January
2006
January is National Birth Defects Prevention Month.
Approximately 120,000 newborns are affected by birth
defects each year in the United States, which is the
leading cause of infant mortality. This month’s focus
will be to encourage women of childbearing age to practice
healthy preconceptional and prenatal behaviors to include
taking multivitamins containing folic acid, managing
chronic medical conditions, having regular medical examinations,
and avoiding alcohol, tobacco and illicit drugs.
February
2006
February is American Heart Month
Cardiovascular diseases, such as stroke are our nation's
no. 1 killer. Since 1963 Congress has urged Americans
to join the battle against these diseases, by requiring
the president to proclaim February "American Heart Month."
To draft and sign this annual proclamation The
American heart Association works with the administration.
Durring this month, thousands of our volunteers visit
their neighbors, with a goal to raise funds for reasearch
and education and pass along information about heart
disease and stroke.
March
2006
March is National Nutrition Month
National Nutrition Month is a nutrition education and
information campaign sponsored annually by the American
Dietetic Association. This campaing is designed to focus
on the importance of making informed food choices and
developing sound eating and physical activities habits.
To learn more please go to the American
Dietetic Association web site.
- Nationally, the percentage of overweight children
and adolescents increased for 4% in 1971-1974 to 16%
in 1999-2000 for children (6-11 years of age), and
5% in 1971-1974 to 16% in 1999-2000 for adolecents
(12-19 years of age).
- Accoding to the OCHNA
2004 survey , the proportion of Orange County
adults ages 18 and over who were eitehr overweight
or obese ranges from 41.8% (81,419) in the youngest
age category (18-24) to a high of 55.4% (142,322)
in the second oldes age category (55-64).
May
2006
Cover
the Uninsured Week May 1-7, 2006
Nearly
46 million Americans, including more than 8 million
children, are living without health insurance— forced
to gamble every day that they won't get sick or injured.
That's a risk no one should have to take. Uninsured
Americans live sicker and die younger than those with
health insurance. Just one serious illness or injury
can wipe out an uninsured family's bank account, and
the problem is getting worse. - Cover
the Uninisured Week web site .
- Uninsured Orange County children (ages 0-17): 4.8%
(38,380)
- Uninsured Orange County adults (ages 18+): 10.4%
- Seniors or mature adults, ages 65 and over, are
more likely to have health care coverage however,
2.2% (6,549) of senior population in Orange County
was uninsured
Source: OCHNA
2004 Survey
June
2006
National
Hunger Awareness Day - June 6, 2006
“Get Your Hands
Dirty for Hunger” at Second
Harvest's “Incredible Edible Park .” Join Second
Harvest for a day in the fields as volunteers roll up
their sleeves and pick fresh produce for our neighbors
in need. Orange County dignitaries and Food Bank agencies
will participate along with the general public. For
reservations, please call the Food Bank at 714-771-1343.
August
2006
August is National
Immunization Awareness Month
August is the
perfect time to make sure vaccines are up-to-date, before
children go back to school. The goal of National Immunization
Month is to remind people that immunizations are not
only for children, vaccines are important to everyone
from infants to the elderly. For instance, adults should
get a Tetanus booster every ten years and the flu vaccine
every year. Additionally, all sexually active adults
should get the Hepatitis B vaccine. Take this month
to talk to your doctor and your child’s pediatrician
about catching up on any missed vaccines. For more information,
including immunization schedules, visit the National
Immunization Program’s website.
September
2006
Supporting Breast
Cancer Awareness: Komen Race for the Cure
Come September,
it is time for the biggest series of 5K runs and walks
in the world supporting breast cancer awareness. This
year, the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure will take
place on September 24. Since 1991, the Orange County
Affiliate has raised more than $14 million to fund local
breast cancer awareness, prevention and treatment programs.
To participate in the race and to donate to or learn
more about the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation,
please visit their Orange
County Affiliate website.
- An estimated 212,920 new cases of breast cancer
will be diagnosed in American women in 2006.
- Over her lifetime, a woman has a 1 in 7 chance of
being diagnosed with breast cancer.
Source: The
American Cancer Society |
