FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH IN

GULF COUNTY
Mission: To protect, promote & improve the health of all people in Florida
through integrated state, county, & community efforts.

WELLNESS NEWSLETTER MARCH 2015

SWAT Students Present to Gulf County School Board

Decreasing youth tobacco use is a big deal! The
Tobacco Prevention Program and SWAT youth
successfully helped bring down tobacco use
among high school teens in Gulf County from
almost 50% to 29% in just two years.
(Source: 2014 Tobacco Youth Survey)

To celebrate this success, SWAT youth presented

to the Gulf County School Board and shared their
strategies, including student produced PSAs used
in schools and throughout the community.
Go SWAT!

Kick Butts Day Beach CleanupMARCH 22

ST. JOE BEACH
A poll conducted by the University of Florida revealed that the top three items
littered consisted of paper (22%), cigarette butts (18%), and fast food waste
(6%).
Key reasons why people litter include: They feel no sense of ownership; they
believe someone else will pick up after them; litter has already accumulated; and littering is convenient.

WHEN: SUNDAY MARCH 22, 2015, 2:00-4:00 PM EST

WHERE: MEET AT BEACON HILL VETERANS PARK on Hwy 98
WHY: TO PICK UP TRASH & LITTER ON THE BEACH
Join the SWAT Kids in their effort to keep the community clean
and tobacco free! Thank you for caring! See you there!

Quit Smoking Completely.

For many, it is a chance to quit tobacco.
Fortunately, Gulf County residents dont have to do it
alone. The Florida Department of Health in Gulf County
and the Tobacco Free Florida program have free,
proven-effective resources that can double a tobacco
users chances of quitting.
For more information, contact Jessie Pippin, Tobacco Prevention Specialist, 850-227-1276 x 168.

Healthy Recipes with the Closing the Gap Program

Closing the Gap Healthy Cooking
Demonstrations for March 2015:
Piggly WigglyApalachicola
March 11th and 18th, 2015 2pm-5pm
Dollar General MarketPSJ
March 24th and 28th, 2015 2pm-5pm

For more information, contact Talitha Robinson, Closing the Gap Program Coordinator, 850-653-2111 x 102.

Thank you Community Partners!

Public Health Accreditation Board Update:
What does it mean to be accredited? Accreditation signifies that a health
department is meeting national standards for ensuring essential public health
services. The Florida Department of Health is pursuing accreditation as an
integrated system and DOH-Gulf was selected as one of the county health
departments to be visited by a PHAB site visit team.
During the DOH-Gulf February 26 site visit, the PHAB team met with
community partners to find out how they partner with the health department.
While we knew we had strong community partners, it truly touched our hearts to
hear how they valued our public health programs and staff. We are blessed to
work with the following community partners to improve the health of Gulf
County.
Thank you for your support and commitment!
Meg Norwood, Sacred Heart Hospital
Mike Lacour, City of Port St. Joe
Ward McDaniel, Gulf County Board of County Commission Chair
David Taylor, Chemical Addictions Recover Effort (CARE)
Sharon Owens, Healthy Start of Bay, Franklin and Gulf Counties, Inc.
Minnie Likely, SWAT Advisor and Community Advocate
MaryLou Cumbie, Gulf County School District
Steve Kerigan, Coast 2 Coast Printing
Marshall Nelson, Gulf County Emergency Operations Center

Preparedness Corner
DOH-Gulf Safety Pin
As we approach spring break this month, make this year's spring break memorable by having fun and helping
yourself, your friends, and others stay safe and healthy.
BE ACTIVE
You've probably been sitting most of the year working at the computer, studying, or in class. During the break,
take the opportunity to start a fitness program. Do a variety of fun activities like walking, dancing, playing volleyball, swimming, and more. It doesn't need to be hard to be beneficial. Avoid injury by starting any new
activity slowly. Be active for at least 2 hours a week. Include activities that raise your breathing and heart
rates and that strengthen your muscles.
Adding Physical Activity to Your Life
Visit the Florida Healthiest Weight website
PLAN A SUCCESSFUL TRIP
Air Travel and Cruise Ships

Travelers' Health

What Vaccines Do You Need?

