DIRECTORS' CORNER

Tips for Food Safety Education Month

Every year in the U.S., about 1 in 6 people (or 48 million) get sick, 128,000 are hospitalized and 3,000 die of foodborne diseases. September is Food Safety Education Month, and we want to remind our community about some important food safety tips.

When preparing food at home, you can prevent food poisoning by following four simple steps, or what we like to call the “core four”: Clean. Separate. Cook. Chill.
Stay in-the-know on food recalls and outbreaks. You can always find info on the latest recalls, here.
Check local restaurant inspection reports. JCPH performs inspections of over 2,000 food service establishments within Jefferson County to ensure that foods sold and served are as safe as they can be, and that food service establishments comply with state laws and regulations. You can check out these reports here.
If you or someone you know does get sick from food, let us know right away so we can investigate the cause and help prevent others from getting sick.

By following these simple tips, you reduce your risk of getting sick from food. Happy dining!

Sincerely,
Jim Rada
Director of Environmental Health Services
Jefferson County Public Health

NEWS YOU CAN USE

August 31 - International Overdose Awareness Day

End Overdose Jeffco Shines a Light
on Opioid Epidemic

In honor of International Overdose Awareness Day, JCPH and partners hosted End Overdose Jeffco.
Read more about the impact of overdose on our county and how to get involved in the Arvada Press
and Canyon Courier.

Update on vaping and lung illness

The situation around vaping and lung illness is rapidly changing. For the latest information on what’s happening in Colorado, visit CDPHE’s website. For the latest on what’s happening nationwide, visit CDC’s website.

Efforts to Combat Homelessness in Denver’s Suburbs Intensify as Problems Persist

Read more about homelessness in suburbs like Jeffco, and what JCPH and other partners are doing to address it in the Denver Post.

Dr. Mark B. Johnson Honored with Lifetime Achievement Award

The annual Public Health in the Rockies conference, hosted by the Colorado Public Health Association, took place in late August. During the important gathering of Colorado's public health officials and professionals, JCPH’s Executive Director Dr. Mark B. Johnson was recognized with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award. This award honors an individual for their significant contributions and leadership in public health.

Harmful Blue-green Algae Blooms in Colorado

Harmful blue-green algae blooms have been found in Colorado and Jefferson County. CPR shares a deep-dive on what causes algae blooms and what area lakes have been affected.

DATA ROUNDUP: Foodborne Illness

Every year 1 in 6 people in the U.S. get some type of foodborne illness

Fish was the top cause of foodborne illness from 2009-2016

In 2018, there were 2 food-related outbreaks in Jefferson County

Join us in spreading awareness about why it’s important to handle and prepare food safely.

GET INVOLVED

B.E.S.T. Feeding Club: Get Support from a Community of Moms who Breastfeed

Our breastfeeding mom’s group is available twice per week at two different locations! Please join us at Jefferson County Public Health in Lakewood every Monday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. or at the Mothers’ Milk Bank in Arvada every Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Beginning Oct. 2, we will be expanding to a third location — moms will meet at Columbine Library in Littleton on Wednesdays from 1-3 p.m.

All breastfeeding moms and babies in Colorado are invited and welcome to attend. Come and receive FREE breastfeeding information while having fun and making friends! Contact Heather Cordova at 720-476-2332 or Kelsey Rivera at 303-239-7139 with any questions.

Talk with Your Teen About Hopefulness and Coping

Youth need support from their loved ones during the many ups-and-downs of their teen years. You can help them grow and develop strategies for dealing with the changes that come their way. Sometimes, just asking your teen how they're feeling can help. Validate their feelings. Help them learn how to care for themselves and cope in healthy ways.

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

PARTNER PROFILE

Team Up for Food Safety (TUFFS)

In celebration of Food Safety Education Month, we are recognizing our incredible retail food partners who go above and beyond to implement excellent food safety practices. Check out Jefferson County’s
Team Up For Food Safety (TUFFS) members and learn about what it takes to join this exceptional group of local restaurants and other retail food establishments.

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.

September 2019 // Volume 1, Issue 9