By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 March 2014 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers – Nola Goodrich-Kresse, public health educator for the Orleans County Health Department, talks about the sugar content in popular beverages. Goodrich-Kresse said the sugar in soda and energy drinks adds hundreds of calories.
ALBION – Genesee Community College is promoting health at all ages of life during a wellness fair today at the Albion campus on Route 31.
There are 14 vendors at the fair, which was organized by a student-run Wellness Coalition at the college.
“In America we are becoming an obese country,” said student Kassy Sutton of Holley, a member of the Wellness Coalition. “There are alternatives for kids to watching TV and playing video games.”
Danny Anderson, program manager for the Orleans County YMCA, discusses the benefits of exercise and the opportunities at the Y.
Today’s wellness fair runs until 2:30 p.m. It is the biggest project for the Wellness Coalition, but the group has had a healthy snack bake sale with sugar substitutes. It is looking into other activities to promote exercise and healthy living.
“We want people to think about what kind of life do you want to have?” said student Melissa Qualey of Holley, a member of the Wellness Coalition.
A person in good mental, physical and emotional health can be more active and engaged in the community, at work and with their families, she said.
GCC professor Pam Lusk is advisor for the Wellness Coalition. The group organized its first health fair in 2012. It plans to make it a regular event every two years.
Diana Fulcomer, community specialist for GCASA, speaks with GCC students at a health fair today.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 March 2014 at 12:00 am
County ranks near bottom in many health categories
Photo by Tom Rivers – Paul Pettit, Orleans County Health Department director, talks about the county’s health rankings and a community health assessment and improvement plan during an Albion Rotary Club meeting on Thursday.
ALBION – Orleans County health officials want to engage a broad base of the community to improve many health factors and indicators in the county, which rank near the bottom among the 62 counties in the state.
The Health Department can’t do it alone and needs help from non-profit organizations, civic groups and businesses to have a healthier county, said Paul Pettit, the county’s health department director.
Ultimately, it will come down to individuals making healthy choices, such as not smoking, exercising and eating nutritious foods, he told the Albion Rotary Club on Thursday.
“It will take a group effort and you, as an individual, to move these numbers in a positive direction,” he said.
Orleans fares among the worst in the state for access to primary care physicians and dentists, while its residents have high rates of smoking and adult obesity. An annual County Health Rankings report also says Orleans residents choose fast food at a rate above the state and national averages.
Overall, the report ranks Orleans as the 52nd healthiest county out of 62.
The annual County Health Rankings report provides a community health profile of about 3,000 counties in the United States. The report looks at health outcomes – rates of premature death, low-birthweight babies and days of poor physical and mental health. The “health factors” category includes alcohol and tobacco use, diet and risky sexual behavior.
Orleans ranked 52nd in health outcomes, 57th in health factors, 58th in health behaviors, 62nd in access to clinical care, 45th in social and economic factors and 50th in physical environment, which includes air quality, drinking water safety and access to recreational facilities, healthy foods and fast food.
A new report is due next week. Pettit was given a sneak peak at the data and he said the county hasn’t shown much improvement in the categories.
Orleans has a plan that will help improve the health of residents, said Nola Goodrich-Kreese, the county’s public health educator. The county finished a Community Health Improvement Plan (click here) and also a Community Health Assessment (click here). Both were done in collaboration with Genesee and Wyoming counties. The three counties together have about 150,000 residents.
The counties established priorities that include preventing chronic diseases; reducing obesity; reducing illnesses, disabilities and deaths related to tobacco use and second-hand smoke exposures; and strengthening infrastructure for mental health.
Orleans is seeking grants for diabetes prevention, is seeking to replicate Genesee County’s Get Fit! community exercise program, is working with Smoke-Free Now to reduce tobacco exposure, and will try to increase awareness of mental health services in the county and in the region.
The three counties surveyed 1,700 residents and they listed their top concerns as cancer, 45.5 percent; heart disease, 44.0 percent and depression, 41.7 percent.
