Your Health Matters - July 2018 · Page 2 Your Health Matters Grilling May Raise Risk of High Blood Pressure A new study urges cau-tion when cooking, after finding that a regular

NATIONAL

SUICIDE PRE VE NT IIO IN LIFELINE

"' 1-800·-·273-TALK (8255,) su icidepreventi on lifel i ne.org

Public Health Prevent. Promote. Protect.

A BIANNUAL

NEWSLETTER FROM

THE MORRIS COUNTY

OFFICE OF HEALTH

MANAGEMENT Your Health

MattersSpecial points of

interest:

July is Juvenile Arthritis

Awareness Month

August is National

Breastfeeding Month

September is National

Childhood Obesity

Awareness Month

September is National

Preparedness Month

October is National

Dental Hygiene Month

November is Lung Can-

cer Awareness Month

December 1st is World

Aids Day

Inside this issue:

Suicide 1

Vaping 1-2

Grilling 2

Ticks and Mosquitos 3

Sun Safety 4

Heat and Physical 5

Activity

NJ SugarFreed

Volume I Issue II July 2018

Suicide: Is Life a Priceless Gift?

Suicide is a large and alcohol use;

growing public health Aggression or fa-problem. Suicide is the

tenth leading cause of tigue;

death in the United Changes in mood States, third leading

including depression, cause of death for youth anxiety, or loss of ages 10-14 years, and

second leading cause of interest; and/or

death among people 15- If a person talks 24 and 25-34 years of

about killing them-age. In New Jersey, one especially if the change in selves, feeling hope-person dies by suicide behavior is related to a less, being a burden every 11 hours. painful event, loss, or life to others, or feeling

change. Behaviors can There is no single cause trapped

include: for suicide. It occurs

Suicide does not dis-when stressors and Withdrawing from criminate and effects all health issues converge

activities; to create an experience populations. If you or a

loved one are in a crisis, of hopelessness and des- Isolating from family

there options available pair. Some of the warn-and friends;

ing signs to look out for to help you cope.

are a change in behavior Increased drug and Continued on page 4

Vaping: The New Trend Among Adolescents

Electronic cigarettes have become popular among

youth and young adults. E-cigarettes come in many

forms and are known by different names including “e-

cigs,” “vape pens” “e-hookahs,” and “electronic nico-

tine delivery systems” (ENDS). These products are

battery-operated devices designed to deliver nicotine

flavorings, and other chemicals in the form of an aero-

sol that users inhale.

Continued on page 2

IN 2016, NEARLY ~ ,S. ~Dt~~l~~SCHOOL STUDENTS CURRENTLY USED TOBACCO PRODUCTS

HALF USED TWO OR MORE ABOUT TOBACCO PRODUCTS

$i I ~

I

1- I

Page 2 Your Health Matters

Grilling May Raise Risk of High Blood Pressure

A new study urges cau-

tion when cooking, after

finding that a regular in-

take of grilled and well-

done meat or fish could

increase the risk of high

blood pressure.

A major risk factor for

hypertension is an un-

healthy diet; however,

this new study suggests

that it is not only the

type of food that we eat that influ-

ences blood pressure but how we

prepare our food can also play a part.

The study found that individuals who

ate grilled, broiled, or roasted beef,

chicken, or fish at least 15 times each

month were 17 percent

more likely to develop high

blood pressure than those

who consumed these

foods fewer than four

times a month.

Although the research can-

not prove cause and effect,

it may be worth revising

our cooking methods for

meat and fish. For more

information , visit

www.sciencedaily.com/.

Vaping continued

What Parents Need to Know About Vaping

1. Vapor is not just water.

The vapor is more than

just water, but is an aero-

sol mist full of toxic

chemicals. Some of the

toxins found in vapes in-

clude propylene, glycol

and other chemicals

known to harm your

health.

2. Most flavored vapes have

nicotine. Nicotine is an

addictive drug found in

cigarettes and is harmful

to the development of

youth.

3. Nicotine free vapes are

not harmless. Diacetyl is a

common chemical found

in the flavoring of vape

pens and can cause a seri-

ous lung disease called

“popcorn lung.”

Start a conversation with

your child about e-cigarettes

today. Find the right moment

to talk to your teen. Ask for

support if you are not sure

where to begin.

