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Health Commissioner Dr. Mercedes K.C. Dullum is urging residents to adopt a healthier lifestyle through diet and exercise, getting regular check ups and taking necessary medications as the Department gears up to join other public health agencies nationwide in the annual commemoration of National Public Health Week
(NPHW).
This year’s observance is April 2-8 with the theme “A Healthier America Begins Today”, and speaks to the essential role that public health agencies play in preventive health care services. Locally, activities will be held through April 4 due to the Easter holiday and includes in-house exhibits, a health fair and presentations on “Poison Prevention Tips” and “Designer Drugs” by officials from the Poison Information Center (PIC) from Jacksonville, Fla.
The presentation on poison prevention will be held only on St. Croix and is in joint sponsorship with the V.I. Department of Human Service and opened to all child care providers. Presentations on designer drugs will be held territorywide and in a joint effort with the territory’s hospitals and opened to all physicians. PIC Director, Dr. Jay Schauben, will lead the discussion on designer drugs.
NPHW activities will conclude with a health walk/health fair beginning at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, April 4, from Seaborne Airlines, along the Charlotte Amalie Harbor apron, to Emancipation Garden. Free screenings on glucose, cholesterol, and blood pressure will be available at the Garden from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Division of Personnel staff will be on site to assist Government employees with CIGNA insurance and who avail themselves to the screenings, to complete an online health risk assessment that employees can later access. HIV tests will also be available and free souvenirs and educational materials will be distributed.
Dr. Dullum is encouraging residents to take advantage of the free screenings noting that
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
“Chronic disease such as hypertension and diabetes, which can lead to Cardiovascular disease, is prevalent in the Virgin Islands and the reason we continue to stress the importance of making changes to diet and incorporating exercise as factors that could improve one’s health,” Dr. Dullum said.
The changes can be subtle at first, she said.
“It could be small changes such as opting for fresh fruits and vegetables instead of processed fruits with added sugars, walking to the corner store instead of driving or walking briskly for 30-minutes instead of jogging.”
Governor John P. de Jongh Jr. has
proclaimed April 2-8, 2012, as National Public Health Week, encouraging residents to take ownership of their health by asking pertinent questions of their physicians and guarding against chronic diseases through exercise, diet and preventive health services such as the free screenings to be offered during the DOH health fair.
“The Virgin Islands Department of Health recognizes that in our community many health disparities exist and can be attributed to our eating habits, sedentary lifestyle and lack of routine access to primary health care and preventative health programs,” de Jongh said. “Good Health must be a community-wide priority and it is imperative for everyone to be aware of the programs and services provided by the Department of Health, which encourages the public to exercise, maintain a nutritional and healthy diet, and to seek preventive care and treatment.”
DOH offers services to men, women and children through programs such as community health; chronic disease prevention; diabetes control and prevention, infants and toddlers, public health preparedness, maternal health, family planning and environmental health among others.
In addition to the Poison Information Center, DOP, Human Services and the territory’s hospitals, the Department of Health thanks the Virgin Islands Police Department, Housing Parks and Recreation and Seaborne Airlines for their assistance with its National Public Health Week commemoration. A full listing of activities follows.
National Public Health Week Activity Schedule
Monday April 2 – Wednesday April 4, 2012
8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Display Exhibits at DOH facilities territorywide
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.
Presentation on “Designer Drugs”
Schneider Regional Medical Center, Kimelman Cancer Center Auditorium
Presenter: Dr. Jay Schauben, Director, Poison Information Center,
Jacksonville-Fla.
8:30 – 9:30 a.m.
Presentation on “Poison Prevention Tips”
Invitees include daycare, summer camp, head start and other child care providers in joint sponsorship with the Department of Human Services.
Charles Harwood Complex, Room 1016
Presenter: Phyllis Belle-Davis, Education Director, Poison Information Center
9:15 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. – Radio discussion on designer drugs
WLDV (Da Vybe), 107.9 FM
10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Presentation on “Poison Prevention Tips” to senior citizens
Sunny Isles Elderly Housing
Presenter: Phyllis Belle-Davis, Education Director, Poison Information Center
1 p.m. - 2 p.m.
Presentation on “Poison Prevention Tips” to senior citizens
Richmond Senior Center
Presenter: Phyllis Belle-Davis, Education Director, Poison Information Center
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
7:30 a.m.
Join the Movement Health Walk. Seaborne Airlines Terminal to Emancipation Garden
9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
DOH Health Fair - Free screenings for glucose, cholesterol, blood pressure. Testing for HIV and free flu shots also will be available.
Emancipation Garden
10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Presentation “Designer Drugs”
Juan F. Luis Hospital; 3rd Floor Classroom
Presenter: Dr. Jay Schauben, Director, Poison Information Center,
Jacksonville-Fla.
1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Presentation on “Designer Drugs”
Juan F. Luis Hospital; 3rd Floor Classroom
Presenter: Dr. Jay Schauben, Director, Poison Information Center,
Jacksonville-Fla. |
