DOVER – The Delaware Division of Public Health is reminding residents to prepare both themselves and their animals as a nor’easter bears down on our area bringing snow, high winds and the potential for flooding in some portions of the state.

Hypothermia can occur in cold weather or if a person becomes chilled by rain. Infants and the elderly are particularly at risk, but anyone can be affected. Cold weather can put extra strain on the heart, so individuals with heart disease or high blood pressure should follow their doctors’ advice about exerting themselves in the cold.

Frostbite is an injury to the body that is caused by freezing. Frostbite causes a loss of feeling and color in affected areas. It most often affects the nose, ears, cheeks, chin, fingers, or toes. Frostbite can permanently damage the body, and severe cases can lead to amputation. The risk of frostbite increases for people with reduced blood circulation and among those who are not dressed properly for extremely cold temperatures.

Recognize the symptoms of frostbite:

At the first signs of redness or pain in any skin area, get out of the cold or protect any exposed skin – frostbite may be beginning. Any of the following signs may indicate frostbite:

• a white or grayish-yellow skin area
• skin that feels unusually firm or waxy
• numbness

A victim is often unaware of frostbite until someone else points it out because the frozen tissues are numb. If you detect symptoms of frostbite, seek medical care.

Prevent problems before they occur:

• When heading out in cold weather, remember the following:
  • Water-resistant or waterproof outerwear is advisable to reduce the risk of hypothermia (abnormally low body temperature). Dress in layers of loose-fitting clothes, including extra socks, which can be removed as they become damp. Wear warm, comfortable shoes.
  • When exerting yourself, it is important to remain hydrated by drinking water and other non-caffeinated beverages.
  • Wear hats, water-resistant coats, scarves or knit masks to cover the face and mouth, and gloves or mittens. Mittens are warmer than gloves.
  • Wool, silk or polypropylene inner layers of clothing will hold more body heat than cotton. Perspiration can increase heat loss, and wet clothing can chill the body rapidly.
  • Avoid alcoholic or caffeinated beverages, which can cause the body to lose heat more rapidly.

For more information on cold weather preparation, visit: emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/winter/.

Protect your pet during cold weather:

• Bring pets indoors. This is the safest place for your pet during cold temperatures. Short-haired pets or very young or old pets should never be left outdoors in cold temperatures and all pet dogs and cats should be brought indoors when the temperature falls below freezing.
• Protect outdoor pets from the elements. If your pet must be outdoors, you must provide a dry, draft-free shelter from the elements that contains moisture-resistant bedding such as straw or cedar shavings, which will help pets retain body heat. Housing should be appropriately sized for the animal and designed for animal sheltering. Pet owners should also provide a water-proof flap over the doorway to protect from wind and rain.
• Ensure access to water at all times. Frequently check water bowls to ensure water is not frozen. If you typically use a metal watering bowl, replace it with plastic as a pet’s tongue can get stuck to metal in cold temperatures.
• Additional food may be needed. Animals burn more calories in cold temperatures in order to stay warm, so you may need to increase the amount of food you provide. Check with your veterinarian about your pet’s nutritional needs in cold weather.
• Outdoor cats need attention, too. Whether outdoor cats are owned, stray, or feral, they need the same protection from cold weather as your pets. If there are outdoor cats in your neighborhood, provide them with dry, warm shelter, as well as food and water to help them survive dangerously low temperatures. For your own safety, do not handle any unfamiliar animals, particularly if the rabies vaccination status is unknown. An animal may have rabies and not exhibit any external signs.

If you see a pet that has been left outdoors in cold temperatures without proper shelter or protection from the elements, food, or water, report it immediately to the Delaware Animal Services Hotline at 302-255-4646.

Under Senate Bill 217, dogs cannot be left outdoors during hazardous weather warnings issued by the National Weather Service. The Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning for New Castle County from 8 p.m. tonight until 6 p.m. Tuesday, a Coastal Flood Warning for Kent County from 8 p.m. tonight until 4 p.m. Tuesday, and a High Wind Warning for Sussex County between 2 a.m. and 11 a.m. on Tuesday. The Division of Public Health urges people to closely monitor weather updates.

