Knox County Health Department Kentucky

Is your teen showing signs of struggling with substance abuse? Learn about the nine most common indicators of drug and alcohol use and know when to seek help. Your awareness can make all the difference.

https://www.childrens.com/health-wellness/9-signs-your-teen-is-struggling-with-substance-abuse

The Kosair For Kids ‘Playing It Safe‘ tool offers parents and caregivers important information and tips to consider for a safe and fun experience as they send their child or teen off for a sleepover or to hang out with friends. For more information check out the link. https://faceitabuse.org/2023/07/07/playing-it-safe-tips-for-safe-sleepovers-and-time-with-friends/?emci=4a589591-4119-ef11-86d0-6045bdd9e096&emdi=9bc5e36b-b419-ef11-86d0-6045bdd9e096&ceid=2274439

Be proud to be a smoke and to***co free dad! If you want to become smoke and to***co free and need help, call 1-800- QUIT NOW.

EDIT: 6/17/24 All Vouchers Have Been Given Out

Senior Farmer's Market Nutritional Program vouchers will be distributed by appointment ONLY. Seniors can call for a appointment beginning June 17, 2024. There is a limited quantity of vouchers available.

You Can Help Prevent Hot Car Deaths
Over the past 25 years, more than 965 children have died of heatstroke, because they were left or became trapped in a hot car. It’s important for everyone to understand these tragedies can happen to anyone – but are always preventable.

Know the Facts
A child's body temperature rises three to five times faster than an adult's. When a child is left in a vehicle, that child's temperature can rise quickly — and the situation can quickly become dangerous.
Heatstroke begins when the core body temperature reaches about 104 degrees.
A child can die when their body temperature reaches 107 degrees.
In 2023, 29 children died of heatstroke in vehicles.
In 2018 and 2019, we saw a record number of hot car deaths — 53 children died each year — the most in at least 25 years, according to NoHeatstroke.org.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), drowning is the leading cause of death among children ages 1-4.

Data also shows that 69% of drowning incidents involving young children occur during non-swim times when a child is drawn back to the water and there are no barriers or adults present.

https://download-video.akamaized.net/v3-1/playback/f2a40eed-1f5b-4e4c-a734-916de3fa746d/34049d01-63e59101?__token__=st=1716901951~exp=1716916351~acl=%2Fv3-1%2Fplayback%2Ff2a40eed-1f5b-4e4c-a734-916de3fa746d%2F34049d01-63e59101%2A~hmac=f6cf93f46aca32883e52cff4abbb70d115851234fc7e9e5cb08a8fe376aa6f5c&r=dXMtd2VzdDE%3D

“Stronger Together, Better Forever:
Building Better Health for Men & Boys, Lifelong.”
Men's Health Week isn’t just for men - we want the women in their lives to learn more too! Check out how you can become more knowledgeable about health issues impacting men & boys here:
https://bit.ly/39TwpjB

Talking to your child about their bodies, body safety, and personal boundaries is key in keeping them safe. Child safety is an adult responsibility. As we approach warmer weather, your family may be spending more time at pools, lakes, or beaches. Right now is a great time to visit Face It’s SPLASH Body Safety guide resource to review important body safety and boundaries information with your kids and teens.

Get your child vaccinated BEFORE school starts back

The National Diabetes Prevention Program can help prevent or delay the onset of diabetes. To find out more information about a Lifestyle Change Program near you click the link below.



https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes-prevention/lifestyle-change-program/find-a-program.html

It's World No To***co Day. This annual observance informs the public on the dangers of using to***co products. If you use to***co and want help quitting call 1-800-QUIT NOW.

Is your child protected?

Whether you are new to having diabetes or have had it for years, when you receive diabetes self-management education and support (DSMES) services, you will:
Work with a diabetes care and education specialist to set and track goals.
Learn how to use knowledge, skills, and tools to build confidence and emotional strength to manage diabetes.
Practice how to fit diabetes care into all parts of your daily routine—like when and what you eat and how you solve problems.
Find ways to get support (in person and online) from your family, friends, community, and health care team.
For more information or to register for our June series email [email protected]

Our Offices Will Be Closed Monday May 27,2024

Our next Healthy Living With Diabetes Series is scheduled for June 11th at 5:30pm. To register, please email [email protected]

Hard Facts about Heatstroke
On average, every 10 days a child dies from heatstroke in a vehicle. In more than half of these deaths, the caregiver forgot the child was in the car.
A car can heat up 19 degrees in just 10 minutes. And cracking a window doesn’t help.
Young children are particularly at risk, as their bodies heat up three to five times faster than an adult’s.
This video shows how quickly temperatures inside a car can increase, putting anyone inside of that car at risk of injuries or even death caused by heatstroke.
This video was made with the support of the General Motors Foundation.

A Simulation of Rapid and Extreme Car Heating from Direct Sunlight This video shows how quickly temperatures inside of a car can increase, putting anyone inside of that car at risk of injuries or even death caused by hyperth...

Our Offices Will Close At 11:30 AM On Tuesday May 21,2024.

