Dawson County Health Department News

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1 Dawson County Health Department News O rgan i zation N am e May 2016 Volume, Issue Inside this issue: Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month 2 World No Tobacco Day 2 Hepatitis Awareness 3 Week of the Young Child Activities 4 Give Local Day 5 Inside Story 5 Senior Help at DCHD 7 Calendar W. Bell Glendive, MT Tel: (406) Website: dawsoncountymontana.com Your Child s Mental Health By: Pam O Brien It s easy to know your child needs help dealing with a fever or a broken bone, but mental health problems can be harder to identify. The tricky part of parenting is knowing the kinds of behaviors and moods that are usual for the stage of development your child is in and when your child has gone beyond the norm and needs help. These mental health issues include: paralyzing anxiety that keeps children from raising their hand in class, attention difficulties which leave them frustrated for getting in trouble when they don t know why, feelings of depression like nothing is worth anything, especially themselves, and even concerns that any food they put in their mouths will make them fat. We live in a time when very effective treatments are available to help children recover from these detours and regain their stride in life. However, if left untreated, mental health disorders pose serious threats to a child s growth and functioning and can rob a child of a full, healthy life. The childhood years encompass the most critical years for development in every context: social, emotional, academic and health. With early intervention, children can get back on track and participate in a fully engaged life Children tend to grow into mental health problems, rather than grow out of them, so early intervention is best. Just as you might contact your child s pediatrician if a cough hasn t gone away after a few weeks, if you observe changes which either occur out of the blue or begin gradually but worsen rather than resolve over time, seeking professional consultation may be beneficial. What should you look for? Sometimes when a child is struggling, there may be an external factor that is at play, such as being bullied at school, being rejected by a friend, family conflict or changes in the family routine, or a (Continued on page 2) Public Health: Tel: (406) WIC Program: Tel: (406) Home Health: Tel: (406) : Tel: (406) Tobacco Prevention: Tel: (406) Hepatitis Awareness Month Mental Health Month Montana Quit Month National Blood Pressure Month National Physical Fitness and Sports Month National Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month Upcoming Events May 1 May 4 May 5 May 5 May 6-12 May 8 May 11 May Day National Bike to School Day Cinco de Mayo Hand Hygiene Day Nurses Week Mother s Day School Nurses Day May 8-14 National Women s Health Week May 18 HIV Awareness Day May 30 Memorial Day (County offices are closed) May 31 World No Tobacco Day

2 Page 2 Dawson County Health Department Newsletter Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month By: Lynn Newnam May is Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month, when we focus on the need to reduce teen pregnancy in our communities. If parents, youth, schools, businesses, faith leaders and health care providers join together to address teen pregnancy, we can make a difference! Each day in Montana, approximately three teens give birth. Teen childbearing has serious consequences. Parenthood is the leading reason why teen girls drop out of school. Only 40 percent of teen mothers graduate from high school, and fewer than 2% earn a college degree by age 30. Young women who become pregnant and give birth often experience serious health effects, as do their children. Compared to older parents, teens are more likely to have late or no prenatal care, babies born too small or too soon, and babies who die within the first year of life. In addition to social costs, teen childbearing also has significant economic costs. In Montana, the cost to taxpayers associated with teen parenthood is estimated to be $18 million annually. The daughters of young teen mothers are 3 times more likely to become teen mothers themselves and the sons of teen mothers are twice as likely to end up in prison. The good news is that unintended teen pregnancy is 100% preventable. Take action today by promoting open and honest discussions about teen sexuality and pregnancy prevention. Encourage teens to delay sex and to use contraception if they choose to have sex. Get involved by contacting Dawson County Family Planning at Your Child s Mental Health (cont. from page 1) learning difference that has not yet been identified. So, the first step is to ask your child what feels hard to them, and then ask: If things were easier, what would be different? This can often give you a window in to your child s perceptions and what feels like a struggle to them. Red flags for specific conditions vary, but if you see changes in your child s behavior, personality, mood, sleeping habits, appetite, and/or social interaction and these changes are not fading with time, but instead are actually becoming more pronounced, go online for more information, or talk to your pediatrician. Your child may not require treatment, but there may be important steps you can take at home to decrease the chances that he or she will need it down the road. World No Tobacco Day By: Laureen Murphree Every year, on May 31, World Health Organization (WHO) and partners mark World No Tobacco Day (WNTD), highlighting the health risks associated with tobacco use and advocating for effective policies to reduce tobacco consumption. The global tobacco epidemic kills nearly 6 million people each year, of which more than are non-smokers dying from breathing second-hand smoke. Unless we act, the epidemic will kill more than 8 million people every year by More than 80% of these preventable deaths will be among people living in low-and middle-income countries. If you are interested in quitting tobacco, please call the Montana Quit Line at QUIT-NOW or visit the website at