Spring Break Travel Safety

(Bureau of Consular Affairs)

WATCH YOUR STEP

There may be temptations on your break that involve different or high-risk activity. Think twice before putting
yourself at risk for injury. Be sure to use appropriate safety gear before venturing out, such as seat belts, life
vests, or knee pads. Remember that unintentional injuries kill more Americans in their first three decades of
life than any other cause of death. In fact, injuries (both unintentional and those caused by acts of violence)
are among the top ten killers for Americans of all ages.
Injury Topics

Water-Related Injuries

PROTECT YOUR EYES

If you wear contact lenses, practice healthy wear and care tips, even when youre on vacation. Carry a spare
pair of glasses and contact lens supplies with you so you can take out your contacts safely when you need to.
Remove contacts before swimming, as exposing contact lenses to water can lead to painful, sometimes blinding
eye infections. Always take your contacts out before bed, even if youre up late or traveling. Sleeping in contact
lenses has been linked to serious eye infections.
Water and Contact Lenses

Protect Your Eyes

KNOW THE ROPES

When swimming and boating, know what's expected and what you can do to prevent injury or death
for yourself and others. Know how to swim. Wear your life jacket while boating. Avoid alcoholic beverages while boating. Complete a boating education course. Participate in the vessel safety check
program.
Six Steps of Healthy Swimming

Water-Related Injuries

PROTECT YOURSELF FROM THE SUN

After a cold winter, it's tempting to stay in the hot sun all day. Although getting a little sun can have some benefits, excessive and unprotected sun exposure can result in premature aging, changes in skin texture, and skin
cancer. Always wear sunscreen with at least SPF 15. For eye protection, wear wraparound sunglasses that provide 100 percent UV ray protection.
Sun Safety

Indoor Tanning is Not Safe

Stay safe and have a great day! For more information, contact Jessie Hayes, 850-227-1276 x 158.

MARCH IS NATIONAL NUTRITION MONTH

Each March, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics celebrates National Nutrition Month. This annual
event reinforces the importance of developing sound eating and physical activity habits.
The theme for 2015 is Bite into a Healthy Lifestyle, which encourages everyone to adopt eating and
physical activity plans that are focused on consuming fewer calories, making informed food choices and
getting daily exercise in order to achieve and maintain a healthy weight, reduce the risk of chronic disease
and promote overall health.
A healthful lifestyle, with regular physical activity and an eating pattern chosen to meet individual nutrient
needs within calorie limits, is vital to maintaining good health and quality of life. A healthy eating plan
emphasizes nutrient-rich foods and beverages, vegetables, fruits, whole grains, fat-free or low-fat milk and
milk products, seafood, lean meats and
poultry, eggs, beans and peas, and nuts and
seeds and limits foods with added fats,
sugars, and salt.
MyPlate can help you use the Dietary
Guidelines to:

Find your balance between food and

physical activity to manage your weight;
Reduce food and food components linked
to increased health risks;
Increase food and nutrients that promote
health while staying within your calorie
needs;
Build a healthful eating pattern.

For more information go to:

www.eatright.org
www.choosmyplate.gov

FITNESS CHALLENGE 2015 UPDATE

A big shout out to all participants in the Fitness Challenge!
So many of you have made a commitment to healthier choices. You all are doing a great job.
We have about a month to go before our last weigh-in. Walk, run, jump rope, play hop scotch, or 1-2-3
red light with family and friends. Continue to move and add fruit and vegetables to your daily diets.
It will pay off in the end.
Remember-Final weigh in is April 1st!

We are truly inspired by all of you.

For more information go to the CHIP Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/gulfcountycommunityhealth