Health & Wellness

ALLIANCE ^for RETIRED AMERICANS

Health Reform Bill

PROVISIONS effective in 6 months (2010)

• Provides $250 rebate for Medicare beneficiaries who fall in the doughnut hole in 2010 (50% discount on drugs goes into effect in 2011 for individuals in the doughnut hole)
• In 2011, seniors in Medicare will receive free annual check-ups and will not have to pay a co-payment for mammograms, colonoscopies and other preventative screenings.
• Creates a $5 Billion reinsurance fund to help employers who provide health benefits to early retirees ages 55 to 64 ( goes into effect in 90 days).
• Eliminates pre- existing conditions for non- dependent children up to age 26.
• Prohibits insurers from placing lifetime limits on coverage.
• Restricts new plan's use of annual limits on coverage .
• Prohibits rescission or dropping coverage when individuals became sick.
• Provides $ 5 Billion to states to create high risk insurance pool for individuals denied insurance due to pre- existing conditions and have been without insurance for six months (goes into effect in 90 days).
• Creates a public Health and wellness fund and requires new private insurance plans to offer preventive services without co- payments.
• Provides up to a 35% tax credits to a small business that offer health care coverage to their employees.
• Creates new and independent appeal process by which consumers can appeal decisions by their health insurance plans.
• By 2011, requires plans in the individual and small group market to spend 80% of premium dollars on medical services, and plans in the large group market to spend the 85%.

HEALTH REFORM BILL

PROVISIONS EFFECTIVE IN (2014)

• Requires payment to primary care physicians under Medicaid to be 100% of Medicare rates (begins in 2013).
• Eliminates pre- existing conditions for all.
• Prohibits annual limits on coverage on all plans .
• Provides up to a 50% tax credit to small business that provide insurance to their employees through the exchange.
• Creates state insurance exchange where unisured individuals and small employers can purchase insurance.
• Provide subsides for individuals with incomes up to 400% of federal poverty level ($88,000 for a family of four to purchase insurance)
• Expands Medicaid to cover indivduals under 65 up to 133% of federal poverty level ( $29,326 for family of four)

" Child Find" Offers Free Developemental

 Screenings Citywide

Monthly screenings at 12 locations for children birth through five years of age.

CHICAGO -  The Chicago Public Schools is offering free developmental screenings to childen birth through five years of age. The screenings are offered monthly at 12 locations citywide.

The"Child Find" screening program provides valid developmental screening and informs parents of their child's development. Infants, toddlers and young children identified through the screening may have conditions that can result in later learning and/ or behavioral problems. the 20- minute screening assesses vision, hearing, cognitive, communication and motor skills.

Screenings are held monthly at sites across the city on the same day every month. Screenings that fall on a day when schools are closed will not be rescheduled. Contact the number below for a screening site near you.

The Chicago Public Schools, Office of Specialized Services, Program Development Early Childhood administers the screenings. For additional information, contact 773-553-1900.

For more information contact:

Angela Higginbotham

CPS Office of Specialized Services

 Telephone : 773-553-1900

 Tele fax: 773-553-1851

TTY/TTD: 773-553-1917

PROTECT YOUR CHILD FROM LEAD  POISONING

 LEAD POISONING - is caused by swallowing or inhaling lead.

 LEAD PAINT IS THE MAJOR SOURCE OF LEAD POISONING.

 it's often found in houses built before 1978. Chipped or pealing lead paint may be swallowed. Lead dust- created when painted surfaces, such as window frames, rub against each other- may be swallowed or inhaled.

OTHER SOURCES INCLUDE CONTAMINATED:

• Soil- by lead paint or leaded gasoline
• Water- by lead from old plumbing
• Air- by lead dust or lead- processing plants
• Food- by lead dust, poorly- glazed pottery, lead crystal or imported (not U.S) cans with lead seams.
• Lead can come from other items, too- herbal remedies, cosmetics and fishing weights. Some jobs and hobbies can involve lead.

YOUNG CHILDREN FACE THE GREATEST RISK.

Their bodies absorb lead easily. They may put things into their mouths.

• Low levels of lead can cause permanent damage in children. This may affect their growth and mental abilities, making learning and concentration difficult.
• Very high lead levels may cause coma, convulsions and death.

MOST CHILDREN SHOW NO SYMPTOMS.

Warning signs of lead poisoning may include:

• Stomach pain, constipation, frequent vomiting or poor apetite
• Sleep problems, irritability, tiredness or headache
• Clumsiness, weakness or loss of recently learned skills.

 Consult your health- care provider if you notice any of these signs. They're easily mistaken for illnesses like the flu.

 There is a test for lead poisoning. A small blood sample is all it takes.

The best way to detect lead poisoning is regular lead screenings.

In general, all high-risk children need lead screening.

State or local health officials may consider a child at high risk if he or she:

• Lives in an area that has a high number of homes built before 1950.
•  Lives in or regularly visits a home built before 1978 that has recently had remodeling.
• Has had a brother or sister with lead problems.

State or local officials may have other screening guidlines.

Find a lead screening location.

These may include health clinics, health-care providers, public health department, WIC offices (Women, infants and Children program) and child-care centers. check your phone book for a location near you.

Reduce your risk. 

Along with having your paint, water and soil tested for lead:

• KEEP YOUR HOME CLEAN
• FEED YOUR CHILD 3 HEALTHY MEALS A DAY.
• KEEP PLAY AREAS SAFE

LEARN MORE.....

Contact:

• The National Lead Information Center at 800-424-LEAD or www.epa.gov/lead
• The EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 800-426-4791
• Local resources- a health- care provider, the public health department, the housing authority or a childhood lead poisoning prevention program.

Chicago Public Schools. Office of Specialized Services

DO YOU KNOW.............