Statewide the following were identified as public health priorities: Prevent chronic diseases; promote healthy and safe environments; promote healthy women, infants and children; promote mental health and prevent substance abuse; and prevent HIV, sexually transmitted diseases, vaccine-preventable diseases and healthcare associated infections.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 20 March 2014 at 12:00 am
Provided photo – Kathy Jurs is pictured with characters at Disney World after running a half marathon in January. She raised $5,123 which was the most of anyone from western and central New York.
ALBION – When Kathy Jurs battled Non-Hodgins lymphoma in 2010, she could count on a card in the mail or a treat from Susan Bennett.
Jurs was 29 when she was diagnosed with a cancer of the lymphoid tissue. She lost nearly all of her hair while enduring chemotherapy and radiation. Bennett was always a source of encouragement.
“She would send me notes and gifts,” Jurs said.
Jurs, 32, made a full recovery and returned to work at Poverty Hill Farms in Albion. She has worked there since she was 15. She is the herdsman and calf manager. She arrives at work at 4:45 in the morning and stays until about 4 or 4:30.
Amy Neal is her best friend. Amy is married to Jamie Neal, one of the farm co-owners. She is also Bennett’s daughter.
In June, Bennett was diagnosed with the same cancer as Jurs. Kathy decided she would raise money for research for the disease by running a half marathon at Disney in January.
“I wanted to get into shape, stay healthy and do it for Susan,” Jurs said.
She trained five days a week, including long runs on Saturdays. She joined a group at Mendon Ponds for the Saturday treks. The runners were all raising money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
In four months, Jurs ran over 400 miles getting ready for the half marathon. The sponsors poured in, with Jurs collecting $5,123, the most of any participant from western and central NY.
Photo by Tom Rivers – Jurs works as the herdsman and calf manager at Poverty Hill Farm in Albion, which is owned by the Neal family.
“I never dreamed we could raise that much money,” Jurs said.
Bennett was popular in the community. She was active at the Barre Presbyterian Church and as bookkeeper at Al Bennett and Sons, a feed and farm supply store in Barre. Her husband Richard was a long-time county legislator.
“Everybody knew Susan,” Jurs said. “She talked to everybody.”
Jurs set out to finish the 13.1-mile run in under 3 hours. She met that goal on Jan. 11. Her euphoria in finishing was crushed after the race when she learned that Bennett had died that morning at age 67.
Jurs intends to keep running, and raising money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. She plans to run the Flower City Half Marathon in Rochester on April 27.
Richard Bennett praised Jurs for her good heart and determination. When his wife was battling cancer, Jurs often sent her notes and gifts.
“Kathy was her constant booster,” Mr. Bennett said. “She encouraged Susan a lot. It gives you faith in the young people today. They are a very giving group.”
By Nola Goodrich-Kresse, Public Health Educator for the Orleans County Health Department
When was the last time you thought about what you were drinking? Did you know that the rising trend in obesity rates in the nation have followed the rising trend of sugar-sweetened beverages?
Sugar-sweetened beverages are considered any beverage with more than 25 calories per 8-ounce serving. According to the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research, research shows that caloric intake from soft drinks has increased by 228 percent between 1977 and 2001, and that the portion sizes have increased from 6.5 fluid ounces in the 1950s to more than 20 fluid ounces today. The average American consumes 50 gallons of soda or other sweetened beverages each year.
Sugar-sweetened beverages are not limited to soda (or pop, depending on where you are from), but also include non-100 percent fruit drinks, sports drinks, flavored water, energy drinks, and pre-sweetened tea and coffee.
These drinks are high in calories, have no nutritional value and include any of the following sweeteners: sucrose, fructose, glucose, high fructose corn syrup, brown sugar, corn sweetener, corn syrup, dextrose, fruit juice concentrates, honey, invert sugar, lactose, maltose, malt syrup, molasses, raw sugar, sugar and syrup. Each day the average American consumes 22 teaspoons of sugar, much more than the recommended 5 to 9 teaspoons per day.
Another concern is the so-called “energy” drinks. These are mostly made up of water, sugar and caffeine along with other additives. Not only do these drinks provide empty calories, but the higher levels of caffeine are known to increase jitteriness, irritability and effect normal sleep patterns, which can have an effect on concentration and alertness, when having too many energy drinks.