For more information visit:

https://e-

ciga-

rettes.surgeongeneral.gov/

knowtherisks.html

Did You Know?

The brain is still grow-

ing and developing until

about the age of 25.

Each time a new skill is

learned, stronger syn-

apses are built between

brain cells. Adolescents

get more addicted easi-

ly than adults because

addiction is a form of

learning.

4. E-cigarettes do not look

like regular cigarettes.

They can look like bright

metallic pens. Vape pens

can also explode and

cause severe skin burns.

5. E-cigarette use can be

linked to alcohol use and

other substance use such

as marijuana.

Volume I Issue II

Deer ticks : Lyme disease, babesiosis, anaplasmosis

Dog ticks : Rocky Mt. sponed fever

Lone Star ticks: Ehrlichiosis

Fig. 1 Most common human- and pet-biting ticks encountered & disease association

Page 3

Illnesses from Mosquito, Tick and Flea Bites Increasing in the U.S.

Mosquito and Tick Fun

Facts

Only deer ticks can

transmit Lyme disease.

The easiest and safest

way to remove a tick is

with a pointy tweezer.

If you have been bitten

by a mosquito, it was a

female. Females need

blood before they can

lay their eggs.

The average mosquito

lifespan is two months.

Illnesses from mosquito, tick and

flea bites have tripled in the U.S.

Nine new germs spread by mosqui-

toes and ticks were discovered or

introduced into the U.S. between

2004 and 2016.

“Zika, West Nile, Lyme, and

chikungunya—a growing list of dis-

eases caused by the bite of an in-

fected mosquito, tick, or flea—have

confronted the U.S. in recent years,

making a lot of people sick. And we

don’t know what will threaten

Americans next,” said CDC Direc-

tor Robert R. Redfield, M.D. “Our Nation’s first lines of defense are

state and local health departments

and vector control organizations,

and we must continue to enhance

our investment in their ability to

fight against these diseases.”

Widespread and difficult to control

diseases from mosquito, tick and

flea bites are major causes of sick-

ness. The increase in diseases

caused by the bite of an infected

mosquito, tick, or flea in the U.S. is

likely due to many factors. Mosqui-

toes, ticks, and the germs they

spread are increasing in number and

moving into new areas. As a result,

more people are at risk for infec-

tion. Overseas travel and com-

merce are more common than ever

before. A traveler can be infected

with a mosquito-borne disease, like

Zika, in one country, and then un-

knowingly transport it home. Final-

ly, new germs spread by mosquito

and tick bites have been discov-

ered and the list of nationally

notifiable diseases has grown.

What can everyone do to

protect themselves from

mosquito, tick, and flea

bites?

Use an Environmental Pro-

tection Agency-registered

insect repellent.

Wear long-sleeved shirts

and long pants.

Treat items, such as boots,

pants, socks, and tents,

with permethrin or use

permethrin-treated clothing

and gear.

Take steps to control ticks

and fleas on pets.

Find and remove ticks daily

from family and pets. Visit:

https://www.cdc.gov/ticks/

removing_a_tick.html

Take steps to control mos-

quitoes, ticks, and fleas in-

side and outside your

home. Visit: https://

www.cdc.gov/zika/

prevention/prevent-

mosquito-bites.html

Source: Centers for Disease

Control and Prevention, May

2018

PROTECT

Use a Layered Approach for Sun Protection.

Slllscreen works best when used with shade or clothes. c11d ii must be re-applied every 2 hoUfs and after sW11l1m1 , sweat ng. or toweling off.

Wear a hat. sunglasses, and protective clothing to shield skil.

Use broad spec rum sunscreen wrth at leas SPF 15 to protec exposed skin.

Seek shade. espeaally cimng m day hours

( '

Find out why this can save a life at

www.BeThe1To.com If you're struggling, call the Lifeline at

1-800-273-TALK (8255)

Page 4 Your Health Matters

Stay Safe in the Sun

With summer starting this month, it is important to protect you and your family from the sun. Ultraviolet

(UV) rays are the number one cause of skin cancer. Too much exposure to the sun can cause sunburn, eye

damage, and premature wrinkles. Protect you and your loved ones and enjoy being outdoors. For more in-

formation visit, https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/skin/basic_info/sun-safety.htm.

