Diabetes Test Strip Recall

The US Food and Drug Administration is warning patients with diabetes about a recall of up to 62 million glucose test strips that can show incorrect high blood sugar readings.

The FDA says that the strips are contaminated with a chemical used in the manufacturing process, which interferes with readings.

The strips covered by the recall are marketed under the brand names Nova Max Blood Glucose Test Strips and Nova Max Plus Glucose Meter Kits.

To find out if your glucose test strips are affected, call 1-800-681-7390. Or visit the Nova Diabetes Care website at www.novacares.com.

Health and Wellness Fair on Saturday in Hayden

A Health and Wellness Fair will be held  Saturday 9:am to 2:pm at the Hayden Center.

Southern Gila County agencies will be there along with door prizes, raffles, entertainment, food and health screening

Gila County Health Ranking Lowest in the State

It’s that time of year when the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation releases its study of the health and well-being of all of the counties in the country. Among the 15 Arizona counties, Gila County ranks at the very bottom.

Gila County has the highest percentage of people who report that they are in poor or only fair health.

The county scores very low in behavioral health factors. These are smoking, obesity and physical inactivity. The motor vehicle death rate per 100,000 people and the teen birth rate are also among the highest in the state.

The county is 12^th out of 15 in the number of years of potential life lost before age 75. In other words, the mortality rate is high.

Gila County also shows poorly  in the areas of high school graduation and children in poverty. The violent crime rate per 100,000 population is high.

Gila County’s best rankings are in  clinical care and physical environment.  The only major areas of concern are diabetic screening and a high number of low income people who don’t live near a grocery store. The county also has a high percentage of people who were exposed to drinking water exceeding a violation line during the past year.

For all the details click here.

Gila County Girl is First Child Death of Flu Season

The Arizona Department of Health Services says that a 6 year old Gila County girl is the first child death of the flu season. The Department says the child fell victim to a strand of flu called Influenza B.

The Arizona Republic reports that tests are being conducted to determine if that particular strand was protected by this year’s vaccine, but the Department says the girl also had an underlying medical condition that put her at risk.

This year’s vaccination protected against two strands of Influenza A, but only one strand of Influenza B.

CVRMC Health Fair This Saturday

The annual Health Fair will be held this Saturday at Cobre Valley Regional Medical Center from 9:am to 1:pm.

There will be free health screenings and health information along with a book fair, a craft fair, children’s activities, a salsa and healthy dessert contest, and face painting.

Chuck Wagon and the Wheels will perform from 10:am to 1:pm.

There will also be a Classic Car, Truck and Motorcycle Show. And the “Get Fit” Run starts at 7:am.

SEABHS Open House on May 18

Southeastern Arizona Behavioral Health Services will have an Open House on Friday, May 18 from 10:am until Noon.

Refreshments will be served and staff will be there to answer any questions you may have.

Southeastern Arizona Behavioral Health Services provides counseling, family support, independent living skills training, parenting classes and psychiatric services.

They’re located in the Old Town Plaza in Globe.

Gila County Least Healthy in Arizona

A national heath report released this week ranks Gila County last in Arizona for certain health indicators. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation studied more than 3,000 US counties and ranked them from healthiest to least healthy in each state.

Cronkite News Service reports that the entire state falls well short of national averages on a range of health indicators, from the prevalence of fast food restaurants to the availability of primary care physicians and the teen birth rate.

Gila County’s poor showing for health outcomes is based on its premature death rates, percentage of low-birthweight babies, and reported days of poor physical and mental health. Gila County’s premature death rates are about 50% higher than the state as a whole.

The county’s poor health outcomes come in spite of the fact that it ranked in the middle for health factors such as tobacco use, diet and exercise, and access to care.

More Kids in Poor Neighborhoods

A new “Kids Count” report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation shows that the number of children living in high poverty communities has increased by 25% over the last ten years.

Public News Service reports that the study shows that even if a family is not officially “in poverty” according to federal standards, it still harms children when a lot of other people in the neighborhood are.

Casey Foundation associate director of policy reform Laura Speer says that living in a poverty area limits the opportunities families have to get a better job and make sure their children are healthy and cared for.

Bread Claims May Be Misleading

ABC News reports that the claims on the front of bread packages may be misleading. Terms such as “whole grain,” “multigrain” and “12 grain” have been given no legal defination by the Food and Drug Administration. That means bread manufacturers can use them even if their products contain more white flour than whole grain.

So if you’re looking for healthier bread, you need to look at the list of ingredients on the back of the package. The ingredioents are listed in order, from most to least. If you want more whole grains in your diet, make sure the first ingredient is a whole grain.

When you see “whole wheat” on the front, that’s the only time you are getting whole grain wheat flour. If the package just says “wheat bread,” it is almost certainly white bread with little or no whole grain flour.

When it says “whole grain,” that doesn’t necessarily mean it is mostly whole grain.

“Multigrain” simply means there is more than one type of grain, but it may be all refined flour.

Check the list for ingredients like “maltodextrin,” “inulin” or chicory root fiber, oat hull fiber, oat fiber, wheat fiber and wheat starch.

Workshop for Dementia Caregivers

A five-session workshop to develop skills needed to care for someone with dementia or memory loss will be held next month in Globe. There is no charge but seating is limited and pre-registration is required.

At the workshop you will learn about dementia and its impact, how to manage frustration and stress, how to communicate with your loved one, and how to take better care of your own health.

