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Lake County Health Update November 2015
 Dear Lake County Residents:
In
observance of National Diabetes Awareness Month in November, the Lake County
Health Department/Community Health Center is emphasizing the importance of
preventing diabetes through screening and healthy living, and managing diabetes
through accessing care and healthy living. When people have
higher than normal blood glucose (sugar) levels, they are considered
prediabetic. A
person with certain risk factors is more likely to develop prediabetes and
type 2 diabetes. These risk factors include:
-
Age
(especially after 45 years of age)
-
Overweight
or obese
- A family history of diabetes
- Having
an African American, Hispanic/Latino, American Indian, Asian American or
Pacific Islander racial or ethnic background
- A history of diabetes while pregnant (gestational diabetes) or having given birth to a baby weighing nine pounds or more
- Being physically active less than three times a week
According to the most
recent statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 9
percent of Lake County residents are diabetic. This is similar to the national
rate of 9.3 percent.
The prevalence and incidence of diabetes is affected by our
environment, where we live, learn, work, play and pray. The good news is that people can
manage their risk for type 2 diabetes. Small steps make a big difference and
can help people live a longer, healthier life. Here
is a game plan on ways that you can prevent or
delay the onset of this disease.
Sincerely,
Tony Beltran
Executive Director
Lake County Health Department/
Community Health Center
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Enroll
Lake County!, the county-wide initiative designed to facilitate access to
healthcare for Lake County residents, returns for its third annual enrollment
drive. A project of the Lake County Health Department and Community Health
Center in partnership with the Waukegan Public Library, Enroll Lake County!
aims to enroll or re-enroll at least 3,000 Lake County residents in health
insurance plans through the Health Insurance Marketplace. Click here to read more. |
 What would the holidays be without a sumptuous family feast? But when preparing holiday meals, you should take precautions to prevent food borne illness. Click here for tips to help ensure your holiday meals are prepared in a safe manner.
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Have you lost your kitty or found a dog? Do you want to quit smoking, but need to find some extra help? Are you about to become a mother? This month's Healthy Lake County video covers all of that in just a few minutes. Click here to watch. |
 The Health Department is encouraging residents to
get a flu shot this fall. Last year, six deaths and 49 intensive care unit
admissions were associated with complications brought on by influenza in Lake
County. Click here to read more.
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 Among the many services provided by the Health Department is managing the health
of our lakes. Watch as Lake County Board Chairman Aaron Lawlor hops into Lake Tranquility in
Antioch to test for blue-green algae, which under certain conditions, may produce a toxin that can make people or animals sick.
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 If you have lost your pet or found someone else's, one place you can look is our pet page. Photos of pets are posted as well as information such as where an animal was found, where it was lost and the date the pet was last seen. Click here to see the page.
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 Please take five minutes and click on this link to complete the Community Strengths Survey telling us about the health
and quality of life in your community. Help make a difference.
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