I NS IDE T HIS I SSUE: January Calendar. Flu Free, Happy Travels This Winter. February Calendar. Be Heart-Healthy 3. March Calendar.

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1 I NS IDE T HIS January Calendar I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E : Flu Free, Happy Travels This Winter February Calendar Be Heart-Healthy 3 March Calendar 4 Salt Awareness 4 Employee Recognition I SSUE: Diabetes Prevention Program Recruitment Winter Safety & Car Seats Winter Safety & Car Seats V O L U M E V I, I S S U E I Healthy New Year! The New Year has long been a time for reflection on the personal changes we want to make as we look forward to a year of healthy possibilities. Health-related goals are popular New Year's resolutions, but sometimes we may not know where to begin. Take time to make a healthy lifestyle your resolution. Healthy You J A N U A R Y M A R C H Make healthy food choices. Grab a healthy snack such as fruit, nuts, or low-fat cheese. Be active. Try simple things such as taking the stairs instead of the elevator. Be active for at least 2 ½ hours a week. Protect yourself from injury or disease by wearing a helmet, sunscreen, or insect repellent when necessary. Make an appointment for a check-up, vaccination, or screening. Know where to go for care if you do not have health insurance. Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Be smoke-free. If you think you're ready to quit, call QUIT-NOW for free counseling. Get enough sleep. Remember that sleep is a necessity, not a luxury. New Safety Laws 9 Submitted by KTHFS Health Education Newsletter Questions or Comments? Contact Christa Runnels, KTHFS Health Educator at cmrunnels@klm.portland.ihs.gov

2 V O L U M E V I, I S S U E I P A G E 2 Schedule of Events January 1 New Year s Day Offices Closed January 21 Martin Luther King Day Offices Closed January 2013 SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT Flu Free, Happy Travels This Winter Whether you are traveling to a warmer climate, going on a snow-filled adventure or just heading to Fred Meyer, it s important to make sure the flu is not your travel companion. Please protect yourself and others from the flu with these useful tips from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) on staying healthy during the winter months. Get vaccinated. Vaccines are the most important tool we have for preventing the flu. Only travel when you feel well. If you think you have the flu or feel ill, delay your travel. Cover your coughs or sneezes with a tissue. No tissue? Then cough or sneeze into your sleeve, not your hands. Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol based hand sanitizer. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. Avoid close contact with sick people. Submitted by KTHFS Health Education

3 V O L U M E V I, I S S U E I P A G E 3 Schedule of Events February 14 Valentine s Day February 18 President s Day Offices Closed February 22 State Indian Day Offices Closed February 2013 SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT Be Heart-Healthy Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. One in every three deaths is from heart disease and stroke, which is equal to 2,200 deaths per day. Since February is American Heart Month, it is the perfect time to start taking the steps to becoming heart-healthy. How to Be Heart-Healthy: Get up and get active. At least 30 minutes of physical activity is recommended most days of the week. Know your ABCS: Ask your doctor if you should take an Aspirin every day. Find out if you have high Blood pressure or Cholesterol, and if you do, get effective treatment. If you Smoke, it s time to stop! You can call QUIT-NOW for free counseling. Make your calories count by eating a heart-healthy diet high in fresh fruits and vegetables and low in sodium and trans fat. Source: Indian Health Services (IHS) & CDC Submitted by KTHFS Health Education

4 V O L U M E V I, I S S U E I P A G E 4 Schedule of Events March Spring Break Activities TBA March 31 Easter March 2013 SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT Salt Awareness World Salt Awareness Week is March 26 to April 1. So let s all try to be aware of our sodium intake this month. There is strong evidence that eating too much sodium raises blood pressure, and high blood pressure is the most important modifiable risk factor for stroke. Top Sources of Sodium in Our Diet: To Reduce Sodium in Our Diet: Breads and rolls Cold cuts and cured meats Pizza Poultry Soups Sandwiches Cheese Pasta dishes Salty Snacks Read Nutrition Facts labels when shopping to find the lowest sodium options of your favorite foods. Eat more fruits and vegetables, either fresh, frozen (without sauce), or canned (with no salt added). Limit processed foods high in sodium. When eating out, request no salt be added to your meal. Submitted by KTHFS Health Education

5 V O L U M E V I, I S S U E I P A G E 5 Employee Recognition A part of maintaining Electronic Health Records (EHR) at the Wellness Center includes scanning and filing electronic documents into our patient s electronic medical record. Deb Ryan has been a part of this detailed process from the start, helping determine the setup, assisting with workflow, and troubleshooting problems. In August, Deb passed the test and became a NextGen Certified Professional for the electronic document portion of the EHR. The EHR team wishes to thank Deb for her hard work and recognize her for this accomplishment - Congratulations Deb! Submitted by KTHFS EHR Team

6 V O L U M E V I, I S S U E I P A G E 6 Diabetes Prevention Program Recruitment Dear Potential Participant, The Klamath Tribes Diabetes Prevention Team is looking for volunteers to participate in our Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP). What is the DPP? The Diabetes Prevention Program is based on the findings of a national study that diabetes is preventable in those at high risk. The focus of the program is on making lifestyle changes to try to prevent diabetes. What is Pre-Diabetes? Pre-diabetes is a condition where blood sugar levels are higher than normal but are not high enough to be called diabetes. Who can Join? American Indian men and women age 18 or older who are eligible for services at KTH&FS and who have pre-diabetes. What will I be Asked to do? Become more physically active and learn healthier eating habits. Attend 16 classes, one class per week, to explore ways to live a healthier life. Work with a Physical Activity Lifestyle Specialist (PALS) over the next three years to lose weight, get more active and be healthier! How Can I Join the Program? Let us know that you are interested in volunteering for the program by calling the following number and we will explain the project to you and answer any questions about the DP program. For more information please contact : Shawn Jackson at x 220. Classes begin January Submitted by KTHFS Diabetes Prevention Program

7 V O L U M E V I, I S S U E I P A G E 7 Winter Safety & Car Seats Keeping Kids Warm without Compromising their Safety in Car Seats Securing infants using rear-facing infant carriers: Store the infant carrier portion of the child safety seat inside the house to keep it warm. Keeping the child safety seat at room temperature will reduce the loss of the child s body heat when placed in the vehicle. Secure the child properly in the infant carrier while inside the house to avoid the child being outside in the cold for too long. Cover the baby with a warm blanket after the harness is secured properly on the child. The blanket is placed over the harnessed child so it will not interfere with achieving a properly tightened harness and the performance of the child safety seat. Do not use non-regulated products such as blankets that attach to the child safety seat through the harness system. Remember, if the item did not come with the child safety seat, it has not been crash tested and may interfere with the protection provided during a crash. Securing toddlers and pre-school children in car seats: Avoid using heavy snowsuits or extra bulky coats. The extra padding in coats and snowsuits will make it difficult to properly tighten the child safety seat s harness. In a crash, the padding will compress, allowing slack in the harness. Get in the vehicle and close the door before securing the child with the harness of the child safety seat. By closing the door, the child is out of the direct wind and/or cold. This will enable you to spend enough time correctly securing the child without being exposed to the elements. Many bulky winter coats and snow wear for older children should also be removed to allow for proper harness adjustment. Secure the harness on the child and then place the coat over the child. For more information please contact: Kootsie Cunial, CARS Coordinator at Submitted by KTHFS Native CARS Grant

8 V O L U M E V I, I S S U E I P A G E 8 Winter Safety & Car Seats Submitted by KTHFS Native CARS Grant

9 V O L U M E V I, I S S U E I P A G E 9 New Safety Laws Submitted by KTHFS Native CARS Grant