Studies have shown caffeine can increase blood pressure and increase heart rates. According to a recent MedicineNet article, the average American takes in about 280 mg/day of caffeine. An 8-ounce serving of regular black brewed coffee is about 135 mg and an 8 ounce cup of black tea is 40-70 mg. Some of the energy drinks have two or three times the amount of caffeine and generally are a serving size of 12 to 20 ounces.
Here are some tips to help you enjoy your favorite beverages in moderation and try some new low/no calorie drinks:
Choose water as your beverage of choice throughout the day, every day.
Add some fruit to your water to give it a little flavor. Lemons, limes, strawberries, even cucumber can give your water a boost of flavor. Be creative.
Drink unsweetened tea or coffee. Add some lemon, lime, or cinnamon stick to your hot or cold plain tea. Add a drop of vanilla, almond or other flavoring to your hot or cold plain coffee.
Drink from a cup instead of a bottle. Most bottled beverages are more than 8-ounces. If you have a favorite glass or cup, find out how much liquid it holds before using it.
If you want to have a sugar-sweetened beverage, only have a limited amount, such as 8 ounces and only 1 or 2 days a week. Check the serving size on the bottle to find out how many calories are in 1 serving and multiply it according to how much you plan on drinking.
If you notice you are having trouble sleeping, seem more irritable or jittery and have trouble concentrating and staying alert, limit caffeinated beverages.
Measure out 17 teaspoons of sugar and put it in a dry 20-ounce beverage bottle to give yourself a picture of how much sugar you are drinking. Keep it near your fridge to remind you of what your sugar-sweetened drinks contain.
Remember any sugar-sweetened beverage should be considered a treat, not a daily choice. Helping limit the amount of these calories can help limit the effects of becoming obese.
HOLLEY – Megan Gotte, a registered nurse who lives in Kent, didn’t let a blizzard stop her from providing care last Wednesday. Gotte rode her snowmobile to see a patient in Holley, who had to be seen that night.
Gotte works as an evening nurse for HCR Home Care, which serves patients and families in 19 counties in New York, including 17 rural counties. Gotte works with patients in Orleans and Genesee counties.
“HCR’s rural health care nurses routinely overcome the unique challenges of providing home care to rural residents,” the company said in a statement. “The latest evidence was during the March 12 blizzard.”
By Nola Goodrich-Kresse, Public Health Educator for the Orleans County Health Department
This Friday, March 7, is National Dress in Blue Day to increase awareness of colorectal cancer. The Orleans County Health Department is encouraging everyone to wear blue on the 7th, to promote Colorectal Cancer Awareness Week.
So, what exactly is colorectal cancer? It is sometimes called a silent disease because the warning signs may not be noticeable and many feel uncomfortable talking about it. The problem is the longer you go without checking into it, the bigger the problem becomes, literally. So swallow your uneasiness and learn more about this cancer.
The good news however, is colon cancer is 90 percent curable when detected early so colorectal screening can save your life.
Colorectal cancer refers to cancer in two different parts of the digestive tract, the colon and the rectum. The following are certain factors that increase a person’s risk for getting the disease:
A family history of colon cancer.
A personal history of colon cancer.
A personal history of intestinal polyps. A polyp is a mass of tissue that develops on the inside wall of a hollow organ such as the colon. Polyps are benign (non-cancerous), but may become cancerous over time. Most, perhaps all, colorectal cancers develop in polyps.
A personal history of inflammatory bowel disease also known as ulcerative colitis.
Aging. Colorectal cancers occur most often in people over the age of 50 and the risk gets higher as the person gets older.
A high-fat or low-fiber diet. A healthy diet also reduces major sources of fat such as meat, dairy products, and oils used in cooking and salad dressings. A healthy diet also contains fiber from vegetables, fruits, whole grain breads and cereal.
Physical inactivity. It is recommended that everyone engage in physical exercise at least 30 minutes per day most days of the week.
So, how do you find out more about colorectal cancer? If you are 50 and older or any of the above items describe you, talk with your doctor about screening. If you are uninsured or have a high deductible, you may qualify for free cancer screening.
