women according to the American Cancer Society. Breast cancers that are detected early, during routine screening exams, tend to be smaller and have better treatment outcomes.

Through the “Love Yourself” campaign, the CSP is reminding you that the best way to find breast cancer early is by having routine mammograms. Screening guidelines recommend that women aged 50 to 74 have a mammogram every two years. Women aged 40 to 49 are encouraged to discuss their need for mammography screening with their healthcare provider. This special campaign is a partnership between the Onondaga County Health Department, local physicians, and community partners to encourage routine screening for breast cancer.

Free breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screenings are available year round for eligible women and men who do not have health insurance. Women aged 40 to 64 may qualify for a free clinical breast exam, Pap test, and/or mammogram. In addition, men and women aged 50 to 64 may qualify for free colorectal cancer screening. Call 435-3653 today to begin your registration or register online by visiting the CSP website at ongov.net/health/cancerscreening.html.

How is the Health of Onondaga County?

By Indu Gupta, MD, MPH, Commissioner of Health

To kick off 2017, I would like to make you aware of a new and important document that is now available. A community health assessment (CHA), also known as community health needs assessment (CHNA), is performed on a regular basis to identify key health indicators in a community through a collaborative, systematic, and comprehensive data collection and analysis process. The indicators for interventions are selected after active input from the community.

The Onondaga County Health Department (OCHD) worked with Crouse Health, St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center, and Upstate University Hospital in this comprehensive process throughout 2016. We also worked with several community-based organizations. The yearlong effort has resulted in shared ownership of community health improvement, including assessment, planning, investment, implementation, and evaluation. Various strategies are aimed to address disparities among subpopulations, while improving community engagement and accountability. We also placed a strong emphasis on evidence-based interventions, while encouraging innovative practices with thorough evaluation and continuous improvement.

A community health improvement plan (CHIP) is a long-term, systematic process to address the identified public health problems in a community, following a thorough assessment (CHA).

Based on Onondaga County’s CHA, two priority areas were selected by OCHD and the partner hospitals to address during the 2016-2018 cycle:

Promote mental health and prevent substance abuse. We will give special attention to the ongoing opioid epidemic and its relationship with mental health.
Prevent chronic disease: This will focus on improving nutrition and physical activity by changing the environment.

To fully engage the community in this effort, a survey on health issues was created and distributed. The survey was completed by almost 3,000 individuals, and provides an eye-opening perspective into the true voice of our community. Review the summary of the results.

The full CHA / CHIP is an easy read and will be helpful to anyone. For example, identifying racial and geographic disparities in the rate of emergency room visits and hospitalizations in the diabetic population can help support the need for resource allocation to improve care.

Together we will make our community a better place for everyone! Please join our hands in achieving this in 2017!

Happy New Year!

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Flu is Widespread in Onondaga County

Influenza activity is widespread in Onondaga County, with the number of local flu cases rising significantly in the past couple of weeks. We currently have 124 cases of flu reported as of January 8, 2017.

Flu is a respiratory infection that causes fever, aches, and coughing. It is easily spread from one person to another by cough droplets or by direct contact with someone who has the flu. Flu is contagious one day before symptoms appear until 24 hours after fever is gone.

The current prevalent circulating virus is flu A H3, a strain which is included in this year’s vaccine. Onondaga County Health Commissioner, Indu Gupta, MD, MPH, strongly urges county residents to take steps to protect themselves and others against the flu:

Practice precautions to stop the spread of flu infection: If you are sick, stay home until you are free of fever for at least one day. Practice social distancing, cover your cough and sneeze, and wash your hands often with soap and water.
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you think you have flu and are at high risk to develop severe complications such as chronic lung disease, asthma, diabetes, or if you are obese or pregnant.
Prevent flu by getting vaccinated: Anyone 6 months and older should get a flu shot. Getting the flu shot is one of the most important ways to protect against influenza. It’s not too late to get your flu vaccine.

Please contact your healthcare provider if you have not received a flu shot. Onondaga County Health Department also provides free flu shots for uninsured and underinsured Onondaga County residents every Wednesday from 9:00 am to 12:00 noon in room 30 of the John H. Mulroy Civic Center. Call 315-435-2000 for more information.

