Story Ideas - 2014

Protect the Ones You Love: Road Traffic Injuries

We all want to keep our children safe and secure and help them live to their full potential. Knowing how to prevent leading causes of child injury, like road traffic injuries, is a step toward this goal. Every hour, more than 100 children between ages 0 and 19 are treated in emergency departments for injuries sustained in motor vehicle crashes. More children ages 5 to 19 die from crash-related injuries than from any other type of injury. Thankfully, parents can play a key role in protecting the children they love from road traffic injuries.

One of the best protective measures you can take is buckling children in car seats, booster seats, and seat belts that are appropriate for their age, height, and weight.

Know the Stages:

• Birth up to Age 2 – Rear-facing car seat. For the best possible protection, infants and children should be buckled in a rear-facing car seat, in the back seat, until age 2 or when they reach the upper weight or height limit of their seat.
• Age 2 up to at least Age 5 – Forward-facing car seat. When children outgrow their rear-facing seat they should be buckled in a forward-facing car seat, in the back seat, until at least age 5 or when they reach the upper weight or height limit of their seat.
• Age 5 up until seat belts fit properly – Booster seat. Once children outgrow their forward-facing seat they should be buckled in a belt positioning booster seats until seat belts fit properly. Seat belts fit properly when the lap belt lays across the upper thighs (not the stomach) and the shoulder belt lays across the chest (not the neck). Remember to keep children properly buckled in the back seat for the best possible protection.
• Once Seat Belts Fit Properly – Children no longer need to use a booster seat once seat belts fit them properly. Seat belts fit properly when the lap belt lays across the upper thighs (not the stomach) and the shoulder belt lays across the chest (not the neck). For the best possible protection keep children 12 and under properly buckled in the back seat.
• Back Seat is Safest. All children aged 12 and under should be properly buckled in the back seat. Airbags can kill young children riding in the front seat. Never place a rear-facing car seat in front of an air bag. Buckle children in the middle of the back seat when possible, because it is the safest spot in the vehicle.

Additional Resources

• http://www.cdc.gov/features/passengersafety/
• http://www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns/childpassengersafety/
• Safe Kids In and Around Cars
• Safe Kids: Child Passenger Safety certification program
• Safe Kids Walk This Way: Pedestrian safety program
• Safe Routes to School: Local Efforts
• Safe Routes to School: Program Resources

 Back to Top

Depression among women, what you should know?

Many women experience depression including pregnant women, postpartum women, and women who are not pregnant. Depression has symptoms, just like other illnesses, including—

• A low or sad mood.
• Loss of interest in fun activities.
• Changes in eating, sleep, and energy.
• Problems in thinking, concentrating, and making decisions.
• Feelings of worthlessness, shame, or guilt.
• Thoughts that life is not worth living.

When many of these symptoms occur together and last for more than a week or two at a time, this is depression.

The symptoms of postpartum depression are similar to symptoms for depression, but they also include—

• Trouble sleeping when your baby sleeps (more than the lack of sleep new moms usually get).
• Feeling numb or disconnected from your baby.
• Having scary or negative thoughts about the baby, like thinking someone will take your baby away or hurt your baby.
• Worrying that you will hurt the baby.
• Feeling guilty about not being a good mom, or ashamed that you cannot care for your baby.

According to a CDC survey, 8 to 19% of women reported having frequent postpartum depressive symptoms.

You may have heard of postpartum depression (PPD), but many women don’t know that depression can occur during pregnancy or with other events, such as losing a baby or having trouble getting pregnant.

There are effective treatments for depression that may include medication or talking with a trained therapist. The best way to deal with depression is to see a doctor or a counselor. The earlier you seek help, the better you may do.

For more information

• Depression Among Women of Reproductive Age
• Treatments for depression
• Depression and treatment among U.S. pregnant and nonpregnant women of reproductive age, 2005–2009
• Incidence of Maternal and Paternal Depression in Primary Care A Cohort Study Using a Primary Care Database

 Back to Top

Five Important Reasons to Vaccinate Your Child

National Immunization Awareness Month is a reminder that we all need vaccines throughout our lives.

You want to do what is best for your children. You know about the importance of car seats, baby gates and other ways to keep them safe. But, did you know that one of the best ways to protect your children is to make sure they have all of their vaccinations?

Immunizations can save your child’s life. Because of advances in medical science, your child can be protected against more diseases than ever before. Some diseases that once injured or killed thousands of children, are no longer common in the U.S. – primarily due to safe and effective vaccines. Polio is one example of the great impact that vaccines have in the United States. Polio was once America’s most-feared disease, causing death and paralysis across the country, but today, thanks to vaccination, there are no reports of polio in the United States.

Vaccination is very safe and effective. Vaccines are only given to children after a long and careful review by scientists, doctors, and health care professionals. Vaccines will involve some discomfort and may cause pain, redness, or tenderness at the site of injection, but this is minimal compared to the pain, discomfort, and trauma of the diseases these vaccines prevent. Serious side effects following vaccination, such as severe allergic reaction, are very rare. The disease-prevention benefits of getting vaccines are much greater than the possible side effects for almost all children.