To see if you are eligible call Community Partners / The Cancer Services Program of Genesee and Orleans County at 798-6641 or 344-5497 and for the Wyoming County Cancer Services Program call 786-8890.
The important key to fighting colorectal cancer is knowing your body and being aware of potential symptoms no matter how old you are. Some warning signs to look for include:
A change in bowel habits
Frequent gas pains
Weight loss with no known reason
Stools that are narrower than usual
A feeling that the bowel does not empty completely
Blood in or on the stool
Constant tiredness
Diarrhea or constipation
General stomach discomfort (bloating, fullness, and/or cramps)
One of the tests used to aid in diagnosis is called the FIT (fecal immunochemical test) kit -it is easy, there are no dietary or medication restrictions – just swish the brush (not scoop the poop)! This test is done in the privacy of your home. It is only a test for blood and not a test that directly detects cancer. This test is used because colorectal cancer may cause bleeding that cannot be seen. Other conditions (ulcerative colitis, intestinal polyps) may also cause bleeding, so having blood in the stool does not always mean a person has cancer.
So do not make any excuses about not being checked for colorectal cancer. If you are at risk or are experiencing any of the warning signs talk to your doctor now. It may be nothing which is great, but if it is something, get it taken care of so it doesn’t get worse. Remember, there is no excuse worth your life!
Pull out your best blues on Friday and join us as we encourage others to be aware of colorectal cancer.
By Nola Goodrich-Kresse, Public Health Educator for the Orleans County Health Department
Isn’t it fun watching children laughing and smiling? When anyone smiles or laughs in fun it usually lifts the spirit of those who can hear and see the person doing the laughing and smiling.
When someone is having problems with their teeth they don’t feel much like smiling or are embarrassed by the way their teeth or lack of teeth look.
How can you have a better smile? It really starts before you are born by making sure women who are pregnant eat fruits, vegetables and other foods rich in Vitamin D and calcium. Making sure you have good dental care practices before and during pregnancy go a long way in helping your child have strong teeth as they get older.
Taking care of a newborn’s mouth even before teeth are formed can set the stage for continued dental health care. Wiping a baby’s mouth with soft gauze or a clean wash cloth can prevent build up of acid in the mouth from the baby’s food and drink.
Never put a baby down for a nap or to bed with a bottle. Juice, formula and/or breast milk or sugar sweetened drinks causes baby bottle decay which can cause painful dental and tummy problems for the baby.
If your baby must have something to drink give baby a bottle of plain water. As soon as the first tooth appears start using a soft baby toothbrush (talk with your doctor or dentist about whether or not to use toothpaste). Introduce your baby to the dentist between 6 and 12 months of age.
Baby teeth are just as important as permanent teeth. As children get older it may seem a challenge to make sure they keep up with brushing their teeth properly. They may need to see you model good dental health.
Make sure you brush your teeth with your own soft toothbrush (no sharing here!) at least twice a day for about 2 minutes (longer if you have braces or other dental work) and flossing at least once a day. Make sure your whole family visits your dentist twice a year for cleanings and fluoride treatments for strong teeth and to catch any cavities before they get worse.
Consider dental sealants. Dental sealants are different from fillings. Fillings are used to fill in the space from a cavity where the plaque bacteria (the sticky film on your teeth) changes sugar and starch from food and drinks into harmful acids that attack tooth enamel.
Repeated attacks of this acid cause the enamel to break down causing a cavity, which in turn can lead to infections. Proper brushing and flossing helps to remove the acid from your teeth, however teeth that have grooves or deep pits, such as the molars (back teeth) may hold on to the plaque. This is where dental sealants come in to protect the back teeth from decay.
Sealants are easy to apply and only take a few minutes to seal each tooth. A special thin, plastic coating is painted on each tooth after it is cleaned and prepared for the sealant. As long as the sealant remains intact, usually about five years or more, the tooth surface will be protected from decay. Make sure you and your child continue proper brushing, flossing and rinsing as well as visiting your dentist regularly to keep the sealants working to prevent tooth decay.