3 Volume, Issue Page 3 Who Should Be Tested or Vaccinated for Viral Hepatitis? By: Jen Fladager, RN May is Hepatitis Awareness across the nation, and for a very good reason. Viral hepatitis can be very serious, and particularly damaging to the liver. There are three major forms of viral hepatitis in the US called Hepatitis A, B, and C. These viruses differ in how they infect the body, and also how they affect your health long-term. Additionally, two are vaccine-preventable, one is not. Two of them can cause a chronic infection, but one will not. So which is which? The table below should help you sort them out. Virus Form How is It Spread? Vaccine Preventable? Hepatitis A Food/waterborne and person Yes to person Hepatitis B Blood borne, from mother to Yes child, and sexually transmitted Hepatitis C Blood borne, occasionally from mother to child, and rarely, sexually transmitted Who Should Be Vaccinated? All people should be vaccinated. All people should be vaccinated. Does It Develop a Chronic Infection? No Yes, in approximately 10% of cases in adults, and 90% of newborns No Not Applicable Yes, in approximately 75-85% of cases Hepatitis A is the mildest of the three illnesses. Typically, people recover with supportive care, but it can take time until they feel better. Children who have been infected with Hepatitis A typically display few symptoms, but can be infectious for months. That is why it is very important to vaccinate your children against this disease. It is also a vaccination adults should consider, but particularly if you plan to travel to areas where this illness is widespread. Acute cases of hepatitis B (meaning someone is very sick with it for weeks or months) can cause damage to the liver, though many recover completely with time if they do not develop a chronic infection. Chronic infections mean the virus will be in your system for the rest of your life. Some of the major long-term effects of chronic infections to the body include damage to the liver and liver cancer. Since 90% of newborns become chronically infected when they are exposed to it, this makes it vitally important to vaccinate children and adults against the illness. Treatment exists to suppress the virus for chronic infections, but there is no cure at this time. Acute cases of hepatitis C look very similar to hepatitis B. Most people will develop a chronic infection of hepatitis C, and the risk of liver damage and cancer are also present. Many people live for years with a chronic infection without symptoms, and experience symptoms late in their life. Baby boomers (people born between 1945 and 1965) are at high risk to have this virus, and should be tested. It is not clearly understood why baby boomers are at an increased risk, but it is believed to be possibly due to the donated blood supply. Donated blood prior to 1992 is was not screened for the virus, and transmission rates were at their highest in the 1970 s and 1980 s. New treatment regimens have excellent cure rates, but being cured of hepatitis C does not make you immune if you are exposed again. With all hepatitis viruses, prevention of infection is key. Vaccination at a young age will not only protect children, but also the generation that follows them. Always use personal protective equipment when handling blood and body fluids. Talk to your doctor about hepatitis testing if you fall in one of the following categories: If you or one of your parents were born outside of the US If you live with someone diagnosed with hepatitis B or C If you ve ever been diagnosed with HIV or AIDS If you are a man who has sex with men If you currently or have ever (even once) injected drugs not prescribed by a doctor If you were born between 1945 to 1965 If you have ever received a clotting factor concentrate for treatment of bleeding disorders prior to 1987 For more information on this important topic, see the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at

