Commonwealth Conversations: Public Health

Swine Flu Update: April 30 @ 2:00 p.m. First Cases Confirmed

Good morning.  At a press conference yesterday, Governor Deval Patrick announced the first 2 confirmed cases of swine influenza in the Commonwealth.  Both school-aged children from Middlesex County are doing well, and are expected to make a complete recovery.  Neither child attended school during the course of their illness, nor were they ever hospitalized.  Please read the press release from the announcement here.

The CDC has confirmed 109 cases of swine flu 11 states in the U.S., including the death of a 22 month old from Texas -- the nation's first death associated with this swine flu outbreak.  We continue to work very closely with the CDC and our partners at the state and local level. 

While there is no vaccine for the current swine flu strain, there are still important steps that everyone can take to help prevent getting or spreading any type of influenza:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze.  Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
• Practice good "cough etiquette" by coughing or sneezing into a tissue, or into your elbow instead of into your hands.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
• If you get sick, stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to avoid infecting them.

MASS 211 ACTIVATED TO HELP PROVIDE THE PUBLIC WITH INFORMATION:

Massachusetts residents can now call (2-1-1) for basic information about swine flu.

NEW MATERIALS ON DPH WEB SITE

We are adding new materials to our web site on a regular basis. To see all our fact sheets visit http://www.mass.gov/dph/swineflu.

INFORMATION ABOUT SWINE FLU AND PREVENTION STEPS TO HELP YOU STAY HEALTHY:

Swine flu is a respiratory infection caused by influenza type A virus that regularly cause outbreaks of influenza in pigs.  People do not normally get swine flu, but human infections can occur.  Human cases typically involve people who have had direct contact with pigs, but person-to-person transmission is suspected among recent confirmed cases.  

For more information on swine flu, visit the CDC's new web site at www.cdc.gov/swineflu.  We also have some very good information on how to care for someone at home who has the flu on our DPH web site.

DPH STATEMENT ON CASE ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Consistent with CDC guidelines, it is the policy of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health to comment only on confirmed cases of swine influenza.  There are several important reasons for not commenting on specific "suspect cases".  First, many of these cases will rule out for swine influenza, and commenting on them raises undue concern for families and communities.  During a time of enhanced alertness for cases, DPH and local public health authorities will get many reports from health care providers about cases of flu-like illness.  We will always follow up on reports consistent with CDC guidance and good public health practice; just because we are not commenting on unconfirmed cases, doesn't mean we're not working on those cases.  Second, there have been a number of media reports on suspect cases that have included information that could be used to identify a specific person's health information, which in turn could violate that person's health privacy.  Third, our goal throughout this outbreak is to provide the public with the most accurate and useful information.  

We will update this blog regularly with new information when it becomes available.  As with every public health investigation, the situation will likely change many times, and we will do our best to keep the residents of Massachusetts updated as the situation evolves.  Thanks in advance for your patience and please check back for updates.

Swine Flu Update (updated 4/29 @ 7:00 a.m.)

Good morning.   The CDC has confirmed 64 cases of swine flu in humans in the U.S.  There have been no cases identified yet in Massachusetts, however, like other states we are increasing our surveillance activities to see if cases develop in the Commonwealth.  We are working very closely with the CDC and our partners at the state and local level.  All of the newly reported cases are in the same five state where previous cases have been confirmed.

DPH STATEMENT ON CASE ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Consistent with CDC guidelines, it is the policy of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health to comment only on confirmed cases of swine influenza.  There are several important reasons for not commenting on specific "suspect cases".  First, many of these cases will rule out for swine influenza, and commenting on them raises undue concern for families and communities.  During a time of enhanced alertness for cases, DPH and local public health authorities will get many reports from health care providers about cases of flu-like illness.  We will always follow up on reports consistent with CDC guidance and good public health practice; just because we are not commenting on unconfirmed cases, doesn't mean we're not working on those cases.  Second, there have been a number of media reports on suspect cases that have included information that could be used to identify a specific person's health information, which in turn could violate that person's health privacy.  Third, our goal throughout this outbreak is to provide the public with the most accurate and useful information.  That goal is always challenging when the situation is fluid and changing frequently.  Our guidance to the general public about how to stay healthy is the same whether or not there is a case we are following in their community.  On the other hand, some of that guidance may change if we find a confirmed case.  When we know about a confirmed case in Massachusetts, the public will know about that case. 

