Glendale Town Adopts Outdoor Smoking Ordinance

GLENDALE, UT – The Southwest Utah Public Health Department (SWUPHD) is announcing that the Glendale town council recently passed an outdoor smoking ordinance which restricts tobacco use on county property,  including the town park and cemetery. Glendale Town joins over 60 other counties and cities in Utah that have adopted outdoor smoking policies.

Research shows that public tobacco policies play a part in discouraging youth from beginning to smoke. “Creating a healthy environment through consistent messaging at home, school, the work place and the community is key for our youth, because 90% of adult smokers start on or before the age of 18," says Lexie Little, SWUPHD Community Outreach Specialist. "Coupled with the fact that nearly 80% of adult smokers want to quit, it makes sense to help kids avoid smoking in the first place."

Despite significant declines the past few decades, tobacco use remains a public health challenge.

Smoking continues to be the #1 preventable killer in the United States, taking 480,000 lives annually. Nearly 50,000 of those premature deaths are linked to exposure to secondhand smoke. About half of all Utahns are exposed to secondhand smoke in outdoor settings on a weekly basis.

For more information on the new Glendale Town ordinance, visit www.glendaletown.com.  For adults and youth wanting to quit smoking, free cessation services can be found by visiting www.waytoquit.org or calling 1-800-QUIT-NOW.

Hepatitis A Case Identified in Iron County

CEDAR CITY, UT  - The Southwest Utah Public Health Department (SWUPHD) has received confirmation that a food handler working at a restaurant in Iron County has tested positive for hepatitis A. 

The health department is seeking to alert customers who ate at the Pizza Cart in Cedar City from April 29th through June 1st, as they may have been exposed to hepatitis A.

• Anyone previously vaccinated for hepatitis A is protected from infection.

• Unvaccinated customers who ate at the restaurant from May 19th through June 1st should be treated with a hepatitis A vaccination (and immune globulin, depending on age). Treatment is available at the SWUPHD (see Cedar City location and office hours below) or your healthcare provider. People who visited the restaurant outside of these dates do not need preventive treatment. Contact the health department at 435-865-5148 for more information.

• Customers who ate at the restaurant from April 29th through June 1st should contact their doctor or healthcare provider if they develop symptoms of hepatitis A; including jaundice (yellowing of the eyes and skin), fatigue, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and fever.

There are no other confirmed hepatitis A cases related to the Pizza Cart restaurant, which remains open for business. This location has a record of very good restaurant inspection scores and management is cooperating fully with the investigation. 

The best way to prevent hepatitis A is to get vaccinated. Vaccinations are available at the SWUPHD Cedar City office, located at 260 East DL Sargent Drive. No appointment is needed, but please allow at least 30 minutes for your visit.

HOURS:

Monday, Wednesday, & Thursday:
7:30 am - 5:30 pm

Tuesday:
1:00 pm - 5:30 pm

Friday:

8:00 am - 5:00 pm

PLEASE BRING YOUR IMMUNIZATION RECORDS, PICTURE ID, AND INSURANCE CARD. If not covered by insurance, cost is $75 (ages 19+) or $50 (ages 18 and under).

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Beaver County Adopts Outdoor Smoking Ordinance

BEAVER, UT – The Beaver County Commission recently passed an outdoor smoking ordinance restricting tobacco use on county property to at least 100 feet away from a public building entrance. Beaver County joins over 60 other counties and cities in Utah that have adopted outdoor smoking policies.

"I am pleased that the county is encouraging and supporting these tobacco-free zones," says Tammy Pearson, Beaver County Commissioner.  "This will keep our public areas clean, prevent exposure to secondhand smoke, and reinforce the message to our children that tobacco use is a health risk to everyone."

Research shows that public tobacco policies play a part in discouraging youth from beginning to smoke when the community supports healthy environmental norms. “Creating a healthy environment through consistent messaging at home, school, the work place and the public is key for our youth because 90% of adult smokers start on or before the age of 18," says Clint Albrecht, Health Educator for the Southwest Utah Public Health Department (SWUPHD).  Coupled with the fact that nearly 80% of adult smokers want to quit, it makes sense to help kids avoid smoking in the first place.

Despite significant declines the past few decades, tobacco use remains a public health challenge.  Smoking continues to be the #1 preventable killer in our country, taking 480,000 lives annually.  Nearly 50,000 of those premature deaths are linked to exposure to secondhand smoke. About half of all Utahns are exposed to secondhand smoke in outdoor settings on a weekly basis.  

For more information on the new Beaver County ordinance, visit www.beaver.utah.gov.  For adults and youth wanting to quit smoking, cessation services can be found at www.waytoquit.org, 1-800-QUIT-NOW , or the SWUPHD website (www.swuhealth.org).

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Health Dept. Offering Diabetes Class, Mobile Clinics

KANAB, UT – The Southwest Utah Public Health Department (SWUPHD) will be offering a free diabetes management course for residents of Kane County, consisting of nine one-hour classes designed  to help people with diabetes successfully meet the challenges of this disease. Spouses are welcome.

The first class meets on Wednesday, May 13th (7:00pm) at the health department (445 N. Main, Kanab). Register by calling Lori McGuire, RN (435-644-2537).

The SWUPHD has also released a schedule for its annual mobile clinic, a program which provides public health services to residents of outlying towns in Kane County. Free services include health education and presentations, blood pressure checks, body mass/composition, glucose, hemoglobin (iron), Tdap (whooping cough) vaccine for uninsured adults age 19+, and follow up visits for WIC clients.

A variety of vaccinations will also be offered at no charge with many insurances, or self-pay, or discounted at $20.50 per vaccine for uninsured children. Birth certificates can be printed at $20/copy, death certificates for $18.

CLINIC SCHEDULE:
Bullfrog: Wednesday, April 29, 6pm @ Lake Powell School, FREE BBQ

          (No WIC services available at this event)

Alton: 1st Wednesday of every month, 4-5:30pm @ LDS Church

          May 6th: FREE BBQ

Big Water: 2nd Tuesday of every month, 3-4:30pm @ Town Hall

          May 12: FREE BBQ

Orderville: 3rd Wednesday of every month, 4:30-6pm @LDS Church

          May 20: FREE BBQ

Duck Creek: 1st Wednesday of every month, 2-3:30pm @ Dance Hall

          June 3: FREE BBQ

Call 435-644-2537 with any questions

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