A person who is deaf, hard-of-hearing, deaf-blind or speech-disabled can call the DPH phone number above by using TTY services. Dial 7-1-1 or 800-232-5460 to type your conversation to a relay operator, who reads your conversation to a hearing person at DPH. The relay operator types the hearing person’s spoken words back to the TTY user. To learn more about TTY availability in Delaware, visit http://delawarerelay.com.

Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware’s citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations. DPH, a division of DHSS, urges Delawareans to make healthier choices with the 5-2-1 Almost None campaign: eat 5 or more fruits and vegetables each day, have no more than 2 hours of recreational screen time each day (includes TV, computer, gaming), get 1 or more hours of physical activity each day, and drink almost no sugary beverages.

Dover – Meeting critical developmental milestones between birth to age 8 is vital to ensuring your child’s growth is on track. Delays in these milestones may be missed by families, health care providers, and even your child’s school or early child care provider. That’s why the Division of Public Health (DPH) in partnership with Delaware 2-1-1 and other state and community organizations offers the Help Me Grow program.

Help Me Grow is a comprehensive and coordinated statewide system for the early identification and referral of children at risk for developmental and behavioral challenges. The program helps children and their families find community-based programs and services to enhance the child’s behavior, learning and development.

Help Me Grow focuses on pregnant women (new and expecting parents) and all families with children birth to age 8. When you dial 2-1-1, specially trained Help Me Grow specialists will not only assist you to navigate services in your area, but also will be able to use early detection screenings to identify potential developmental delays and guide parents, educators, and providers to resources that address these concerns.

“Prevention is a key strategy in public health, and Help Me Grow is a great example of how we connect with our extensive network of valued partners to address health and developmental issues earlier in life, so that long-term outcomes will be positive and help children and families to thrive,” said DPH Director Dr. Karyl Rattay.

The Help Me Grow system has served more than 7,800 Delaware children since its inception in 2012, including Wilmington resident Lena McDougale, a caregiver for her grandchildren. “Dealing with developmental delays and disabilities in my kids has been a laborious process in life, school, and home. Help Me Grow and Delaware 2-1-1 have eased the burden by giving me the appropriate services to address issues that my children are facing.”

“Sometimes families have a hard time finding programs to meet their needs in a vast network of agencies,” said Delaware 2-1-1 Director Donna Snyder White. “With one call or click, Help Me Grow/2-1-1 can help guide them to local services that can help, and we are pleased to provide that resource for families.”

Delaware 2-1-1 is a confidential help hotline service from the United Way and the Delaware Division of Public Health. Parents and caregivers can dial 2-1-1 as often as they like and calls are toll-free. Help Me Grow’s child development specialists are available 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and can also be reached by texting 302-231-1464 (1HMG).

Recently, the United States Departments of Education and Health and Human Services released a joint policy statement recognizing the Help Me Grow system as a model for other states to use when developing early-intervention programs for children from birth through age 8. The statement says that Help Me Grow helps “ensure that families have timely access to appropriate services” to identify and address a child’s developmental gaps during the formative years.

Help Me Grow was developed by Dr. Paul Dworkin of Connecticut Children’s Office for Community Child Health in 1997 and has since been implemented by 28 affiliates around the country. The Division of Public Health and its partners launched the initiative across the state in early 2012.

Help Me Grow is a partnership between the Division of Public Health, Delaware 2-1-1, and the United Way of Delaware, and collaborates with programs such as American Academy of Pediatrics-Delaware Chapter, Child Development Watch, Child Find, Nemours Children’s Health System, the Division of Prevention and Behavioral Health Services, Office of Early Learning and other key early childhood partners.

To learn more about Help Me Grow, visit www.dethrives.com and www.delaware211.org.

