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Governor announces infant mortality rate drops to record low

[NOV. 26, 2002]  SPRINGFIELD — Gov. George Ryan announced last week that Illinois’ infant mortality rate dropped to an all-time low in 2001, continuing a downward trend that has seen the rate decline by 30 percent since 1990.

"We are encouraged by the good news," Gov. Ryan said. "This is an indication that our efforts to provide Illinois babies with a better chance of living a healthy life are successful. However, we must remain committed to state initiatives, such as family case management, that educate women to the importance of comprehensive prenatal care and to reducing the health disparities between blacks and whites."

The infant mortality rate for 2001 was 7.5 deaths per 1,000 live births, a decline of 9.8 percent from the 8.3 rate in 2000 and a 30 percent decline since 1990, when the rate was 10.7, according to statistics compiled by the Illinois Department of Public Health. Prior to 2001, the previous record low was 8.2, which was recorded in 1997 and 1998.

All-time low infant death rates were recorded among African-Americans and whites and in Chicago and downstate.

Dr. John R. Lumpkin, state public health director, heralded the reduction in infant mortality rates and reminded expectant mothers of the importance of taking care of themselves and their unborn child through proper nutrition and prenatal care.

"In order to help assure a healthy baby, women should eat nutritional foods; not smoke, drink alcohol or use illegal drugs; and make regular visits to their doctor or health care provider during pregnancy," Dr. Lumpkin said.

Dr. Lumpkin said the single greatest threat to newborns is low birth weight. Babies born with low birth weight (less than 2,500 grams or 5 pounds, 8 ounces) are 40 times more likely to die during the first month of life, and those who survive suffer chronic physical and learning disabilities up to three times more often than normal weight infants.

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The 2001 rate for African-American babies was a record-low 14.9 deaths per 1,000 live births, down from the previous low of 16.3 deaths in 2000. The infant mortality rate for whites was also an all-time low of 5.9. The previous low white rate was 6.2 in 1997 and 1999.

Geographically, infant mortality rates in Chicago fell from 10.5 in 2000 to 9.0 in 2001, the lowest rate ever recorded in the city. Since 1990, the infant mortality rate in Chicago has fallen 42 percent. Downstate (all geographic areas outside the city of Chicago) infant deaths decreased from 7.4 in 2000 to 6.9 in 2001. The lowest previously recorded was 7.0 in 1999.

The infant mortality rate is figured annually by taking the number of children who die before reaching 1 year of age and dividing that figure by the number of babies born in the same year, then multiplying by 1,000.

In 2001, 1,379 babies died before their first birthday (67 percent died within the first 27 days of life). The number was the lowest for any year recorded.

A total of 184,022 babies were born to Illinois women in 2001 compared with 185,003 in 2000.

For a county-by-county breakdown of infant mortality rates in Illinois for 2000 and 2001, contact Wanda Taylor at (312) 814-3158.

[Illinois Government News Network
press release]

Great American Smokeout day

[NOV. 21, 2002]  Today, Thursday (Nov. 21), people across the country are encouraged to kick the habit for the Great American Smokeout. For residents of Illinois who want to quit, the Department of Public Health offers a toll-free Illinois Tobacco Quitline — 1 (866) QUIT-YES, 1 (866) 784-8937 — staffed by trained professionals.

The following website offers tips to quit:

http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/
educational_materials/iquit.htm

Local smoke-free restaurants:

A & W

Bluestem Bake Shop

Break Away Cafe

Burger King

Chad’s Inn

Coffee With Einstein

Cookie’s Bakery

First Wok

Gleason’s Dairy Bar

Grapes & Grounds

Hardee’s

Java Junction

Jimmy John’s

Joe’s Pizzeria

Marcia’s Grand Cafe

Russell Stover Candies

Sorrento’s

Subway

Subway (Mount Pulaski)

Taco Bell

Vintage Fare

[LDN]

Magic comes to central Illinois

[NOV. 20, 2002]  Arguably one of the greatest basketball players ever came to central Illinois last night, and he didn’t take even one shot — at least not with a basketball. Ervin "Magic" Johnson, of both Los Angeles Laker and Michigan State fame, was in Bloomington on the campus of Illinois Wesleyan University. Johnson was the featured speaker for their annual AIDS awareness week, and he got right to the point.

In front of a standing-room-only crowd at the Shirk Center, Magic indicated that he had been at both ends of the spectrum as a spokesman on HIV and AIDS issues. He indicated that he’s been good for the issues because of his high profile but also shared that he’s been bad for the issues when you consider how well he’s doing some 11 years after contracting the HIV virus.