FREE Tdap (Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis vaccination)

Adults need a tetanus shot (tetanus booster) every 10 years.
A booster shot is another dose of a vaccine that you get months or years after a previous dose.
Providers call it a booster shot because it “boosts” your immune system again and helps your body protect you from illness.
Call 546-3486 for an appointment

⚠️ Beginning Monday May 13, 2024
KCHD will be under construction. We ask ALL patients to use the Conference Room Entrance when receiving services. There will be no interruption to services. Thank you for your understanding. ⚠️

Although ATV use is not recommended for children younger than 16 years,
if you do choose to let your child ride an ATV,
follow these tips to lower the chances of serious injury.
Start off right:
Choose a youth model ATV designed for your child’s age (adult models
are not safe for children younger than 16 years). Enroll your child in a hands-on training
course.
Safety first:
Only allow one person per ATV (no passengers). Wear recommended safety
gear: a helmet certified by the Department of Transportation, ANSI, or the Snell
Foundation, boots, gloves, goggles, and long pants and sleeves.
Off-road only:
Use ATVs only on off-road terrain, never on paved surfaces or public
roads of any type.

Nurses Make the Difference!

During Nurses Week and every week, nurses play a vital role in promoting health and wellness. Let's make a difference together by encouraging our patients to quit smoking or va**ng. As healthcare advocates, we understand the importance of a smoke-free life and the impact it has on overall health.

If you have a teen patient, they can access resources like My Life, My Quit for support. They can text “START MY QUIT” to 36072. For anyone interested in quitting smoking, va**ng, or using any type of to***co product, they can call 1-800-QUIT-NOW. Together, we can empower our patients to take control of their well-being.

National Fitness Day! Tomorrow, the first Saturday in May, let's celebrate the journey to a healthier lifestyle together. Whether you're a fitness fanatic or just starting out, today is the perfect opportunity to explore new ways of staying active and feeling great. From yoga to Zumba and everything in between, find what sparks your interest and give it a try!

Check out this link: https://health.gov/moveyourway for more inspiration and resources to help you “Move Your Way” towards a fitter, happier you. Let's make today a celebration of wellness!

May 1st - May 7th is World Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week

Maternal Mental Health (MMH) disorders include a range of disorders and symptoms, including but not limited to depression, anxiety and psychosis.
These disorders and symptoms can occur during pregnancy and/or the postpartum period (together often referred to as the perinatal period).
The good news is that risk for both depression and anxiety can be reduced and sometimes prevented, and with treatment women can recover.

Free, 24/7, confidential support, resources and referrals to any pregnant and postpartum mothers facing mental health challenges and their loved ones.
The National Maternal Mental Health Hotline’s counselors provide real-time emotional support, encouragement, information, and referrals.

Pregnant and postpartum women can get the help and resources they need, when they need it.
Call or text, 1-833-9-HELP4MOMS (1-833-943-5746) to connect with counselors at the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline. Learn more at www.MCHB.HRSA.gov/national-maternal-mental-health-hotline

Are you at risk?
Learning your risk is the first step in taking action against diabetes.

In times of acute distress or when concerned about a friend or loved one, the 988 Su***de & Crisis Lifeline is a vital resource. This lifeline network operates 24/7 across the United States, providing immediate assistance through calls, texts, or chats. Simply dial 988 to connect with professionals who can offer emotional support and guidance.

The main message parents and teens should know about e-cigarette use is they are simply not safe. Having open conversations with your child, early and often, can help prevent e-cigarette use now and in the future. Clink the link for more information about the health effects of va**ng.

4 health effects of va**ng - Children's Health More research is revealing that e-cigarette use can be dangerous, especially in teens. From ni****ne addiction to lung damage, a pulmonologist explains va**ng health risks.

Did you know that one of the key benefits of choosing healthier drinks is maintaining a healthy mouth? Options like soda and sports drinks contain high levels of added sugar and can cause serious harm to our teeth and gums. The best choice for anyone to drink throughout the day is water. This pyramid shows that water is the best choice to drink at any time throughout the day

Use this interactive tool from Move Your Way to help your child get more physical activity in their day.

Help your kids get more physical activity - Move Your Way | health.gov Kids need at least 60 minutes of activity every day. Use this interactive tool to learn how you can encourage them to move more every day.

April is Child Abuse Awareness Month. Check out this article about how to talk to your child about inappropriate touching and how to speak out.

Preventing Sexual Abuse in Children – Children’s Health A child abuse specialist explains how to talk with your kids about inappropriate touching and how to teach them to speak out if it ever happens to them.

April is Alcohol Awareness Month. Teach Kids to Avoid Alcohol

Alcohol is the most abused drug by kids, and many start drinking in middle school or earlier. But the good news is that underage drinking has been steadily declining in recent decades. This Alcohol Awareness Month, let your children know that most kids their age aren't drinking, and remind them of the health risks associated with alcohol.

Check out this article about how to talk to your child about drugs and alcohol.

Talking to Your Child About Drugs (for Parents) Help protect kids against drug use by giving them the facts before they're in a risky situation.