One out of five people living with HIV are unaware of their HIV status, according to the latest CDC estimate. To hear stories from those who have been tested, head over to blog.AIDS.gov, which has collected stories gathered by organizations like the National Association of People Living with AIDS, POZ, Southern AIDS Living Quilt, The Positive Project, and others.
To find HIV testing sites near you, send a text message with your ZIP code to “KNOWIT” (566948) or visit www.HIVtest.org. After the jump, a list of 34 FREE HIV testing centers in Chicago, all found with a simple search on www.HIVtest.org. (more…)
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Every day, millions of children are impacted by the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) food packages. WIC allows States to use Federal grants for supplemental foods, health care referrals, and nutrition education for low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and non-breastfeeding postpartum women, and to infants and children up to age five who are found to be at nutritional risk. The WIC programs have been shown to improve educational achievement, nutrition, and overall health.
The WIC food packages were revised in late 2007, in alignment with the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans and infant feeding practice guidelines of the American Academy of Pediatrics. The revisions intend to improve and strengthen the programs so they are better able to meet the needs of the nation’s children. For more information about the interim rule and to read the full text, please click here.
In 2009, Congress will review these revisions. There is an opportunity to submit your comments and suggestions to how you think these programs should be revised and improved.
To submit comments, please go to www.regulations.gov and type “WIC” in the search bar. Check off the box “Select to find documents accepting comments and submissions.” Provisions must be submitted by August 5, 2009.
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Tagged: american academy of pediatrics, breastfeeding, children, congress, diet, education, food, health, health care, infants, motherhood, nutrition, pregnancy, women
Good health habits can stop spreading germs
The single best way to prevent seasonal flu is to get vaccinated each year, but good health habits like covering your cough and washing your hands often can help stop the spread of germs and prevent respiratory illnesses like the flu. There also are flu antiviral drugs that can be used to treat those seriously ill with the flu and prevent flu in those high at risk. Below are some more additional tips on preventing the flu:
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.
- Clean your hands – washing your hands often will help protect you from germs.
- Practice other good health habits.
- Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food.
This information is available on the CDC website.
FOR THE BUILDING MAINTENANCE
Overall building maintenance can also contribute to spreading bacteria and germs. It is always important to maintain high standards for maintaining the office environment, and it becomes crucial during a time when everyone is on high alert.
Review your cleaning procedures. Take a look at the cleaning procedures used in your office. You may want to increase the frequency of cleaning of high touch, high traffic areas like bathrooms and break rooms. (more…)
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Tagged: bacteria, cdc, cleaning, fitness, flu, germs, health, health habits, illness, influenza, nutrition, office, physical activity, seasonal flu, sickness, sleep, stress, vaccination, virus
