Health Matters

News and Notes Reducing Infant Mortality and Safe Sleep will be discussed on this months We Know Health Matters, CHDs show on CitiCable Time Warner Channel 23. Playback times:
M 9, 11 a.m. W 5 p.m. Th. 12 p.m. F 9 a.m. Su. 3 p.m.
Volume 1V, Issue IV October 2013

HHS Secretary Sebelius visits Cincinnati

On October 16, the City of Cincinnati welcomed US Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius. Sec. Sebelius visited Cincinnati State College to discuss the Affordable Care Act and the rollout of the health insurance exchanges in Ohio. Dr. Noble Maseru, Health Commissioner, joined her, and other panelists for a discussion with members of the Cincinnati community and the media. Ohios health insurance marketplace is now open. Coverage starts as early as Jan 1, 2014 and open enrollment ends Mar 31, 2014. Small business owners interested in improving their health insurance are encouraged to enroll. Individuals may apply for health insurance, compare coverage options and enroll in a plan or program. If an individual has Medicare they are already covered and do not need to make changes. In related news, as part of the ongoing implementation of the Affordable Care Act the State of Ohio has approved Governor Kasichs request to expand the Medicaid program. As a result, beginning Jan 1, 2014, 300,000 low income Ohioans will be eligible for preventative and primary health care coverage. It is estimated that over 16,000 current City of Cincinnati Primary Care patients stand to benefit.

Follow CHD : Twitter: twitter.com/ CinciHealthDept Facebook: facebook.com/ CincinnatiHealthDepartment

Marketplace Info
Visit www.healthcare.gov Call 1 800 318 2596 @HealthCareGov Facebook.com/ HealthCareGov
PANELISTS: Dr. Odell Owens, President of Cincinnati State; Dr. Noble Maseru, Cincinnati Health Commissioner; Sec. Kathleen Sebelius, Health & Human Services; Keith Deaton, CCPC Board member & consumer; Kyle Vath, Crossroads Center. Event photos courtesy of Bob White.

If you have an item you would like to include e-mail Rocky Merz at rocky.merz@ cincinnati-oh.gov

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Health Matters

CHDs Health Promotion wins award

CHDs Health Promotion & Worksite Wellness program, through the Creating Healthy Communities grant, was honored by the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) with a Healthy Ohio Healthy Community Award. Each year, ODH recognizes the outstanding achievements of communities that implement health related policies and provide a healthy community environment. Health Promotion & Worksite Wellness division, Directed by Denisha Porter, encourages environmental, policy and system changes in community, worksite, school and healthcare settings to improve overall health. Congratulations to the Health Promotion and Worksite Wellness division!

Article published in Hospital

Pediatrics
CHDs Dr. Camille Jones, MD, MPH and Mohammad Alam, Ph.D., RS, were coauthors for an article in Hospital Pediatrics titled Connecting At-Risk Inpatient Asthmatics to a Community-Based Program to Reduce Home Environmental Risks: Care System Redesign Using Quality Improvement Methods. The project was a collaborative effort with Cincinnati Childrens Hospital. Clinicians and public health officials co-developed processes to identify high risk children and provide referrals. Congratulations, Dr. Jones and Dr. Alam!

Happy Halloween!
CHD reminds you to keep your health and safety in mind this Halloween. Here are a few simple tips to follow:
Swords, knives, and similar costume accessories should be short, soft, and flexible. Avoid trick-or-treating alone. Walk in groups or with a trusted adult. Examine all treats for choking hazards and tampering before eating them. Limit the amount of treats you eat. Eat only factory-wrapped treats. Avoid eating homemade treats made by strangers.

October: Safe Sleep Awareness Month

On Oct. 1, local health and civic leaders gathered at United Way in recognition of Safe Sleep for Babies Month, which is October. Cradle Cincinnati, a new coalition formed to combat our communitys high infant mortality rate, is leading the educational effort. The campaign centers around the ABCs of sleep for infants: every baby should sleep Alone, on his or her Back and in a Crib. Formed earlier this year, Cradle Cincinnati represents a partnership of several Cincinnati organizations, including the Health Department.

Provide healthier treats for trick-or-treaters such as low-calorie treats and drinks. For party guests, offer a variety of fruits, vegetables, and cheeses. Use party games and trick-or-treat time as an opportunity for kids to get their daily dose of 60 minutes of physical activity.