MASS211 ACTIVATED TO HELP PROVIDE THE PUBLIC WITH INFORMATION:

Massachusetts residents can now call (2-1-1) for basic information about swine flu.

NEW MATERIALS ON DPH WEB SITE

We are adding new materials to our web site on a regular basis including our swine flu fact sheet, and an advisory that provides information for schools and childcare settings.  

Swine Flu Factsheet in Spanish, Chinese, Khmer and Portuguese.

INFORMATION ABOUT SWINE FLU AND PREVENTION STEPS TO HELP YOU STAY HEALTHY:

Swine flu is a respiratory infection caused by influenza type A virus that regularly cause outbreaks of influenza in pigs.  People do not normally get swine flu, but human infections can occur.  Human cases typically involve people who have had direct contact with pigs, but person-to-person transmission is suspected among recent confirmed cases.  

It is still early in the public health investigation of this outbreak, and we are working hard to gather as much information as possible about the situation nationally and here in our state.  Some of the cases in Mexico have been very serious, but most of the confirmed cases from California, Texas, Kansas, Ohio and New York City have been reported to be mild.  We don't know yet why the cases in Mexico and the U.S. seem to be different in severity, but answering that question will be part of the larger public health investigation.  Also, the severity of the illness in the U.S. could change and become more serious.

Even though there have been no cases identified in our state up to now, there are steps that everyone can take to help prevent getting or spreading any type of influenza:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze.  Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
• Practice good "cough etiquette" by coughing or sneezing into a tissue, or into your elbow instead of into your hands.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
• If you get sick, stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to avoid infecting them.

For more information on swine flu, visit the CDC's new web site at www.cdc.gov/swineflu.  We also have some very good information on how to care for someone at home who has the flu on our DPH web site.

We will update this blog regularly with new information when it becomes available.  As with every public health investigation, the situation will likely change many times, and we will do our best to keep the residents of Massachusetts updated as the situation evolves.  Thanks in advance for your patience and please check back for updates.

Turn Marathon Inspiration into Reality

Posted by:
Laura York, Department of Public Health 

 

Laura is the Director of the Coordinated School Health Program and a NASM certified personal trainer.

There’s just something about the Boston Marathon that inspires even the biggest couch potatoes to think about starting to run.  Whether it’s watching the top contenders effortlessly float up Heartbreak Hill or the 70 year old grandmother cross the finish line with a smile, this race has been motivating runners for decades.

However, many promising new runners go out and run as hard as they can, trying to mimic the runners they’ve just seen on the course.  Then within minutes, they’re out of breath, feel a sharp cramp in their side, maybe even injure themselves, and give up.  Running is not as easy as it looks and needs to be eased into gradually.  A run/walk program is the best way to get started.

Before you begin
Running is a high-impact activity so you need properly fitting running shoes to avoid injury.  You don’t need to buy the most expensive shoes out there, but it’s best to buy running shoes at a store where the sales associates can watch how you run.  It is also recommended that shoes be replaced at least every year.  And, as with any new exercise program, talk with your doctor before you start.

Workouts
You will need to dedicate about 20-30 minutes, 3 times per week to your run/walk program with at least one day of rest in between sessions.  Start out each workout with a brisk 5 minute warm-up walk and stretch for at least 5 minutes at the end of your session (see previous blog on how to stretch).  And make sure you drink plenty of water before and after you exercise so that you stay properly hydrated.

Form
Head, neck and shoulders should be relaxed and eyes should look straight forward.  Arms should be bent at 90 degree angles, moving back and forth in a straight line, and hands should be held in loose fists.   Feet should step lightly and land directly underneath your body.

Pace
While you are running, you should still be able to hold a conversation with someone.  If you can’t, you are running too fast.

Location
If you run outside, try to find a softer surface to minimize impact, such as a local school’s track or a bike path around a reservoir or park.  If you are running on the street, pick blacktop over concrete and always run facing cars.  If you’re going to be running at night, remember to wear something reflective.  In the first few weeks of your program, try to avoid hills.

Program
Week 1: Run 1 minute, then walk 4 minutes for a total of 20 minutes
Week 2: Run 3 minutes, then walk 4 minutes for a total of 21 minutes
Week 3: Run 5 minutes, then walk 3 minutes for a total of 24 minutes
Week 4: Run 7 minutes, then walk  3 minutes for a total of 20 minutes
Week 5: Run 8 minutes, then walk 2 minutes for a total of 20 minutes
Week 6: Run 9 minutes, then walk 2 minutes for a total of 22 minutes
Week 7: Run 10 minutes, then walk 1 minute for a total of 22 minutes
Week 8: Run for a full 20 minutes

Congratulations-you are officially a runner!  If you gradually increase your running times (no more than 10% per week), you can enter a local 2 mile or 5k race and become the one that inspires others!

