July 2017 News For Healthy Communities

July 2017 News for Healthy Communities

Documentary Screening Explores Health Equity

Diet and exercise are well-known drivers of good health, but what about zip code?

In “Unnatural Causes,” a seven-episode documentary series developed by PBS, one particular episode explores why street address might be a strong predictor of overall health.
DEH’s Community Health Division will host a screening of “Unnatural Causes: Place Matters” on Tuesday, July 11 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at the McNichols Civic Center Building, located at 144 W. Colfax Ave. The event is part of the ongoing Health Equity in Our City learning series.

“Unnatural Causes talks about things we take for granted as natural causes of death that are really unnatural in that they are modifiable or preventable,” explained Michele Shimomura MS, MPH, environmental public health manager with DEH.

Shimomura noted that poor health, in many cases, stems from inequity. Income determines where an individual is able to live, and not all communities offer equal access to healthy choices.

“Starting to look at [health] through an equity lens is important,” Shimomura added. “Being the city’s public health department, [all employees] should have a solid foundation of the drivers of health. If our mission is to make communities healthier and better, how are we to fulfill that mission if we don’t actually know what is driving the health of our communities?”

The event also aims to address the belief that health is largely determined by personal choices, which does not consider how an individual’s environment — or existing societal structures — shape those choices.

All DEH employees and community and agency partners are encouraged to attend the event, which will also include a brief presentation by Dr. Aisha Rousseau, director of the Office of Disability Rights in the Office of Human Rights & Community Partnerships. Activities and discussions following the 29-minute screening will help attendees expand on the concepts discussed and connect them to their own lives and work.

Attendees are encouraged to RSVP at www.surveymonkey.com/r/DEH1HES. Contact Michele Shimomura at 720-865-5375 or michele.shimomura@denvergov.org for more information.

To learn more about the “Unnatural Causes” series, visit www.unnaturalcauses.org.

Beat the Summer Heat at Home

Summer is here, is your home ready to keep out the heat? When temperatures increase, many residents start looking for ways to keep their home comfortable which often results in higher energy bills.

The Denver Energy Challenge program is a resource for Denver residents who want to learn about their home’s energy use, and then see where they can make improvements; big or small. Preventative maintenance can help you save money in the long run. “Think of it like a wellness check at the doctor just to see how everything is going,” says Program Manager Julie Saporito. Advice through the program can help residents determine if their home needs an energy audit or simply a tune up on their heating/cooling system. “While we all use energy, it’s important to remember that everyone uses it differently, so what makes sense for one resident may not make sense for another,” says Saporito. The program aims to help residents make the best decisions for their home while ensuring that they capture applicable rebates for projects completed.

More information can be found by visiting www.DenverEnergy.org or by calling 720-865-5520.

Tips for Farmers Market Food Safety

Farmers markets have become a seasonal staple in the Denver metro area. From May to October, a rainbow of locally grown produce fills farmers market stalls — alongside jerky, jam, baked goods and other prepared foods.

DEH public health inspectors generally visit established farmers markets twice each season to ensure that all vendors are licensed and following food safety regulations. These include proper food washing and preparation and personal hygiene practices as well as maintaining safe food temperatures and ensuring proper storage, according to DEH Food Safety Supervisor Alison Peterson. While most farmers and food entrepreneurs comply with all food safety regulations, consumers should be aware of the following tips when enjoying the perfect plum or fresh croissant.

Produce
Farmers market produce should be uncut and unpeeled at purchase, and consumers should still wash natural and organic produce. While cleaning fruits and vegetables with soap or detergent is not advised, consumers should use running water to clean produce before slicing, dicing or eating. Foodsafety.gov also recommends that all cut or peeled produce be refrigerated within two hours after preparation.

Dairy, Eggs and Meat
Peterson also advises consumers to be aware of proper food safety temperatures when purchasing perishable items such as dairy products, eggs and meat. Dairy products in particular must be pasteurized and kept at a temperature of 41 degrees F or lower. She also recommends that consumers immediately refrigerate farmers market purchases to prevent bacteria growth, while Foodsafety.gov suggests bringing along an insulated bag or container to keep items cool in transit.

Prepared Foods
Colorado Retail Food Establishment Rules and Regulations require vendors that offer prepared or packaged foods — as well as foods served on site — to be licensed as a retail food establishment. Additionally, all processed foods must be prepared in approved facilities. Essentially, if it’s sliced, diced, dried, smoked, cooked or otherwise, vendors should be following all standard food regulations and labeling their goods accordingly.

Product Samples
While product samples are not specifically regulated by DEH public health inspectors, Peterson notes that vendors should treat these enticing bites the same way they treat food intended for sale. Perishable food samples should be properly cooled or heated, and all standard cleaning and preparation steps should be followed.

For more information on farmers market food safety, contact DEH’s Public Health Inspections staff at 720-865-5401 or visit www.denvergov.org /PHI.

State of the City Address
Hiawatha Davis Jr. Recreation Center
3334 Holly St., Denver, CO 80207

Monday, July 10,2017
11 a.m. to Noon

Followed by a community cookout from Noon to 2 p.m.