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August Health Literacy Newsletter from CHNA 23
This issue:
  • Food safety
  • Avoiding heat-related illness
  • Pharmacist's Corner--Dietary Supplements
  • Upcoming Events 
 
Food Safety
Foodborne illnesses tend to increase during the summer months because bacteria multiply faster when it’s warm. People also cook outside, away from refrigerators, thermometers, and sinks more often. Stay healthy and safe by following these food safety guidelines:
  • Grilling and Food Safety

    Cooking outdoors was once a summer only activity shared with family and friends. Now more than half of Americans say they are cooking outdoors year round. So whether the snow is blowing or the sun is shining, it's important to follow food safety guidelines to prevent harmful bacteria from causing foodborne illness. Use these simple guidelines for grilling food safely. 

 
  • Fairs and Festivals
What should you consider before buying food from a vendor?
Does the vendor have a clean/tidy workstation?
Does the vendor have a sink for employees to wash their hands?
Do the employees wear gloves or use tongs when handling food?
Does the vendor have refrigeration on site for raw ingredients or pre-cooked foods?
Has the vendor been inspected? Is a recent inspection report available? Requirements vary by state, but in general temporary and mobile vendors, like those at fairs and carnivals, should have a license to sell food and beverages in a particular state or county for a specific time period. You can check with the local health department to see if the vendors are licensed and if a food inspection has been completed.

Shish Kabobs on grill

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/food-safety-education/get-answers/food-safety-fact-sheets/safe-food-handling/grilling-and-food-safety/ct_index
https://www.cdc.gov/features/fairsandfood/index.html

Heat-Related Illness

Fun in the sun also means exposure to increased outdoor temperatures and humidity.  Below, 10 tips to stay safe in the summer heat, and an infographic to help identify common heat-related illnesses:

TEN HEAT SAFETY TIPS

1. Hot cars can be deadly. Never leave children or pets in your vehicle. The inside temperature of the car can quickly reach 120 degrees.

2. Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids. Avoid drinks with caffeine or alcohol.

3. Check on family, friends and neighbors who do not have air conditioning, who spend much of their time alone or who are more likely to be affected by the heat.

4. If someone doesn’t have air conditioning, they should seek relief from the heat during the warmest part of the day in places like schools, libraries, theaters, malls, etc.

5. Avoid extreme temperature changes.

6. Wear loose-fitting, lightweight, light-colored clothing. Avoid dark colors because they absorb the sun’s rays.

7. Slow down, stay indoors and avoid strenuous exercise during the hottest part of the day.

8. Postpone outdoor games and activities. 

9. Use a buddy system when working in excessive heat. Take frequent breaks if working outdoors.

10. Check on animals frequently to ensure that they are not suffering from the heat.

https://www.redcross.org/local/dakotas/about-us/news-and-events/news/ten-tips-for-staying-safe-in-the-summer-heat.html
 
Pharmacist's Corner
FDA to Reform Oversight and Strengthen Regulation of Dietary Supplements –
Dr. Jim O’Neil, B.S., PharmD.
Bridgewater Patient Advocacy and Wellness Services PLLC
 
     In a press announcement released earlier this year, the FDA stated the agency will be taking a larger role in how dietary supplements, including vitamins, minerals dietary supplements or herbs.  Since 1994 when congress passed the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA), which transformed the FDA’s authority to regulate dietary supplements, the dietary supplement market has grown from what was once a $4 billion industry and 4,000 products to what is now an industry involving over 50,000 products generating more than $40 billion in sales.  Along with this increased popularity has come increased concerns regarding potentially dangerous products and misleading or unproven claims about possible health benefits.(1)  From my professional standpoint a statement on a product label stating, in effect, that “This is a nutritional supplement and is not intended for the modification, management or cure of a condition” should be enough to motivate individuals to explore more about the product i.e. actual or potential benefits,  possible side effects associated with proper and improper use, and the potential for drug interactions but my concern is that happens less often than it could.  And while there is more and more information being generated daily about selected conditions for which these supplements appear to be helpful, there is a lot more to be researched and reported on the actual benefits associated with taking supplements.
     While a comprehensive discussion on how to safely integrate dietary supplements into one’s wellness plan, provided below is a link to the National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements webpage. Available in both English and Spanish there is a lot of information available to both the consumer trying to find information for the first time to the well trained health professionals involved in patient care and drug information.   Topics covered through this portal include:
  • Dietary Supplements - What you need to know
  • A Dictionary of terms
  • Dietary Supplement Fact Sheets – Fact sheets cover health effects, safety, recommended amounts interactions with medicines and other topics.
  • “My Medical Record” – a tool to help you maintain a list of medications and supplements for conversations with your physicians, pharmacists and other health care providers.
 
 
Community Health and Wellness Fair
Plymouth Public Library
Saturday, September 28th
10:30am-2:00pm
Contact Tom Cummiskey for more information
508-830-4250  x 219
tcummiskey@ocln.org
 
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