A person who is deaf, hard-of-hearing, deaf-blind or speech-disabled can call the DPH phone number above by using TTY services. Dial 7-1-1 or 800-232-5460 to type your conversation to a relay operator, who reads your conversation to a hearing person at DPH. The relay operator types the hearing person’s spoken words back to the TTY user. To learn more about TTY availability in Delaware, visit http://delawarerelay.com.

Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware’s citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations. DPH, a division of DHSS, urges Delawareans to make healthier choices with the 5-2-1 Almost None campaign: eat 5 or more fruits and vegetables each day, have no more than 2 hours of recreational screen time each day (includes TV, computer, gaming), get 1 or more hours of physical activity each day, and drink almost no sugary beverages.

DOVER – One in three Americans has high blood pressure, and 48 percent of those who have it do not have it under control. In fact, more than one-third of people with hypertension are unaware they even have the condition. In 2015, over 255,000 Delawareans age 18 or older, suffered from high blood pressure, one of the primary factors that lead people to develop heart disease. These are dangerous situations since persons with high blood pressure are four times more likely to die from stroke, and three times more likely to die from heart disease.

To battle this health crisis, the Division of Public Health and Quality Insights launched a project in 2016 to improve hypertension management for patients in 85 Delaware physician practices.

The initiative, which is supported by funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), seeks to help participating physicians use their electronic health records (EHR) to report on the National Quality Forum (NQF) 0018 measure for hypertension. The NQF 0018 measure monitors the percentage of patients in a practice who had a diagnosis of hypertension and whose blood pressure was adequately controlled (less than 140/90: 120/80 is the ideal blood pressure reading but 140/90 is considered the earliest stage of hypertension and begins the risk for life-threatening complications).

“In my work with underserved communities, I frequently saw the serious impact that uncontrolled blood pressure has on patients’ overall health,” said Department of Health and Social Services Secretary Dr. Kara Odom Walker. “I’m very pleased that through our partnership with Quality Insights, we are able to offer these important tools to physicians to improve health and longevity.”

“Hypertension is often called the silent killer, but it can be prevented and managed,” said DPH Director Dr. Karyl Rattay. “We’re pleased to be able to use technological advances to help doctors and their patients better manage their hypertension and ultimately lead fuller, healthier lives.” Heart disease and stroke are the second- and fourth-leading causes of death in Delaware, and excess weight, lack of physical activity, unhealthy eating and smoking contribute to thousands of heart attacks and strokes each year.

Quality Insights is providing each physician practice access to electronic educational modules, weekly news bulletins, and hands-on technical assistance. The educational modules highlight topics such as medication adherence, using care teams, and engaging patients in blood pressure self-management and monitoring. Each module includes access to tools and resources, such as patient reminders, apps, podcasts, patient videos and staff training videos.

According to Quality Insights project manager Andrea Rodi, one of the most promising areas of the project is a new home blood pressure monitor loaner program. To date, seven physician office sites are taking advantage of the service, which provides up to five home blood pressure monitors to each participating office, and a range of resources to help implement the program.  Once a physician office has the loaner program up and running, Quality Insights staff makes monthly visits to check program compliance and address any issues identified by the physician offices. Blood pressure monitors are loaned to hypertensive patients who then report their reading to their provider and other team care members who offers close support in helping them to lower their blood pressure.

“We’re really excited to offer this unique opportunity to Delaware physician offices,” Rodi said. “Blood pressure control is key to preventing or managing heart disease, and we’re glad to be making a difference.”

Providers interested in learning more about the Quality Insights program, should contact Ashley Biscardi at Abiscard@qualityinsights.org.

The Delaware Division of Public Health also offers free classes for people with high blood pressure. These classes help you to learn how to manage your blood pressure by reducing salt intake, being active, losing weight and much more. For more information on the classes or to register for these free classes, call 302-744-1020.

You can take action to prevent heart disease:

Avoid tobacco and vaping – Do not smoke or vape. Smokers who live in Delaware and are 18 years and older can get free help in quitting from the Delaware Quitline at 1-800-QUIT-NOW or www.quitsupport.com.

Be physically active – Be physically active every day or at least 30 minutes three times a week. Teach your children how to be active.

