1. Official Publication of
Orange County Department
of Health
Edward A. Diana
County Executive
www.orangecountygov.com
r a y Life
Tip s fo
H ea lth Get Check-ups.
S afe & Manage Stress.
Protect Yourself.
Be Active.
Eat Healthy.
• Ask your doctor or nurse how
you can lower your chances
for health problems based on
• Balance work, home, your lifestyle and personal
and play. and family health histories.
• Get support from family • Find out what exams, tests
• Wear helmets, seat belts, and friends. and shots you need and
sunscreen, and insect • Stay positive. when to get them.
repellent. • Take time to relax. • See your doctor or nurse as
• Wash hands to stop often as he or she says to do
• Be active for at least 2½ • Get 7-9 hours of sleep each so. See him or her sooner if
the spread of germs. night. Make sure kids get you feel sick, have pain, notice
hours a week. Include
activities that raise your • Avoid smoking and breath- more, based on their age. changes, or have problems
breathing and heart rates ing other people’s smoke. • Get help or counseling with medicine.
and that strengthen your • Build safe and healthy if needed.
• Eat a variety of fruits, muscles.
vegetables, and whole relationships with family
grains every day. • Help kids and teens be and friends.
active for at least 1 hour a • Be ready for emergencies.
• Limit foods and drinks day. Include activities that
high in calories, sugar, Make a supply kit. Make
raise their breathing and a plan. Be informed.
salt, fat, and alcohol. heart rates and that strengthen
• Eat a balanced diet to their muscles and bones.
help keep a healthy weight.
Take steps every
day to live a safe
and healthy life.
Aaron Warner,
Content Source: CDC Office of Women’s Health • Page last modified: October 28, 2008 • Page last O/U BOCES CTEC Visual Arts Academy
reviewed: October 28, 2008 • Page Located on the Web at http://www.cdc.gov/family/tips/index.htm Minisink Valley High School

2. 2 November 20, 2008 A special publication of the TIMES-HERALD RECORD
Here’s To A Healthy New Year … Health Information Numbers
Orange County Offices
We are pleased to be bringing you the Winter Health Connection Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 568-5253
in an effort to keep you and your family better informed of the many Community Health Outreach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .568-5237
programs and initiatives available to the residents of Orange County Comprehensive Tobacco Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 568-5238
through the Orange County Department of Health. Early Intervention Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .291-2333
Environmental Health. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 291-2331
Your health is a precious commodity. With the cold winter months
HIV/STD Screening . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 568-5333
upon us, Orange County Government wants you to know that we have
Health & Wellness/Healthy Orange . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 568-5226
many ongoing programs ready to help keep you and your loved ones
Lead Safe Orange . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 341-0431
healthy. Within the pages of this publication, you will find important Public Health Nursing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .291-2330
information on many topics like: winter safety tips, free quit smoking Orange County Department of Health. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .291-2332
Edward A. Diana programs, home health care services as well as hints for staying healthy Orange County Department of Mental Health . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .291-2600
through the winter. The booklet is also full of valuable resources and Orange County WIC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 568-5277
important contact information. Reality Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 568-5246
From my family to yours, we wish you a happy holiday season and a AIDS Related Community Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 845-562-5005
very healthy New Year! American Cancer Society . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 845-343-5612
Edward A. Diana American Lung Association . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 800-548-8252
Orange County Executive Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Council of Orange County . . . . . . 845-294-9000
Asthma/Allergy Foundation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 800-727-8462
Child Health Plus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 800-698-4543
Childhood Lead Poisoning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 800-424-5323
From the desk of the Commissioner…
Eating Disorders Awareness & Prevention . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 800-931-2237
Family Health Plus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 877-9347587
Hudson Valley Poison Control Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 800-222-1222
We’ve heard it said so often that children are our future and how Maternal Infant Services Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 800-453-4666
true that is! They will be our doctors, our lawyers, teachers, firemen Mental Health Association of Orange County. . . . . . . . . . . . . 800-832-1200
Mobile Mental Healthline (24 Hour), Occupations, Inc . . . . . 800-750-2266
and police, the workers of tomorrow who will be the engine of our
National Women’s Health Information Center . . . . . . . . . . . . 800-994-9662
economy and the custodians of our community. It is so important,
NYS Parents Connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 800-345-5437
therefore, to focus on the health and wellness of our county’s chil-
NYS Physician Profiles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 888-338-6999
dren from an early age to ensure good nutrition and health habits NYS Smokers Quitline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 866-697-8487
which lay the foundation for healthy adulthood. The basic tenets Orange County Helpline. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 800-832-1200
of our Healthy Orange campaign are improved nutrition, increased
exercise and a tobacco free lifestyle and as adults we need to take
Dr. Jean M. Hudson
steps ourselves to be good role models for the youngsters in Orange
County.