Immunization protects others you care about. Children in the U.S. still get vaccine-preventable diseases. In fact, we have seen resurgences of measles and whooping cough (pertussis) over the past few years. For example, more than 48,000 cases of whooping cough were reported in the U. S. in 2012. During this time, 20 deaths were reported—the majority of these deaths were in children younger than 3 months of age. Unfortunately, some babies are too young to be completely vaccinated and some people may not be able to receive certain vaccinations due to severe allergies, weakened immune systems from conditions like leukemia, or other reasons. To help keep them safe, it is important that you and your children who are able to get vaccinated are fully immunized. This not only protects your family, but also helps prevent the spread of these diseases to your friends and loved ones.

Immunizations can save your family time and money. A child with a vaccine-preventable disease can be denied attendance at schools or daycare facilities. Some vaccine-preventable diseases can result in prolonged disabilities and can take a financial toll because of lost time at work, medical bills or long-term disability care. In contrast, getting vaccinated against these diseases is a good investment and usually covered by insurance or the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program, which is a federally funded program that provides vaccines at no cost to children from low-income families. To find out more about the VFC program, visit http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/programs/vfc/ or ask your child’s health care professional.

Immunization protects future generations. Vaccines have reduced and, in some cases, eliminated many diseases that killed or severely disabled people just a few generations ago. For example, smallpox vaccination eradicated that disease worldwide. Your children don’t have to get smallpox shots anymore because the disease no longer exists. By vaccinating children against rubella (German measles), the risk that pregnant women will pass this virus on to their fetus or newborn has been dramatically decreased, and birth defects associated with that virus rarely are seen in the U. S. If we continue vaccinating now, and vaccinating completely, parents in the future may be able to trust that some diseases of today will no longer be around to harm their children in the future.

For more information about the importance of infant immunization, visit http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines.

 Back to Top

National Suicide Prevention Week

Suicide is a serious public health problem that can have lasting harmful effects on individuals, families, and communities. While its causes are complex and determined by multiple factors, the goal of suicide prevention is simple: Reduce factors that increase risk and increase factors that promote resilience.

Ideally, prevention addresses all levels of influence: individual, relationship, community, and societal. Effective prevention strategies are needed to promote awareness of suicide and encourage a commitment to social change.

Suicide is a type of self-directed violence. Self-directed violence includes:

• Suicide
  Death caused by self-directed injurious behavior with any intent to die as a result of the behavior.
• Suicide attempt
  A non-fatal self-directed potentially injurious behavior with any intent to die as a result of the behavior. A suicide attempt may or may not result in injury.
• Suicidal ideation
  Thinking about, considering, or planning for suicide.

Most people are uncomfortable with the topic of suicide. Too often, victims are blamed, and their families and friends are left stigmatized. As a result, people do not communicate openly about suicide. An important public health problem is left shrouded in secrecy.

The good news is that research over the last several decades has uncovered a wealth of information on the causes of suicide and on prevention strategies. Additionally, CDC is working to monitor the problem and develop programs to prevent youth suicide.

For More Information:

• Division of Violence Prevention
  CDC's Division of Violence Prevention is committed to stopping violence, including suicide, before it begins.
• National Strategy for Suicide Prevention (Department of Health and Human Services)
  This revised national strategy emphasizes the role every American can play in protecting their friends, family members, and colleagues from suicide. It also provides guidance for schools, businesses, health systems, clinicians and many other sectors that takes into account nearly a decade of research and other advancements in the field since the last strategy was published.
• Strategic Direction for the Prevention of Suicidal Behavior: Promoting Individual, Family, and Community Connectedness to Prevent Suicidal Behavior[PDF 507KB]
  This document describes a five-year vision for the CDC’s work to prevent fatal and nonfatal suicidal behavior. Our key strategy is promoting individual, family, and community connectedness.
• State Suicide Prevention Planning: A CDC Research Brief; Atlanta, GA[PDF 4MB]
  This document summarizes the results of a CDC research study conducted to describe the key ingredients of successful state-based suicide prevention planning.
• Suicide Among Adults, Aged 35-64 — United States, 1999-2010[PDF 875KB]
  This report shows that, from 1999 to 2010, the suicide rate for middle-aged Americans increased 28%. Findings emphasize the importance of prevention efforts in this age group.
• Preventing Suicide: A Global Initiative
  The World Health Organization’s first global report on suicide serves as a building block for developing and implementing comprehensive suicide prevention strategies worldwide.
• Reporting on Suicide (American Foundation for Suicide Prevention)
  A group of international suicide prevention organizations, public health organizations, and internet safety experts have collaborated with working journalists, news organizations, and schools of journalism to develop a set of recommendations for reporting on suicide.

 Back to Top

October Is Protecting Your Hearing Month

Occupational hearing loss is one of the most common work-related illnesses in the United States.  Approximately 22 million U.S. workers are exposed to hazardous noise levels at work, and an additional 9 million are at risk for hearing loss from other agents such as solvents and metals. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and the occupational safety and health community named hearing loss one of the 21 priority areas for research in the next century.

