Iowa Flu Season Arrives with a Vengeance by Sarah Brend, MPH, Epidemiologist, Center for Acute Disease Epidemiology

Home , Vengeance (2003)

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Iowa Health

January 2004 focus WWW.IDPH.STATE.IA.US Iowa flu season arrives with a vengeance By Sarah Brend, MPH, Epidemiologist, Center for Acute Disease Epidemiology

he flu season arrived in Iowa and the T United States this year earlier and with much more severity than ex- pected. Iowa reported its first confirmed case of influenza for the season on No- vember 17. Since then, influenza has swept across the state affecting people of all ages. Iowa, along with 41 other states, is reporting widespread influenza activity. Since October 1, the Telling Iowans about the flu University Hygienic Labora- From left, Dr. Ray Webster, Principal Financial Group, Dr. Mary Davis, Wellmark tory (UHL) in Iowa City has Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Iowa, Tim Gibson, John Deere Health Care, Dr. Mary Min- confirmed 188 influenza cer Hansen, director of the Iowa Department of Public Health, Dr. Tom Boo, Iowa Depart- cases through culture tests. ment of Public Health/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Sally Cunning- All have been Influenza A ham, Iowa Department of Human Services talk to the press last month on the flu in Iowa. viruses, and 39 were sub- typed as Influenza A influenza tests in physicians’ offices and that one of the strains of influenza in the (H3N2) viruses. These are are never reported to the state health vaccine (A/Panama[H3N2]) does not confirmed cases by UHL department because influenza is not a exactly match the strain circulating in the only and is an underesti- reportable disease in Iowa. United States (A/Fujian[H3N2]). Health mate of the number of Like every year, this year’s influenza officials do expect that the current influ- cases in Iowa. Most cases vaccine protects against three types of enza vaccine will offer some cross- are identified through rapid influenza. Some media reports mention protective immunity against the A/Fujian

Domestic violence movie trailer big success Inside this issue: By Binnie LeHew, Violence Prevention Coordinator JEL observes 3 he Domestic Vio- and domestic violence pro- around the state. Great American lence movie trailer gram staff were overwhelm- In Davenport, domestic Smokeout campaign ingly positive about the im- T violence prevention advo- Report highlights 4 (highlighted in pact of the cates conducted a patron nursing trends in the October trailer,” said survey as moviegoers ex- Iowa 2003 FOCUS) Laws. The ited a theater where the was a big suc- movie trailer trailer was showing. The Public health pulls 6 cess, reports was a power- vast majority of patrons re- together to stop project manager ful public ser- ported it got their attention measles Lynn Laws. vice announcement that ran and they would use the in- Hepatitis A declin- 7 “Surveys of movie pa- throughout October in 48 formation to help someone ing but still danger- trons, theater managers, participating movie theaters Continued on Page 2 ous Iowa flu season arrives with a vengeance By Sarah Brend, MPH, Epidemiologist, Center for Acute Disease Epidemiology Continued from page 1 due to illness. We have also been nesses, long-term care facilities, strain, as well as providing good pro- informed of several influenza out- day-care centers, health-care and tection for the other two strains of flu breaks in long-term care facilities. In EMS settings, and schools. These (A[H1N1] and B) found in this year's December alone, there were over recommendations, along with maps vaccine and circulating in the United 250 reports from schools with absen- and reports of Iowa’s current influ- States. It is not yet known, which tee rates greater than 10 percent enza activity, can be found at influenza A (H3N2) is circulating in due to illness. Some schools have http://www.idph.state.ia.us/eedo/flu.a Iowa. even closed because of illness. sp . For additional information visit the CDC's website at Since the first influenza case The Center for Acute Disease http://www.cdc.gov/flu/ . For flu infor- was identified, IDPH has received Epidemiology has developed recom- mation in Spanish, go to the CDC's numerous reports from schools mendations to help stop transmis- web site en Español: across the state reporting an absen- sion of influenza in several different http://www.cdc.gov/spanish/default.h teeism rate greater than 10 percent settings, including at home, at busi- tm . Domestic violence movie trailer big success By Binnie LeHew, Violence Prevention Coordinator Continued from page 1 “If this type of support had been use the trailer from the Wisconsin they knew who might be in an abu- available [years ago], maybe my Women’s Foundation, which origi- sive relationship. mother would still be alive…Family nally developed it. If additional funds and a ‘close’ friend are available, another run of the an- In some turned my mother nouncement may be scheduled this theaters, do- down, [telling her] spring or summer. mestic vio- ‘you need to work it lence pro- If you have concerns or ques- out….’ I am glad to tions about domestic abuse, please gram staff see now there is overheard contact the Iowa Domestic Violence help for victims of Hotline at 1 (800) 942-0333. For positive com- this kind of abuse.” ments from more information about the movie audience While the majority trailer project, contact IDPH at (515) members, including one person who of comments were positive, there 281-5032 or ble- clapped at the end of the trailer. A were a few negative comments [email protected]. majority of the anecdotal comments about the “bias” that men are received were positive, and several the primary perpetrators of indicated that the movie trailer had a domestic abuse. As explained direct impact on their own lives. in the movie trailer brochure, the majority of perpetrators are In one case, a young woman male. who had seen the trailer was later able to recognize “controlling” behav- The domestic violence iors in her boyfriend, like the ones movie trailer project was a highlighted in the announcement. partnership among IDPH, Veri- Another person wrote IDPH saying, zon Wireless, and the Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence. Iowa bought the rights to Obtaining Past Issues