If you want to find a run/walk that helps you get a workout and helps others out too , check out the WCVB website.

DPH on ESPN

Posted by:
Tom Lyons, Department of Public Health

 

Earlier this week, the show E:60 on ESPN ran a story about air quality in skating rinks around the nation.  Staff from the DPH Bureau of Environmental Health participated in the reporting of the story.  Suzanne Condon, our Director of Environmental Health, was interviewed and cameras followed Steve Hughes, our Director of Community Sanitation, on a visit to a skating rink in Norfolk, MA.  This is a picture I took of Steve being interviewed.

Massachusetts is one of only three states to set air quality standards for skating rinks.

Prediabetes: A Window of Opportunity

Posted by:
Terri Mendoza, Department of Public Health

 

Terri is the Director of the Diabetes Prevention and Control Program.

A touch of sugar?  Borderline diabetes?  Has your doctor told you that you have either of these?  If so, you most likely have prediabetes.  But there’s good news-- by making just a few changes now, you can delay or even prevent yourself from getting diabetes in the future.

Here’s what you need to know:

What is prediabetes?
It is when the level of sugar in your blood is high, but not high enough to be considered diabetes. 

Why should I worry about prediabetes?
People with prediabetes are more likely to develop diabetes within 10 years and are more likely to have a heart attack or stroke.

How do I know if I have prediabetes?
People with prediabetes usually have no symptoms.  The only way to tell if you have prediabetes is by a blood test.  If you are 45 years or older, you should be tested for prediabetes.  If you are under age 45, are overweight or obese AND you have one of the following risk factors, ask your doctor to check for prediabetes:

A Wellness Champion in Dorchester

Posted by:
Tom Lyons, Department of Public Health

Check out Johnny Diaz's profile of Andrea Baptiste in today's Boston Globe.  I had the privilege of spending some time with Andrea recently shooting a video about Healthworks at Codman Square, a very cool place serving the health and wellness needs of women and children in that neighborhood of Dorchester.   The Globe also recently profiled Healthworks. 

I'll post the video as soon as I'm done with the editing!  It's an inspiring place and Andrea is a big part of that inspiration.

Breastfeeding--Anywhere, Anytime

Posted by:
Rachel Colchamiro, Department of Public Health

 

Rachel is the Acting Director of Nutrition Services and the Breast Feeding Coordinator for the Masscausetts WIC Program

When it comes to feeding babies…breast is best!  Doctors say breastfeeding is the best source of nutrition AND protection against illness for the vast majority of babies and their mothers.  It’s no wonder more and more moms are choosing to breastfeed their babies.

Breastfeeding is a normal way of feeding babies…but we’re not always used to seeing moms feeding their babies when they’re out and about—whether at the park, a restaurant or at the mall.  Some people even think that it’s illegal to breastfeed in public.

So IS it legal in Massachusetts to breastfeed in public?

Stretch Your Potential: A Total Body Stretching Program

Posted by:
Laura York, Department of Public Health

 

Laura is the Director of the Coordinated School Health Program at DPH and a NASM certified personal trainer.

It’s easy to forget that flexibility is an important part of your overall health and fitness. But being flexible can improve your range of motion, posture and circulation, reduce your risk of injury and muscle soreness, make daily activities easier to perform and provide stress relief.  All of these benefits can easily be yours by adding stretching into your weekly routine!

Here is a total body stretching program that you can do anytime, anywhere.  Do this routine a minimum of two to three times per week.  It should only take about 10 minutes to complete.  If you have back, joint or other health problems, talk with your doctor first.

Before you get started
Stretching muscles when they're cold increases your risk of pulled muscles so warm up first by marching or jogging in place or plan to stretch right after you’ve done some physical activity.

Hold each stretch for at least 20-30 seconds and don’t bounce.  Stretch to the point of mild tension and avoid locking your joints.  Relax and take deep breaths while you stretch.  Be sure not to hold your breath!  If you feel any pain during a stretch, you've gone too far so back off a little.  Some of the following stretches take place on the floor so use a soft surface like a rug or thick towel for those ones. 

Watch a Demonstration