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October 28th is National DEA Take-Back Day

BRING YOUR UNUSED MEDICATIONS & JOIN US ON OCTOBER 28th FOR NATIONAL DEA TAKE BACK DAY FROM 10am-2pm

October 28th is National DEA Take-Back Day and we are partnering with numerous organizations in 4 different counties to provide 9 take-back sites from 10a-2p. Take this opportunity to get unused medications out of your home and dispose of them appropriately.

DID YOU KNOW…
• Unused or expired prescription medications are a public safety issue and can lead to accidental poisoning, overdose, and abuse?
• Unused prescription medications thrown in the trash can be retrieved and abused or illegally sold?
• Unused drugs that are flushed contaminate the water supply?
• Take-back programs and permanent drop boxes are the best way to dispose of old drugs?

PENDER COUNTY DROP OFF EVENT LOCATIONS:
Pender Memorial Hospital, 507 E. Fremont St., Burgaw &
Island Family Practice, 13567 NC HWY 50 #A, Surf City

For more info, please contact Iris Baker at 910-667-8297

Pender County Health Department Seasonal Flu Clinic Dates

Date                                          Location                                          Time

 10/5/17                         Topsail Beach –  Town Hall                         10am-1pm

                                      820 S. Anderson Blvd.           Topsail Beach

10/11/17                         Surf City – Welcome Center                         9am – 1pm

                                      102 N. Shore Dr.              Surf City

10/24/17                         Topsail Senior Center                                   9am – 2pm

                                      20959 US Hwy. 17         Hampstead

10/19/17                         Pender Adult Services                                 9am – 3pm

                                      901 S. Walker St.             Burgaw

 

Pender County Health Department

803 S. Walker Street, Burgaw, NC

Beginning October 15, Shots will be available

 Monday-Friday, 8:30 am-11:30 am & 1:30 pm-4:30 pm

Pender County Health Department ANNEX

     15060 U.S. Highway 17, Hampstead, NC 

Beginning October 11th Shots will be available

Every 2nd/4th Wednesday as well as all vaccines 12 noon-4:00 pm

*PLEASE BRING YOUR INSURANCE CARDS

*Vaccine is available free of charge for uninsured children 6 months – 18 years

 *NASAL MIST IS NOT AVAILABLE IN 2017-2018

Cost with no insurance $40 Regular dose / $65 High dose (65yr. +)

*High dose upon request 

           For additional information, please call Pender County Health Department 910-259-1230.

 

How to view the 2017 Solar Eclipse Safely

Be safe during the solar eclipse today! The only safe way to look directly at the uneclipsed or partially eclipsed sun is through special-purpose solar filters, such as “eclipse glasses” or hand-held solar viewers. Homemade filters or ordinary sunglasses, even very dark ones, are not safe for looking at the sun; they transmit thousands of times too much sunlight. Refer to the American Astronomical Society (AAS) Reputable Vendors of Solar Filters & Viewers page: https://eclipse.aas.org/resources/solar-filters
for a list of manufacturers and authorized dealers of eclipse glasses and handheld solar viewers verified to be compliant with the ISO 12312-2 international safety standard for such products. Please read more about “How to view the 2017 Solar Eclipse Safely”

https://eclipse2017.nasa.gov/safety

Health Officials Encourage Caution as Temperatures Rise

As the heat index rises, local and state health officials urge citizens to take extra precautions against heat-related illnesses. Daytime temperatures have risen to the mid to upper 90’s, and emergency room visits for heat related illnesses have risen as well, according to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.

“As we approach these dangerously hot temperatures in North Carolina, we urge residents to take precautions when doing outside activities,” said Dr. Zack Moore, State Epidemiologist. “Whether you are outside for work or recreation, make sure you are drinking plenty of fluids to minimize risk of heat-related illness.”

To reduce risk of heat-related illness:

-Drink plenty of fluids
-Try to limit being outside during the hottest part of the day, usually 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
-Take breaks often during long periods of being outside.  Go inside to cool down.
-Never leave children or pets unattended in vehicles. Temperature levels inside a car can reach a lethal level in a matter of minutes.
– Consult with your doctor about how to stay safe if you take medicines that make you more vulnerable to heat (high blood pressure, migraines, allergies, muscle spasms, mental illness and tranquilizers)

For more information on how to prevent heat-related health issues and to learn about heat-related illness in North Carolina, visit: http://publichealth.nc.gov/chronicdiseaseandinjury/heat.htm.

Assistance with Wildlife Problems.

North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission

Click the links below to find assistance with wildlife:

Can’t find an answer about a wildlife problem?

Call 1-866-318-2401 or visit http://www.ncwildlife.org/Have-A-Problem for more information.

NC DHHS Releases Summary of Selected Cancer Rates for Counties in Cape Fear Region

DHHS provided the summary to answer questions raised about cancer during the ongoing investigation of GenX in the Cape Fear River

RALEIGH — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) examined data from the North Carolina Central Cancer Registry and shared a summary of that analysis earlier today with four local health department directors. We are now sharing this summary more broadly, but we remind the public that the data in the registry do not identify the causes of cancer. Therefore, no conclusions can be drawn as to whether GenX or any other specific exposures contributed to cancer rates we examined.

Please click here for Summary.

DHHS provided the summary to answer questions raised about cancer during the ongoing investigation of GenX in the Cape Fear River. The analysis revealed that cancer rates in the four counties were generally similar to the statewide rates of pancreatic, liver, uterine, testicular and kidney cancers. There were two exceptions where the county cancer incidence rates were higher than the state and four where the incidence rates were lower.

DHHS Deputy Secretary for Health Services Mark Benton explained that the results do not point to any consistent trends in counties that get their water from the lower Cape Fear.

“Overall the results are what we would expect to see looking at multiple types of cancer in multiple counties, with some rates below and above the state rate,” said Benton. “Many factors could influence these cancer incidence rates, including prevalence of tobacco and alcohol use, diet and lifestyle choices, and many other possible exposures – none of which are addressed in the cancer registry.”

DHHS looked at the incidence of five specific cancers in Bladen, Brunswick, New Hanover, and Pender Counties and compared them with statewide cancer rates from 1996 to 2015. The rates of pancreatic, liver, uterine, testicular and kidney cancers were chosen for analysis because they have been associated with GenX or other perfluorinated compounds in laboratory animal studies. The incidence rates were compared to the state rates for the entire 20-year period and separately for each five-year interval therein (1996–2000, 2001–2005, 2006–2010 and 2011–2015).

The results show that county rates for these cancers were similar to state rates, with the following exceptions:

  • New Hanover County had a higher 20-year rate of testicular cancer during 1996–2015 and a higher five-year rate of liver cancers during 2006–2010 compared with the state. NOTE: Rates of both cancers in New Hanover County were similar to the state rates during the most recent period (2011-2015).
  • Brunswick County had a lower 20-year rate of pancreatic cancer during 1996–2015; a lower five-year rate of uterine cancer during 2006–2010; and a lower five-year rate of pancreatic cancer during 2011–2015 compared with the state.
  • Bladen County had a lower 20-year rate of kidney cancer during 1996–2015 compared with the state.

The Central Cancer Registry collects, processes and analyzes data on all cancer cases diagnosed among North Carolina residents to inform the planning and evaluation of cancer control efforts. The Registry does not include information about causes of cancer or associations with specific exposures. Although the information in the summary describes cancer rates in these counties over time, only a comprehensive research study can provide information about whether a specific exposure is associated with increased rates of cancer.

Prepare for Hurricane Season Now

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