An estimated $242 million is spent annually on worker’s compensation for hearing loss disability.  Ten million people in the U.S. have a noise-related hearing loss. While any worker can be at risk for noise-induced hearing loss in the workplace, workers in many industries have higher exposures to dangerous levels of noise. Industries with high numbers of exposed workers include: agriculture; mining; construction; manufacturing and utilities; transportation; and military.

Noise-induced hearing loss is 100 percent preventable but once acquired, hearing loss is permanent and irreversible.  Therefore, prevention measures must be taken by employers and workers to ensure the protection of workers' hearing.

NIOSH recommends removing hazardous noise from the workplace whenever possible; it is the most effective way to prevent noise-induced hearing loss.  Hearing protectors such as ear plugs and ear muffs should be used when it is not feasible to otherwise reduce noise to a safe level.
NIOSH also recommends hearing loss prevention programs for all workplaces with hazardous levels of noise. These programs should include noise assessments, safety controls, audiometric monitoring of workers' hearing, appropriate use of hearing protectors, worker education, record keeping, and program evaluation.

Related Links:

• NIOSH Hearing Loss Prevention Program
• Hearing Conservation Tool Box
• Hearing Conservation Check List

Back to Top

How Air Pollution Can Effect You

Transportation-related pollutants are one of the largest contributors to unhealthy air quality. Exposure to traffic emissions has been linked to many adverse health effects including: exacerbation of asthma symptoms, diminished lung function, adverse birth outcomes, and childhood cancer.

• Common transportation-related air pollutants include carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and particulate matter.
• Particulate matter and ozone are known respiratory irritants that can aggravate asthma either by themselves or when combined with other environmental factors.
• Motor vehicles contribute to more than 50% of air pollution in urban areas.
• Reducing automobile trips by increasing mass transit use, carpooling, walking, and bicycling can help reduce air pollution, especially in urban areas.
• During the 1996 Summer Olympics Games in Atlanta, when peak morning traffic decreased 23 percent and peak ozone levels decreased 28%, emergency visits for asthma events in children decreased 42 percent.

For more information on respiratory health & air pollution, refer to the following resources:

• Air Pollution and Respiratory Illnesses    
• Environmental Health Services (EHS)
• Health Studies Branch (HSB)

Back to Top

Be Safe and Enjoy Winter Outdoor Activities

Many people spend time outdoors in the winter working, traveling, or enjoying winter sports. Outdoor activities can expose you to several safety hazards, but you can take these steps to prepare for them:

• Wear appropriate outdoor clothing: layers of light, warm clothing; mittens; hats; scarves; and waterproof boots.
• Sprinkle cat litter or sand on icy patches.
• Learn safety precautions to follow when outdoors.
  • Be aware of the wind chill factor.
  • Work slowly when doing outside chores.
  • Take a buddy and an emergency kit when you are participating in outdoor recreation.
  • Carry a cell phone.
• Protect your family from carbon monoxide.
  • Keep grills, camp stoves, and generators out of the house, basement and garage.
  • Locate generators at least 20 feet from the house.
  • Leave your home immediately if the CO detector sounds, and call 911.

No one can stop the onset of winter. However, if you follow these suggestions, you will be ready for it when it comes. 

For more information on protecting yourself outdoors in winter:
http://www.cdc.gov/Features/WinterWeather/index.html

Back to Top

Winter Safety Steps for Your Home

Many people prefer to remain indoors in the winter, but staying inside is no guarantee of safety. Take these steps to stay healthy and  keep your home safe and warm during the winter months.

• Winterize your home.
  • Install weather stripping, insulation, and storm windows.
  • Insulate water lines that run along exterior walls.
  • Clean out gutters and repair roof leaks.
• Check your heating systems.
  • Have your heating system serviced professionally to make sure that it is clean, working properly and ventilated to the outside.
  • Inspect and clean fireplaces and chimneys.
  • Install a smoke detector. Test batteries monthly.
  • Have a safe alternate heating source and alternate fuels available.
  • Prevent carbon monoxide (CO) emergencies.
    • Install a CO detector to alert you of the presence of the deadly, odorless, colorless gas. Check batteries regularly.
    • Learn symptoms of CO poisoning: headaches, nausea, and disorientation.
• Prepare for winter weather emergencies if you get stuck in your home.

Be prepared for weather-related emergencies, including power outages.

• Stock food that needs no cooking or refrigeration and water stored in clean containers.  Ensure that your cell phone is fully charged.
• When planning travel, be aware of current and forecast weather conditions.
• Keep an up-to-date emergency kit, including:
  • Battery-operated devices, such as a flashlight, a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio, and lamps;
  • extra batteries;
  • first-aid kit and extra medicine;
  • baby items; and
  • cat litter or sand for icy walkways.

For more information on Winter Weather Safety: 
http://www.cdc.gov/Features/WinterWeather/index.html

For more information on carbon monoxide poisoning: 
http://www.cdc.gov/co/guidelines.htm

Back to Top