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Whole Grains Lower Risk of Heart Failure Eating these foods and reducing intake of high-fat dairy, eggs improve odds against disease.

WEDNESDAY, Nov. 5 (HealthDay News) — Keep eating whole grains and reduce your consumption of eggs and high-fat dairy food to improve your odds against suffering heart failure, a new long-term study shows. The study, which looked at more than 14,000 people over 13 years, found that participants had a 7 percent lower risk of heart failure (HF) per one-serving increase in whole grain consumption. The risk increased by 8 percent per one-serving increase in high-fat dairy intake and by 23 percent per one-serving increase in egg consumption. Other food groups did not appear to directly affect risk of heart failure. The findings were published in the November issue of the Journal of the American Dietetic Association. “The totality of literature in this area suggests it would be prudent to recommend that those at high risk of HF increase their intake of whole grains and reduce intake of highfat dairy and eggs, along with following other healthful dietary practices consistent with those recommended by the American Heart Association,” article co-author Jennifer A. Nettleton, an assistant professor in the Division of Epidemiology and Disease Control at the University of Texas Health Sciences Center at Houston, said in an association news release. More information The American Heart Association has more about heart failure. Copyright © 2008 ScoutNews, LLC. All rights reserved. HealthDayNews articles are derived from various sources and do not reflect federal policy. healthfinder.gov does not endorse opinions, products, or services that may appear in news stories. For more information on health topics in the news, visit Health News on healthfinder.gov. About Us|Accessibility |Privacy Policy|Freedom of Information Act| Disclaimers|Site Map|Contact Ushealthfinder.gov is sponsored by the National Health Information Center Page last updated: Wednesday, December 03, 2008

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Topic: New Requirements for Fall 2010 – Back to School Immunizations The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services recently revised the Immunization Requirements for School Children. Effective beginning the 2010-2011 school year the following NEW requirements will be implemented: Second dose of varicella (chickenpox) vaccine for all children entering Kindergarten and Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis) vaccine will be required for all incoming eighth (8 th ) grade students if the child has completed the recommended childhood DTap/DTP vaccination series and has not received a Td booster within the past two (2) years. Families with health insurance are encouraged to obtain necessary vaccinations from their private health care provider; however, no child is turned away. For those with private insurance we ask for a donation equal to your co-pay for an office visit, for the uninsured we also ask for a donation. For children on the Medicaid or MC+ program there is no charge for immunizations. To help busy parents – who can’t get off work and need someone else to bring their children into the office for immunizations, the department offers a “Parent Consent Authorization Form” found at www.warrencountyhealth.org . Immunizations are available by calling 636 456 7474. You must bring your child’s immunization records when you come for your appointment. If you have lost or misplaced your child’s records we suggest you contact your child’s physician or obtain a copy of their school immunization record. A complete list of vaccination requirements is available online at www.warrencountyhealth.com

The Warren County Health Department, along with the Warren County Emergency Management Agency, Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, and Center for Disease Control, want you to be safe and healthy this summer. The temperatures are rising and the days are getting longer. It’s summertime once again. Here are some tips to help make your summer the best and healthiest one yet.

Be Weather Ready
As witnessed several times this year, thunderstorms, floods, and tornadoes can be very destructive to buildings as well as human lives. Each household should be Ready in 3 – take three steps to prepare for an emergency.
Create a plan for you, your family, and your business.
Prepare a kit for home, car, and work.
Listen for information about what to do and where to go during an actual emergency.
Stop by the Warren County Health Department to pick up your copy of the Ready in 3 Family Safety Guide and Emergency Kit Checklist.
To be notified of emergency alerts, including tornado warnings, Warren County residents should go to the Health Department website at www.warrencountyhealth.com. This will link you with DeltAlert, then follow the instructions. Be sure to check the box to “Receive National Weather Service Alerts”.

Grill and Chill
Whether you prefer burgers off the grill or a picnic in the park, one thing you don’t want on the menu this summer is foodborne illness. Take these steps to help keep germs at bay.
Wash your hands before and after handling food.
When taking foods off the grill, do not put cooked food items back on the same plate that previously held raw food.
When grilling foods, preheat the coals on your grill for 20-30 minutes, or until the coals are lightly coated with ash.
Use a meat thermometer to ensure that food reaches a safe internal temperature.
Never let raw meat, cooked food or cut fresh fruit or vegetables sit at room temperature more than two hours before putting them in the cooler or refrigerator (one hour when the temperature is above 90ºF).
Make sure to pack plenty of extra ice or freezer packs in your cooler to ensure a constant cold temperature.

Beat the Heat
Heat-related illnesses claim the lives of hundreds of people each year, so it is important to take these precautions when working or playing outside during the hot summer months.
Drink plenty of water or other non-alcoholic beverages.
Wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that is light in color.
Reduce strenuous activities or do them during the cooler parts of the day.

Fun in the Sun 
Your summer plans may include hitting the beach, or just spending more time outdoors. Make sure you plan to avoid sunburn, which can increase your risk of skin cancer.
Seek shade, especially during midday hours (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.), when UV rays are strongest and do the most damage.
Cover up with clothing to protect exposed skin. A long-sleeved shirt and long pants with a tight weave are best.
Wear a hat with a wide brim to shade the face, head, ears, and neck.
Grab sunglasses that wrap around and block as close to 100% of both UVA and UVB rays as possible.
Rub on sunscreen with sun protective factor (SPF) 15 or higher, and both UVA and UVB protection.

Swim Safe
Swimming is a fun way to stay cool and be active. Before diving in, make sure you know these tips for staying healthy and safe while swimming.
Avoid swallowing pool water or even getting it in your mouth.
Shower before swimming and wash your hands after using the toilet or changing diapers.
Take children on bathroom breaks or check diapers often.
Keep an eye on children at all times. Kids can drown in seconds and in silence.
Never swim alone or in unsupervised locations. Teach children to always swim with a buddy.
Don’t use air-filled swimming aids (such as “water wings”) with children in place of life jackets or life preservers.

For more information call the Center for Disease Control at 1-800-CDC-INFO or log on to www.cdc.gov. You can also contact the Warren County Health Department, 104 W. Booneslick, Suite H, Warrenton, MO, or call 636-456-7474.