Dawson County Health Department News

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1 Dawson County Health Department News O rgan i zation N am e July 2016 Volume, Issue Inside this issue: UV (cont.) 2 4th of July Recipes 3 Gardasil 9 2 Inside Story 4 Healthy Swimming 5 Disney/Marlboro 6 Calendar W. Bell Glendive, MT Tel: (406) Website: dawsoncountymontana.com Protecting Your Eyes from Solar Radiation UV Light Submitted by Andeen Raymond Author: American Optometric Association The sun supports life on our planet, but its lifegiving rays also pose dangers. The sun's primary danger is in the form of ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Artificial sources, like welding machines, tanning beds and lasers, can also produce UV radiation. Most people are aware of how harmful UV radiation is to the skin. However, many may not realize that UV radiation can harm the eyes, and other components of solar radiation can also affect vision. There are three types of UV radiation. UV-C is absorbed by the ozone layer and does not present any threat. However, UV-A and UV-B radiation can have long- and short-term negative effects on the eyes and vision. If your eyes are exposed to excessive amounts of UV radiation over a short period of time, you will likely experience photokeratitis. Like a "sunburn of the eye," photokeratitis can be painful. Its symptoms include red eyes, a foreign body sensation or gritty feeling in the eyes, extreme sensitivity to light and excessive tearing. Fortunately, these symptoms are usually temporary and rarely cause permanent damage to the eyes. The longer the eyes are exposed to solar radiation, the greater the risk of developing cataracts or macular degeneration later in life. It is not clear how much exposure to solar radiation will cause damage. Therefore, whenever you spend time outdoors, wear quality sunglasses that offer UV protection and a hat or cap with a wide brim. Also, certain contact lenses can provide additional UV protection. To provide adequate protection for your eyes, sunglasses should: block out 99 to 100 percent of both UV-A and UV-B radiation; screen out 75 to 90 percent of visible light; have lenses that are perfectly matched in color and free of distortion and imperfection; and (Continued on page 2) Public Health: Tel: (406) WIC Program: Tel: (406) Home Health: Tel: (406) : Tel: (406) Tobacco Prevention: Cord Blood Awareness Month Eye Injury Prevention Month International Group B Strep Awareness Month Juvenile Arthritis Awareness Month UV Safety Month July 4 Independence Day July 28--World Hepatitis Day July 30--National Support Public Education Day Tel: (406)

2 Page 2 Dawson County Health Department Newsletter Protecting Your Eyes from Solar Radiation UV Light (cont.) (Continued from page 1) have lenses that are gray for proper color recognition. If you participate in potentially eye-hazardous outdoor work or sports, your sunglass lenses should be made from polycarbonate or Trivex material. These lenses provide the most impact resistance. If you spend a lot of time outdoors in bright sunlight, consider wearing wraparound frames for additional protection from the harmful solar radiation. Don't forget protection for children and teenagers. They typically spend more time in the sun than adults. Protecting Your Eyes from Shorter-Wavelength Visible Light Chronic exposure to shorterwavelength visible light (blue and violet light) may also be harmful to the reti- na. Many digital devices emit this shorter-wavelength visible light. Blue light is part of the visible light spectrum. The sun emits blue light, as do artificial light sources, such as LEDs, computers and smartphones. Some types of blue light can be beneficial, helping us regulate our bodies' internal biological clocks. However, blue-violet light can be harmful to the eyes, specifically the retina. It is a risk factor for the onset of age-related macular degeneration, a deterioration of the part of the retina responsible for sharp, central vision. A recent study found that Americans spend almost 2 ½ hours on their tablets and smartphones every day. In addition, most offices and stores use fluorescent light bulbs, and LED lights are becoming increasingly popular. Lenses that absorb harmful blue light but allow beneficial blue light through your lenses are entering the marketplace. You could also apply a special clear coating to traditional lenses to enhance their ability to block these harmful rays while you use computers and smartphones. UV Radiation Checklist If you can answer "yes" to one or more of the following questions, you could be at higher risk for harm to the eyes from UV radiation: Do you spend a great deal of time outdoors? Do you spend time skiing, mountain climbing or at the beach? Do you use a sunlamp or tanning parlor? Do you live in the mountains or the U.S. Sunbelt? Are you a welder, medical technologist or do you work in the graphic arts or in the manufacture of electronic circuit boards? Have you had cataract surgery in one or both eyes? Do you take prescription or over-the-counter drugs that can increase your sensitivity to UV radiation? (If you are unsure, check with your optometrist, pharmacist or physician.) See your doctor of optometry every year for a comprehensive eye examination. It is a good way to monitor your eye health, maintain good vision and keep track of your solar radiation protection needs, as well as advances in eye protection.

