Champaign-Urbana Public Health District

From the Illinois Department of Public Health

SPRINGFIELD - Almost a quarter of a million children in the United States have blood lead levels high enough to cause significant damage to their health, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) identified approximately 3,300 Illinois children last year with elevated blood lead levels, one of the highest numbers in the country. In observance of Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, IDPH is working to raise awareness about the importance of testing children and homes for lead, and learning how to prevent exposure that can result in serious health... more...

Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Encourages Women to Get a Mammogram for Early Detection

Champaign, IL - The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) offers support of the State of Illinois' proclamation setting forth October 2011 as Breast Cancer Awareness Month and October 21, 2011 as Mammography Day. A mammogram is the best way to detect breast cancer and early detection can result in successful treatment.

According to Julie L. Gerberding, MD, MPH, Director, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), early detection through screening is the best defense against morbidity and mortality from breast cancer. Breast cancer is second to skin cancer as the most commonly diagnosed cancer among American women. Breast cancer is second to lung cancer as the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women. The encouraging news is breast cancer is curable if found in the earliest stages. The 5-year survival rate for localized breast cancer detected... more...

Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Encourages Citizens to be Keep Cats Indoors to Help Minimize Tularemia

Champaign, IL - The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) is encouraging area residents to keep cats indoors to reduce the likelihood of contracting tularemia. An additional two cats have been confirmed to test positive for tularemia; one cat from Champaign and one from Urbana. Three cats from two households in Savoy were previously diagnosed with tularemia at the University of Illinois, College of Veterinary Medicine in July and September. Four of the five cats have either died or been euthanized due to the onset of the disease. Tularemia is caused by the bacterium Francisella tularensis found in animals (especially rodents, rabbits and hares).

Cats may prey on rabbits and rodents and become infected or they may become infected through tick exposure. Cats may develop a variety of symptoms including high fever, mouth ulcers, depression,... more...

Champaign-Urbana Public Health District was Awarded a Grant for Children's Dental Health

Champaign, IL - The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) is one of 17 recipients of the 2011 ADA Foundation: Samuel Harris Fund for Children's Dental Health. This year's Harris Grant focus was on prenatal and postnatal education programs for parents and caregivers on Early Childhood Caries (ECC), an infectious disease defined by the American Dental Association as the presence of one or more decayed (non-cavitated or cavitated lesions), missing (due to caries) or filled tooth surfaces in any primary tooth in a child between birth and 71 months of age. A total of $84,552 was awarded through the grant; CUPHD will receive... more...

Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Encourages Citizens to Take Part during National Preparedness Month

Champaign, IL - The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) is encouraging citizens to take time during National Preparedness Month and prepare for potential disasters. A disaster can strike at any time and being prepared is the best way to help protect yourself and your family.

The American Public Health Association (APHA) recommends that all households have at least a three-day supply of food and water stored in their homes; one to two weeks is preferred if ample storage space is available. An emergency preparedness stockpile should contain drinking water, at least one gallon per person per day, non-perishable food supplies that are not high in salt, household emergency supplies such as a flashlight, portable radio, batteries and a manual can opener and medical supplies including prescription medications and a first aid kit. Don't forget about... more...

Champaign-Urbana Public Health District/Champaign County Public Health Department Urges Residents to Continue to Take Precautions

Champaign, IL - Mosquito samples in Champaign, Urbana, Savoy and St. Joseph have all recently tested positive for West Nile virus (WNV). "Although we are seeing cooler temperatures, mosquitoes are still active until the first hard freeze, so it is important for people to continue to protect themselves against mosquitoes," said Jim Roberts, Director of Environmental Health at the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD)/Champaign County Public Health Department (CCPHD).

The best way to prevent WNV infection or any other mosquito-borne illness is to reduce the number of mosquitoes around your home and to take personal precautions to avoid mosquito bites. Precautions... more...

Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Encourages Citizens to be Aware of Symptoms and Health Precautions for Tularemia

Champaign, IL - The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) is encouraging area residents to know the symptoms of tularemia and to monitor their family and pets for the
disease. Three cats from two households in Savoy were diagnosed with tularemia at the University of Illinois, College of Veterinary Medicine in July and September. This may indicate an increased concern for this disease in the area. Tularemia is caused by the bacterium Francisella tularensis found in animals (especially rodents, rabbits and hares). Humans and many animals can become infected with this bacteria. In the wild, animals can carry the organism and may die from... more...

Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Teams Up with Area Grocers to Make Healthier Food Selections Easier

Champaign, IL - The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) has been working with area schools the past six years to promote healthy eating and physical activity through the CATCH program (Coordinated Approach to Child Health). Now, CUPHD is teaming up with local grocers to help shoppers identify healthier foods.

CUPHD is inviting local grocers to participate in a campaign to help shoppers easily identify smarter food and beverage choices. Healthy eating is supported by helping kids and families easily identify which foods are healthy and which foods should be eaten less often. Students at the CATCH schools can now share the tools they have been given with their families to identify foods by the use of GO, SLOW and... more...

Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Urges Residents to Continue to Take Precautions

Champaign, IL - A mosquito sample collected last week in the City of Urbana has tested positive for West Nile virus (WNV). "As West Nile virus activity increases during the
summer months, it is important for people to take precautions when outdoors and to eliminate sources of standing water around their property," said Jeff Blackford, Program Coordinator at the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD).

The best way to prevent WNV infection or any other mosquito-borne illness is to reduce the number of mosquitoes around your home and to take personal precautions to avoid mosquito bites. Precautions... more...

Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Supports World Breastfeeding Week August 1-7, 2011

Champaign, IL - Illinois Governor, Pat Quinn, has declared August 2011 as Breastfeeding Promotion Month in Illinois. The proclamation aims to increase public awareness of breastfeeding as the normal and expected way to feed all babies in Illinois. It works in conjunction with breastfeeding advocates in more than 170 countries worldwide who will celebrate the 20th anniversary of World Breastfeeding Week August 1-7, 2011. The 2011 theme is "Talk to Me! Breastfeeding - a 3D Experience!"

The benefits of breastfeeding are numerous, well known, and research based. Babies who are breastfed are protected against respiratory and ear infections, asthma, allergies, childhood cancer, and obesity. Mothers who breastfeed have a decreased risk of breast and ovarian... more...