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Features

[JULY 13, 2002]  Nearly two out of every five Americans will be involved in an alcohol-related traffic crash in their lifetime. Alcohol-related traffic accidents are the second leading cause of teen deaths.

Alcohol is the primary drug of abuse for youth. Research shows that about 10 million Americans between ages 12 to 20 years had at least one drink last month. These numbers increase alcohol’s association with the leading causes of death and injuries among teenagers and young adults. For example, during a typical weekend, an average of one teenager dies each hour in a car crash. Nearly 50 percent of these crashes involve alcohol.

Driving under the influence in Illinois is a serious risk-taking behavior. Apart from concerns for the personal safety of yourself and others, there are severe legal penalties (see chart)  and economic consequences if convicted.

Under the "Use It & Lose It" zero tolerance law, drivers under age 21 with any trace of alcohol in their systems will lose their driving privileges. People under 21 also can be charged with a DUI if they have a blood alcohol content of .08 percent, the legal blood alcohol limit in Illinois for those of legal drinking age. A DUI conviction involves both administrative and criminal penalties and will result in both the revocation of your driver’s license and the suspension of vehicle registration privileges. The following chart illustrates some of Illinois’ consequences of underage drinking.

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Parents have tremendous influence over their teen’s decision whether or not to drink alcohol. Studies show that parental attitudes and practices related to alcohol are the strongest social influence on children’s use of alcohol and other drugs. That is why it is important not to send mixed messages. Parents need to maintain good lines of communication, become involved in their child’s lives, make and enforce clear and consistent rules, serve as positive role models, and be aware of their child’s activities in order to help their child make healthier choices.

A study from the Center of Substance Abuse Prevention found that when school-age youth are allowed to drink at home, they not only are more likely to use alcohol and other drugs outside the home, but also are more likely to develop serious behavioral and health problems related to substance use. The survey indicated that most parents allow for "supervised" underage drinking, which is a bigger factor in use and abuse than peer pressure. Parents should know that it is a Class A misdemeanor, with a possible fine of $1,000, to knowingly allow individuals to gather at a residence when the individuals are under the age of 21 and are drinking.

If you would like more information on the "Use It & Lose It" zero tolerance law or more alcohol information, contact Kristi Lessen at (217) 735-2272.

[News release]

Blood donors needed

[JULY 10, 2002]  WASHINGTON — In an attempt to generate much needed blood donations, the nation’s blood banking and public health leaders have joined together to issue a call for all eligible Americans to give blood this summer. The appeal comes in the face of increasingly significant blood shortages, leaving certain parts of the country with less than a one-day supply.

The American Association of Blood Banks, America’s Blood Centers and the American Red Cross, as well as the American Hospital Association and the American Public Health Association join in this appeal.

"To avert a critical blood shortage in certain areas of the country, we need people in these affected areas to schedule an appointment to donate blood this summer," said Karen Shoos Lipton, chief executive officer of the American Association of Blood Banks. "To ensure an adequate national blood supply in the future, we need people to donate blood on an ongoing basis. The fact that all blood organizations are joining in issuing this message underscores the importance of this matter."

Nearly one-half of Red Cross Blood Services regions and one-third of ABC-member blood centers are currently suffering from shortages and anticipate severe blood shortages in the coming weeks if people do not donate. On any given day, an average of 34,000 units of red blood cells are needed for patients in the United States. Less than 5 percent of the eligible population donates blood.

Reasons for the shortage include an increase in blood donor restrictions and misperceptions as to the need and use of blood in America. (See "blood IQ" poll results.)

"The public health of the United States would be in severe jeopardy without a safe, available blood supply," said Dr. Mohammad Akhter, executive director of the American Public Health Association. "Through the power of collaboration, the health care and blood banking communities are committed to ending the sporadic blood shortages by increasing Americans’ awareness of the everyday critical need for blood."

People interested in donating blood may call one of the following numbers for more information and to schedule an appointment.

•  American Association of Blood Banks, 1-866-FROM-YOU (1-866-376-6968)

•  America’s Blood Centers, 1-888-USBLOOD (1-888-872-5663)

•  American Red Cross, 1-800-GIVE-LIFE (1-800-448-3543)

There will be a Red Cross blood drive at the Lincoln Sports Complex on July 17 from noon until 5 p.m.

"The blood supply is a critical component of our health system, and it has to be constantly available in order to respond to any emergency at any time. Now, at the beginning of the summer, we need to remember that while many of us take a vacation at this time of year, the need for blood does not. That is why Americans must continue to donate blood throughout the summer vacation period, this year and every year." — Dr. Eve Stater, Health and Human Services assistant secretary for health

"Ensuring a safe and adequate supply of blood is important to all Americans. Nowhere is this more evident than in our nation’s hospitals. That’s why we encourage Americans who can to donate blood today during this critical shortage as well as tomorrow." — Dick Davidson, president, American Hospital Association

One reason for the reoccurring shortages is widespread misperceptions about America’s blood supply. According to a recent nationwide telephone survey of 1,005 adults 18 and older by StrategyOne, most Americans lack basic knowledge about blood donations.

• Americans underestimate the country’s need for blood transfusions. (Only 9 percent of respondents knew blood is needed every two seconds.)

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• The majority of adults overestimate the number of people who actually donate blood. (Only 8 percent of those polled knew that less than 5 percent of all eligible donors give blood.)