For weekly flu data updates, visit our website: www.ongov.net/health/fluandpneumonia.html

It’s Not Too Late for a Flu Shot

Flu season has arrived. As family and friends are gathering for the holidays, now is a great time to get a flu vaccine to protect yourself and your loved ones. In the United States, cases of the flu are usually highest between December and February, but flu season can last until May. This week during National Influenza Vaccination Week the Onondaga County Health Department urges you to protect yourself and your family by making sure everyone is vaccinated against the flu.

The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It is impossible to predict how severe you will be affected by the flu. The best protection is to get a flu vaccine every year. A vaccine is needed every year because the flu viruses are always changing, and the vaccine is changed every year to match the circulating flu viruses. In addition, protection from the flu vaccine declines over time, making a flu shot necessary every year.

The flu shot is recommended for everyone over 6 months of age. The flu shot is especially important for those at high risk of serious illness due to the flu, including young children, pregnant women, people with certain chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes, heart disease or lung disease, and people aged 65 and older.

No insurance? The Onondaga County Health Department Immunization Clinic has flu shots available free for Onondaga County residents aged 6 months and up. The clinic is held every Wednesday from 9:00am – 12 Noon in the John H. Mulroy Civic Center, Room 30. This is a walk-in clinic, no appointments are necessary. For more information on the flu or where you can get a flu shot, ask your health care provider or call 435-2000.

Flu Vaccine Now Available at Onondaga County Health Department Immunication Clinic

Get your annual flu vaccine! The Onondaga County Health Department is now offering the flu vaccine at the Onondaga County Immunization Clinic. This is a walk-in clinic and no appointment is necessary. Vaccines are free for Onondaga County residents while supplies last. The Onondaga County Immunization Clinic will provide flu vaccines for anyone six (6) months of age and older. Because of changes in CDC recommendations, FluMist® will not be available this year. The clinic is held weekly on Wednesday mornings from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon and is located in room 30 of the John H. Mulroy Civic Center, 421 Montgomery Street, Syracuse, NY 13202.

According to the CDC, getting a flu vaccine every year is particularly important for persons at high risk for complications from the flu or for those who have contact with people at high risk. Those include the following:

Pregnant women
Children younger than age five, but especially children younger than two years old
People 50 years of age and older
People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions
People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities
People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu, including:

-Health care workers
-Household contacts of persons at high risk for complications from the flu
-Household contacts and out-of-home caregivers of children less than six months of age (these children are too young to be vaccinated)

Children under the age of nine who have never had the flu vaccine series will need two doses of vaccine. The second vaccine should be given four weeks after the first vaccine. If your child is under age nine (9) and only received one dose of vaccine last year, they should receive one dose this year.

Getting a flu vaccine is the best way to protect your health as well as the health of your family, friends, and others. Get your flu vaccine to protect yourself and others! For more information about the Immunization Clinic, visit ongov.net/health/generalclinics.html or call (315) 435-2000.

National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week: October 23-30, 2016

In Onondaga County, approximately 6% of the children tested in 2015 had high blood lead testing results requiring additional monitoring and follow-up.

To heighten awareness of childhood lead poisoning prevention, the Onondaga County Health Department (OCHD) along with the CDC, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, is participating in National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week (NLPPW) October 23rd to the 30th. Dr. Indu Gupta, Onondaga County Health Commissioner, emphasized “that there are many ways families can reduce a child’s exposure to lead”.

Dr. Gupta stresses the importance of following these simple steps to prevent childhood lead poisoning:

Get your child tested. Have your child tested at age 1 and again at age 2. Even if your child seems healthy, ask your doctor to do a blood lead test.
Get your home tested for lead. If you rent your home, call the OCHD Lead Program to ask about getting a free lead home inspection.
Get information on safely removing lead paint from your older home (pre-1978). Home repair grants are available to remove lead from homes in the city of Syracuse and throughout Onondaga County. Hiring a contractor? Choose only contractors with Lead Safe Worker training and certification.
Get the facts! The Lead Program can provide more information on how to prevent childhood lead poisoning. Call 435-3271, email us at LeadFreeKids@ongov.net, visit www.ongov.net/health/lead, and find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ongovhealth.

FREE Mammograms Are Available

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Breast cancer is the most common cancer among United States women, no matter your race or ethnicity. The three main risk factors for breast cancer are being a woman, getting older, and certain genetic changes.

Most women (about 8 out of 10) who get breast cancer do not have a family history of the disease. However, women who have close blood relatives like a mother or sister who have had breast cancer are at a higher risk themselves. About 5-10% of breast cancers are thought to be hereditary, meaning they result directly from gene changes passed on from a parent. The most common cause of hereditary breast cancer is an inherited change in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes.

