Community Health Watch
HEALTH WATCH - 11/03/2000: WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT SUICIDE?
The following questions will help to determine your current knowledge level about suicide.
1. People who talk about suicide never actually do it. True/False
False. All suicide attempts or threats should be taken seriously and not simply dismissed as an attention-getting means. If the attention is sought, it is most likely needed and giving this attention may save the person's life.
2. Talking to individuals about their suicidal feelings will give them the idea or cause them to commit suicide. True/False
False. Talking with an individual about their suicidal feelings may, in fact, make them feel relieved that someone has finally recognized their emotional pain. This communication, however, should be carefully managed and the individual should be encouraged to seek professional help.
3. People who try to kill themselves are usually suffering from a mental illness. True/False
True. Research suggests 90% of people who attempt suicide suffer from a mental illness.
4. The suicidal act is a typical, well thought out expression of an attempt to cope with serious personal problems. True/False
False. Most suicidal persons are "irrational" at time of their crisis and are looking for a way to escape from their anxieties and despair. They cannot see another solution to their problems and so often act on impulse.
5. If someone wants to commit suicide, there is usually no way to prevent it. True/False
False. Most suicidal persons are ambivalent and looking for a means of escape. Most do not want death but want to end the pain they feel. For some, suicide seems like the only way to cry for help and professional help will help to reduce the risk of suicide.
6. People who have tried suicide and did not "succeed" are less likely to try again. True/False
False. Eighty percent of persons who die by suicide have made at least one previous attempt.
7. Once someone is suicidal, they will be suicidal forever. True/False
False. A suicidal person is usually only suicidal for a limited period of time. If they receive help they may be able to overcome the depression that may lead to suicide.
8. Suicidal people clearly want to die. True/False
False. Most suicidal persons are ambivalent and are looking for a way to escape a seemingly unbearable situation. Most do not want death but want to end the pain they feel.
9. Once a suicidal person shows signs of feeling better, the suicidal feelings have passed. True/False
False. It should not be assumed that since a suicidal person shows signs of improvement, the suicidal feelings have passed. They may lack the energy to put their suicidal thoughts into action at the moment, or they may feel relief after having made the decision to commit suicide.
10. Older men are at the highest risk of suicide. True/False
True. Men are at the highest risk for death by suicide, particularly those men over 65.
11. Suicide is a public health problem. True/False
True. Suicide has not traditionally been recognized as a preventable public health problem but instead seen as a sad and tragic event that could not be helped. Recently however, efforts have been made to educate the public about suicide and devise methods to prevent it from happening. Suicide is a public health concern, yet prevention should be multi-disciplined and efforts should be coordinated among all interested groups.
The responsibility of suicide prevention should be left up to:
- county/local health departments
- state health department
- private organizations
- mental health professionals
- all of the above
Suicide Prevention is the responsibility of all of these groups. Links between substance abuse prevention/treatment programs, suicide prevention, and mental health promotion programs are important. In addition, access to services for psychiatric treatment should be enhanced so that there is a place to refer those at risk for suicide. As more people are trained to be gatekeepers for suicide to help recognize those people at risk, there needs to be a place widely known and easily accessed to refer these individuals for further help. Also, multiple partnerships among federal and state agencies as well as with survivors and community organizations in the area of suicide prevention should be encouraged.
HEALTH WATCH - 08/08/2000: BROOME AND TIOGA COUNTY KICK-OFF PARKS CHALLENGE 2000
BINGHAMTON - Tioga and Broome County residents are invited to gather at Otsiningo Park, Tuesday, August 8, 2000 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon to kick-off the H.E.A.R.T. Parks Challenge 2000 and celebrate the benefits of increased physical activity.
The H.E.A.R.T. Parks Challenge 2000 is a fun way for residents to enjoy heart healthy exercise while visiting parks in Broome and Tioga Counties. Participants earn points for prizes by visiting nine different parks and answering the questions in the Parks Challenge booklet. Participants must walk through each park to find the answers. Depending on how many points they earn, participants can win bumper stickers; tee shirts; relaxation tapes; and pedometers. But the best prize is improved health.