Back issues of Iowa Health FOCUS are available on the Iowa Department of Public Health web site at www.idph.state.ia.us. The link is under Quick Links on the right side of our home page under Publications & Data.

Page 2 JEL observes Great American Smokeout By Randi Huffman, JEL Coordinator ach year, the American Can- moted Quitline Iowa, Iowa’s toll-free strong tobacco control youth group cer Society holds its nation- tobacco cessation hotline. along with a comprehensive tobacco E wide Great American Smoke- “Many Iowa teens encounter control program such as Iowa’s. out. The event promotes quitting nicotine addiction and don’t know The Quitline Iowa is free and among current tobacco users as well where to find help,” said Kassie available seven days a week. All as cessation services locally and Hobbs, JEL executive council mem- calls are confidential. You may reach statewide, and the importance of ber. “JEL youth from all over Iowa Quitline Iowa at 1-866-U-CAN-TRY maintaining smoke free establish- can promote the Quitline Iowa, not (1-866-822-6879). ments. only at the state level but through On November 20, many Des JEL, which is at the local level.” Moines area residents woke up to Youth engagement is important tobacco control messages at busy to reduce tobacco traffic areas and pedestrian walk- use within the state ways. Over 60 members of Just and nationwide. Eliminate Lies (JEL) marched to Data show that to- Nolan Plaza during a Thursday lunch bacco use among hour. They handed out flyers with youth decreases hard candies attached, which pro- when there is a

