Health Briefs
By Kacie Schumann, Health Promotion Coordinator, kacie.schumann@cityofames.org.
Starting This Month: Healthy4Life
Don’t forget – the Healthy4Life program starts this month! It’s not too late to get signed up. If you are interested in registering for the program, contact Kacie Schumann at kacie.schumann@cityofames.org or 515-239-5354 to get started.
Check out the program’s promotional video here!: https://youtu.be/ynZyWnmcN3c
Employee Health Screenings
Stay proactive about your health with our annual, comprehensive health screening! All employees in benefits-eligible statuses (even if not currently enrolled in health insurance) may attend, as well as any insured spouses or adult dependents.
The screening will include a comprehensive blood panel (with additional blood tests available for optional purchase), a blood pressure assessment, height, weight, and waist circumference measurement, and a BMI calculation. You do not have to complete all components of the screening to attend.
Why get a screening?
- It’s good to check in and find out what your numbers (blood pressure, lipid levels, etc) are. Even if you’ve been to the doctor recently, it helps to have multiple data points throughout the year. Additionally, even if you are young and healthy, it’s good to know what your numbers are so you can track them as you age.
- It’s FREE to you, cheaper to our health insurance plan, and quicker/more convenient than going to the doctor!
- You can get it done before, during, or after work – you choose! (Just check in with your supervisor before getting it done during work hours, to make sure it won’t interfere with your department’s services)
- There will be snacks, the chance to win a prize, and Healthy4Life credit (if you’re in the program)!
For schedule and registration, click here. Hope to see you there!
What's the Deal with Ticks This Year?
You might have heard in the news or on social media that ticks are particularly bad this year. In fact, the CDC’s tracking system shows that weekly rates of ER visits for tick bites are the highest since 2017. Why is this year so bad?
According to Dr. Jim Fredericks, chief entomologist with the National Pest Management Association, milder winters have allowed greater proportions of tick populations to survive the winter season. Additionally, there has been a surge in the populations of host animals, such as mice, rabbits, and deer. This combination has allowed tick populations to increase and expand into additional areas.
How can I prevent tick bites?
- Try to avoid areas where ticks live. They typically live in tall grasses or in forested areas with leafy underbrush. If you’re going for a hike, stay in the middle of the path and avoid brushing up against the plant life.
- Treat clothing with 0.5% permethrin.
- Wear long sleeves, long pants, and tuck clothing in (tuck your shirt into your pants, and pants into socks).
- Use an EPA-registered insect repellent with DEET.
- After you come inside, check your clothing, body, and pets for ticks. Wash clothing on hot, and shower as soon as possible after coming inside.
What if I do find a tick on me?
Remove the tick as soon as possible. Use fine tipped tweezers, grab the tick as close as you can to your skin, and pull straight upward. Do not twist, use Vaseline, or hold a match to it. This may cause the tick to release infected fluid into your skin.
If you want the tick identified, you can send it to Iowa State’s Medical Entomology Laboratory. However, they do not test ticks for pathogens. According to Polk County Public Health, the private laboratories that conduct tick testing are not very accurate, as they are not required to have a high standard of quality control. If you are going to dispose of the tick, you can flush it down a toilet, or wrap it tightly in tape or a sealed container.
Monitor yourself for symptoms over the next few weeks, including fever, rash, fatigue, or joint aches. If you notice any of these things, contact your healthcare provider and let them know you experienced a tick bite recently.
Sources:
Polk County Public Health
USA Today: Why this tick season could be the worst in a decade
Your Local Epidemiologist
PBS News: Why tick season is worse than usual and how to protect yourself
Healthy Recipe: Chicken with Peach and Avocado Salsa
Ingredients
- 1 medium peach, peeled and chopped
- 1 medium ripe avocado, peeled and cubed
- 1/2 cup chopped sweet red pepper
- 3 tablespoons finely chopped red onion
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh basil
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon grated lime zest
- 3/4 teaspoon salt, divided
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper, divided
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves (6 ounces each)
Instructions
- For salsa, in a small bowl, combine peach, avocado, red pepper, onion, basil, lime juice, hot pepper sauce, lime zest, 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.
- Sprinkle chicken with remaining 1/2 tsp. salt and 1/4 tsp. pepper. On a lightly greased grill rack, grill chicken, covered, over medium heat 5 minutes. Turn; grill until a thermometer reads 165°, 7-9 minutes longer. Serve with salsa.
Chicken with Peach-Avocado Salsa Recipe: How to Make It