3 Volume, Issue Page 3 4th of July Recipe Ideas 4th of July Berry Trifle Recipe Ingredients: one angel food cake cut into 1 inch cubes 1/2 cup powdered sugar 1 pint fresh blueberries 1 pint heavy whipping cream 1 package (3.4 ounces) instant vanilla pudding mix 1 cup milk 1 quart fresh strawberries, sliced Using an electric mixer, mix milk and pudding mix for 2 minutes. Let stand for a few minutes until it starts to set. In a large bowl, beat cream on high speed until it begins to thicken. Add confectioners sugar and continue beating until soft peaks form. Fold into the pudding. To assemble the trifle, layer half the cake cubes, half of the blueberries, half the pudding mixture, and half of the strawberries. Repeat. Decorate with flag and star picks if desired.

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6 Services Provided by the Health Department s: Adults and children, Tuesdays:1:30-4:30 and Thursdays: 9:00-11:30 and 1:30-5:30. Walk-ins are welcome. To schedule an appointment call Insurance Billing: Yes, the Dawson County Health Department does bill insurance for children s immunizations. WIC (Women, Infants and Children): Tuesdays 1:00-5:00 and Thursdays 8:00-12:00. Appointments may be made by calling : Walk in hours are Mondays 1:00-5:00, Tuesdays 8:00-12:00, Wednesdays 1:00-5:00, Thursdays 1:00-5:00 and Fridays 10:00-12:00 & 1:00-3:00. Services are based on a sliding fee scale. To schedule an appointment call Blood Pressure Clinics: Thursdays from 9:00-11:30 no charge. Cholesterol Clinics: 2nd and 4th Thursdays of the month 9:00-11:30. Cost $15 requires 12 hour fast. Home Health Services: In home services including skilled nursing. Certified Nurse Assistant, Homemaker and Meals on Wheels. Call for more information or to make a referral. Public Health Home Visiting: Home visiting program for pregnant women, infants and children. Services help to build parental resilience, social connections, knowledge of parenting and child development, concrete supports in times of need and social and emotional competence of children. Tobacco Prevention: Preventing tobacco use among youth and promote quitting among adult users. Free signs for CIAA compliance. Public Health Emergency Preparedness: Planning and coordination of community resources to prepare for public health emergencies. Disney must cut ties with Big Tobacco Submitted by Laureen Murphree Author: Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids Something's wrong with this picture: The Walt Disney Company owns a major stake in VICE Media, a youth-oriented media company. The Financial Times and other news outlets recently reported that VICE has been helping Philip Morris International maker of Marlboro cigarettes market its deadly products to young people around the world. It's highly irresponsible for VICE to use its expertise in youth marketing to help the tobacco industry sell more of its deadly products around the world. And Disney shouldn't be associated with companies that act in a socially irresponsible manner and contribute to the global tobacco epidemic. We are on the Web! departments/publichealth If you would like to be on the mailing list for this monthly publication or submit an article for the next month, please Laureen Murphree at murphreel@dawsoncountymail.com

7 JULY 2016 SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT WIC BP Clinic 9:00-11: WIC BP/Chol Clinic 9:00-11: WIC BP Clinic 9:00-11: WIC BP/Chol Clinic 9:00-11: Dawson County Health Department 207 West Bell Glendive, MT 59330