A child five years or younger who may not be developing appropriately because of difficulties with:

• seeing or hearing
• talking
• sitting, standing, walking
• thinking
• behaving appropriately

Call- 773/553-1900 or TDD/TTY 773/553-1917

FOR FREE DEVELOPMENTAL SCREENING DATES IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

The Chicago Public Schools has scheduled monthly Child Find screenings at sites throughout the city.

Children may be screened at any of the following locations.

• MCFETRIDGE PARK       3843 NORTH CALIFORNIA ,     

          LAST THURSDAY             8:30 A- 2:30 P

• JEFFERSON PARK LIBRARY . 5363 WEST LAWRENCE, 

          FIRST TUESDAY            9:00 A- 3:00 P

• HUNBOLDT PARK LIBRARY. 1605 NORTH TROY,          

         THIRD WEDNESDAY      9:00 A- 6:00 P

• WEST BELMONT LIBRARY.   3104 N. NARRAGANSETT,   

          SECOND TUESDAY       9:00 A- 3:00 P

• HARRISON PARK.         1824 SOUTH WOOD ,             

          FOURTH MONDAY         8:30 A- 2:30 P

• LEGLER LIBRARY         115 SOUTH PULASKI ,         

          FOURTH TUESDAY         9:00 A- 3:00 P

• DALEY LIBRARY              3400 SOUTH HALSTED ,       

          FIRST FRIDAY                  9:00 A- 3:00 P

• GAGE PARK                      2411 WEST 55TH STREET ,      

          FIRST TUESDAY              9:00 A- 3:00 P

• CHICAGO CHILD CARE     5467 SOUTH UNIVERSITY ,  

          FOURTH WEDNESDAY    9:00 A- 3:00 P

• CHICAGO LAWN LIBRARY  6120 SOUTH KEDZIE ,        

         SECOND WEDNESDAY    9:00 A- 3:00 P

• BESSEMER PARK           8930 SOUTH MUSKEGON ,    

         THIRD TUESDAY               9:00 A- 3:00 P

• MT. GREENWOOD LIBRARY  11010 SOUTH KEDZIE ,     

         FIRST WEDNESDAY        9:00 A- 3:00 P

HEALTH INFO 

Swine flu questions and answers

What is swine flu?

Swine influenza ( swine flu) is a respirtory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses. Outbreaks of swine flu happen regularly in pigs. People do not normally get swine flu, but human infections can and do happen. Most commonly, human cases of swine flu happen in people who are around pigs but it's possible for swine flu viruses to spread from person to person also.

Are there human infections with swine flu in the U.S.?

Cases of human infection with swine influenza A (HIN1) viruses have been confirmed in the United States. CDC and local and state health agencies are working together to investigate this situation.

Is this swine flu virus contagious?

CDC has determined that this virus is contagious and is spreading from human to human. However, at this time, it is not known how easily the virus spreads between people.

What are the signs and symptoms of swine flu in people?

The symptoms of swine flu are simular to the symptoms of regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headaches, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with swine flu in the past, severe illness (pneumonia and respirtory failure) and deaths have been reported with swine flu infection in people. Like seasonal flu, swine flu may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions.

How serious is swine flu infection?

Like seasonal flu, swine flu in humans can vary in severity from mild to severe. Between 2005 until January 2009, 12 human cases of swine flu were detected in the U.S. with no deaths occurring. However, swine flu infection can be serious. In September 1988, a previously healthy 32- year-old pregnant woman in Wisconsin was hospitalized for pneumonia after being infected with swine flu and died 8 days later. A swine flu outbreak in Fort Dix, New Jersey occured in 1976 that caused more than 200 cases with serious illness in several people and one death.

How do you catch swine flu?

Spread of swine flu can occur in two ways.

• Through contact with infected pigs or environments contaminated with swine flu viruses.
• Through contact with a person with swine flu. Human - to- human spread of swine flu has been documented also and is thought to occur in the same way as seasonal flu. Influenza is thought to spread mainly person- to -person throgh coughing or sneezing of infected people.

Are ther medicines to treat swine flu?

Yes. CDC recommends the use of oseltamivir ( Tamiflu) or zanamivir (Relenza) for the treatment and or prevention of infection with these swine influenza viruses. Antiviral drugs are prescription medicines ( pills, liquid or an inhaler) that fight against the flu by keeping flu viruses from reproducing in your body. If you get sick, antiviral drugs can make your illness milder and make you feel better faster. They may also prevent serious flu complications. For treatment , antiviral drugs work best if started soon after getting sick (within 2 days of symptoms).

How long can an infected person spread swine flu to others?

People with swine influenza virus infection should be considered potentially contagious as long as they are symptomatic and possible for up to 7 days following illness onset. Children, especially younger children, might potentially be contagious for longer periods.

What can I do to protect myself from getting sick?

There is no vaccine available right now to protect against swine flu. There are everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of germs that causes respirtory illinesses like influenza. Take these everyday steps to protect your health:

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue  when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough and sneeze. Alcohol- based hand cleansers are also effective.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
• If you get sick with influenza, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.

What should I do if I get sick?

If you are sick you should stay home and avoid contact with other people as much as possible to keep from spreading your illness to others.

If you become ill and experience any of the following warning signs, seek emergency medical care.

In children emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:

• Fast breathing or trouble breathing
• Blush skin color
• Not drinking enough fluids
• Not waking up or not interacting
• Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
• Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
• Fever with a rash

In adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:

• difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
• Sudden dizziness
• Confusion
• Severe or persistent vomiting

Can I get swine influenza from eating or preparing pork?

No. Swine influenza viruses are not spread by food. You cannot get swine influenza from eating pork or pork products. Eating properly handled and cooked pork products is safe.

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