4 Page 4 Dawson County Health Department Newsletter Glendive School District Kindergarten Screening and Registration Open to all children entering Kindergarten For the school year. May 3rd and 4th 8:00 am 4:00 pm At the foyer of the DCHS Auditorium Use the Kendrick Street Entrance Please bring Birth Certificate and Immunization Records Children must be 5 years old by September 10th. Please call to make an appointment Dawson County Health Department in conjunction with BCBS Care Van will be at WMS Thursday morning May 5th to provide adolescent vaccines for 6th grade students and then will move to the EPEC for the Chilren s Health Fair to provide immunizations there. Get your Kindergarten shots before the rush!

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6 Page 6 Dawson County Health Department Newsletter How much sugar are you really drinking each day? The average person is not aware of how much sugar is in their soda, coffee, sports drink or even fruit juice,. The Nutrition Source ( has come up with a diagram that shows the amount of sugar in some drinks. Water is the best thing that you can drink to quench your thirst and hydrate your body. Remember to rethink your drink when you grab a beverage.

7 Services Provided by the Health Department Immunizations: Adults and children, Tuesdays:1:30-4:30 and Thursdays: 9:00-11:30 and 1:30-5:30. Walk-ins are welcome. To schedule an appointment call Insurance Billing: Yes, the Dawson County Health Department does bill insurance for children s immunizations. WIC (Women, Infants and Children): Tuesdays 1:00-5:00 and Thursdays 8:00-12:00. Appointments may be made by calling : Walk in hours are Mondays 1:00-5:00, Tuesdays 8:00-12:00, Wednesdays 1:00-5:00, Thursdays 1:00-5:00 and Fridays 10:00-12:00 & 1:00-3:00. Services are based on a sliding fee scale. To schedule an appointment call Blood Pressure Clinics: Thursdays from 9:00-11:30 no charge. Cholesterol Clinics: 2nd and 4th Thursdays of the month 9:00-11:30. Cost $15 requires 12 hour fast. Home Health Services: In home services including skilled nursing. Certified Nurse Assistant, Homemaker and Meals on Wheels. Call for more information or to make a referral. Public Health Home Visiting: Home visiting program for pregnant women, infants and children. Services help to build parental resilience, social connections, knowledge of parenting and child development, concrete supports in times of need and social and emotional competence of children. Tobacco Prevention: Preventing tobacco use among youth and promote quitting among adult users. Free signs for CIAA compliance. Public Health Emergency Preparedness: Planning and coordination of community resources to prepare for public health emergencies. We are on the Web! departments/publichealth If you would like to be on the mailing list for this monthly publication or submit an article for the next month, please Laureen Murphree at murphreel@dawsoncountymail.com

8 MAY 2016 SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT WIC Circle/Jordan 8:00-5:00 Immunization Clinc 1:30-4:30 **NO IMMUNIZATION CLINIC** W IC 1:00 5:00 Childrens Health Fair 3:00-6:00 EPEC 10:00-12:00 1:00-3: WIC Immunization Clinc 1:30-4:30 BP/ Chol Clinic 9:00-11:30 Immunization Clinic 9:00-11:30 & 1:30-5:30 W IC 10:00-12:00 1:00-3: ***CLOSED*** WIC Immunization Clinc 1:30-4:30 BP Clninc 9:00-11:30 Immunization Clinic 9:00-11:30 & 1:30-5:30 W IC 10:00-12:00 1:00-3: ***CLOSED*** WIC Immunization Clinc 1:30-4:30 BP/Chol Clinic 9:00-11:30 Immunization Clinic 9:00-11:30 & 1:30-5:30 W IC 10:00-12:00 1:00-3: W IC Immunization Clinc 1:30-4:30 W orld NO Tobacco Day 5 6 Dawson County Health Department 207 West Bell Glendive, MT 59330