DIRECTORS' CORNER

Preparing for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

As you have probably heard, there is an expanding global outbreak of respiratory illness caused by a novel coronavirus, called COVID-19. While there are many kinds of coronaviruses, COVID-19 is a new coronavirus that has not been previously identified in humans.

JCPH has been working closely with CDC, CDPHE and other health and medical partners since the start of the outbreak and we are taking a proactive, collaborative approach to help keep our community safe.

Currently, there have been no cases of COVID-19 in Colorado and the immediate risk to Coloradans is low. At the same time, we expect cases in the U.S. to grow, and we have a window of opportunity now to make some practical preparations, should the outbreak spread into our community. We must make the most of it now — even if the effort may be wasted if a severe pandemic doesn’t happen.

Visit www.jeffco.us/coronavirus for information in English and Spanish about COVID-19, what you can do to protect yourself and how to prepare.

Sincerely,
Mark B. Johnson, MD, MPH
Executive Director
Jefferson County Public Health

NEWS YOU CAN USE

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) update

Q&A With Christine Billings, JCPH Emergency Preparedness & Response

Learn more about COVID-19 and what community members can do to be prepared in this Q&A with Colorado Community Media.

Public Health Perspectives: Redefining Mental Health

Kelly Kast, Epidemiologist at JCPH, shares why it’s important for us to change the way we think and talk about mental health in this Public Health Perspectives blog post.

Let’s Talk: Suicide Among Youth

In this episode of Let's Talk, host Mark Koebrich explores the rise in teen suicide in the metro area, and welcomes guests from Jefferson County Public Schools, Jefferson Center and Jefferson County Public Health.

DATA ROUNDUP: National Nutrition Month

14% of Colorado high school students have gone hungry most of the time or always because of a lack of food at home.

In Jefferson County, >1 in 10 residents are food insecure.

30% of Colorado families rely only on a few kinds of low-cost food because they run out of money to buy food.

Eating a well-balanced, nutritious diet is one of the best ways to stay healthy. For many families in Jeffco, healthy food isn’t affordable or the nearest grocery or corner store is just too far away. Urban farms can provide families nutritious, affordable fruits, veggies and other healthy foods closer to home. Find one near you! Also, read more about eating local in this blog with Marissa Silverberg, JCPH’s Food Systems and Policy Administrator.

GET INVOLVED

About 27 trillion gallons of groundwater are withdrawn for use in the U.S. each year.

National Groundwater Awareness Week (March 8-14, 2020)

Though it doesn’t always feel like it during the cold, snowy winters, Colorado’s climate is a relatively dry one, with limited water resources. Because our groundwater supply is limited, it’s important to protect it from contamination from chemicals like fertilizers and pesticides, as well as from onsite wastewater treatment, or septic, systems. There are also many ways we can all use less water to conserve what we have.

To protect our groundwater, dispose of chemicals and oil properly at a recycling center, and limit the amount of fertilizer you use on plants. JCPH is also offering a free private well water quality test (while supplies last) to Jeffco residents — just contact Audra Devault at [email protected].
To save water, try taking shorter showers, turning of the faucet when you’re brushing your teeth, use low-flow shower heads and toilets, and running full loads of dishes or laundry.

Read more about GWAW and how you can get involved.

Talk with Your Teen about Identity

Adolescence is when teens figure out a sense of who they are. They ask key questions, like, "Who am I?" and "How do I fit in?" This exploration of their identity has many influences, like their family, cultural, ethnic, sexual, gender, religious, social and professional identities.

Ask your teen open-ended questions about themselves, like, "What makes you unique?" Discuss your values and identity with your teen and be open to hearing their ideas, too.

The best way to show your teen you care? Be there. Have a talk with your teen. Learn more at www.twelvetalks.com.

Free Radon Test Kits Still Available to Jeffco Residents While Supplies Last

More than 1,000 radon test kits were distributed to Jeffco residents in January! We are so excited that our community understands the importance of testing for this harmful, radioactive, clear and odorless gas. If you have not used your test kit yet, please do so as soon as possible. We still have a few kits to provide to residents for free until the supply is gone (after that they are $10). Stop by JCPH located at 645 Parfet St. in Lakewood to get yours today.

Could You Have Diabetes and Not Know It?

Diabetes Alert Day is on March 24, 2020! Observed annually on the fourth Tuesday in March, Diabetes Alert Day is a one-day “wake-up call” that focuses on the seriousness of diabetes and the importance of understanding your risk. We encourage you to find out if you – or someone you love – is at risk for type 2 diabetes by taking this quick and simple Diabetes Risk Test.

March Board of Health Meeting

This month’s Board of Health meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 17, 2020, beginning at 4 p.m. at Jefferson County Public Health (645 Parfet St., Lakewood, CO 80215). The agenda will be available here.

PARTNER PROFILE

Foothills Animal Shelter

Foothills Animal Shelter in Golden is an open-admissions facility and one of the largest animal shelters in the metro Denver area. They provide education for you and your pet, low-cost care, pet licensing, adoption services and more.

Join the conversation! Follow Jefferson County Public Health on Facebook at @jeffcopublichealth and on Twitter and Instagram at @jeffcoph. Visit our website at www.jeffco.us/public-health.

March 2020 // Volume 2, Issue 3