Public Health Spotlight

Tuolumne County Public Health shares that November is: National Diabetes Month, Great American Smokeout, National COPD Awareness Month, Staying Healthy During the Holidays, and Antibiotic Awareness Week.

National Diabetes Month
November is National Diabetes Month, a time when communities across the country seek to bring attention to diabetes. This year’s focus is on taking action to prevent diabetes health problems.

Diabetes affects about 37 million Americans, including adults and youth. Diabetes can damage the eyes, kidneys, nerves, and heart, and it is linked to some types of cancer.

If you have been diagnosed with Diabetes, make sure to manage your Diabetes ABCs:
A is for A1C test that monitors blood glucose levels
B is for blood pressure
C is for Cholesterol.
For more information and resources, click here

Great American Smokeout
For more than 40 years, the American Cancer Society has hosted the Great American Smokeout on the third Thursday of November. The Great American Smokeout is an opportunity for people who smoke to commit to healthy, smoke -free lives – not just for a day, but year round. This event challenges people to stop smoking and helps people learn about the many tools they can use to help them quit and stay quit.

Addiction to nicotine in cigarettes is one of the strongest and most deadly addictions one can have. Quitting is hard for many people who smoke. It takes commitment and starts with a plan, often takes more than one quit attempt, and requires a lot of support. Often, the younger you were when you started to smoke, the more intense the addiction.

The Great American Smokeout provides an opportunity for individuals, community groups, businesses, healthcare providers, and others to encourage people to use the date to make a plan to quit, or plan in advance and initiate a smoking cessation plan on the day of the event.

This year, pledge to quit at Tuolumne County Public Health to receive referrals to free resources, an oral hygiene quit kit, and a gift card!! Come down to the health department on November 16, 2023, from 8AM to 5PM to sign a pledge.

Quitting tobacco is not easy, but with the right help and resources, it can be done.
For more information on the Great American Smokeout and resources, please visit cancer.org/smokeout.

National COPD Awareness Month
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a leading cause of disability and death in the United States, with more than 150,000 deaths annually. Millions of Americans have been diagnosed with COPD, and millions more have the disease and don’t know it.

COPD, also known as emphysema or chronic bronchitis, is more than twice as common in rural areas. Air pollution from occupational exposures to dust, fumes, smoke, or chemicals from jobs like farming, mining, or manufacturing and higher rates of smoking in rural communities can increase the risk of developing COPD.

Early diagnosis is very important because it can slow disease progression. Some common symptoms of COPD and other lung conditions are: coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, shortness of breath, and unusual tiredness. For more information on COPD, please click here.

Staying Healthy During the Holidays
The holiday season is approaching fast! Now, more than ever, it’s important to focus on your mental and physical health. Follow these tips to stay healthy this holiday season:

1. Wash hands often to help prevent the spread of germs: use soap and clean running water for at least 20 seconds.
2. Bundle up to stay dry and warm: wear appropriate outdoor clothing as
temperatures start to cool down. Light, warm layers, gloves, hats, scarves, and
waterproof boots are all good options.
3. Manage stress: find support, connect socially, and get plenty of sleep.
4. Don’t drink and drive or let others drink and drive.
5. Avoid smoking and secondhand smoke.
6. Fasten seat belts while driving or riding in a motor vehicle when traveling.
7. Get your vaccinations: make sure to get an annual flu shot and stay up to date on COVID-19 vaccines.
8. Practice fire safety: don’t leave fireplaces, space heaters, food cooking on stoves, or candles unattended.
9. Prepare food safely: wash hands and surfaces often, avoid cross-contamination, cook foods to proper temperatures, and refrigerate foods promptly.
10. Eat healthy, stay active.

It’s important to stay healthy all year long, even during the holidays. For more tips and information, click here.

US Antibiotic Awareness Week

USAAW takes place from November 18-24 this year, and it is an annual observance that raises awareness of the threat of antibiotic resistance and the importance of appropriate antibiotic use.

Here are some quick tips and facts about antibiotics:
Antibiotics can save lives.
Antibiotics do NOT treat viruses.
When antibiotics aren’t needed, they won’t help
you, and the side effects could still cause harm.
If you need antibiotics, take them exactly as prescribed.

For more information Antibiotic Awareness Week and antibiotic resistance, please visit the CDC.

Flu vaccines are offered at Public Health on Tuesdays! Call (209) 533-7401 to make an appointment!
For COVID-19 Information and Resources, please click HERE