East Asian Tick, New to New Jersey

While these ticks like a warmer climate, they seemed to have survived the NJ winter. Rutgers

University scientists are studying this newcomer but report that standard insecticides seem to

work well against this tick and the ticks found in NJ tested negative for carrying diseases.

Suicide: Is Life a Priceless Gift? (continued from Page 1)

Some options include:

Call the Suicide Prevention Hotline toll-free number at

1-800-273-8255

NJ Hopeline at 1– 855-654-6735

Find a therapist or support group

Make a safety plan

Build a support network to help you cope during diffi-

cult times

F o r m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n v i s i t : h t t p s : / /

suicidepreventionlifeline.org/.

medical reserve corps

Page 5Volume I Issue II

Don’t Let the Summer Heat Keep You From Moving

Don’t let the heat keep you from exercising during the

summer months. Longer days

and ample sunshine provide

more opportunities for the

whole family to get outside and

get active. Follow these sum-

mer workout tips: Timing is key. Avoid exer-

cising in the early after-

noon. It is usually hottest

between noon and 3p.m. Listen to your body. Take frequent breaks in the shade and drink Stay hydrated. Drink water water before you are thirsty.

before, during, and after Buddy up. If you can, work out with a partner for safety and have physical activity.

Dress for success. Wear fun.

lightweight, light-colored,

loose-fitting clothes. For more information visit, American Heart Association

NJ Sugarfreed Campaign

NJ Sugarfreed is on a mission to decrease the consumption of

sugary drinks in New Jersey. Sugary drinks are proven to in-

crease the risk of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. Over a

quarter of New Jersey residents are obese and an additional

36% are overweight. Drinking just one or more sugary drinks

per day increases your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes by

26%. Choose water, it is the best thing you can put in your

body. For more information visit, www.njsugarfreed.org

Medical Reserve Corps

The Morris County Medical Reserve Corps is a well-prepared and

trained workforce of volunteers to help public health protect the

community in the event of a public health emergency.

To learn more about the MRC, or to fill out a volunteer application,

visit www.njmrc.nj.gov.

2-1-1

A BIANNUAL

NEWSLETTER FROM

THE MORRIS COUNTY

OFFICE OF HEALTH

MANAGEMENT

Important Numbers

GENERAL

NJ211

North Jersey Red Cross

(973) 538-2160 Poison Information 1-800-222-1222

Mental Health Hotline 1-877-294-4357

MORRIS COUNTY Health Management 973-631-5484 Emergency Management

973-829-8600 Sheriff’s Office 973-285-6600

Prosecutor’s Office 973-285-6200

NEW JERSEY Communicable Disease Service 1-609-826-5964

State Police 1-609-882-2000

Address

Morris County Office of Health

Management

PO Box 900

634 West Hanover Avenue

Morristown NJ 07961

The mission of the Morris County Office of Health Management is to promote

public health, to prevent the spread of disease, and to protect the environment,

through awareness, compliance, education, training, and emergency response.

Contributing Writers:

Carlos Perez, Jr., Ph.D.

Health Officer

Arlene Stoller, M.P.H., C.H.E.S.

Health Educator

Shanice Johnson, B.S., C.H.E.S.

Health Education Field Representative

Your Health Matters is not copyrighted. Any or all parts may be reproduced without permission.

However, an acknowledgment of the source would be appreciated. The following resources were used

as references in this addition: The Center for Disease Control and Prevention, American Heart Asso-

ciation, National Institute on Drug Abuse, North Jersey Health Collaborative, Federal Emergency Man-

agement Agency (FEMA), Colon Cancer Alliance, American Association of Poison Control Centers

(AAPCC), National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, New Jersey Department of Human Ser-

vices, Partnership for a Drug Free New Jersey, Prevention is Key, and Morris County Human Re-

sources, Reference to any site on the internet is provided as a service to readers and does not consti-

tute or imply endorsement of the information on the web site by the Morris County Office of Health

Management. The Morris County Office of Health Management is not responsible for the content of

the pages found at these sites.

www.morrishealth.org

Follow us on Twitter! @morrishealth or

www.twitter.com/morrishealth