January 2019
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January is National Radon Action Month, a time to bring awareness to the risks of radon in your home and in your community. Radon is a radioactive gas that builds up in homes over time and can’t be seen, tasted, or smelled — making it easy for radon problems to go unnoticed.
Living in a home with high radon levels can be dangerous for your health. It is estimated that 1 in 15 American homes have high levels of radon, a leading cause of lung cancer that claims an estimated 20,000 deaths each year in the U.S. Simple and inexpensive, testing for radon is the only way to know if your home is exposed.
The Health Department offers short-term testing kits for $10.00, available at 500 W. Winchester Rd., Libertyville, or for $13.00 by mail. The cost includes return postage, laboratory analysis and interpretation by Health Department staff. Test kits are also available from area hardware and building supply stores.
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 According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), influenza (flu) activity in the U.S. is on the rise. You can still take steps to protect yourself, your family, and those around you.
It’s not too late to get your flu shot. The flu vaccine is still available from many providers and retail locations throughout Lake County. Contact your doctor or visit www.vaccinefinder.org to find a convenient location near you.
Remember to follow the 3 C’s:
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Clean: wash your hands often. Scrub for at least 20 seconds with soap and warm water or use an alcohol-based hand rub.
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Cover your mouth and nose when you cough and sneeze. Use a tissue or your upper sleeve, not your hands.
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Contain: if you get sick, stay home until you’re well again. Don’t spread your germs to others.
 Cervical Health Awareness Month
The human papillomavirus (HPV) is a very common infection that spreads through sexual activity and can cause cervical cancer. In the United States, more than 79 million people are living with HPV, and more than 11,000 women get cervical cancer each year.
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You can prevent cervical cancer by getting screened regularly:
Beginning in 2019, the Health Department will be offering adult Mental Health First Aid training to Lake County residents, free of charge.
Mental Health First Aid USA is an 8-hour training that teaches participants how to help someone developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis. The evidence behind the program demonstrates that it helps trainees identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illness and substance use disorders.
This project is funded by a grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to help expand and improve Lake County’s Mental Health First Aid training initiatives. Through the grant, the Health Department will train 30 individuals per year to become instructors. In turn, those individuals will train 2,250 community members over a three-year period.
 At the beginning of December 2018, Getting to Zero Illinois (GTZ-IL) announced its Draft Plan for 2019-2023, detailing a path towards virtually eliminating new HIV transmissions and improving overall health care access in Illinois by 2030. Getting to Zero means virtually zero new HIV infections and zero people living with HIV who are not receiving treatment — a goal that will depend on major proposed changes across the health care and human services spectrum.
Tell us your thoughts! The GTZ-IL Draft Plan can be viewed in its entirety at gtzillinois.hiv/draft. Public comment on the draft plan is welcome and open until January 18.
The Lake County Health Department is a founding member of Getting to Zero Illinois. Click here for more information about Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) / HIV Prevention programs in Lake County.
NextDoor brings neighbors together to help build stronger and safer communities. We post on NextDoor to share important health and safety messages so that you have the latest information at your fingertips. Find your neighborhood on NextDoor.
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Monday, January 14, 7:00 p.m. – Presentation: Preventing Drug Overdoses (Village of Island Lake Senior Center, 3720 Greenleaf Avenue, Island Lake). This presentation features a discussion on drug overdose prevention and risks, led by an addictions counselor from the Health Department.
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Thursday, January 24, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. - Youth Mental Health First Aid Training (100 S. Greenleaf Street, Waukegan) co-sponsored by Warren Township Youth & Family Services. This workshop teaches parents, teachers, coaches, scout leaders or anyone who regularly interacts with youth to know how best to help an adolescent (age 12-18) who is experiencing a mental health/addiction challenge or is in crisis. The course introduces common mental health challenges for youth and planned responses. Cost: $12 per participant. Learn more and register »
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