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Chronic Disease Day spreads awareness to educate and advocate for people who live with a chronic health conditions. Many, but not all, chronic diseases can be prevented simply by practicing self-care. Improving and practicing a healthy lifestyle can likely reduce getting a chronic disease.

A chronic disease is a condition that lasts longer than one year. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, chronic disease is one of the leading causes of death in the United States. Seven out of 10 people suffer from a form of chronic disease.

What can you do to prevent getting a chronic disease?

• Eat a healthy diet. Eating the proper amount of fruits, veggies, grains, dairy and protein plays a significant role in maintaining a healthy weight. Limiting sugar and starch intake prevents obesity, diabetes, heart disease and cancer.
• Exercise. Increasing physical activity not only promotes physical health, it also helps balance mental health.
• Routine medical check-ups. Visiting your doctor regularly is important so there's early detection to address medical problems and finding a plan of action.
• Know your family medical history. Having a complete medical history of your family will help your doctor determine possible health problems you may develop.
• Rest. Getting adequate rest is a factor in how your body reacts to "life." Stress, depression and anxiety cause serious health problems, too.

Economically, chronic diseases have a significant impact financially in the United States. Because people with chronic disease illnesses live long lives, the cost to treat these illnesses becomes extremely expensive over the years.

Why does chronic disease cost so much?

• Patients require long-term treatment plans.
• People who suffer from chronic disease wait until "it's too late" to seek proper care.
• Personal health insurance lack policy guidelines to cover some chronic disease.
• Lack of education to prevent chronic disease is available.
• Preventative measures are not addressed by health care providers, leading to patients unable to address pre-existing based on medical history.

Here is a Public Service Announcement created by the Consumer Product Safety Commission which runs for just a minute and is perfect for sharing with family members: Don't Be a Dummy: Firework Safety.

Incidents involving fireworks are not limited to July 4th. Other key findings on injuries in the month surrounding the July 4th holiday in 2022:

• Adults 25 to 44 years of age experienced about 36 percent of the estimated injuries, and children younger than 15 years of age accounted for 28 percent of the estimated injuries.
   
• Where known, the fireworks types with the highest estimated emergency department-treated injuries in 2022 were firecrackers (1,300) followed by sparklers (600).
• Burns were the most frequently estimated type of injury, making up 38% of all emergency department-treated fireworks injuries.

• Employee Assistance Program through Ulliance Page 1
• Employee Assistance Program through Ulliance Page 2

As DPSCD employees, you are eligible for the confidential support, at no cost. Reach out to a counselor at Ulliance, More information can be found on the attached flyers.

Summer and the outdoors go hand in hand. However you need to watch out for sun exposure.
Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek, Slide: Watch this 2 minute video: Iconic 5 Word Phrase From Australia. (In the US, you can check the UV Index at EPA UV Index.)

Are people of color at risk for skin cancer?  Yes, The Facts About People of Color & Skin Cancer Risk. 

Be aware of your water intake during days of high temperatures: Basics of Staying Hydrated.

It's summer and many of you are posting all the fun things you are doing on social media but you have to stay vigilant. Follow these tips on how to prepare if you plan to leave your house and go on vacation this summer: Tips for Staying Safe While Traveling.

President Bill Clinton signed a proclamation in 1994 declaring a week be set aside for Men's Health Week for the following reasons:

• Despite the advances in medical technology and research, men continue to live an average of 7 years less than women
• Likelihood that a man will develop prostate cancer is 1 in 11
• Number of men contracting prostate cancer will reach over 120,000 in 1993, with an expected one-third of the cases to die from the disease
• Testicular cancer is one of the most common cancers in men aged 15-34, and when detected early, has an 87 percent survival rate
• Number of men contracting lung disease will reach over 100,000 in 1993, with an expected 85 percent of the cases to die from the disease
• Number of cases of colon cancer among men will reach over 80,000 in 1993; with nearly one-third of the cases to die from the disease
• Death rate for prostate cancer has grown at almost twice the death rate of breast cancer in the last five years
• African-American men in the United States have the highest incidence in the world of cancer of the prostate
• Men are seven times as likely as women to be arrested for drunk driving and three times as likely to be alcoholics
• Women visit the doctor 150 percent as often as men enabling them to detect health problems in their early stages
• Significant numbers of male related health problems such as prostate cancer, testicular cancer, infertility, and colon cancer, could be detected and treated if men’s awareness of these problems was more pervasive
• Educating both the public and health care providers about the importance of early detection of male health problems will result in reducing rates of mortality for these diseases
• Appropriate use of tests such as Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) exams, blood pressure screens, cholesterol screens, etc., in conjunction with clinical examination and self-testing for problems such as testicular cancer can result in the detection of many of these problems in their early stages and increases in the survival rates to nearly 100 percent
• Many men are reluctant to visit their health center or physician for regular screening examinations of male related problems for a variety of reasons including fear, lack of information, and cost factors
• Men who are educated about the value that preventive health can play in prolonging their lifespan and their role as a productive family member will be more likely to participate in health screenings

📣📣📣📣    Where should men start? Here is a 2 minute video that has a health screening schedule for men ages 20 and older: Men's Health: Where Should You Start?

June is the month the Alzheimer's Association wants to bring highlight Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness. It has published a list of 10 Healthy Habits for your Brain.

Here are 10 Early Signs and Symptons of Alzheimer's and Dementia.

Strokes do not discriminate...it can happen to anyone.--Linda Steuer

Start a fitness club to help prevent a stroke. A fitness club is a great way to destress, have fun with your friends, family and colleagues and help in staying healthy. 

Click here for information on 7 Ways to Prevent a Stroke.

Walking relieves stress. Here are 8 reasons how the simple act of walking can help you de-stress.

1. Instant Mood Booster
2. Become More Creative and Productive
3. Energy Increased
4. Sleep Better
5. Gives You a Break
6. Reduces Stress to be Outdoors
7. Aids in Warding Off Signs of Depression
8. Improve Overall Health

Check out this article that explains the Eight Benefits of Walking.

Teachers were estimated to be two to three times more likely than the general population to develop a voice disorder. Certain factors, such as number of classes per week, noise generated outside of the school setting, and volume of voice while lecturing, were indicated to increase the risk of teachers developing a voice disorder. -- American Speech-Language-Hearing Association

Behaviors contributing  to voice problems:

• shouting
• talking loudly over noise
• coughing
• throat clearing
• poor hydration

Implement practices to reduce vocally traumatic behaviors:

• drink plenty of water
• talk at a moderate volume

WATER DRINKING TIPS

Recommendations on the right amount of water intake range from 2 quarts 2 liters per day to “whatever it takes to pee pale" (see chart below).  Sipping your water throughout the day and evening is much more beneficial than trying to drink a lot all at once.

If you weigh

• 125 lbs: aim to drink 62 oz (about 2 quarts)
• 150 lbs: aim to drink 75 oz (about 5 pints)
• 200 lbs: aim to drink 100 oz (about 3 quarts)

People have different internal sensations of thirst. If your voice is working well, you may already get enough for your own system. If you notice signs of vocal fatigue increasing the amount of water you drink is a simple first step. As always, use common sense. If you have heart or kidney problems, or other concerns about fluid intake, talk to your doctor before making drastic changes.

Ice-cold drinks used to be forbidden. However, research has shown that it doesn’t matter whether you drink cold, hot, warm, or lukewarm beverages. Drink whatever temperature you like, what feels best on a particular day. The main thing is to get plenty of fluids on a regular basis.