The kick-off event at Otsiningo Park in Broome County will feature many fun physical activities to take part in. Participants can try line dancing; learn to power walk; Rollerblade; take a guided group walk; practice relaxation techniques; or dance the Hokey Pokey with the MIX 103 Boom Box. There will be health screenings, fun activities and displays. Kids can meet the Be Safe Bee and the UHS Veggies or take a chance at winning a Bike Helmet. Residents can discover how leisure time physical activity in Broome and Tioga Parks can improve heart health.
The H.E.A.R.T., or the Health Education Awareness Resource Team, of Broome and Tioga are sponsoring the Parks Challenge 2000. H.E.A.R.T. is a State funded group of community organizations dedicated to increasing physical activity and healthy nutrition opportunities for the residents of Broome and Tioga.
Come to the park and extend your legs to extend your life with the Parks Challenge 2000! For more information contact Jan Chytilo at the Broome County Health Department, 607.778.3921.
HEALTH WATCH - 07/11/2000: EXCESSIVE SUN EXPOSURE
Summer is a great time to enjoy the healthy benefits of outdoor activities, but take simple precautions to protect your skin and eyes from the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays.
"It is estimated that there are more than one million new cases of skin cancer among Americans each year. Most are curable, but from 40,000 to 50,000 cases are diagnosed as malignant melanoma of the skin, a form of skin cancer that can be deadly if not caught early," said Mr. Wolford, Director, of the Broome County Health Department.
"It is especially important to protect children, because most of our exposure to the sun occurs before the age of 20, " he said.
Although anyone can get skin cancer, individuals with certain risk factors are particularly susceptible. Some risk factors for skin cancer are:
- Light skin color;
- Family or personal history of skin cancer;
- History of severe sunburns early in life;
- A large number of moles, or moles that have changed in appearance; and
- Freckles as an indicator of sun sensitivity and sun damage.
You can take several simple steps to protect yourself from the sun's UV rays. Limiting your exposure to the sun is a good practice to follow throughout the year, not just when at the beach or pool. To protect yourself and your family:
- Wear a hat. Up to 80 percent of skin cancers occur on the head and neck, so a wide-brimmed hat should be worn to shade the face, ears, scalp and neck from the sun's UV rays.
- Cover up. Wear a closely woven, long-sleeve shirt and long pants. If you see light through a fabric, rays can penetrate it, causing burns.
- Seek shade. Because the sun's UV rays are strongest and do the most damage during midday, outdoor activities should be minimized at this time. If this is not possible, find the shade of a tree, beach umbrella or tent to protect the skin.
- Rub it on. Sunscreen with at least SPF 15 should be used whenever you spend time outdoors. To be effective, sunscreen needs to be generously applied 30 minutes before going outdoors and reapplied throughout the day, especially after swimming or physical activity.
- Protect children. Babies under six months should spend very little time in the sun. Be especially careful to protect the skin and eyes of older babies and children.
- Wear sunglasses. Sunglasses protect the tender skin around the eyes and reduce the risk of developing cataracts. Look for sunglasses that block both UVA and UVB rays. Wrap-around lenses are ideal, because they keep UV rays from hitting the sides of the eyes.
In the same way that skin is affected, UV damage can increase the risk of cancers in various parts of the eye. UV radiation may also worsen other eye conditions, such as cataracts and macular degeneration.
"Routine eye examinations every year or two are recommended for people over 45 years of age, unless a prior eye condition or disease necessitates more frequent exams," Mr. Wolford said.
For more information about protecting your skin and eyes from excessive sun exposure, call the Broome County Health Department at 607.778.3921.