Page 3 Report highlights nursing trends in Iowa By Eileen Gloor, Center for Health Workforce Planning, Bureau of Health Care Access he number, age and education practitioners. unprecedented need to recruit and of nurses in Iowa have Reflecting national trends, it is retain qualified faculty members to T changed over the past 20 likely that the need for nurses in accommodate increasing enroll- years. Trends provide important in- Iowa will peak between 2008 and ments in Iowa’s 77 programs. They formation about the work force re- 2010 when many experienced include: 1 doctoral, 4 post- quired to meet the health needs of nurses will retire. master’s/academic master’s, 1 pro- Iowans. The Center for Health fessional master’s, 13 baccalaure- Workforce Planning has posted on The largest percentage of both ate, 26 associate degree and 28 the IDPH web site a report that de- RNs and LPNs in Iowa are between practical nursing. scribes the changing registered 43 and 52 years of age. Sixty percent of licensed RNs who are active In 2003, the nursing programs nurse (RN) and licensed practical reported over 70 faculty vacancies in nurse (LPN) work force. are 43 years of age or older. Fifty- six percent of licensed LPNs who are the areas of medical, surgical, pedi- In a series of 17 charts and active are 43 years of age or older. atric, obstetric, mental health, geriat- graphs, the report provides a visual ric, community health and critical history of nursing. The information is Between 1986 and 2002, an in- care nursing. Because eight stu- being used to compare Iowa RN and creasing number of RNs received dents are generally assigned to a LPN data with national projections associate or baccalaureate degrees single faculty member, vacant faculty and develop recommendations for prior to licensure. While the greatest positions may exclude as many as policy change. The report is avail- increase was found among those 560 students from clinical courses. able to the public at who earned an associate degree in nursing, Iowa nurses continue to pro- Important recommendations for http://www.idph.state.ia.us/ch/ gress steadily in receiving baccalau- policy change and legislative action PDF/workforce/nursing_trends.pdf reate, masters and doctoral degrees. have come from the trend report. The number of RNs increased They address loan repayment pro- The number of graduates from grams, faculty preparation, recruit- from 29,649 in 1986 to 38,137 in nursing programs in Iowa declined in 2002. The trend reflected steady ment of under-represented racial and the late 1980s. An increase in the ethnic minorities into the nursing field growth until 2000. Between 2000 early 1990s peaked for both RNs and 2002, there was a net loss of and opportunities to impact eco- and LPNs in 1995 and 1996. After nomic development in Iowa. The 702 RNs. The number of LPNs de- another decline, the number grew creased from 10,435 in 1986 to recommendations are available in again in 2001. During the last year, white papers and issue briefs posted 9,622 in 2002, a net loss of 813. 1,835 students were admitted to Included in these numbers are over on the center web site at Iowa RN programs, a 27 percent http://www.idph.state.ia.us/ch/health 600 people who hold both RN and increase over the previous year. LPN licensure. _care_access_content/workforcesho During the same time, 1,426 stu- rtage/reports.htm For more informa- The number of Advanced Regis- dents were admitted to LPN pro- tion, contact Eileen Gloor at (515) tered Nurse Practitioners (ARNP) in grams, an increase of 12 percent 281-8309 or [email protected]. Iowa increased in all categories be- over the previous year. tween 1986 and 2002. The greatest This growth has given rise to an increase occurred among nurse

Hochstedler wins excellence award

Beth Hochstedler was awarded the Board of Regents Staff Excellence Award at the University of Iowa. Beth has worked with the Iowa Department of Public Health on Bioterrorism and the Governor’s Conference on Public Health, Barn Raising III and IV. At left is Mary Gilchrist, director of the Univer- sity of Iowa Hygenic Laboratory, Beth, and David Skorton, president of the University of Iowa.

Page 4 Prepare Iowa offers innovative online training By Debra Venzke, Office of Communications, The University of Iowa College of Public Health

o respond to emerging health and track courses completed and to-face trainings to strengthen skills. threats ranging from SARS to training programs attended. The sys- The system can be accessed 24 T bio-terrorism, public health tem is a joint effort of the Iowa De- hours a day, and students are able workers require ongoing training. But partment of Public Health and the to work at their own pace, taking up finding the time, and the budget, to Iowa Center for Public Health Pre- to six months to complete a class. attend courses can be a challenge. paredness at the University of Iowa Current course topics focus on bio- For many, distance learning of- College of Public Health. terrorism/emergency preparedness fers a convenient and core public health and economical way competencies. Other to fulfill continuing competency areas will education needs. A be added as the sys- new tool, the Pre- tem expands. pare Iowa Learning Prepare Iowa invites Management Sys- you to explore this tem, now offers innovative system Iowa’s public health designed to enhance work force an online professional skills and training and educa- knowledge in public tion resource for pro- health readiness. fessional development. Once registered with the Prepare For more information, contact Located at Iowa web site, users fill out a self- assessment on selected public Tim Beachy, Iowa Center for Public www.prepareiowa.com, the Prepare Health Preparedness, at (319) 353- Iowa Learning Management System health competencies. Based on that assessment, the system generates a 5955 or [email protected]; or allows users to assess their compe- Dena Fife, Iowa Department of Pub- tency in various areas of public list of recommended courses from the course catalog. Users can enroll lic Health, at (515) 242-5165 or health, enroll in online courses, ac- [email protected]. cess a calendar of training events, in these online courses or find face- Comprehensive cancer control working to fight obesity By Heidi Petersen, Mercy Cancer Center-Des Moines