Credits:
Editors: Robert J. Deitrich, Director Community Health Outreach
Health insurance can help with prevention and also correlates Danielle Moser, Health & Wellness Coordinator
with better educational outcomes. In New York State we are fortu- Staff Writers: Bob Deitrich, Heidi Meehan, Danielle Moser,
nate to have broad Child Health Plus coverage available for chil- Christine Pearl, Krista Smith, Maureen Useo
dren to help ensure them the best start in life. Prevention efforts will
Special Thanks: Jean M. Hudson, M.D., MPH, Commissioner of Health
help our children live long, healthy and productive lives.
Dr. Friedman, American Board of Dermatology
Jean M. Hudson, M.D., M.P.H. Colleen Monaghan, Youth Bureau
Commissioner of Health Deirdre Useo, student, Minisink Valley Middle School
Health Information Links
American Academy of Pediatrics www.aap.org National Women’s Health Information Center www.4woman.gov
American Cancer Society www.cancer.org New York Smokers’ Quitline www.nysmokefree.com
American Dental Association www.ada.org New York State Department of Health www.health.state.ny.us
American Heart Association www.americanheart.org Nutrition Information Center www.foodandhealth.com
American Legacy Foundation www.americanlegacy.org NYS Physician Profiles www.nydoctorprofile.com
American Lung Association www.lungusa.org Project Liberty www.projectliberty.state.ny.us
Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids www.tobaccofreekids.org Prostate Cancer and Other Health Issues www.healthfinder.gov
Careful Parents www.carefulparents.com POW’R Against Tobacco www.powragainsttobacco.org
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention www.cdc.gov Orange County Government www.orangecountygov.com
Eating Disorders Awareness & Prevention www.nationaleatingdisorders.org Reality Check www.realitycheckny.com
Environmental Protection Agency www.epa.gov Surgeon General’s Cessation
Food and Nutrition Information www.foodandhealth.com Guidelines & Information www.surgeongeneral.gov/tobacco
National Immunization Program www.cdc.gov/nip U.S. Department of Health and Human Services www.hhs.gov
Healthy Orange Daycares
Approximately 74% of all children ages 3-6 years improve and change the existing policies. This can than assessment and workshop phase and is in the process of
are in some form of non-parental care and 56% are in be replicated for other centers. OCDOH is using tools implementing policy change. The Childcare
a center-based child care program. These children may from the NAPSACC program. NAPSACC (Nutrition Council is in the workshop phase
consume 50% to 100% of their Recommended Daily and Physical Activity in Childcare) is a daycare self—as- and has extended the
Allowance (RDA) of nutrients while at childcare. This sessment program that provides tools and workshops NAPSACC program to
contributes a significant number of calories and essential to enhance childcare environments. The workshops all participating child
nutrients to their day. include information on healthy menu planning, staff care centers. OCDOH
For this reason, the Orange County Department role—modeling, parent education and physical activity. will be available to
of Health Healthy Orange Initiative and Eat Well Participating centers/staff will also receive up to 5 hours implement the
Play Hard Program have launched Healthy Orange of continuing education credits for workshop atten- program to three
Daycares. OCDOH has begun working with day care dance. daycares each year.
centers to assist in improving nutrition and physical OCDOH Health & Wellness Coordinators have If your center is interested in
activity policies and practices. OCDOH will work with collaborated with Orange County Childcare Council participating, please
the centers on assessing present nutrition and physical and Hilltop Daycare to pilot the programs in their call Meg Oakes or Danielle
activity policies and then implementing tools to help facilities. The Hilltop daycare facility has completed the Moser at 568-5247.

3. 4 November 20, 2008 A special publication of the TIMES-HERALD RECORD
Healthy People in Every
All people, and especially those at greater risk of health disparities, will achieve their optimal lifespan with the best possible quality of health in every stage of life.
Children,
ages 4-11
Infants
&
Toddlers,
ages 0-3
Grow Safe and Strong
Start Strong Increase the number of children who grow up healthy, safe, and ready to learn.
Increase the number of infants and toddlers that
have a strong start for healthy & safe lives: Objectives:
Objectives: 8. Promote social and physical environments that are accessible; that sup-
port health, safety, and development; and that promote healthy behaviors
1. Promote healthy pregnancy and birth outcomes. of children.
2. Promote social and physical environments that support 9. Promote social, emotional, and mental well being for children.
the health, safety, and development of infants and toddlers. 10. Prevent infectious diseases and their consequences for children.
