Stroke Awareness

Join the One Million Hearts Webinar about the prevention of strokes today at 2pm

Act Fast

Strokes or "Brain Attacks" are all too common.  Anyone at any age can have a stroke.  It is very important to learn the facts about strokes and to be able to identify the signs and symptoms.  Prevention of a stroke according to the CDC can include eating a healthy diet, maintaining a healthy weight, exercising, limiting alcohol, and keeping low blood pressure and cholesterol (http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/player.asp?f=8632596).  

If there is an instance when you or someone else is experiencing the symptoms of a stroke it is key to act FAST! 

• F=Face 
• A=Arm 
• S=Speech 
• T=Time 

Awareness Tools for Healthcare Professionals

• Strokeawareness.com provides a myriad of helpful tools for healthcare professionals that explain the importance of stroke prevention. Here you can download tools or order free printed materials.

• Take and have your patients take this interactive pledge to help prevent your risk of stroke. This webpage also includes risk prevention resources.
  

More helpful information about strokes:

• Listen to the fast and informative podcast about preventing strokes here 
• Images to help spread awareness about strokes on social media 
• Frequently asked questions about strokes  
• Stroke treatments including how to prevent a second stroke and rehabilitation
• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services blog about strokes and the risk it poses for women.

Summer is Coming...

Heat Safety 

Today is Heat Safety Awareness Day! Although, it is still spring we all know that hot summer days are quickly approaching.  It is best to be prepared and know what to do in the inevitable event of warm to hot temperatures and extreme heat. 
 

Did you know?

• Data shoes that from 2004-2013, heat was the highest of the weather fatalities.  View all results 
• If you needed another reason to not leave your kids, elderly or pets in a car view this animation of how fast the sun can heat your car.

Information on Extreme Heat:

• Common Heat Related Illnesses 
• What to Know About Heat Advisories 
• Heat Safety for Kids and Teens  
• Beat the Heat Podcast 

Tips for Preparing for Extreme Heat:

• Prevent Heat-Related Illnesses 
• What to do Before and During Extreme Heat 
• Tips for Outdoor Workers to Prevent Heat Illness 
• How to Respond and Safety Tips for Parents

What You Can Do:

• Take the Pledge to Prepare for Extreme Heat 
• Learn How to Build an Extreme Heat Emergency Kit 
• Protecting you Family and Pets 
• Prepare Your Home Early and Help Older Adults Plan

Helpful Materials:

• CDC Extreme Heat Infographic 
• Tips and Free Materials 
• Printable Extreme Heat Brochure 
• Social Media Materials 
• Excessive Heat Events Guidebook

As we approach the long weekend many people will be spending a lot of time outside. So please keep this information in mind and pass it along.

Mental Health Awareness

 

May is National Mental Health Awareness month.   Often times mental health gets pushed aside because it is a part of us that cannot be seen.  The truth is though, everyone should be working their mental health.  Stress, family, environment, money, there are many things that could play a part in mental health.  Learn some facts, ways to spread awareness and more!

Information:

• Ohio Adolescent Mental Health Facts
• Learn more about mental health disorders and resources available
• Learn the common treatment types for mental health
• Get informed with risk factors, early warning signs and symptoms
• Fact sheets of mental health and how to spread awareness

The campaign to change the direction:

• Learn the 5 signs
• Take the pledge to #changementalhealth

Helpful tips and how to spread awareness:

• Know the stages of mental health and spread awareness about getting mental health help before stage four
• 7 mental health resolutions for 2015
• Download a 2015 mental health toolkit

50th Anniversary of Community Health Centers

 

America's Health Centers, Celebrating 50 Years

"In 2015, America’s Health Centers will celebrate 50 years of success in expanding access to quality and affordable primary and preventive healthcare services to millions of uninsured and medically underserved people nationwide." (http://chchistory.nachc.org/)

Learn about the legacy, the impact and the future of community health centers in the National Association of Community Health centers' great article "Community Health Centers Past, Present, and Future: Building on 50 Years of Success" here.

https://nachc.com/client//PI_50th.pdf

 

Ohio Community Health Centers

In 2014 Ohio community health centers served nearly 574,000 patients and staffed over 3,000 full-time equivalents. Also, our Ohio CHCs had over 1.9 million patient visits! 

Learn more about Ohio community health centers here

Community health centers provide such valuable resources for all people across the state. Ohio currently has 44 community health center organizations, equaling 222 CHC sites across the state.  73% of our CHC organizations have at least one health center that is PCMH recognized!

Learn about PCMH here