besity increases the risk of The Obesity Prevention Imple- obesity and cancer risk along with some cancers in both men mentation Group of the Iowa Consor- healthful lifestyle hints will be devel- O and women. Increasing evi- tium for Comprehensive Cancer oped by the workgroup. The sheets dence particularly links obesity to the Control is working to address this will be distributed to the team cap- risk of post-menopausal breast can- problem. The group is composed of tains for Lighten Up Iowa. cer, and also supports increased risk 33 people representing cancer cen- Another project that the Obesity of cancers of the colon, prostate, ters from across the state, the Iowa Prevention Implementation Group is endometrium, kidney and esophagus Department of Public Health, Iowa working on is a packet of information (AICR, 2001). State University Extension, Iowa to be provided to family-care physi- Compared to other states, obe- Parish Nurse Association, Ecumeni- cians. The group is partnering with sity is a significant problem in Iowa. cal Ministries of Iowa, and others. the Iowa Dietetic Association on this There are only 11 states with higher The goal is to support Lighten project. obesity rates than Iowa. Data from Up Iowa, a statewide campaign to For more information on the the 2001 BRFSS show that almost reduce the prevalence of overweight Obesity Prevention Implementation 23 percent of Iowans are obese, and obesity among Iowans by in- Group of the Iowa Consortium for higher than the national median of creasing physical activity and im- Comprehensive Cancer Control, 21 percent. An additional 37 percent proving food choices. Registered please contact Heidi Petersen at of Iowans are overweight. dietitians from cancer centers across 515-643-8206 or The percentage of Iowans who Iowa will be promoting the Lighten [email protected]. are overweight and obese has stead- Up Iowa program within their institu- ily increased over the past 10 years. tions. An informational sheet linking

Page 5 Public health pulls together to stop measles By Patricia Quinlisk, State Epidemiologist and Terri Thornton, Nurse Consultant for Immunization