3. Promote optimal development among infants and toddlers. 11. Prevent injury and violence and their consequences for children.
4. Increase early identification, tracking, and follow up of infants 12. Promote the early identification, tracking, prevention, and follow-up treat-
and toddlers with special health care and developmental needs. ment of chronic disease and health conditions in children.
5. Prevent infectious diseases and their consequences among infants and toddlers. 13. Promote the early identification, tracking, and follow-up of children with,
6. Prevent injury and violence and their consequences among infants and toddlers. or at risk for, developmental delays, disorders, or disabilities.
7. Promote access to and receipt of quality, comprehensive, pediatric 14. Promote access to and receipt of quality, comprehensive, pediatric health
health services, including dental services, by infants and toddlers. services, including dental and mental health services, by children.
15. Improve behaviors that promote children’s health and well-being in
future life stages.
Children with Special
Health Care Needs Include Physical Fitness in
(CSHCN) Program the Lives of Youth!
The Children with Special Health providers. These programs will also
Everyone can make a difference in young people’s lives by
Care Needs Program seeks to improve work with families to help them meet
helping them include physical activity in their daily routines
the system of care for children with the medical and non-medical needs of
special health care needs from birth to their children. Everyone Can:
21 years of age and their families. The • Encourage school administrators and board members
In Orange County, Children with
Program helps to shape public policy so to support daily physical education and other school
Special Health Care Needs (CSHCN) is
families can get the best health care for programs that promote lifelong physical activity, not
a public health program that provides
their children. just competitive sports.
information and referral services in
Children served by the CSHCN health and related areas for the families • Set a good example by being physically active,
Program have an illness or condition for of children from birth through 21 years making healthy eating choices, and not smoking.
which they need extra health care and of ages. Our mission is to empower • Tell young people about sports and recreation
support services. These children might parents and clients to access quality, programs in their community.
have a serious or long-lasting: family-centered, comprehensive, coor- • Discourage the use of physical activity as a punishment.
• Physical condition, dinated, community-based, culturally
sensitive support services. The function Students Can:
• Intellectual or developmental of CSHCN is to help coordinate spe- • Set goals for increasing your physical activity and
disability, and/or cialty care, provide information about monitor your progress.
• Behavioral or emotional condition. programs and resources appropriate for • Encourage friends and family members to be
A few examples of such conditions your child with special needs and assist physically active.
include cerebral palsy or muscular to link families to community-based • Use protective clothing and proper equipment to prevent
dystrophy, asthma, sickle cell anemia, services. injuries and illnesses.
diabetes, heart conditions, depression, For further information you may • Encourage the student council to advocate for physical
conduct disorder, and attention deficit contact us at (845) 568- 5280 or visit education classes and afterschool programs that are
hyperactivity disorder. the Orange County and New York State attractive to all students.
New York State also supports Department of Health websites at
• Take elective courses in health and physical education.
programs in most counties in the state www.orangecountygov.com
that help families of CSHCN by giving www.health.state.ny.us/community/special_
them information on health insurance needs/resource_directory.htm
and connecting them with health care www.health.state.ny.us/community/special_needs

4. Winter Health Connection November 20, 2008 5
Stage of Life
Jennifer Yung
O/U BOCES CTEC Visual Arts Academy
Adolescents, ages 12-19 Warwick Valley High School
Achieve Healthy Independence Point of Purchase Advertising
Increase the number of adolescents who are prepared to be healthy, safe,
independent, and productive members of society.
Entices Replacement Smokers
Objectives: Have you ever noticed the amount of tobacco advertising and para-
16. Promote social and physical environments that are accessible; that phernalia at your local convenience store, gas station, or drug store?
support health, safety, and development; and that promote healthy From posters plastered across the windows, in-store signage, banners,
behaviors among adolescents. and sidewalk displays, to functional items such as baskets, hour of opera-
17. Promote access to and receipt of recommended quality, effective, tion signs and penny dishes– tobacco is everywhere. Not only is the
evidence-based preventive and health care services, including dental advertising a mind-numbing eyesore, it is also dangerous to the health of
and mental health care, among adolescents. our children.
