Health

American Heart Association releases film to help fight heart disease

Submitted by James Long, Digital Content Producer

Thursday, October 27th, 2011, 1:11pm

American Heart Association releases film to help fight heart disease

(KFVS) – The American Heart Association has released a short film to help women fight heart disease.

The first-ever “Go Red for Women” short film “Just a Little Heart Attack” stars Emmy nominated actress Elizabeth Banks.

The film is inspired by real-life stories of women who have been affected by the disease.

“As women, we take care of everyone in our lives: our husbands, our kids, our mothers, our fathers but we never look at ourselves,” said Banks. “So, this little film is about a super mom who takes care of everyone except herself and learns the lesson that she better look at herself, as well.”

Officials say one in three women suffers from heart disease, yet only one in five believes she is personally at risk.

It can be viewed on Go Red for Women’s website or their facebook page.

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October 23-29 is Lead Poisoning Prevention Week in Illinois

Submitted by James Long, Digital Content Producer

Friday, October 21st, 2011, 10:40am

October 23-29 is Lead Poisoning Prevention Week in Illinois

SPRINGFIELD, IL (KFVS) – Health officials in Illinois have announced that the week of October 23-29 is Lead Poisoning Prevention Week.

According to Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), Illinois has one the highest numbers of lead poisoning cases in the nation.

In observing Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, IDPH officials say they are working to raise awareness about the importance of testing children in homes for lead, and learning how to prevent exposure that can result in serious health effects.

The IDPH says around 3,300 of the state’s children had elevated blood lead levels in 2010.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said almost a quarter of a million children in the US have blood lead levels high enough to cause significant damage to their health.

According to IDPH, major sources of lead exposure among Illinois children are lead-based paint and lead-contaminated dust found in homes built before lead-based pai

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DuQuoin issues boil order

Submitted by Amber Ruch, KFVS12 County News Web Producer

Tuesday, October 18th, 2011, 2:58pm

DUQUOIN, IL (KFVS) - The city of DuQuoin has issued a boil order on Tuesday, Oct. 18.

The city says the order starts at 630 West Main Street going west on State Route 152. Also, anyone with DuQuoin Water Service, including Butternut Road.

The order continues for Kathleen Mine Road, from Rod Gun Club Road to State Route 152. Anyone with DuQuoin Water Service, including all subdivisions off of Kathleen Mine Road.

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Boil water order issued for DuQuoin

Submitted by Amber Ruch, KFVS12 County News Web Producer

Tuesday, October 11th, 2011, 3:03pm

DUQUOIN, IL (KFVS) - The city of DuQuoin issued a boil water order around 3 p.m. on Tuesday.

The city says the order is for the following locations:

Starting at 630 West Main Street, going west on State Route 152. It is also for anyone with DuQuoin Water Service, including Butternut Road.
On Kathleen Mine Road, from Rod Gun club Road to State Route 152. It includes anyone with the DuQuoin Water Service such as all subdivisions off of Kathleen Mine Road

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Free forum on co-insurance

Submitted by Alycia Dobrinick on Monday, October 10th, 11:08 am

HERRIN, IL (KFVS) – State Representative John Bradley and the Arthritis Foundation will host a community forum to discuss the rising co-insurance costs for some specialty medications.

There are several “tiers” for prescription drugs. They’re often labled “generic,” “preferred,” and “non-preferred.” The prescription drug usually has a predetermined cost associated with the tier it falls under. Now, several health plans have instituted a fourth tier or the “specialty tier.”

According to a release from John Bradley, many health plans require the patient to pay a percentage of the cost of the most expensive medications that fall under the “specialty tier.”

A forum called “Navigating the Health System & Managing Your Co-Insurance” will focus on navigating the health system to maintain access to medications that patients need.

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Ill. EPA awarding solid waste enforcement grants

Submitted by Amber Ruch, KFVS12 County News Web Producer

Wednesday, October 5th, 2011, 10:35am

Ill. EPA awarding solid waste enforcement grants

PERRY COUNTY, IL (KFVS) - The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency interim director Lisa Bonnett announced that 19 grants will be awarded to local governments across the state including in Jackson County.

According to the Illinois EPA, Perry County will receive a grant award worth $36,168, with a total budget of $67,554.

The EPA says the grants will be used make inspections at permitted pollution control facilities, such as landfills, and to investigate citizen complaints about illegal dumping.

To be eligible for the solid waste enforcement grant, local governments have to go into delegation agreements with the Illinois EPA, in which they agree to hire and train landfill inspectors under the state's certification requirements.

“Local government officials are more familiar with their communities, and can respond to complaints in a timely manner,” said Bonnett. “This partnership benefits the public and the Agency.”

Othe

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Free health screenings for women

Submitted by Amber Ruch, KFVS12 County News Web Producer

Sunday, October 2nd, 2011, 12:00pm

(KFVS) - In support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Sam's Club announced they will be offering free women's health screenings.

On Saturday, Oct. 8 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., every Sam's Club Pharmacy will be offering all women, members and non-members, free and simple tests that check thyroid health.

“The estimated number of people with undiagnosed thyroid disease may be 10 percent. For women, the risk is even higher. A woman faces as high as a one in five chance of developing thyroid problems during her lifetime, and that risk increases with age and for those with a family history of thyroid problems,” said Jill Turner-Mitchael, senior vice president, Sam’s Club Health and Wellness. “Our free thyroid screenings are a quick and easy way for women to make sure their bodies are functioning and will continue to function in a healthy way.”

The free screenings will include a TSH test, blood pressure and BMI tests.

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