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Howard County Health Freedom Walk

Howard County Health Department, along with C.H.A.M.P. (Community Health Awareness and Monitoring Program) held the Third Annual Howard County Health Freedom Walk. The walk promoted increased physical activity and better health habits particularly in our African American community. Joining walkers in the rain and cold was Howard County Council Chair, Calvin Ball.

The 3K walk followed many of the Underground Railroad sites in Howard County and will honor those who traveled the Railroad in their quest for freedom.

This year the walk began at the Benjamin Banner Park, the homestead of the first renowned African-American man of mathematics and science. The path continued along a pathway of six historical sites and included the Ellicott City Colored School.

Health Department Receives Half-Million Dollar Grant for Healthy Howard Plan

The Howard County Health Department announced on March 28, 2008 it was the recipient of a $500,000 donation from The Horizon Foundation, to help fund the Healthy Howard Plan; the health care access program for the County’s uninsured.

“Our organization likes innovation,” said Foundation President & CEO Richard M. Krieg, “and Healthy Howard exemplifies how government can innovate to address core community issues. The grant is predicated on awareness that the Foundation and the Health Department share some fundamental goals; among them improving healthcare access for underserved county residents.”

County Health Officer Dr. Peter Beilenson says “We are extremely grateful for Horizon’s very generous contribution to the Healthy Howard Access Plan. Because of it, Howard County will become one of only two jurisdictions in the country on the road to achieving the goal of universal health access. County Executive Ken Ulman adds "The Horizon Foundation has always risen to the challenge when the County needed it. I'm ecstatic, but not surprised, that they have done so again."

The Healthy Howard Plan will offer primary care services, discounted prescription drugs, hospital care, and dental access, as well as specialty care services for 2,000 county residents beginning in the Fall of 2008.

Health Department Is First in State to Provide ONLY BPA-Free Baby Bottles to WIC Program Infants & Children

In the wake of the recent warnings about BPA’s (bisphenol A) contained in various plastics used in the manufacturing of baby and children’s products, the Howard County Health Department has decided to supply only those products that are BPA-free to participants in the WIC (Women, Infants & Children) program. Howard’s WIC program which serves approximately 2900 clients (adults and children) per month is now the first Health Department in Maryland to enact a BPA-free program. “While this chemical has not conclusively been proven to cause higher rates of early puberty, breast and prostate changes, cancer and hyperactivity as well as other potentially serious conditions, we believe we should act responsibly and err on the side of caution where the health of our county’s children is concerned.” says Dr. Peter Beilenson, Howard County Health Officer.

BPA or bisphenol A is used to make polycarbonate, a clear and rigid plastic. BPA can be found in baby bottles, sippy cups, teethers, food and drink packaging, water bottles, toys and other impact-resistant plastic products. Polycarbonate plastic can degrade over time when it's heated or washed with hot water, causing significant leaching of BPA.

The Health Department suggests using food packaging and serving containers labeled with a #1, #2, #4, or #5 in the recycling triangle. Avoid polycarbonate plastic in food containers. Check the bottom/underside of the product. Do not buy or use plastics marked with a number “7” or a “3” in the recycle triangle. This will avoid BPA’s leaching into liquids consumed by infants, toddlers, children and adults, and causing possible future health issues.

“We hope that by bringing this information to the public, we can exert market pressure on retailers to carry only those BPA-free products”, continues Dr. Beilenson.

Click here for more info on BPA

Aetna Offers Dental Access to Healthy Howard Plan Participants

County Executive Ken Ulman and Health Officer Dr. Peter Beilenson announced Aetna’s support of Healthy Howard, Inc., the health access plan for the uninsured of Howard County. Aetna Inc. and the Aetna Foundation have pledged dental coverage for plan participants and $50,000 to the Healthy Howard Plan. Health Officer, Dr. Peter Beilenson said “Access to dental care is absolutely imperative for good health. We are thrilled that Aetna will be providing these much needed services for members of the Healthy Howard Plan.”

“Aetna’s contribution adds yet another tier to the level of services we will be able to provide many of our uninsured residents. I have been so impressed with the commitment and creative thinking from businesses, government, and citizens that have helped this plan come together so quickly," said County Executive Ken Ulman.

Mike Bucci, Market Vice-President for Aetna clarifies his organization’s support of the Healthy Howard Plan. "Aetna is committed to helping build a healthier America, and we're particularly interested in programs that expand access to health care for people who may lack adequate care today. We're proud to support Healthy Howard, with its focus on promoting wellness and healthy activities for county residents and workers. The Healthy Howard Plan is an important component and is uniquely positioned to improve health-care access for Howard County residents."

The monetary contribution donated by Aetna, Inc. and the Aetna Foundation will be used to fund start up activities for the newly formed non-profit entity, aid the implementation of a development plan and will support outreach activities critical to identifying those eligible county residents.

Aetna joins Chase Brexton and Howard County General Hospital as an integral piece of the puzzle to provide health care to many of Howard County’s uninsured. The Healthy Howard Plan, first program of its kind in the U.S., will begin to enroll plan participants in July, with services to begin in October.

Getting a Flu Vaccine is Still a GREAT Idea!

If you have not yet received your flu shot, it is NOT too late. We are still the middle of the flu season which can stretch into May. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advised that during October through December 2007, the United States experienced low but increasing levels of flu activity. During January and early February, influenza activity increased more rapidly. For the week ending February 9, a total of 49 states reported either widespread or regional activity. During the past three flu seasons, the number of states reporting regional or widespread flu activity was only 41 to 48.

What that means for those of us living in one of the 49 affected states, is that if you have not received your flu shot; you should. The supply is plentiful. There are no long lines. If you have Medicare Part B, the cost is free. If you do not have Medicare, the cost is only $25.00. To find out how to get your vaccine contact us at 410-313-7500, contact the Flu Hotline at 410-313-6503 or click here for our Flu Clinic information. In addition to getting your flu vaccine, other ways to prevent the spread and impact of flu includes: frequent handwashing, staying home from work or school when ill, and covering your nose or mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing (cough or sneeze into the crook of your elbow) More information is available from the CDC at http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/habits.htm.

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Notice of Privacy Practices

The Howard County Health Department is committed to protecting the health information of all clients. In accordance with the HIPAA Privacy Rule, the following Notice of Privacy Practices is provided to all individuals that receive services from the Department.

Click here to view Privacy Practices (File is in RTF format, which can be opened in Microsoft Wordpad and most popular word processing packages.)

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