t 1:30 pm on December 24, an easy task because the people to vaccinate them also. They were the Chicago Department of from these groups were either not at also asked to educate everyone on A Public Health (CDPH) con- home, were out shopping, or had the signs and symptoms of measles. tacted the Iowa Department of Public already traveled to another state to In all, six doses of MMR were Health regarding a measles investi- celebrate Christmas with relatives. given. IG was ready but not needed gation. Meticulous work by local public due to the quick investigations at the A 6-month-old female adoptee health also found that another per- local level. Incubation period for arrived at Chicago O’Hare airport son from Iowa was on the plane, not measles is about 7-18 days, usually from Frankfurt, Germany on Decem- listed on the plane roster. (This is a 14 days. We will continue to be on ber 21 and was confirmed with mea- good reminder of why it is so impor- heightened surveillance for two incu- sles (with a positive IgM test) on De- tant to fill out those personal informa- bation cycles. cember 23. She had been experienc- tion cards that the airlines give you Measles should be suspected if ing rash since December 17, with when you board for an international anyone has the three “C”s (cough, cough and runny nose. On examina- flight!) coryza - a runny nose - and con- tion on December 22, the Koplik Since we were not sure that all junctivitis) and a rash. If suspected, a spots were not seen, and tempera- the people in these groups would be measles IgM test should be done ture was only 99.6 F, but the clinician located before the 72-hour window of quickly via the University Hygienic felt fairly certain this was measles. opportunity for vaccination closed, Lab. It is free of charge to the pa- The child’s final destination was immuneglobulin (which can be used tient, and the patient should be told Milwaukee. The investigation started for prophylaxis for up to 6 days after to stay home until results are avail- with locating all persons aboard the exposure to measles) was hand- able. It usually takes a couple of international flight with the child. delivered to two local health depart- hours once the blood arrives at UHL. Three Iowa parties, from Perry, ments, Perry and Waterloo. Finding All suspected cases should be Sioux City and Waterloo, were noted people on Christmas Eve to drive the Immediately reported to your health on the air carrier manifest. IG to the health departments was department. IDPH can be reached County health departments re- “interesting,” but we had an amazing 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1- sponded quickly to locate these number of volunteers. 800-362-2736. groups. That was important since it Local public health personnel IDPH thanks all the local health was still in the 72-hour window when were also asked to determine department personnel and the dis- prophylactic measles vaccination whether all family members who de- ease prevention specialists who would be effective in stopping the veloped measles had either two worked so hard on Christmas Eve to contacts from coming down with documented doses of MMR or a ensure the health of these Iowans measles (if they were not already good history of measles, and deter- during this public health emergency. immune - i.e., either had two doses mine who might be exposed to the of measles vaccine already or had members of the groups on the already had measles.) This was not planes. If needed, they were asked Buena Vista County department gets big award By Cheryl Lyon, Buena Vista Cancer Awareness and Screening Project Coordinator

he Buena Vista Cancer and link women with a primary medical than a 12th grade education. In ad- Awareness Screening Project provider for continued care. dition, the incidence of breast cancer T coordinated by the Buena Research shows that minority- in the county is reported to be 107.8, Vista County Public Health Depart- status, low income, and low educa- well above the state rate of 86.5 ment was awarded a $47,083 Well- tion levels are factors in failure to (rate of 1 per 100,000 population, mark Foundation grant in December seek routine cancer screening. Ap- Facits 2000). A significant number 2003. proximately 1,200 Hispanic women of women in the county fall into these This project is designed to pro- and 850 Asian women live in Buena categories that are factors in failure vide free pap smear and mammogra- Vista county, and nearly 35 percent to seek routine cancer screening. phy screening to 100 underinsured of households report an annual in- The partner organizations in this and uninsured women between the come below $25,000 (Census 2000). grant will be working to link the par- ages of 40 and 55 years, in addition Almost 20 percent of the popula- ticipants with a primary care pro- to educational opportunities through- tion of Buena Vista county has less vider, a key to assuring continued out the county. The grant will also health care.

Page 6 Hepatitis A declining but still dangerous By Judy Goddard, Center for Acute Disease Epidemiology fter a spike in cases between 1996 and 2000, the incidence A of hepatitis A in Iowa has re- mained steady. However, it remains Reported Cases of Hepatitis A, a common infectious disease that can often be avoided by simple, practical steps. Iowa 1994-2003