Breast cancer may not cause any symptoms in its early stages. If symptoms do appear, they may include the following:

a lump, hard knot, or thickening in the breast or underarm area
new pain in one spot that does not go away
nipple discharge that starts suddenly
pulling in of the nipple or other parts of the breast
dimpling or puckering of the breast skin
any change in the size or shape of the breast
swelling, warmth, redness or darkening of the breast skin
itchy, scaly sore, or rash on the nipple.

Routine screenings are an important step to help find breast cancer early. With early detection breast cancer is usually easier to treat and has better outcomes. A mammogram is the best test to detect breast cancer early.

Free mammograms are available through the Onondaga County Cancer Services Program (CSP) for women aged 40 to 64 who do not have health insurance. Services are available at many healthcare provider sites throughout the city of Syracuse and Onondaga County. If you do not have health insurance and are aged 40 to 64 years old call 435-3653 or visit the CSP website at ongov.net/health/cancerscreening.html to register for your free mammogram.

Whether you have health insurance or not, the bottom line is that having a mammogram may save your life. Remember, if you are a woman aged 40 to 64 and do NOT have health insurance, call 435-3653 to see if you qualify for a free mammogram. Take care of yourself this October and schedule your mammogram today!

Let’s Get Pretty in Pink this October!

By Emily Young, Public Health Educator, Cancer Services Program

In October the leaves are changing colors and signs of pumpkins are all around, but in my world, I see pink! The Onondaga County Health Department’s Cancer Services Program (CSP) is partnering with several local pumpkins patches and diners to raise awareness about the importance of women getting routine mammograms. Look for our pink pumpkins when you’re out and about this month!
pink-pumpkin-3-cropped

Pink pumpkins are a colorful way to promote the importance of screening for breast cancer. We know that breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the US, no matter race or ethnicity. But there is good news! Breast cancer that is found early when it’s small and hasn’t spread is usually easier to treat and has better outcomes. A mammogram is the best test to detect breast cancer early.

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Location Change for September 8th Rabies Clinic

The location of the Onondaga County Health Department’s (OCHD) Rabies Shot Clinic scheduled for Thursday, September 8, 2016 at the SPCA on East Molloy Road has changed. The clinic will now be held at OCHD’s location at 6230 East Molloy Road in East Syracuse from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Please keep your pets on a leash and bring your pet’s rabies shot records.

For information about rabies prevention, please visit www.ongov.net/health/ADP.html or call
(315) 435-3165.

West Nile Virus in Onondaga County

Onondaga County Health Commissioner Indu Gupta, MD, MPH, announced today that West Nile virus (WNV) continues to be present in Onondaga County. A mosquito pool from a trap in the town of Salina was found to be positive for WNV; this is the same trap with positive findings for WNV last week.

Dr. Gupta states that, “Despite low mosquito counts and ongoing intensive larviciding efforts, disease-carrying mosquitoes will continue to be a public health concern until the first hard frost”, and reminds residents, “It is essential that the public continue to practice personal protection measures to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes whenever outdoors. It is important not to become complacent about personal protection measures”.

The Health Department reminds residents that mosquitoes are most active between dusk and dawn. Personal protection is advised during outdoor activities. Personal protection measures include wearing shoes, socks, long pants, and a long-sleeved shirt when going outside. Applying a mosquito repellent containing DEET, Picaridin, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus, or IR3535 to prevent mosquito bites. Do not put the repellent directly onto children’s skin. Put it on your hands and apply it to your child. Do not put insect repellent on your face. Wash skin and clothing after returning indoors. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for application.

The following are ways of helping to reduce mosquito breeding grounds:

Throw away outdoor containers, ceramic pots or containers that hold water.
Remove all tires from your property.
Drill holes in the bottoms of recycling containers that are kept outdoors.
Clean clogged rain gutters and make sure they continue to work properly.
Turn over wheelbarrows and wading pools when not in use.
Change water in bird baths at least every four days.
Clear vegetation and debris from the edges of ponds.
Clean chlorinated swimming pools, outdoor saunas, and hot tubs.
Drain water from pool covers.
Use landscaping to eliminate low spots where standing water accumulates.

The Health Department will continue to post mosquito pool test results every week—please visit www.ongov.net/health/mosquitoborne.html for the most recent information including more information about personal protection measures. The public may also contact the Division of Environmental Health for more information at 435-1649.