Health Commissioner Dr. Mercedes K.C. Dullum is urging residents to adopt a healthier lifestyle through diet and exercise, getting regular check ups and taking necessary medications as the department gears up to join other public health agencies nationwide in the annual commemoration of National Public Health Week (NPHW).
This year’s observance is April 2-8 with the theme “A Healthier America Begins Today,” and speaks to the essential role that public health agencies play in preventive health care services. Locally, activities will be held through April 4 due to the Easter holiday and includes in-house exhibits, a health fair and presentations on “Poison Prevention Tips” and“Designer Drugs” by officials from the Poison Information Center (PIC) from Jacksonville, Fla., according to a press release issued Thursday by the V.I. Department of Health.
The presentation on poison prevention will be held only on St. Croix and is in joint sponsorship with the V.I. Department of Human Services and opened to all child care providers. Presentations on designer drugs will be held territorywide and in a joint effort with the territory’s hospitals and opened to all physicians. PIC Director, Dr. Jay Schauben, will lead the discussion on designer drugs.
NPHW activities will conclude with a health walk/health fair beginning at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, April 4, from Seaborne Airlines, along the Charlotte Amalie Harbor apron, to Emancipation Garden. Free screenings on glucose, cholesterol and blood pressure will be available at the Garden from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Division of Personnel staff will be on site to assist government employees with CIGNA insurance and who avail themselves to the screenings, to complete an online health risk assessment that employees can later access. HIV tests will also be available, and free souvenirs and educational materials will be distributed.
Governor John P. de Jongh Jr. has proclaimed April 2-8, 2012, as National Public Health Week, encouraging residents to take ownership of their health by asking pertinent questions of their physicians and guarding against chronic diseases through exercise, diet and preventive health services such as the free screenings to be offered during the DOH health fair.
DOH offers services to men, women and children through programs such as community health; chronic disease prevention; diabetes control and prevention, infants and toddlers, public health preparedness, maternal health, family planning and environmental health among others.
National Public Health Week Activity Schedule
Monday April 2 – Wednesday April 4, 2012
8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Display Exhibits at DOH facilities territorywide
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.
Presentation on “Designer Drugs”
Schneider Regional Medical Center, Kimelman Cancer Center Auditorium
Presenter: Dr. Jay Schauben, director, Poison Information Center, Jacksonville-Fla.
8:30 – 9:30 a.m.
Presentation on “Poison Prevention Tips”
Invitees include daycare, summer camp, head start and other child care providers in joint sponsorship with the Department of Human Services.
Charles Harwood Complex, Room 1016
Presenter: Phyllis Belle-Davis, education director, Poison Information Center
9:15 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. – Radio discussion on designer drugs
WLDV (Da Vybe), 107.9 FM,
10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Presentation on “Poison Prevention Tips” to senior citizens
Sunny Isles Elderly Housing
Presenter: Phyllis Belle-Davis, education director, Poison Information Center
1 p.m. – 2 p.m.
Presentation on “Poison Prevention Tips” to senior citizens
Richmond Senior Center
Presenter: Phyllis Belle-Davis, education director, Poison Information Center
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
7:30 a.m.
Join the Movement Health Walk. Seaborne Airlines Terminal to Emancipation Garden
9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
DOH Health Fair – Free screenings for glucose, cholesterol, blood pressure. Testing for HIV and free flu shots also will be available.
Emancipation Garden
10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Presentation “Designer Drugs”
Juan F. Luis Hospital; 3rd Floor Classroom
Presenter: Dr. Jay Schauben, director, Poison Information Center, Jacksonville-Fla.
1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Presentation on “Designer Drugs”
Juan F. Luis Hospital; 3rd Floor Classroom
Presenter: Dr. Jay Schauben, director, Poison Information Center, Jacksonville-Fla.