Hepatitis A is a liver disease 600 caused by the hepatitis A virus. The virus is spread from person to per- 500 490 son by fecal-oral transmission, plac- ing something in the mouth that is 400 400 contaminated with the stool of a per- 346 son with hepatitis A. A person with 300 hepatitis A virus infection can cause 200 infection in others from the latter half 161 of their incubation period to a few 100 106 64 67 72 days after yellowing of the skin and 41 39 eyes has developed. 0 Most infections result from con- 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 tact with a household member or sex partner who has the hepatitis A virus infection. The average time from ac- Source: IDPH quiring the virus to symptoms of dis- reported, the person is interviewed countries with high rates of hepati- ease (incubation period) is 28 days. by a local public health agency. tis A, such as those located in Cen- This ranges from 15-50 days. Family members and other at-risk tral or South America, the Carib- Because of the long incubation contacts are offered immune globu- bean, Mexico, Asia (except Japan), period, many individual cases cannot lin to decrease their risk of develop- Africa, and southern or eastern be traced back to a definitive expo- ing disease. Europe. The vaccine series should sure. Large outbreaks are usually be started at least one month be- To be effective this must be due to a food that is not cooked and fore traveling. People who live in done within 14 days of their expo- has been contaminated with the communities that have prolonged sure. If a reported person is a food- stool of an infected food preparer, outbreaks of hepatitis A should get service worker, health or day-care thus potentially putting large num- hepatitis A vaccine. provider, more information is gath- bers of people at risk. ered to decide if additional contacts • People who live in communities Persons with hepatitis A virus need to receive immune globulin. with high rates of hepatitis A: for infection may not have any signs or To prevent hepatitis A, always example, American Indian, Alaska symptoms of disease. As long as wash your hands after using the Native, and Pacific Islander com- asymptomatic person practices good bathroom, changing a diaper, or be- munities and some religious com- hand hygiene it would be unlikely fore preparing or eating food. munities. they would spread the disease to • Men who have sex with men. others. Two products can be used to prevent hepatitis A virus infection. People who use street drugs. If symptoms are present they • Immune globulin can be given within usually come on quickly and may • People with chronic liver disease. 14 days of a person’s exposure to include fever, tiredness, loss of ap- hepatitis A to decrease their risk of • People who receive clotting factor petite, nausea, abdominal discom- developing disease. Hepatitis A vac- concentrates. fort, dark urine and yellowing of the cine can be given to people 2 years skin and eyes (jaundice). A blood of age or older who wish to lower test for hepatitis A Iantibodies is nec- Two doses of the vaccine, given their risk of getting disease. It is rec- at least six months apart, are needed essary to know if symptoms are be- ommended for: for lasting protection. Hepatitis A vac- ing caused by the hepatitis A virus. cine may be given at the same time as Hepatitis A is a reportable dis- • People traveling or working in other vaccines. ease in Iowa. Once the disease is

Page 7 Epidemiology Notes

From the Center for Acute Disease Epidemiology, Iowa Department of Public Health, 1 800 362-2736 (24-hour number)

