Substance Use, Mood Disorders, and Reproductive Health-Challenges in Perinatal Health

It is not too late to sign up for the Conference-Challenges in Perinatal Health, April 15, 1010 in New Jersey. Take a few minutes now to review the details and register for this dynamic conference.

Issues related to reproductive health, mood disorders, and substance use will be reviewed. This conference is a must for health professionals to help them to further identify these issues related to their clients.

In addition, there are other insightful and informational seminars that will be conducted by the Southern New Jersey Perinatal Cooperative. Review and consider attending or sending staff.

On and Off the Ice: Learn to Prevent, Recognize, and Respond to Concussions

CDC has recently teamed up with USA Hockey to develop the Heads Up: Concussion in Hockey initiative to offer information about concussions to coaches, parents, and athletes involved in youth sports.

This educational campaign is an expansion of CDC’s Heads Up: Concussion in High School and Heads Up: Concussion in Youth Sports initiatives.  These initiatives include materials and information for coaches of all sports to help identify concussions and take immediate steps to respond when one is suspected.

* Check with your league or school about concussion policies.
* Insist that safety comes first.
* Learn more about concussion and review the signs and symptoms.
* Keep the four-step action plan with you at games and practices.

Landlords and Home Owners-Protect Your Tenents and Family From Lead Poisoning

New Jersey home owners and landlords can protect their tenants and families from lead poisoning. Take a few minutes to read the following announcement and consider taking the course that can empower you today!

PROTECT YOUR TENANTS – LIMIT YOUR LIABILITY – COMPLY WITH THE LAW

The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, in cooperation with the Center for Government Services – Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, will be offering Lead Ready Renovation and Maintenance (LRRM) seminars to assist renovation contractors, property owners and maintenance staff in meeting the training requirements of both the State of New Jersey and the US EPA. The Seminars are comprised of three certification programs: EPA Certified Renovator, EPA Certified Lead Dust Wipe Technician and NJ Department of Community Affairs (DCA) Regulations Certificate Program.
EPA’s Renovation, Repair, and Painting Final Rule (40 CFR 745) requires that beginning April 22, 2010, non-exempt renovations conducted for compensation in target housing and child occupied facilities, must be performed by Certified Firms using Certified Renovators. Target housing is defined as housing constructed prior to 1978 which contains one bedroom or larger. Renovation firms and maintenance workers that wish to work in target housing or child-occupied facilities must apply to EPA and pay a fee in order to become certified. Individuals seeking to become Certified Renovators must successfully complete an EPA-accredited renovator course.

In addition, since 2005, New Jersey has required renovators and maintenance workers performing work on all pre-1978 multiple dwellings or shelters housing women and children or rooming and boarding homes housing women and children perform such work using workers trained in lead-safe work practices and applicable NJ regulations. Failure to use properly trained individuals to perform work on pre-1978 multi-family rental housing will be a violation of N.J.A.C. 5:10-6.6(g) and may result in monetary penalties.

For a limited time only, the Department of Community Affairs will sponsor this training and offer the course at a reduced rate of $50 per student. Click here for questions about New Jersey regulations. Also click here  and for more information on the EPA Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule

See the 2010 Spring Course Schedule – Seminar Registration Form for course numbers, times and locations

Here are directions to the course locations .

For questions regarding the training, please call Rutgers University at 732-932-3640 x 641.

Injury — A Lifestyle Problem

Injuries kill more Americans in their first 3 decades of life than any other cause of death. In fact, injuries—both unintentional and those caused by acts of violence—are among the top 10 killers for Americans of all ages.

Patients are not as educated on how to lower injury risks as they are on how to lower cancer or heart disease risks.

A new special issue of the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, entitled Injury Prevention: A Medical and Public Health Imperative (January 2010) addresses the topic of unintentional injury prevention as a lifestyle problem. Staff from CDC’s Injury Center served as guest editors and contributors.

CDC’s Injury Center has a limited number of hard copies available (one per person). For free copies, please contact David Sleet, PhD, at dds6@cdc.gov.

Learn More at:

Ten Leading Causes of Death and Injury

CDC Injury Research Agenda

Adding Power to Our Voices: Framing Guide for Communicating About Injury

An Important Message from the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA)

The US Food and Drug Administration FDA advises consumers to be wary of
so-called “chelation therapy” capsules, tablets, or suppositories
marketed over-the-counter (OTC) that are promoted for home use to
prevent or treat diseases. Various forms of “chelation” therapies are
purported to cleanse the body of chemicals (such as mercury-containing
chemicals) or to improve the cardiovascular system. “Chelation” has been
proposed as a treatment for autism or hardening of the arteries; and for
many other serious conditions.
Many of these products are promoted on the internet.
FDA has never approved any marketing application for a nonprescription
oral or rectal chelation product. Such products have not been studied in
adequate and well-controlled clinical trials, and clinical data
sufficient to support either the safety or efficacy of drugs used for
these “chelation” purposes has not been reviewed by FDA. These products
are illegally marketed and have not been subject to the rigorous
manufacturing scrutiny required for FDA-approved products. FDA is
concerned about the potential direct health risks posed by these
products because of the lack of safety information, and because serious
side effects can occur when a “chelation” product is used without the
oversight of a licensed health-care professional. The products also pose
serious indirect health risks to patients using these products that may
be foregoing effective conventional medical treatment.

Families of children and adults with autism spectrum disorders are
encouraged to speak to their health-care professional about treatment
options, including pursing new therapies with clinical investigators
engaged in research monitored under an Institutional Review Board
approved Investigational New Drug application, to make sure the risks
are as low as possible and are worth any potential benefits.

Children Don’t Have Strokes? Do They?

An article appearing in the Health section of the January 19, 2010 NY Times tells a story of 7 year boy who had a stroke.  According to the article, children do have strokes and at higher rates than you might expect.

Do You Know About the New Publication on Alcohol Taxation from the Guide to Community Preventive Services?

There is a new publication that discusses the issues surrounding  alcohol taxation. It is titled “The Guide to Community Preventive Services.” Take a few minutes and review when you have a chance.

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