People with the disease or those who might get it think that they will be as fortunate and blessed as I have been through these 11 years, he told the crowd; however, the virus reacts differently in every single person. People are dying every day!

[Photos by Jeff Mayfield]

Johnson encouraged the students in attendance to talk to their partner, parents, pastors or other role models to discuss ways that they might protect themselves. "Obviously," he said, "the safest sex is no sex."

He also gave out several facts during his presentation, such as the statistics that African-Americans make up13 percent of the U.S. population but account for 37 percent of all known AIDS cases. Magic exclaimed that these numbers must be brought down.

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Magic’s foundation has produced $20 million to help people with AIDS, and other monies have gone for a host of educational programs. Currently Johnson is a major entrepreneur, owning theaters, Starbucks coffeehouses, Fatburger hamburger joints (mostly located in several inner cities), and he is a co-owner and vice president of the Lakers.

He says that he is doing great healthwise by taking three pills every morning and three pills every evening along with an extensive workout regiment. But he is keenly aware that that could all change in an instant. He went on to say, "The only change for me is uncertainty."

The LDN was on hand and spotted former Lincoln and Clinton great Josh Rich in the crowd. Also, many former Lincoln and Logan County residents who now attend IWU or ISU were among the throng packed in, hanging on every word.

[Jeff Mayfield]

Health Matters

A monthly feature from  Logan County Health Department

[Click here for "Let’s talk turkey -- safe turkey"]

Health Department offers
flu shots for the public

[OCT. 9, 2002]  Logan County Health Department has flu and pneumonia immunizations available now. Flu and pneumonia shots can be obtained at the Health Department, 109 Third St., on a walk-in basis during normal business hours, Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 pm. Please arrive by 4:15 p.m.

The Mobile Medical Van will also have flu and pneumonia immunizations available at all regularly scheduled times of operation in all 14 communities.

It is recommended that the flu vaccination be received by the end of November.

The cost for flu and pneumonia vaccine is $16 per shot. Medicare will pay for both shots. All clients are asked to have their Medicare cards with them when coming to get flu or pneumonia shots.

Influenza is caused by a virus that spreads from people infected to the nose or throat of others. Influenza can cause fever, cough, chills, sore throat, headache, muscle aches in people of any age.

However, people at risk for getting serious cases of influenza are people 65 years of age or older, residents of long-term care facilities, anyone with serious long-term health problems, people with weakened immune system, and health care workers coming in close contact with people at risk of serious influenza.

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People who have had a serious allergic reaction to eggs or previous dose of influenza vaccine, and people with a history of Guillain-Barre Syndrome should consult with a doctor before getting the influenza vaccination.

Pneumonia vaccine protects against pneumococcal pneumonia, a serious lung infection. Symptoms of pneumonia include fever, aches, fatigue, chest pain, cough and confusion. People 65 years of age and older should receive the pneumococcal immunization. Re-vaccination of people at highest risk for serious pneumococcal infection is recommended only once, after five years have elapsed.

For further information, please contact the Logan County Health Department at (217) 735-2317.

[News release]

Red Cross

West Nile Virus

West Nile virus links

LDN articles

• Local authorities watching WNV

Federal websites

• CDC WNV home page

State websites

• State WNV website

• Protect your home against mosquitoes
• State surveillance site
• Logan County surveillance site

Honors & Awards

Announcements

Blood drive Monday

[NOV. 29, 2002]  Across the nation blood shortages occur every day. Fortunately for our families and friends here in central Illinois, local donors have responded and helped fill the blood needs of patients in our hospitals. However, blood is a renewable resource and must be constantly replaced. For instance, last summer one central Illinois accident victim used over 100 units of blood in 24 hours, but he is alive and recovering because of faithful central Illinois blood donors.

There can be no greater gift given than the gift of life. Patients in our hospitals cannot suspend their need for blood just because of the holiday season. Please share your health with those less fortunate during this season of love and caring.

You will have an opportunity to help on Monday, Dec. 2, from 1 to 6 p.m. at West Lincoln-Broadwell School. Central Illinois Community Blood Center will have a small token of appreciation for each donor.

Central Illinois Community Blood Center provides all of the blood and blood products for 12 area hospitals, including those in Lincoln, Hopedale and Springfield. CICBC is a community-based blood center whose mission is to provide a safe and adequate blood supply for patients in local hospitals in a cost-effective manner. No other organization provides blood in these hospitals.

Please give the gift of life this holiday season and help save lives in your community by donating blood to your community blood center.

[CICBC press 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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