• About one in four Americans (23 percent of respondents) knows that U.S. adults are allowed to give blood every two months.

1. How often are American adults allowed to give blood? Would you say they are allowed to give blood...

2. In an average year, what percentage of the eligible U.S. population donates blood?

3. On an average day, how often does someone in America need a blood transfusion? Would you say that someone needs a blood transfusion...

4. How many major blood types are there?

5. What is the minimum age requirement for giving blood?

[News release]

Health Matters

A monthly feature from  Logan County Health Department

TB elimination: Now is the time!

[JULY 1, 2002]  While tuberculosis is an ancient disease, it is also one of the world’s deadliest. Each year, 8 million people around the world become sick with TB. One-third of the world’s population is infected with the TB bacillus. Each year, there are over 2 million TB-related deaths worldwide. TB is the leading killer of people who are HIV-infected, accounting for one-third of AIDS deaths worldwide. TB causes more deaths among women worldwide than all causes of maternal mortality combined.

What is tuberculosis? TB is caused by an organism called myco bacterium tuberculosis. When a person with active TB disease coughs or sneezes, tiny particles containing M. tuberculosis may be expelled into the air. If another person inhales air that contains these particles, transmission from one person to another may occur. However, not everyone infected with the TB germ becomes sick; as a result, two TB-related conditions exist: latent TB infection and active TB disease — both of which are treatable and curable.  [See comparative chart.]

If your doctor feels you need treatment for LTBI or active TB disease, it is very important to take all of medicines as directed. If you are noncompliant, it can become a drug-resistant strain of TB that can be very hard to treat.

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TB skin testing is recommended for certain areas of employment and for certain high-risk groups. TB skin testing is also required for children in some day-care programs and preschool programs. TB skin testing is also recommended before traveling to and after returning from a high-risk country. When the TB skin test is given it will need to be checked in two to three days. This requires two visits from the client.

TB skin tests are given free of charge to residents of Logan County. These tests are available from the Logan County Health Department Monday through Friday, 7:30 to 4:30, on a walk-in basis. TB skin tests are also available on the rural medi-van. If you have any questions, please call Logan County Health Department, (217) 735-2317.

[News release]

Red Cross

Red Cross blood drives in July

[JULY 3, 2002]  The American Red Cross will have two blood drives at the Lincoln Sports Complex in July. They will be sponsored by Lincoln Printers, Inc. On July 3, hours will be from noon until 6 p.m. Hours on July 17 will be from noon until 5 p.m.

Also on July 17, Faith Lutheran Church will host a drive from noon until 6 p.m.

Atlanta Christian Church will be the site for a drive from noon until 6 p.m. July 18.

St. Peter Lutheran Church in Emden will host a drive on July 26, with hours from 2 until 6 p.m.

During June, the following people reached milestones in their blood donations: Willard Emmons, 13 gallons; Joe Reichle, 12; Nancy A. Lahr, seven; Larry J. Lessen, six; W.B. Franz, five; Richard D. Martin, three; Beverly Lessen, two; Paul Eckert, two; Thomas Steiner, two; Carolyn Follis, one; and Ruth A. Fredericks, one gallon.

Honors & Awards

Announcements

Tests that could save your life

[JULY 9, 2002]  Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital and the Healthy Communities Partnership are co-sponsoring Life Line Screening at the hospital on Friday, July 12. Life Line Screening, a mobile screening service, enables participants to be checked for vascular disease or osteoporosis as part of a prevention plan. The screenings can help determine, in less than 10 minutes, whether a person is at risk of suffering from a stroke. Stroke, which is the third-leading cause of death in America, is also the No. 1 cause for nursing home admissions. Half of all stroke victims have no warning signs before a stroke occurs.

The tests consist of quick, non-invasive, painless screenings for vascular disease using the most advanced Doppler ultrasound technology. The screenings will rapidly detect arterial abnormalities, which can cause irregular blood flow.

Life Line is dedicated to providing the highest quality imaging technology at an affordable rate so that people can become aware of undetected health problems. A board-certified physician, who is fully insured and licensed to practice, reviews and confirms all screening results. Participants are then encouraged to seek follow-up care with their own physician.

The complete vascular screening package consists of three tests. The first is the carotid artery/stroke screening. This test scans the carotid arteries in the neck for buildup of fatty plaque, which leads to stroke. According to the National Stoke Association, this is one of the most preventable of all life-threatening health problems. The second test, the abdominal aortic aneurysm screening, helps detect the existence of an aneurysm (enlargement) in the abdominal aorta that could lead to a ruptured aortic artery. The third test screens for peripheral arterial disease in the lower extremities, which is linked to coronary artery disease.

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These three tests cost $40 each or $99 for all three. Osteoporosis screenings will also be available for $35, to determine abnormal bone mass density in men and women. The cost for all four tests is $125. Participants must preregister.

Medicare does not cover the cost of the screenings, and Life Line does not file insurance claims. For more information or to preregister call Life Line Screening at 1 (800) 407-4557.

[News release]

The Rural Health Partnership has announced the schedule for its mobile health unit for 2002.

For more information on the mobile health unit schedule and services, contact Dayle Eldredge at (217) 732-2161, Ext. 409.

Community resource list

This family resource list to save and use is provided by the Healthy Communities Partnership and the Healthy Families Task Force, 732-2161, Ext. 409.         

(updated 2-15-02)

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