A Big “Thank You” from the detect or provide alert for CO. halt the epidemic of obesity in this Staff of CADE: • Tree decorations pose multiple country.’ He noted that nearly two CADE would like to formally thank hazards including bubble lights out of three adults are overweight all health-care workers in Iowa, in- (filled with alcohol or other sol- and that parental obesity is a strong cluding physicians, nurses, clinics, vents), ornaments (can cause predictor of childhood obesity. Dr. local health department, hospitals, choking and/or intestinal block- McGinnis also noted that it is critical schools and laboratorians, for report- age), and snow sprays (contain for doctors to be skilled in obesity ing diseases and assisting in public chemicals that are harmful when prevention, screening, and treat- health responses. It goes without inhaled). To prevent children and ment. saying that nothing much can happen pets from these hazards, place As part of a major campaign in here on our end without your help. small ornaments higher on the tree Iowa, the Iowa Department of Public Don’t hesitate to call with sugges- and store snow sprays out of reach Health is urging physicians to rec- tions if we can be of additional ser- of children and use in well- ommend their patients join a Lighten vice. The toll free telephone number ventilated areas. If small children Up Iowa team to increase their is 800- 362-2736. are in the house, consider not us- physical activity and improve their Seasonal Hazards from the ing bubble lights. diet. The program is a partnership Iowa Statewide Poison Control between the Iowa Department of • Antifreeze / deicers contain the Center “Top Ten” List: Public Health, the Iowa Games, and highly toxic chemicals methanol The Iowa Statewide Poison Con- Iowa State University Extension. and ethylene glycol. Ingestion of trol Center has compiled a “Top Ten” The web site for Lighten Up Iowa is very small amount may be life list of hazards that are most fre- www.lightenupiowa.org. threatening and require rapid diag- quently involved in poisonings during nosis and treatment. Store out of BSE or “Mad Cow Disease” the winter months. Some of the haz- reach of children and use appropri- web sites: ards included are: Here are web sites to access ately. information on the BSE investiga- • Ice melting salt, which may pro- If you need information about any duce poisoning especially in tion: product or suspect a poisoning has DOH www.doh.wa.gov young children. Store out of occurred, contact the Iowa Statewide USDA www.usda.gov reach of children and use appro- Poison Control Center at 800-222- priately. 1222. FDA www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/b • Plants including Holly, Mistletoe, Clinical Resource on Managing se.html Jerusalem cherry, and Rhododen- Obesity: dron can be toxic and if ingested, The AMA has announced the re- CDC warrant a call to the poison con- lease of a new comprehensive guide to www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/cjd/cj trol center (1-800-222-1222). Dis- help physicians identify and treat obe- d.htm play these plants out of reach of sity in their adult patients. The Assess- WSDA children and pets. Poinsettias, ment and Management of Adult www.agr.wa.gov/FoodAnimal/Anima contrary to popular belief, are not Obesity Primer for Physicians is now lFeed/BSE.htm toxic. available online at www.ama- Health Canada www.hc- assn.org/go roadmaps. • Carbon monoxide poisoning may sc.gc.ca/english/diseases/bse/index. mimic the flu with symptoms of The primer, funded by a grant from html vomiting, headache, malaise, and The Robert Wood Johnson Founda- WHO fatigue. Sources are many and tion, was developed in partnership with www.who.int/health_topics/encephal include faulty heating systems, the US Department of Health and Hu- opathy_bovine_spongiform/en fireplace with faulty flue, and man Services. charcoal and wood burning Office International des Epizooties Michael McGinnis, MD, MPP, sen- stoves. Every home should have www.oie.int/eng/info/en_esb.htm a CO detector and alarm; remem- ior vice president of The Robert Wood ber most smoke detectors do not Foundation, said, ‘This primer is an important tool in helping physicians

Page 8 Des Moines Register features IDPH lead program

n December 14, the Des lead poisoning as other children in • Ink used on wrappers for candy Moines Register had a multi- the state. or food. page special report on lead O The report highlighted sources of poisoning among Latino children in • Any house built before 1978, lead, where to get help, effects of Iowa. The report included quotes by which can have lead-based lead poisoning, housing factors, and Rita Gergely, chief of the Bureau of paint. Houses built before 1960 prevention of lead poisoning. Lead Poisoning Prevention, Connie have more layers of lead-based Montover, director or the Lead Poi- Sources of lead include: paint than newer houses. soning Prevention Program in Mar- • Folk remedies, including one • Lead based paint. Children can shalltown, Sara Pauley, director of called Azarcon or Greta, which is be exposed when they put paint the Lead Poisoning Prevention Pro- commonly used to relieve stom- chips in their mouth, chew on gram in Crawford County, and Julie achaches. surfaces painted with lead-based Curry of the Iowa Department of paint, or put dusty dirty hands, Education. • Spices, fruits or chilies dried us- toys, bottles or pacifiers in their ing motors that run on leaded mouths. The report discussed sources of gasoline. lead that have made the state’s rate For more information about lead of lead poisoning in children four • Candies and snacks that some- poisoning, call the Iowa Department times the national average. IDPH times contain powdered chilies. of Public Health Lead Prevention estimates that Latino children living • Lead-glazed ceramic pots used Program at (800) 972-2026. Bilin- in Iowa are twice as likely to have for food. gual representatives are available to answer questions. Worth Noting Advancing Public Health: Meeting the Challenge The 2004 Public Health Conference will be held March 30 and 31, 2004 at the Scheman Center in Ames. This conference is jointly sponsored by the Iowa Public Health Association (IPHA), the Iowa Environmental Health Associa- tion (IEHA), University of Iowa College of Public Health, Child Health Specialty Clinics, and the Iowa Department of Pub- lic Health, Bureau of Family Health, Oral Health Bureau, Bureau of Nutrition, Bureau of Health Care Access, and Center for Local Public Health Services and Health Improvement. For more information, please visit www.ieha.net or www.iowapha.org.