It is important to protect your teeth no matter how old you are. Having an unhealthy mouth can affect your overall body’s health. Poor oral health, tooth loss and gum disease, can be connected to heart disease, diabetes, cancer and strokes.
Eating healthful foods that have calcium and vitamin D help teeth grow properly. Limit sticky, sweet snacks that encourage the bacterial plaque to make acid attacks on tooth enamel. Talk with your doctor or dentist about fluoride supplements to help build strong enamel.
Starting in October 2014, CVS will no longer sell tobacco and tobacco-related products. Most drug stores are evolving into being health and wellness providers, offering health advice, giving flu shots and having clinics for customers who visit their pharmacies.
This huge step and monumental change will continue to reduce the social acceptability of smoking and tobacco usage. The power walls of tobacco marketing and products located behind the counter in many drug stores and convenience stores are influential. They attract the attention of current smokers, ex-smokers and impressionable youth by normalizing the product, making it visually accessible and appear interesting.
Eliminating this “power wall” will aid in limiting the exposure of youth to tobacco and lower tobacco usage rates and ultimately lives lost to tobacco related illness. Smoke Free NOW applauds CVS and encourages other pharmacies to adopt similar policies. For more information, contact Kevin Keenan, program director of Smoke Free NOW, at (585) 815-1875.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 7 February 2014 at 12:00 am
Photo by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Today is National Wear Red Day, and people are encouraged to wear the color to help raise awareness about heart disease as the leading cause of death for men and women.
On Thursday, members of the Albion Rotary Club wore red. Rotarians are pictured next to their sign by Tillman’s Village Inn. Cindy Perry is the club president. She also is the director of health education, wellness and outreach for Orleans Community Health.
The Orleans Community Health Foundation will be posting photos of workplaces in the county that are dressed in red. To check those photos, click here.
The Courthouse dome also was red on Thursday night in honor of today’s effort. County employees have been encouraged to wear red, and donate $5 to the American Heart Association if they dress in the color. The Chamber of Commerce also is encouraging its members to dress in red that day.
Perry said heart disease is often a “silent killer” without noticeable symptoms. Heart disease is the cause of death for 38 percent of women, she said.
Orleans County has some of the worse health statistics in the state. The annual County Health Rankings report places Orleans 52nd out of 62 counties for overall community health.
Orleans fares particularly bad with a high smoking rate, 29.9 percent of adults compared to 16.2 percent state-wide. There are 63 percent of adults in Orleans who are overweight or obese, compared to 59 percent in the state.
Provided photo – Thanks for the Lift! Hospice nurses Shari Ettinger, left, and Mary Hicks, right, show their new Hoyer Lift to Orleans County Foundation representatives (middle, from left) Hank Lehning, Jerome Pawlak and Andrew Meier.
Press release
Hospice of Orleans
ALBION Patients at the Martin-Linsin Residence at Hospice of Orleans are more comfortable and secure, thanks to the generosity of two local foundations.
The first, a family foundation requesting to remain anonymous, contributed $5,500 that paid for a special transfer chair to ease patients’ transition from wheelchair to therapy tub. Nurse Manager Mary Hicks said this encourages greater usage of the hospice home’s spa amenities.
The Elizabeth Dye Curtis Foundation, working through the Orleans County Foundation, granted Hospice $6,000, which covered the cost of additional equipment, including a Hoyer Lift to safely move patients in or out of their beds or chairs.
“The Hoyer Lift and tub transfer chair not only improve the comfort and safety of the residents, but also of the nursing staff,” said Mary Anne Fischer, Hospice of Orleans’ executive director. “These grants are very helpful in helping us manage the costs associated with the Residence. In addition to our home care services, we are all working as a team to care for our neighbors facing serious illnesses.”
Members of the Curtis Foundation Board of Directors recently came for a tour of the Martin-Linsin Residence, where they saw the equipment and met some of patients and staff for whom it is making a difference.
Hospice of Orleans observed the first anniversary of the Martin-Linsin Residence in December 2013. In October of this year, the organization will mark 20 years as a hospice home care provider.