18. Promote social, emotional, and mental well-being for adolescents. The Tobacco Industry currently spends more than $13.4 billion to
19. Prevent injury, violence, and suicide and their consequences among promote their deadly products and much of that marketing directly
adolescents. influences kids. According to the Federal Trade Commission, tobacco
20. Prevent HIV, STDs, and unintended pregnancies and their conse- companies in the U.S. spend as much as 75% of their marketing money
quences among adolescents. on point-of-purchase advertising in tobacco retail stores. Tobacco point-
21. Promote healthy activity and nutrition behaviors and prevent over- of-purchase advertising encourages youth initiation of tobacco use and
weight and its consequences among adolescents. undermines tobacco cessation and prevention efforts. It is also clear that
22. Prevent substance use and its consequences, including tobacco, such advertisements and promotions have an especially powerful impact
alcohol, and other substance use, among adolescents. on kids as three out of four teenagers shop at a convenience store once a
week and are three times more vulnerable to advertisements than adults.
Helping Youth Develop Assets More specifically, teens who report seeing tobacco ads in stores are 38%
more likely to experiment with smoking. Tobacco advertising in the
The secret to helping youth grow into happy, healthy, responsible adults retail environment normalizes tobacco use and gives the impression that
isn’t a secret! Get to know them, understand, help, and build relationships tobacco products are easily accessible.
with them. Caring adults can provide building blocks teens need to succeed. So the tobacco industry is spending millions to turn stores into their
We need to assist our young people and support their positive aspects which marketing tools – what can we do about it? Well, it turns out there are
far outweigh the negative. lots of things you can do to take action.
Build Search Institute’s 8 asset categories for youths: • If you are bothered by large amounts of tobacco ads in or around
• Support: People care for, appreciate, and accept youth. your local stores, let your local elected officials know.
• Empowerment: Feeling valued, valuable, safe and respected. • If you see exterior ads near schools or playgrounds, ask that the ads
• Boundaries and Expectations: Rules, consequences, be removed. (You have a right to ask)
and encouragement. • If you see ads near candy, snacks, or toys ask the manager to either
• Constructive Use of Time: Opportunities to develop skills remove or move them.
and interests with others. • Request that retailers adopt the 3R’s; Remove, Reduce, or Rearrange
• Commitment to Learning: Sensing the importance of tobacco advertisements
learning and belief in abilities. • Contact your local community partnership for more information on
• Positive Values: Strong values to make healthy choices. in store tobacco advertising. For Information, call Reality Check at
845-568-5246 or POW’R Against Tobacco at 914-347-2094 ext. 19
• Social Competencies: Skills to interact with others, make
difficult decisions, and cope with new situations. Tobacco use continues to be the single largest cause of preventable
death in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control
• Positive Identity: Self-worth and feeling control over and Prevention, cigarette smoking is responsible for more than 400,000
things in their lives. premature deaths per year. This exceeds the death toll of HIV/AIDS,
Visit www.search-institute.org/assets. substance abuse, motor-vehicle collisions, suicide, and homicide com-
bined. Regulating tobacco advertising and promotion is an important
Copyright © 2007 by Search Institute®, www.search-institute.org. This message may be re-
component in reducing both the prevalence and initiation of youth
produced for educational, noncommercial uses only (with this copyright line). All rights reserved.
smoking. Help protect our youth by talking to retailers in your neighbor-
hood about removing, reducing, or rearranging tobacco advertising.
Throughout this publication, you will see art work related to the way
Orange County teens view point of purchase advertising. Help our
youth avoid tobacco use by challenging this type of marketing.

5. 6 November 20, 2008
20, A special publication of the TIMES-HERALD RECORD
A Child’s Dental Care Begins in the Womb
Your teeth are very valuable to daily living activities Once the baby is born, you can expect to see teeth Good dental health habits are formed early in one’s
such as eating and talking. It is important to take proper coming through the gums anywhere between six life but are vital in keeping not only your smile look-
care of your teeth everyday to ensure good physical months and one year. Do not wait until the tooth is ing good but also keeping your entire body well. A
health. Periodontal disease affects millions of people showing to begin practicing good dental care with your mere five minutes a day can keep your baby, child and
and is caused by a build up of plaque, the sticky, color- child. If no teeth are showing yet you can begin clean- yourself healthy!
less film that forms on your teeth, and is linked to an ing his or her mouth after each feeding with a damp For more information on dental health for your child
increased risk of kidney disease, diabetes, and cardio- washcloth. If a tooth is showing, you may begin using a or yourself please contact the National Maternal and
vascular disease. soft child’s toothbrush to clean the mouth. Child Oral Health Resource Center at (202) 784-9771
As a pregnant woman, you need to pay special at- Once the first tooth has erupted you will want to or www.mchoralhealth.org. or the
tention to your teeth because hormonal changes put contact your dentist’s office to schedule an appointment American Dental Association
you at a greater risk of developing gum disease. These online at www.ada.org.
for your child. Proper dental care for your child should
hormonal changes can make your gums more sensitive
to plaque that you do not see on your teeth but that is include:
more prevalent due to your increased “sweet tooth”. • Brush at least two times a day, morning
Sugary food cravings and morning sickness can make and night using warm water and a soft
you more susceptible to cavities which can then lead to child’s toothbrush until it is safe around
periodontal diseases. age 2 to begin using toothpaste.