HEALTH WATCH - 07/03/2000: PLAYGROUND SAFETY
Every 2½ minutes, a child is taken to an emergency room for a playground injury, according to Charles Wolford, Director, Broome County Health Department. Falls account for approximately 70 percent of these injuries, and many involve playground equipment. In 1997, 482 children in New York State, through age 14, were hospitalized as a result of falls from playground equipment, according to the New York State Health Department. Of these, 69 percent were hospitalized with broken arms; 12 percent with traumatic brain injuries; 10 percent with broken legs; and 2 percent with open wounds.
Mr. Wolford pointed out these alarming statistics:
- Most injuries occur on climbers, slides and swings.
- Between 15 and 20 children in the United States die annually from playground-related injuries. Of these deaths, strangulation's account for about 47 percent and falls for about 31 percent.
- Playground injuries are the leading cause of injuries to students, ages 5 to 14, in the school environment.
"Help reduce playground injuries by being aware of potential safety hazards," Mr. Wolford said. "The greatest number of injuries result from deficiencies in the areas of playground design and surface, equipment maintenance and supervision," he said.
The National Program for Playground Safety, funded by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said that many injuries and deaths can be prevented by concentrating on playground safety in four areas:
- FALLS TO SURFACES: Shock absorbing material under and around equipment is necessary. Hard surfaces, such as asphalt, concrete, dirt, glass or brick are ineffective, since they do not absorb falls. Acceptable alternatives are wood products, pea gravel, sand, and rubber products. The surface type, depth and area covered all contribute to safe play environments.
- AGE-APPROPRIATE DESIGN: The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends playground designs that include separate play equipment and areas for younger (ages 2 to 5) and older (up to 12) children because of developmental differences. A well designed playground should also include play equipment that is accessible to children with special needs.
- EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE: Equipment needs ongoing care. If you see something broken or needing maintenance, report it to playground officials.
- SUPERVISION: Lack of proper supervision contributes to approximately 40 percent of playground-related injuries. Playground supervisors and parents need to actively observe children of all ages. This includes making sure children's shoes and clothing do not have loose strings or fabric that could catch in equipment. Supervisors and parents should also be prepared for emergencies, such as being trained in CPR, in case children are injured.
"Also, teach your children to play safely. Don't allow rough play, shoving, pushing or fighting. Enforce all playground rules," Mr. Wolford said. "Make play areas safe at home, too. When buying equipment, look for stability. Swings, ladders and other upright pieces should come with anchoring devices to hold equipment, firmly to the ground. Cover any exposed screws or bolts with protective caps or tape," he said.
Never install equipment over hard surfaces, such as concrete, blacktop or brick. To install and maintain equipment, Mr. Wolford said to:
- Place playground sets in an open area, at least six feet from fences and walls.
- Regularly check nuts, bolts and clamps to ensure they are tight.
- Replace all rusted parts: nuts, bolts, swing chains and swings.
For further information about playground safety, call the Broome County Health Department, at 607.778.3921, or the National Program for Playground Safety, at 1.800.554.7529, or visit its web site at www.uni.edu/playground.
HEALTH WATCH - 06/27/2000: FOLIC ACID
- Folic acid is an amazing vitamin, that when taken BEFORE a woman becomes pregnant may reduce her risk of having a child with serious birth defects called neural tube defects (NTD) by as much as 70 percent. Recent data indicates that as many as 34.6% of all pregnancies are unintended. Many foods are now enriched with folic acid and orange juice is a great source of folic acid. So before young women think about pink or blue they need to think orange... folic acid, the good news vitamin.
Here are some energizing tips for the whole family:
To help your family get five or more servings of fruits and vegetables everyday:
- Have fruit or juice at breakfast everyday.
- Have fruit or vegetable as a snack everyday.
- Stock up on dried, frozen, or canned fruits and vegetables.
- Make the health snacks visible - on the top shelf of the fridge or on the kitchen counter.
- Microwave vegetables for dinner.
To help your family get 30 minutes of physical activity on most days:
- Take 3 ten-minute walks throughout the day.
- Get off the bus a stop or two early and walk the rest of the way.
- Join your kids. Take a bike ride, play catch or clean the yard together.
- Cleaning is exercise. Put on some music to liven it up.
