Health Matters
a quarterly publication of the
Farmington Valley Health District
Fall 2022
Serving the towns of:
Avon
Barkhamsted
Canton
Colebrook
East Granby
Farmington
Granby
Hartland
New Hartford
Simsbury
Connect with us on Social Media
Visit our website at www.fvhd.org
95 River Road
Canton, CT 06019
860-352-2333
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Flu? Who?
Yes, You!

Seasonal flu “influenza” is a respiratory virus. Symptoms can range from mild to severe. Each year there are millions of cases of flu, hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations, and tens of thousands of flu-related deaths. Detected flu cases dipped during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic due to exceptional infection control measures such as hand hygiene, masking, staying home when ill, and physical distancing in public. As these measures were relaxed in the 2021-2022 season, we saw an increase of cases across the country and in the Farmington Valley.
Luckily, the flu vaccination is readily available. Getting vaccinated decreases the chances of getting sick, becoming hospitalized, and dying from the flu. Vaccinated individuals typically report milder symptoms when they do get sick than those who did not receive a flu vaccine in a given year.
Who should get a flu shot?
The flu vaccine is safe for all ages from 6 months and older and is strongly recommended to prevent severe illness, hospitalization, and death. Those at highest risk of developing complications of flu illness include people 65 years and older; adults with chronic health conditions such as heart disease, asthma, diabetes, and chronic kidney disease; and children under 2 years of age. Healthcare workers are strongly encouraged to get the flu vaccine when working with vulnerable populations. By protecting yourself, you are also protecting those around you.

When should I get a flu shot?
Adults and children should get vaccinated for flu every year. It is best to receive the flu vaccine during the fall from September to November.

Where can I get a flu shot in my area?
The Farmington Valley Health District will be offering flu clinics at our office, 95 River Road, Canton, during the fall season this year. If interested, please check out our website for upcoming dates and times.

Please continue living well by helping to reduce the spread of respiratory infections in the community. Wash your hands often, cover a cough, avoid crowded places, wear a mask if you have symptoms or are at risk of developing a serious infection, stay home if you are not well, and get your flu vaccine. Yes, you!
Do You Wonder If You or Your Family are being Exposed to Lead in Your Home?
Common Household Lead Exposures
What is lead and what are its health effects? 
Lead is a heavy metal that is toxic to humans. It was used primarily in paint, pipes, and plumbing materials and may be found in dust and soil. Use of lead in paint was banned in the United States in 1978. Therefore, homes built prior to 1978 may have lead paint. Exposure to lead can cause serious health problems, especially in children.
Exposure to high levels of lead may cause:
  • Anemia
  • Weakness
  • Kidney Damage
  • Brain Damage
Where might I be exposed to lead in my home and what steps can I take to prevent further exposure?
Lead Dust
Gathering a dust sample.
  • Lead dust may come from home remodeling or when lead paint is improperly removed.
  • If your house was built before 1978 and you’re considering renovating, you should have a lead test done and hire a Renovate, Repair, and Paint (RRP) certified contractor.
  • The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires companies performing renovation, repair, or painting involving the disruption of lead-based paint to be trained by the EPA in lead safe work practices. 
Chipping or Peeling Paint
  • Chipping or peeling paint may lead to lead dust.
  • High friction areas like windows and doors are more likely to generate dust.
  • If you have lead paint in your home, the windows and doors should be replaced by an RRP certified contractor. 
Radiator with peeling lead paint.
Soil
Testing the soil for lead.
Drinking Water
  • Lead may get into drinking water through leaded pipes or lead welding material used on water pipes.
  • It is a good practice to flush your pipes by letting the water run for about two minutes before first use after it has been unused overnight.
  • If you think you may have lead in your drinking water, we recommend you test your water at a certified water testing laboratory. 
Testing drinking water for lead.
Other less common sources of lead include cosmetics, ayurvedics, children’s toys, and jewelry. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has information regarding lead in other consumer products.
If you have concerns about lead exposure, please visit the Connecticut Department of Public Health for more information.
Get Back on Track!
Childhood Immunizations
The importance of childhood immunizations cannot be underestimated. Childhood vaccines not only protect your child from preventable deadly diseases such as polio, tetanus, and measles, but they also keep others safe because they eliminate or decrease the spread of disease from child to child.
COVID-19 has impacted many of our normal activities, from grocery shopping to traveling and visiting with friends to keeping up with regularly scheduled doctor’s visits. One impact of falling behind on doctor’s appointments is reflected in the percentage of Connecticut kindergarten students who received the required MMR vaccines. In the 2020-2021 school year, 95.3% of kindergarten students received the MMR vaccine, down 1.8% since the 2012-2013 school year. To achieve herd immunity for measles, 95% must be vaccinated or have had the disease (Patel, Zucker, Barbot, & Cohn, 2020). If this declining trend continues, the risk of contracting and spreading these diseases will increase. The potential of losing in-person learning and overburdening our health care system due to an increase in preventable disease is something our children cannot afford at this time.

