Mold-How to Protect Your Family After a Flood

After natural disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes, and floods, excess moisture and standing water contribute to the growth of mold in homes and other buildings. When returning to a home that has been flooded, be aware that mold may be present and may be a health risk for your family.

The statement above is the first paragraph in a Center for Disease’s Fact Sheet on Mold. It is important that you protect yourself and your family from the damage mold can do not only to your home but to your body. The last couple of days New Jersey has seen a lot of flood activity.  But this information is relevant to anyone who has experianced flooding in their home.

In addition, this excellent fact sheet tells you who is at greater risk for mold exposure. It also provides links to other resources of vital importance. So, please take time to read the articles below.

Fact Sheet from CDC

Get Rid of Mold

This 2-page flyer contains pictures and easy to read information that can be shared with everyone. Below is the same information in Spanish.

Get Rid of Mold-Spanish

What to do if your heating or air-conditioning system was under water

Re-entering your flooded home

So, take a few minutes to read  and share these  publications regarding mold prevention and how to get rid of existing mold. We Just want you to Be in the KNOW!

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.

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 NORD?

NORD is the National Organization of Rare Diseases.  

The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD), a 501(c)3 organization, is a unique federation of voluntary health organizations dedicated to helping people with rare “orphan” diseases and assisting the organizations that serve them. NORD is committed to the identification, treatment, and cure of rare disorders through programs of education, advocacy, research, and service.

NORD provides information about diseases, referrals to patient organizations, research grants and fellowships, advocacy for the rare-disease community, and Medication Assistance Programs that help needy patients obtain certain drugs they could not otherwise afford.

We want you to Be In The Know!

Perinatal Substance Use in New Jersey

Mark your calendars for February 17, 2010.  An exciting and informative conference, Perinatal Substance Use in New Jersey, Use of the 4P’s Plus Screening Tool, will take place at the Trenton Marriot in Trenton, NJ.

Prenatal Screening for Substance Abuse Conference in New Jersey

How many New Jersey women use substances while pregnant?   Attend an informative conference that will give you valuable insight into current outreach and screening efforts in our state.  This important event will be held on February 17th, at the Marriott Hotel in Trenton.  Get all the details here.    You can register on-line.

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