Manage weight and cholesterol – The goal for waist size is less than 35 inches for women and less than 40 inches for men. (For Asians, the waist size goal is 32 inches for women and 35 inches for men.) Persons with higher waist sizes are at risk of diabetes, heart attack, or stroke and should visit their health care provider. Eat no-cholesterol or low-cholesterol foods. At least five fruits and vegetables each day is the way to go.

Limit sodium and trans fat – About 90 percent of Americans exceed the recommended sodium intake, says the CDC. The CDC recommends reducing sodium intake by 1,200 milligrams per day. The FDA recommends less than 2,300 mg.

Control blood pressure – An ideal blood pressure is less than 120/80.

Additional resources:

• Healthy lifestyles website:  https://www.healthydelaware.org/
• Motivate the First State: http://motivatethefirststate.com/
• American Heart Association: https://www.goredforwomen.org/know-your-numbers/
• NIH: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/health-communication-programs/ndep/living-with-diabetes/know-your-abcs/Pages/knowyourabcs.aspx

A person who is deaf, hard-of-hearing, deaf-blind or speech-disabled can call the DPH phone number above by using TTY services. Dial 7-1-1 or 800-232-5460 to type your conversation to a relay operator, who reads your conversation to a hearing person at DPH.  The relay operator types the hearing person’s spoken words back to the TTY user. To learn more about TTY availability in Delaware, visit http://delawarerelay.com.
 
Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware’s citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations. DPH, a division of DHSS, urges Delawareans to make healthier choices with the 5-2-1 Almost None campaign: eat 5 or more fruits and vegetables each day, have no more than 2 hours of recreational screen time each day (includes TV, computer, gaming), get 1 or more hours of physical activity each day, and drink almost no sugary beverages.

Dover – The Division of Public Health (DPH) is pleased to announce the launch of its newest school-based oral health outreach program, the Delaware Smile Check (DSC). Debut screenings took place in Sussex County at Seaford Central Elementary School on January 17, and the program has already been conducted at seven schools throughout the state To date,1,018 children have received screenings from a DPH hygienist who informs parents/guardians of each child’s oral health status through a report card that is sent home. In addition to the screenings, 1,018 students received preventive applications of fluoride varnish to strengthen teeth against decay and reverse early cavities.

The Delaware Smile Check is a grant-funded program that seeks to connect under-served children with dental homes and help coordinate treatment for children who have emergency dental needs. As a result of this program, 206 students have received referrals to treat suspected cavities, and 217 students who were identified as needing emergency care received help finding a dentist to treat them immediately.

“This is an amazing example of partnership between schools, the state and Delaware’s dental community,” said DPH Dental Director Nicholas Conte. “We appreciate the work everyone has done to provide these opportunities for the children.” So far, 46 dentists throughout the state have opened their doors to patients referred from this program, both insured and uninsured, to ensure they receive the treatment needed and establish a dental home for the future. As an additional component, just under 3,000 students from pre-k to grade 8 have received educational presentations in their schools from registered dental hygienists who gave lessons highlighting the importance of oral health.

“As a dental hygienist in Sussex County, I’m very excited to be joining forces with this community and school-based dental screening program. It has opened my eyes to the importance and genuine need of access to care, dental education, and dental disease prevention among children. I am very confident this program will become a success and am grateful for this opportunity to work within my local community,” said participating dental hygienist Ashley Hudson, RDH, BSDH.

The program currently relies entirely on grant funds and donations to provide the supplies necessary to carry out the screenings. Early in February, Dental Health Products, Inc. (DHPI) donated fluoride varnish, toothbrushes, and toothpaste that was distributed to high risk children in participating schools.

“The Division of Public Health is grateful for the generous donation of dental supplies to support the Smile Check Program,” said Director Dr. Karyl Rattay. “We know that a child’s oral health has an impact on their overall health and self-esteem. This will help our dental program serve our most vulnerable children and set them on the path to good oral and overall health for years to come.”