Thus, it is imperative to get back on track with regularly scheduled visits with your pediatrician to ensure your child receives the recommended vaccinations for their age as shown in the CDC infographic to the left. We all have a part to play in protecting our families as well as those around us from preventable diseases. 
https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/parents/downloads/parent-ver-sch-0-6yrs.pdf

Reference
Patel, M., Zucker, H., Barbot, O., & Cohn, A. (2020, February 18). Measles – Maintaining Disease Elimination and Enhancing Vaccine Confidence. Retrieved from Centers for Disease Control and Prvention: https://www.cdc.gov/grand-rounds/pp/2020/20200218-measles-elimination-vaccine.html
Save a Life: Question, Persuade, Refer
Scope of the Problem

According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, more than 1.2 million suicide attempts and 45,979 American deaths by suicide occurred in 2020. Although the rate of suicide in the United States dropped slightly from 2020 to 2021, Americans reported higher rates of depression and anxiety than ever before (Household Pulse Survey). In November 2020, 58.7% of individuals 18 to 25 years of age, and 42.6% of adults 26 years of age and older, reported feeling depressed or anxious. Increased anxiety, depression, and untreated mental health struggles significantly increase the risk of suicide. 
What Can You Do?

Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) is an evidence-based program that teaches individuals how to recognize a mental health emergency and how to get the person at risk the help they need. Much like CPR, this 90-minute training is appropriate for anyone in middle school and older. If you are interested in participating in a QPR training, please call Justine at (860) 352-2333.
September is Food Safety Education Month
Take Steps to Prevent Foodborne Illness
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) estimates there are about 48 million cases of foodborne illness each year, affecting approximately 1 in 6 Americans. Do your part and take an active role in preventing foodborne illness at your home and work.
https://www.fda.gov/food/consumers/food-safety-education-month
Here are 6 steps you can take to prevent foodborne illness:

  1. Clean and sanitize utensils and food preparation surfaces using hot, soapy water and an appropriate kitchen cleanser. Follow the directions on the cleanser container to ensure proper use.
  2. Wash your hands between each food preparation activity and use hot, soapy water for a minimum of 20 seconds.
  3. Separate raw meats from ready to eat, cooked foods and produce.
  4. Cook foods to required temperatures using a food thermometer. Verify temperature requirements for different food products. See the CDC image below for select temperature requirements.
  5. Chill foods rapidly within 2 hours of cooking by placing them in the refrigerator or freezer.
  6. If you are feeling ill and have gastrointestinal symptoms, you should not cook. Postpone all food handling until at least 48 hours after symptoms have resolved.
https://www.cdc.gov/foodsafety/communication/socialmedia.html
World Diabetes Day is November 14
Understand Your Risk – You Can Prevent Type 2 Diabetes!
The Problem:
  • In the United States, more than 37 million people have diabetes and 1 in 5 don’t know they have the disease. In 90-95% of these cases, the individual has type 2 diabetes which may be preventable if action is taken.
  • Diabetes is the 7th leading cause of death in the United States (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2021a).
  • In the United States, over one-third of adults (96M) have prediabetes, and more than 80% are unaware of this health condition which increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2021b).
What Can You Do?

1. Understand the risk factors that increase your risk of developing prediabetes and type 2 diabetes.
  • Are you overweight?
  • Are you 45 years or older?
  • Do you have a parent or sibling with type 2 diabetes?
  • Are you not physically active 3 or more days a week?
  • Have you been diagnosed with gestational diabetes or given birth to a baby who weighed more than 9 pounds?
  • Are you African American, Hispanic or Latino, or American Indian or Alaska Native? (CDC, 2021a)
2. Know your risk score. Take the quick, 7-question Prediabetes Risk Test to understand if you are at risk.
3. If you have been diagnosed with prediabetes or have scored 5 or higher on the Prediabetes Risk Test, you can take the following steps to reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
 
If you are overweight or obese, implementing small changes to your eating habits and physical activity routine can have large effects on improving your overall health.
Examples of changes you could make include:
  • Ditch the sugary drinks and opt for a sugar free option or water.
  • Stick with small or regular size meals.
  • Grab a can or a jug with a handle while you are watching TV and use those to do some bicep curls. Building muscle mass increases your metabolism and burns more calories. Simple push-ups or walking in place also does the trick to get in more activity. Increasing physical activity does not require fancy equipment or a gym membership. 
  • Eat more fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables should be 50% of your plate at meals.
  • Park farther away from the store to get more steps.
Act TODAY – Your Health Depends On It!

Farmington Valley Health District can help if you have been diagnosed with prediabetes by your physician or if you scored a 5 or higher on the Prediabetes Risk Test. We have trained CDC Diabetes Prevention Lifestyle Coaches that facilitate weekly in-person classes beginning September 6, 2022. If you are interested in learning more, please click FVHD - Prevent T2 or call 860-352-2333. 

