Champaign-Urbana Public Health District

Champaign, IL - In preparation for Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month in May, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published a report on April 8, 2014 showing a decline in births to younger U.S. teens. Although younger teen births have declined nationally, the Champaign County teenage birth rate is rising... more...

Champaign, IL - The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) will extend hours starting next week to assist individuals with Affordable Care Act (ACA) enrollment. The current open enrollment period will end on March 31, 2014. CUPHD will have staff available from 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM March 25th through March 31st with additional hours on Saturday, March 29th from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM.

"Meeting the Affordable Care Act enrollment deadline is particularly important if someone is purchasing insurance through the Marketplace. While people can still sign up for Medicaid after the 31st, plans through the Marketplace can only be purchased if a significant life event occurs. The next open enrollment period begins November 15, 2014," said Jeff Kemp-Rinderle, Lead Agent, Illinois Region 6 Implementation Program.... more...

Free Dental Exams and Cleanings for Children on Saturday, March 8 at the Fluid Events Center in Champaign

Champaign, IL - The Illini District Dental Society will sponsor Give Kids a Smile (GKAS) Day on Saturday, March 8, 2014 from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the Fluid Events Center located at 601 N. Country Fair Drive in Champaign. The event is part of the Children's Dental Access Program through the American Dental Association (ADA) that provides free oral healthcare services to children of low-income families.

On March 8, local dentists and hygienists are taking the opportunity to give back to the community by volunteering time and services for GKAS and providing free dental exams, cleanings and fluoride varnish treatments to any child between the ages of 1 and 17. The oral health fair will offer a wide range of services and activities for everyone including: dental hygiene education; free toothbrushes; face painting; and visits and pictures with Flossie from the... more...

Champaign, IL - The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) sent a mailing on Monday, February 24th to Champaign County multi-unit housing property owners detailing the benefits of smoke-free rental properties.

The mailing describes the cost savings to landlords of smoke-free rental units. The expense to clean a smoking unit after a smoker moves out can be anywhere from $4,000 to $15,000. The expense to clean a smoke-free rental unit is generally under $1,000. Cigarettes are also the leading cause of residential fires.

Beyond the risks and costs to property owners, smoking in multi-unit housing puts nonsmokers at risk for inhalation of secondhand smoke. Secondhand smoke drifts into non-smokers' apartments through ventilation systems, light fixtures, electrical outlets, doorways, and windows. Secondhand smoke can remain in the air for hours after a cigarette is extinguished. Of the 4,000 chemicals in secondhand smoke, 250 are known toxins, and 50 are... more...

Rare disease suspected in two people, read the press release for... more...

Health Departments Kick Off Rethink Your Drink 2014 by Reminding Illinoisans to Limit Sugary Beverages

Champaign, IL - As part of the Illinois Alliance to Prevent Obesity's (IAPO) month-long Rethink Your Drink campaign, the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) will be sharing, posting and tweeting helpful information about rethinking beverage choices. CUPHD will also be active participants by challenging staff to consume only milk and water for one day.

"I'm a little worried about my morning coffee but it's just one day so I'm ready to give it a try," said Tara McCauley, CUPHD employee.... more...

Champaign, IL - On Thursday, January 30th at noon, Parkland College and the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) will kick-off a worksite wellness challenge for Parkland employees. The four-month wellness challenge is called the Amazing Challenge, and the challenge itself begins on February 1st. Thursday's kick-off event will be held at Parkland's Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning, located at 2400 W. Bradley Avenue, D116, in Champaign.

The Amazing Challenge will be organized through a web portal called We Choose Health 365, created by the Illinois Department of Public Health and Live Healthy America. A number of employers in Champaign County and state-wide will participate in the challenge, which will provide health challenges for employees on nutrition, physical activity and stress reduction. It will be a simple, fun and interactive campaign that encourages focused weekly action - making it easy for participants to make changes and see results. The... more...

Champaign, IL - The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) is set to kick- off a new community walking program aimed at women. The Illinois Department of Public Health, Office of Women's Health, is awarding CUPHD $4,500 for the nine- month program that focuses on improving women's health through physical activity.

Women Out Walking is a 12-week walking challenge for women in which participants use a step counter to track their daily steps. At the end of the week they will report their weekly step total to their team captain. The team structure is an important component of the program because it encourages participants to provide positive reinforcement to the other members of their team. The commitment to report step totals each week also will help keep participants involved in the program. There will be weekly challenges and prizes given to participants throughout the program. At the conclusion of the 12 weeks, recognition will be given to the winning team(s).... more...

Champaign, IL - Influenza activity is on the rise in this community. The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) is encouraging everyone to protect themselves and their families by getting a flu shot now. "H1N1 has been reported in Champaign County," said Julie A. Pryde, Administrator of Champaign-Urbana Public Health District. "There have been H1N1-flu hospitalizations as well."

The Illinois Department of Public Health is reporting widespread influenza activity in Illinois with 122 flu-related intensive care unit hospitalizations and six flu-related intensive care unit deaths. IDPH expects to see an increase in the number of hospitalizations and... more...

Read the proclamation from Illinois Governor Pat... more...