“Dental Health Products, Inc. (DHPI) is proud to support the dental professional community,” said LaDeana DeClark, special markets representative for DHPI. “The Smile Check Program diligently ensures local youth have the proper supplies to maintain optimal oral health. DHPI is more than a supply and equipment

dealer. DHPI is a partner for a common cause to improve oral health care for all ages.”

Twenty more schools are scheduled for the 2016-2017 school year and DPH is excited to expand the program to areas of the state that have been traditionally more difficult to access.

Schools interested in participating in this program should contact Gena Riley in the Bureau of Dental Health Services at Gena.Riley@delaware.gov.

A person who is deaf, hard-of-hearing, deaf-blind or speech-disabled can call the DPH phone number above by using TTY services. Dial 7-1-1 or 800-232-5460 to type your conversation to a relay operator, who reads your conversation to a hearing person at DPH. The relay operator types the hearing person’s spoken words back to the TTY user. To learn more about TTY availability in Delaware, visit http://delawarerelay.com.

Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware’s citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations. DPH, a division of DHSS, urges Delawareans to make healthier choices with the 5-2-1 Almost None campaign: eat 5 or more fruits and vegetables each day, have no more than 2 hours of recreational screen time each day (includes TV, computer, gaming), get 1 or more hours of physical activity each day, and drink almost no sugary beverages.

DOVER — The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) on February 23, 2017, ordered a 38-year-old Magnolia man to cease tattooing activities in his home, in violation of Title 16 of the Delaware Code. DPH Health Systems Protection staff issued a Cease and Desist Order to William Smiley of 60 Grays Lane in Magnolia for conducting tattooing activities out of his residence without a required body art establishment permit. In addition to operating without a permit and being entirely unregulated, DPH staff were unable to confirm proper sanitary precautions were used.

DPH encourages customers who may have received services at this location to contact their health care provider for evaluation for diseases such as hepatitis and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) that may have been transmitted through unsterile equipment. Tell the doctor about receiving a tattoo from an unregulated tattoo parlor, when it occurred, and any symptoms since the visit.

When in doubt, DPH recommends seeking testing for HIV and hepatitis. It is possible to carry these viruses for years without knowing it due to lack of symptoms, and, even if the virus cannot be traced to the closed tattoo parlor, knowing one’s HIV and hepatitis status can mean earlier treatment if needed and the prevention of further spread of these viruses. To learn more about free testing options in your area, visit http://www.freehivtest.net/ and enter your ZIP code.

The unregulated tattoo parlor kept no client records and, as a result, DPH cannot follow the normal protocol of contacting individuals by letter to urge them to seek medical testing. DPH is alerting the public through press releases, social media and by notifying medical providers.

Delawareans served by the illegal operation can also contact the DPH Communicable Disease Bureau at 302-744-1050 if they have questions about potential transmission risks.

“No one should ever seek body art services from an unlicensed business,” said DPH Director Dr. Karyl Rattay. “Establishments regulated by DPH are inspected and must meet requirements for sanitation, proper disposal of needles, use of gloves, and many other items. HIV and hepatitis can all too easily be transmitted if proper precautions are not taken. Before getting any kind of body art done, people should always insist on seeing the Public Health permit, which is required to be posted in an obvious location.”

DPH learned about the illegal establishment from a law enforcement tip.

A person who is deaf, hard-of-hearing, deaf-blind or speech-disabled can call the DPH phone number above by using TTY services. Dial 7-1-1 or 800-232-5460 to type your conversation to a relay operator, who reads your conversation to a hearing person at DPH. The relay operator types the hearing person’s spoken words back to the TTY user. To learn more about TTY availability in Delaware, visit http://delawarerelay.com.

Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware’s citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations. DPH, a division of DHSS, urges Delawareans to make healthier choices with the 5-2-1 Almost None campaign: eat 5 or more fruits and vegetables each day, have no more than 2 hours of recreational screen time each day (includes TV, computer, gaming), get 1 or more hours of physical activity each day, and drink almost no sugary beverages.