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Get Healthy De Soto

…having a long-lasting positive impact on the health and safety of the De Soto community by encouraging healthy lifestyle choices, through programs promoting physical activity, healthy nutrition, community involvement, and disease and injury prevention.

March is [Fill in the Blank] Awareness Month!

It seems like there is a month for everything! January is Glaucoma Awareness Month. February is Heart Month and Black History Month. May is ALS Awareness Month, and even men, thanks to the NFL, know that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Each month gets its own PSA and schedule of events. (If you don’t believe it, google “ice bucket challenge”, and see how many resulting videos you get.)

Get Healthy DeSoto doesn’t really go in for that sort of thing other than to highlight important screenings and reminders at various times. However, we’d like to encourage you to declare the following for GHD Awareness for your household because getting healthy is what we’re all about, and really, isn’t that important all year?

  • January-GHD Awareness
  • February-GHD Awareness
  • March-GHD Awareness
  • April-GHD Awareness
  • May-GHD Awareness
  • June-GHD Awareness
  • July-GHD Awareness
  • August-GHD Awareness
  • September-GHD Awareness
  • October-GHD Awareness
  • November-GHD Awareness
  • December-GHD Awareness

(Perhaps we’re being a bit silly, but that’s important for your health too.)

If you support Get Healthy DeSoto and it’s many projects and events, please consider donating to the organization during the upcoming GHD Awareness Month! We appreciate your continued support and for allowing us to help build a healthier community.

Measles Outbreak: What you should know

Measles cases and outbreaks from January 1-February 6, 2015. 121 cases reported in 17 states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, and Washington. One outbreak represents 85% of reported cases this year. Annual reported cases have ranged from a low of 37 in 2004 to a high of 644 in 2014. Data are provisional for cases in 2015.

The first measles vaccination was developed in the U.S. in 1954. That vaccination was improved in 1968, and we’ve been using the same ever since. The prevalence of vaccine use has greatly diminished the number of cases reported each year, but the recent outbreak has brought into question vaccination practices and effectiveness. The important things to remember, per the CDC, are these:

  • The majority of the people who got measles were unvaccinated.
  • Measles can spread when it reaches a community in the U.S. where groups of people are unvaccinated.
  • Travelers with measles continue to bring the disease into the U.S.
  • Measles is still common in many parts of the world including some countries in Europe, Asia, the Pacific, and Africa.
Although typically mild, 1 to 2 people out of every 1000 diagnosed with measles will die. This is usually due to the rare onset of encephalitis. However, the disease is incredibly uncomfortable as the symptoms include a high fever, rash, runny nose, and watery eyes.
It is also one of the most contagious diseases; being spread by direct contact and through contact with droplets exhaled by those infected. (The recent outbreak that originated in California is believed to have taken place at Disneyland.)
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends vaccinating your children for measles and other childhood illnesses. For more information about recommendations for protecting your children during a measles outbreak can be found here.

Woodland Nature Trail Receives Funding

On Wednesday, January 28th, the City of De Soto received news that grant funding from East-West Gateway had been approved the bridge and surfacing for the Woodland Nature Trail. This rustic walk-trail (currently in use) connects the De Soto Senior High School Campus to the Vineland Elementary Campus. It offers the opportunity to enjoy the beauty of nature and provides the benefit of the walking experience. Funding begins in 2015 and the project is to be completed in 2016. Get Healthy DeSoto applauds the vision of the city to enhance this walk trail and to David Dews, City Administrator, for writing and obtaining the grant.

The Woodland Nature Trail has been developed through partnerships with the City of De Soto, De Soto Public Schools and Get Healthy De Soto. Additional partnerships include the De Soto Rotary Club, who donated mulch and a sign, multiple dedicated volunteers, and many in the business community who donated machinery, equipment and supplies. Additional information about the upcoming project is outlined below:

  • Project consists of development of 0.7 mile multi-use trail
  • Project has been discussed for years and is recommended in the City’s Walkable Bikeable Community Plan
  • Project to include 8 ft. wide asphalt surface, entire length of project
  • A 10 ft. wide at-grade bridge crossing over the Tanyard Branch to be constructed
  • Every effort will be made to accommodate all persons by following the guidelines set forth by the Americans with Disability Act
  • Total Cost of the project is estimated to be $406,405.00

If you haven’t enjoyed walking this trail, we will offer guided walks during the DeSoto Home Show on March 28th. Please stop by the GHD booth for more information.

Improving Your Health through…Pinterest?

A January 27th workshop is planned called Using Pinterest to Improve Your Health. Amber Henry will present this hands-on workshop where you can set up your Pinterest account, create boards, and start collecting info that will help you eat better, plan your exercise and get you on your way to a healthier year! . The workshop is being held from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at the De Soto Public Library. Space is limited. PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED.  636-586-3858

10th Annual Better Body Challenge

Initial Weigh-In & Health Fair:  January 15th

Where: De Soto Community Center located at 400 Boyd Street in De Soto

When: 5:00-7:30 p.m.

Cost:  $25.00

What: A 12 week weight loss and healthy lifestyle competition that includes:

  • First 150 to receive a commemorative BBC T-Shirt
  • Six monitored weigh-ins to track your progress
  • Weigh-Ins every other Thursday  5:30-7:00 p.m.
  • Group Workouts Thursdays 6:15-7:00 p.m.
  • Weekly Walk Sessions on Wednesdays w/leader
  • One on One Health Coach Opportunity
  • The help and support you need to make healthy life choices!

Applications are available here or can be picked up at the De Soto Public Library. For more information call Debby at 586-4570.

News

Contact

[email protected]

Mailing Address

520 N. Main Rd.
DeSoto, MO 63020