November 14, 2022 is World Diabetes Day. Visit this site to learn more.
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021a, December 17). Diabetes Fast Facts. Retrieved from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/basics/quick-facts.html
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021b, December 17). Prediabetes - Your Chance to Prevent Type 2 Diabetes. Retrieved from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/basics/prediabetes.html
Are You Ready?
September is National Preparedness Month
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues worldwide, we are all reminded that emergencies of all types and sizes can and do occur. No community or household is immune. Are you prepared? If you had to evacuate, would you know what to bring? If you had to shelter in place and lost power, would you have enough food and water for an extended period? If you had to quarantine or isolate for up to 14 days, do you have enough food and provisions on hand at home?

Everyone should take simple steps to be prepared to stay safe during an emergency.
Get Informed.
Learn about the emergencies that could impact your neighborhood, your town, and your geographic region. For example, is your residential area prone to flooding during heavy rains? Does your neighborhood experience power outages? Understanding the potential risks can help you prepare.
Make A Plan.

Once you have identified the hazards or threats your community may face, identify activities you will need to undertake should an emergency occur.


  • Have important documents (birth certificate, social security card, home title or deed, medical information, important contacts, etc.) copied and stored in a fire proof safe. If you need to leave your home for an extended period, you may need these documents.
  • If you take daily medication, have enough on hand to last a minimum of three days. If possible, try to arrange for seven days. Write down all doctors and pharmacy contact information and keep them with you.
  • Know what to do if you are told to evacuate your home or business. Where would you go? Will your family know where to meet you? Similarly, know what to do if you are told to shelter-in-place at your home or business.
Get A Kit Or Make A Kit.

Buy or make an emergency supply kit with various items, including food, water, and medical and first aid supplies. Have enough supplies to last a minimum of three days. Remember to include pet food and medications if applicable.

Here is a recommended list of items to include in a basic emergency supply kit:
  • Non-perishable food & manual can opener
  • Water - 1 gallon per day per person. For a family of 4, you will need at least 4 gallons of water per day. Don’t forget to include additional water if you have pets.
  • Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert
  • Flashlight & extra batteries
  • First aid kit
  • Whistle to signal for help
  • Dust mask to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
  • Moist towelettes, garbage bags, and plastic ties for personal sanitation
  • Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
  • Local maps
  • Cell phone with charges and a backup battery
  • Cash (ATMs may not be functional)
By following these three simple steps, you can feel better about being prepared if a disaster occurs. For more detailed information about each of the steps, or to learn more about emergency preparedness, click on the following links:
Book Reviews: Resilience
You, Me, and Empathy
Author: Jayneen Sanders
Illustrator: Sofia Cardoso
Ages: 3 to 10 years of age

It is more important than ever to teach children the importance of empathy, compassion, and kindness. You, Me, and Empathy uses everyday situations to explore ways to understand how another person may be feeling. The book encourages children to recall times when they have felt emotions like fear, sadness, worry and anger to help them understand what another person is feeling.

The book includes teachable moments and great conversation starters and comes with a conversation guide and activities that promote empathy, kindness, and compassion.
Resilience: Why Things Bounce Back
Authors: Andrew Zolli and Ann Marie Healy
Age: Teen and Up

When we think about resilience, we often think about an individual’s ability to bounce back after adversity. What if, however, we look at resilience from a different lens, and try to apply the same attribute on a larger scale? This book looks at the characteristics of resilient communities, businesses and economies while examining what makes these same entities vulnerable to adversity in the first place.

Resilience challenges the reader to look at small, inconvenient challenges as opportunities to prevent larger negative impacts. For example, is the check engine light a cause for lamenting at the injustice of a broken-down car? Do these feelings justify ignoring the problem? Or can the situation be viewed as an opportunity to see a mechanic? Reframing the problem is explored as a key skill to remaining resilient in the face of everyday obstacles.

Explore further concepts like the power of clusters, embracing the swarm, cooperation, cognitive diversity and learning from resilient communities. There are powerful lessons for us all in this book, applicable to navigating today’s uncertain world. As the authors say: “Every effort at resilience buys us not uncertainty, but another day of chance. Every day is Day One”.
CHA Update
The Farmington Valley Health District has made significant progress on our Community Health Assessment (CHA). Secondary data has been collected and analyzed from a variety of sources, including the Connecticut Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, state Vital Records Office, and the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services. The CHA Advisory Board reconvened after a break due to the COVID-19 pandemic and met twice this summer. In the first meeting, data collected to date was reviewed and remaining data gaps were identified. At the second meeting, the CHA Advisory Board focused on identifying non-healthcare, community-based organizations within our communities to partner with to improve health outcomes. In September, a focus group comprised of town social services directors will convene to explore and better understand the conditions, factors, and policies that disproportionately affect vulnerable populations in our communities and contribute to negative health outcomes in these populations.

Stay tuned for the published CHA report – coming this fall! 
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The health department strives to prevent disease outbreaks and conditions that give rise to poor health, promote health programs and policies that support good health, and protect members of our community from health threats.