Board of Health January 14 The Iowa State Board of Health will be meeting January 14 at 10 a.m. in the Lucas State Office Building, Des Moines.

New grants.gov web site offers one stop when applying for federal grants HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson has unveiled a single, comprehensive web site that will contain information about finding and applying for all federal grant programs. The web site, grants.gov, makes it easier for organizations to learn about and apply for federal grants. For more information visit www.grants.gov.

Food and fitness craze A Food and Fitness Craze bulletin was developed by ISU Extension to help promote the 'Go the Dis- tance' Youth portion of Lighten Up Iowa. The bulletin is full of ideas for youth groups to use when they are think- ing about nutrition and physical activity. The bulletin has a full year (one per month) of suggestions as a resource for leaders . If you are interested in accessing a copy of this colorful bulletin you can contact your local ISU Extension office (to find the closest location go to www.extension.iastate.edu/Counties/state.html) or you can order online at www.extension.iastate.edu/pubs/Order.html The order number is PM 1944.

Wellmark Foundation announces new priority areas for 2004 grants The Wellmark Foundation is changing its focus of giving to the following areas in 2004: asthma, diabetes, heart failure and cardiovascular risk factors, major depression, and end-of-life care (with an emphasis on pain control). For those interested in applying, the first cycle grant teleconference in Iowa is scheduled for Wednesday, January 28, 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. For more information visit www.wellmark.com.

Page 9 Worth Noting

Des Moines University to offer medical school courses to the public Many adults wish they had chosen a medical career or wish they had paid a little more attention in science classes when they were in school. For those who barely survived high school biology, and feel lost in today's terminology and technology, and the science buffs who want a refresher course or more information about what is happening in the field of medicine, Des Moines University is now enrolling for its spring mini medical school course. The six-week course will feature classes on several topics, including: explanations of procedures during a doctor's office visit, explanations of medical terminology, obesity, infectious diseases, cardiovascular health, diabetes, and women's health. Classes will be taught by local experts in their fields and will be explained on a level that common people can understand. Each class will include an hour on the evening's topic, followed by a question-and-answer period with local providers. Classes will start on Tuesday, Feb. 3 and will go through Tuesday, March 9, and will meet from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The cost for the six-week course is $25 and includes all materials for the class. Please visit www.dmu.edu/minimedicalschool or contact Nancy Thompson at 515-271-1374 or [email protected] for more information.

Second round of communication workshops under way Two new communication workshops have been scheduled by the Iowa Department of Public Health, Office of Communications and Public Health Education. They are scheduled for January 16 in Mt Pleasant and January 27 in Creston from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The workshops are designed to help public information officers or those charged with managing, planning and implementing risk communication make the best possible decision during a crisis situation. They also provide information that allows an individual, stakeholder or an entire community to make such decisions. Participants receive a crisis, emergency, and risk communication resource binder and a copy of the CDCynergy CD- ROM, which addresses topics critical to successful communication during an emergency. It includes a practical what- to-do and how-to-do guide. For more information on the workshops, contact Dena Fife at [email protected] or Kevin Teale at [email protected].

Iowa Dept. of Public Health Lucas State Office Building 321 E. 12th Street FOCUS Editor: Sarah Taylor Des Moines, IA 50319-0075 Phone: 515 281-5787 What would you like to see in the Iowa Health FOCUS? Send your suggestions for future articles, letters to the editor, upcoming events, or to add names to the mailing list by e-mailing us at Check out our web site [email protected]. at www.idph.state.ia.us

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