|
view as a webpage
|
|
Lake County Health Update December 2016
 Dear Lake County Residents:
I know that many of you are thinking about holiday shopping during December. So here is a gift you can give to yourself: a flu shot. Every year, numerous people come down with the flu. Wouldn't it be nice to give yourself extra protection against a serious illness?
It is not too late to get a flu vaccine. In fact, this is an ideal time to get your shot ahead of the prime flu season. It takes about two weeks after vaccination for the body's immune system to fully respond and for you to be protected.
Public health officials recommend that everyone six months of age and older should be vaccinated against influenza, especially pregnant women, young children, people 65 years of age and older, and anyone with underlying health conditions like asthma, diabetes, or a weakened immune system. A flu vaccine is needed every year because flu viruses are constantly changing.
In addition to getting a flu shot, you can also reduce your risk by:
- Wash your hands regularly with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
- Practice good cough etiquette, such as coughing into your elbow instead of your hands.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth; germs are spread this way.
- Avoid close contact with sick people. If you are sick with flu-like illness, stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone.
So, add a flu shot to your December "To Do" list. The vaccine is available at the Health Department and sites throughout Lake County. For more information, visit: http://www.lakecountyil.gov/1871/Influenza.
Sincerely,
Mark Pfister
Interim Executive Director
Lake County Health Department/
Community Health Center
|
 The Health Department recently received two grants to better serve people with mental illness in Lake
County. It received a four-year grant from the Substance Abuse and
Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) in the amount up to $400,000 per
year. The total award is a maximum of $1,600,000. LCHD/CHC received
this grant to support and enhance integration efforts started in 2015 at its behavioral
health center in Libertyville. Funds will specifically be used to improve
health outcomes for those patients with severe mental illness by adding
supportive services focused on improving their health outcomes, e.g., obesity,
diabetes and cardiovascular disease at the location. (Continue reading)
|
|
Through the Health Department's Crisis Care Program, counselors are available 24 hours a day to speak with you by
phone. The number is: 847-377-8088. You do not have to give your name
when you call. They can help guide you through difficult times, manage
stress, anxiety and depression, and cope with longer-term difficulties. A respite service is also offered where people stay for one to two weeks while recovering from their crisis. For more information, visit the program's web page.
|
|
 |
The Health Department's Tobacco Free Lake County program offers a number of services that are either free or at a low cost:
- Quit Kits - These quit kits for both teens and
adults include basic information on how to quit and tips on how to get
started. Adult quit kits are available in both English and Spanish. Get a
sneak peek by checking out the Thinking About Quitting Brochure (PDF) that is included in each kit.
- One-on-one counseling - Individual counseling
with a Certified Tobacco Treatment Specialist is available free of
charge to help adults quit their tobacco use. To make an appointment, call: 847-377-8090. Nicotine replace therapy is available to active clients at a reduced rate.
- Illinois Tobacco Quitline - Call 866-QUIT-YES
(866-784-8937) for telephone counseling. The call is toll-free, and you may be eligible to receive nicotine patches at no cost for a limited time. If you live outside Illinois, find a quit line in your
state by visiting the quit line online resource.
- On-site cessation groups - Call 847-377-8090 for more information.
Call 847-377-8090 or email for more information.
|
 |
|
The Health Department's community health center in North Chicago is holding a
“Leaders are Readers” event for kids on Saturday, December 10, from 12:30 to
2:30 p.m. It will feature North Chicago Mayor Leon Rockingham and Paula
Carballido reading to kids in English and Spanish. The children will receive
free ethnic dolls and engage in cookie decorating. The cookies will be
provided by the Exchange Club of North Chicago. This is the first time that the
North Chicago Health Center is hosting this type of event, which is free and
open to the community. The North Chicago Health Center is
located at: 2215 14th Street in North Chicago. For more information, call: (847) 984-5200.
|
|
