of the District Protecting and promoting the optimal health and well-being of Galveston County.

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1 Pulse of the District Protecting and promoting the optimal health and well-being of Galveston County. Page 1 Health District Offers Free Diabetes Class Page 2 Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month Page 3 WIC Classes BioWatch Award Page 4 Pet Cremation Services Page 5 Town Hall Recap Health District Offers Free Diabetes Management Class Galveston County Health District is continuing another round of diabetes management classes in se free classes are designed to help adults safely maneuver through life with type 2 diabetes. This includes assistance monitoring blood glucose levels, eating healthier, reading food labels, and managing stress. This free class meets Wednesdays from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the Texas City WIC classroom, located in the Mid-County Annex. To register for Diabetes 101, call GCHD Community Health Services at or chs@gchd.org. To make an appointment to talk to a CHW provider about controlling your diabetes or risk factors for developing it, call IT S TIME TEXAS COMMUNITY CHALLENGE UPDATE IT S TIME TEXAS Community Challenge is nearing the finish line! Currently, Texas City leads with 817,650 points, with League City, Galveston, La Marque and Santa Fe all making huge progress from week to week! Individuals, schools and community leaders still have time to earn points for their cities and towns. Go to ittcommunitychallenge.com to register and select your community. This quick step will earn you an easy 500 points to kick off the challenge. By participating in healthy activities and posting pictures of these activities online, you can continue to rack up the points for your community! Page 1

2 National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month March is known as Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Among cancers that affect both men and women, colorectal cancer (cancer of the colon or rectum) is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. Every year, about 140,000 Americans are diagnosed with colorectal cancer, and more than 50,000 people die from it. But this disease is highly preventable, by getting screened beginning at age 50. Screening tests help prevent colorectal cancer by finding precancerous polyps (abnormal growths) so they can be removed. Screening also finds this cancer early, when treatment can be most effective. If you re aged 50 to 75, get screened for colorectal cancer regularly. If you re between 76 and 85, ask your doctor if you should be screened. You can help prevent colorectal cancer by: Being physically active. Maintaining a healthy weight. Drinking in moderation. Abstaining from smoking. Page 2

3 v WIC Hosting Free Infant Parenting Classes Women, Infants and Children (WIC) division of the Galveston County Health District (GCHD) is happy to announce its next free classes for parents, guardians or caregivers of children up to 12months old. Incredible Years, a collaboration with the Family Service Center of Galveston County, will be held at both the Texas City and Galveston WIC clinics. Each class is 10-weeks in length and meets weekly. Participants will receive free diapers and a meal at each class. Class size is limited and those interested are encouraged to register by calling or ing ssmith@fscgal.org as soon as possible. Incredible Years: Texas City March 5, 12, 19, 26; April 2, 9, 16, 23, 30; May 7 (Mondays) 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. GCHD Texas City WIC Clinic: Mid-County Annex, 9850-B Emmett F. Lowry Expy Suite B-101, Texas City Incredible Years: Galveston March 6, 13, 20, 27; April 3, 10, 17, 24; May (Tuesdays) 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. GCHD Galveston WIC Clinic, Island Community Center, 4700 Broadway Suite F-102, Galveston Environmental selected as Winner of Biowatch Award of Excellence 2017 BioWatch Award of Excellence under the category of Field Operations was recently awarded to the Houston/Galveston area field teams. Galveston field team works 24/7, 365 days a year to support the BioWatch Program's mission. mission is to provide and sustain a continuous air monitoring biodetection system in metropolitan areas nationwide and collaborate with state and local public health communities in their preparations for responding to an aerosolized bioterrorist event of catastrophic consequence. Left to right: Field Operator Veronique Baker, Field Operator Cynthia Patino, Program Manager Lori FitzSimmons-Evans and Field lead Lorrie Walker. Page 3

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5 February Town Hall Update In February, the Galveston County Health District held its bi-annual town hall meeting. This meeting gave employees several updates on the strategic health plan as well at upcoming 2018 activities. Page 5