To participate you need to be providing an average of four or more hours of care or supervison a day.

Respite assistance may be available to help caregivers attend the workshops.

The program is a partnership of the Alzheimer’s Associaition, Pinal-Gila Council for Senior Citizens, Arizona State University and the Arizona Department of Economic Security.

For more information call the Alzheimer’s Association at 602-528-0545 Ext. 210.

Researchers Link Low Vitamin D Levels to Depression

Researchers at the UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas have linked low levels of vitamin D to depression. Science Daily reports that the findings suggest that it might be useful to screen for vitamin D levels in depressed patients—and perhaps to screen for depression in people with low vitamin D levels. But the study did not determine if increasing vitamin D levels reduces depression.

Low vitamin D levels are already considered risk factors for other medical problems, including cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, diabetes, certain cancers; and neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.

Fall Brings Fall Prevention Day

The first day of fall this week also brings the observance of Falls Prevention Awareness Day.

Public News Service reports that falls have now replaced car crashes, shootings and stabbings as the top cause of traumatic injury, especially for those over 65.
More than 700 Arizonans died from falls last year, and more than 115,000 people went to emergency rooms.

Strategies to prevent falls include modifying your home to make it safer, keeping physically active and managing medications.

Tips on ways to make your home safer and more information is available on the Arizona Fall Prevention Coalition website at www.AZStopFalls.org.

Arizona Ranks Near Top for Teen Suicides

Teen suicide rates in Arizona are among the highest in the nation.

Arizona Teen Life Line says that 26,000 teens in Arizona attempt suicide each year. Arizona ranks tenth in the nation for teen suicides.

KTAR.com reports that Arizona has consistently been in the top ten since 1985.

Kids Sleep Less Due to Electronic Media

A new report shows that today’s children don’t get enough sleep because of overstimulation by electronic media.

Report author Kevin Coyle says that a generation ago children spent hours outdoors playing and interacting with others. Public News Service reports that today the average Arizona child or teenager spends 7 to 8 hours a day on a computer or cell phone, playing video games or watching television.

Coyle says that children between 8 and 18 lose an average of 10 to 14 hours of sleep a week because they are overstimulated by electronic use. He says parents can help restore some balance by making sure children get outdoor exercise. Natural light helps promote sleep. Coyle also suggests that kids “unplug” from computers, cell phones and TV’s at least an hour before bedtime.

The report is online at nwf.org.

CVRMC Auxiliary Book Fair

The Cobre Valley Regional Medical Center Auxiliary is sponsoring a Book Fair in conjunction with the Health Fair this Saturday (September 17) from 9:am until 1:pm. It features more than 250 titles in many different categories.

There will be something for everyone at the Health Fair including health screenings, children’s activities, a craft fair, car show, and vendors with information to help you become healthier.

All these events will take place on the Cobre Valley Regional Medical Center campus.

Wildfire Smoke Precautions

Smoke from the Frio fire continues to cause concern among Globe-Miami residents. The Gila County Division of Health and Emergency Services says that wildfires can cause irritation to the eyes and respiratory system, and worsen chronic heart and lung diseases.

Protect yourself by limiting smoke exposure. Stay indoors as much as possible. Air conditioners have filters that help minimze smoke particles. If you use evaporative cooling, minimize the effects of smoke by closing air intake vents. Call your doctor if you have severe reaction to smoke exposure.

Local fire officials say that smoke levels should dramatically reduce in a couple of days.

Event information and updates are posted on the Gila County Emergency Hotline. Dial 402-8888 locally or 1-800-304-4452 extension 8888.

Globe Active Adult Center Has Eye Care Information

August is Eye Care Month. Globe Active Adult Center will have information about macular degeneration and glaucoma today (Friday) starting at 11:am.

EyeCare America will provide medical eye care at no out-of-pocket cost for seniors 65 or older.

Arizona Receives $12 Million for Emergency Preparedness

Governor Jan Brewer has announced that a multimillion dollar federal grant will help ensure the safety of Arizona citizens in the event of a public health emergency.

A Prevention Health Emergency Preparedness Grant of nearly $12 million has been issued through the Centers for Disease Control. The funding will flow through the Arizona Department of Health Services. 83% will be passed to local governments and tribes for training and supplies.

Brewer says Arizona is already well prepared for a public health emergenecy but this funding will add an additional layer of protection to ensure a rapid response.

CVRMC Health Fair September 17

The Cobre Valley Regional Medical Center Annual Health Fair will be held Saturday, September 17 from 9:am until 1:pm. It will kick off with a 5K “Get Fit Run.”

Other activities include a Craft Fair, Car Show, Salsa Contest, Pie Baking Contest, free health screenings, children’s activities, contests, raffles and give-aways.

For information or to register for the Craft Fair call 402-1205. For information or to register for the Car Show call 402-1242. To participate in the Health Fair call 402-1230.

Report Says Life Expectancy Varies Widely Among Arizona Counties

A nationwide life expectancy study shows that there are “big extremes” between Arizona counties. Residents of some Arizona counties live more than seven years longer than residents in other counties.

According to the study, Gila County men have a life expectancy of 72.9 years and Gila County women have a life expectancy of 79.6 years.

Cronkite News Service reports that Yuma County has the highest life expectancy in the state with 78 years for men and 83.8 years for women. Lowest life expectancy for men is in Apache County and lowest for women is Mohave County.

Gila and Mohave Counties have the highest smoking rates in the state and both are in the bottom five.