The following are things that you should do daily to • Begin flossing teeth once a day
ensure that your teeth, as well as your child’s are being when two teeth are formed next
taken care of properly. to each other and a toothbrush is
• Brush your teeth at least twice a day. unable to clean the entire tooth.
• Take your time when brushing. It takes about two • Don’t put your baby to bed with a bottle
minutes to thoroughly clean every tooth in your mouth. in his or her mouth (unless it is water) as
• Floss at least one time a day. If flossing is new to you, sugars from the drink may sit for hours
expect your gums to bleed for about a week but once in the baby’s mouth and form plaque.
you do this regularly your gums will become healthier
• Limit the intake of sugary foods and
and bleeding will stop.
drinks to a time when the mouth can
Another important thing to do at this time is to make be cleaned shortly after consumption
an appointment with your dentist. Be sure to share with of the above.
your dentist that you are pregnant since some proce-
dures may not be safe and should be put off until after • Attend regular dental appointments to
the baby is born. ensure proper oral health for your child.
Autism and the MMR Vaccine
Why do people think that vaccines can cause autism? of autism. These parents’ beliefs and observations disease again, they recognize it and know they need to
Some parents and families of children with autism were reinforced by a small study of bowel disease and get rid of it. They call in the other parts of the immune
believe that the Measles/Mumps/ Rubella (MMR) autism, published by Wakefield and his colleagues in system to get rid of the disease. In some cases, memory
vaccine caused their children’s autism. These parents 1998 (Wakefield et al 1998).The study’s authors sug- cells can recognize a disease without ever having to
report that their children were “normal” until they gested that there was a link between the MMR vaccine meet up with it, which is called “natural” immunity.
received the MMR vaccine. Then, after getting the and autism. This study did not include scientific testing In other cases, the cells need some help to become
vaccine, their children started showing symptoms of to find out if there was a link. The authors relied on the familiar with a disease. That help comes in the form of
autism. Because the symptoms of autism begin to occur reports of parents and families of the 12 children with a vaccine. The vaccine takes a form of the disease that
around the same time as the child’s MMR vaccination, autism involved in the study to make their suggestion. doesn’t make you sick and introduces it to the memory
parents and families see the vaccine as the cause of The study did not provide scientific proof that there cells so they know what to look for later. If the memory
the autism. However, just because the events happen was any link. Since this study was published in 1998, a cells ever bump into the disease again, they know to
around the same time does not mean that one caused number of other studies have also been published that call in other cells in the immune system to protect the
the other. Although children receive many other vac- suggested a link between the MMR vaccine and autism body and get rid of the disease. The memory cells of
cines in addition to the MMR vaccine, these other (Singh et al 1998; Horvath et al 1999; O’Leary et al a child keep track of diseases well into adulthood, pre-
vaccines have not been identified as possible causes 2000; Wakefield et al 2000; Kawashima et al 2000), but venting such diseases by getting rid of them quickly. In
none of these provide this way, vaccines help the immune system by making
scientific proof of such it easier to remember diseases.
a link. To date there is
no definite, scientific Should my child have the MMR vaccine? Both the
proof that any vaccine or CDC and the AAP recommend that children receive
combination of vaccines two doses of the MMR vaccine, as long as they have
can cause autism. It’s no known health problems that prevent the vaccine
important to know that from being effective. The CDC and AAP immunization
vaccines actually help the schedules recommend that the first dose be given at
immune system to defend age 12-to-15 months, while the second dose should be
the body. given at either four-to-six years of age or 11-to-12 years
of age. Allergies, immune system diseases like HIV, or
How do vaccines
other sicknesses can interact with a vaccine to make it
help the immune system
less effective. These interactions can sometimes cause
defend the body? The
other health problems. If your child is sick, your doctor
immune system has cells,
may delay the vaccination until your child is healthy.
sometimes called mem-
For example, a child with a fever should not have a
ory cells, that remember
diseases. If these cells vaccination until the fever is gone. Make sure you give
meet a disease, they keep a complete description of your child’s current health
track of what it looks like and health history to your child’s doctor at every visit,
so they can recognize it so he or she can help you make an informed choice
later. When the memory about the timing of your child’s vaccinations.
cells meet up with the Source: www.nichd.nih.gov/publications/pubs/autism/mmr/