Currently on Prevention WV TV: WV School-Based Health

Studies by John Hopkins University show school-based health centers decrease absenteeism, tardiness, behavior problems and emergency room visits. Kelli Caseman of the West Virginia School Based Health Assembly joins me on the current edition of Prevention West Virginia to explain how school based health centers are serving the Mountain State. Additional Information about Prevention West Virginia, including show times and locations, is available on PrevNet.org. .

March Health Observances

• Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month
• Endometriosis Awareness Month
• Nutrition Month
• Save Your Vision and Workplace Eye Wellness Month
• Trisomy Awareness Month
• Sleep Awareness Week (March 5-1)
• School Breakfast Week (March 5-9)
• Problem Gambling Awareness Week (March 4-10)
  The Problem Gamblers Help Network of WV
• World Kidney Day (March 8)
• Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (March 10)
• Native American HIV/AIDs Awareness Day (March 20)
• Brain Awareness Week (March 12-18)
• Poison Prevention Week (March 18-24)
  WV Poison Center 
• World Tuberculosis Day (March 24)
• American Diabetes Alert Day (March 27)

February Health Observances & Resources

Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) and Low Vision Awareness Month
Prevention Blindness America

Hearth Month and National Wear Red Day (Feb 3)
American Heart Association
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

International Prenatal Infection Prevention Month
Group B Strep International

National Cancer Prevention Month
WV Comprehensive Cancer Program

National Children’s Dental Health Month and Give A Kid A Smile Day (Feb 3)
WV Dental Association

National Senior Independence Month
WV Bureau of Senior Services

Wise Health Consumer Month
American Institute for Preventive Medicine
101 Ways to Lower Your Health Care Costs

Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week (Feb 7 – 14)
Congenital Heart Information Network

National Donor Day (Feb 14)
Center for Organ Recovery and Education
Donate Life WV – Organ Donor Registry


SOURCES: National Health Information Center; National Wellness Institute

Financial Fitness in 2012

Some of the most common New Year’s resolutions involve money. Reducing debt, increasing savings, and investing smarter are often at the top of our lists. On the current edition of Prevention West Virginia, Patricia Scott from the Kanawha Institute for Social Research and Action shares advice on saving, borrowing, and investing. Additional information about Prevention WV, including show times and locations, is available at http://www.prevnet.org/preventionwvTV/default.aspx.

January 2012 Health Observances

•Cervical Health Awareness Month
•National Birth Defects Prevention Month
•National Glaucoma Awareness Month
•National Radon Action Month
•National Stalking Awareness Month
•Thyroid Awareness Month
•National Folic Acid Awareness Week (Jan 8-14)


Sources: National Health Information Center, Wellness Council of America

Early Intervention Program Reduces Youth Substance Abuse in WV

A pilot program in Logan and Mercer counties is cutting down on youth substance abuse in the Mountain State. WV’s Substance Abuse Early Intervention Program (EIP) targets youth ages 12-18 who have just begun to use alcohol, tobacco, or other substances and/or are engaging in delinquent behavior often associated with substance use.

Since its inception in 2010, 65 youth have completed the program, which enhances accurate understanding of the risks of alcohol, tobacco, & other drug (ATOD) use and develops ATOD refusal skills. The program also provides an alternative option for youth who may be on their way into the juvenile justice system.

“WV’s Early Intervention Program is appropriate for youth who fall BETWEEN the stages of needing primary prevention services and those who need actual substance abuse treatment,” says Jamie Albert, WV EIP Statewide Coordinator. “Youth in need of counseling, therapy or other treatment services are NOT appropriate candidates for the EIP.”

Youth are referred to the local programs by the WV Department of Health & Human Resources (WV DHHR), school personnel, the court system, and parents. EIP Specialists conduct a screening assessment with referred youth to confirm eligibility to participate. Youth who opt to participate and their parents attend separate two-hour orientation sessions. Youth then experience a 12 hour evidence-based prevention education course. Classes are usually six two-hour sessions over a two week period. The curriculum addresses the consequences of substance use and decision making skills. A parenting and wellness workshop is also available to parents.

WV’s EIP is based on a similar statewide initiative in Kentucky, which has proven to prevent teen substance use. A recent evaluation report on the pilot programs in Logan and Mercer counties confirms increased risk perceptions of substance abuse, increased disapproval substance abuse, and decreased intentions to further
use drugs. The report is available at http://www.prevnet.org/earlyintervention/default.aspx.

WV’s EIP is funded by Drug Free WV grants (Purdue Pharma Asset Forfeiture Funds) and a federal Projects of Regional and National Significance grant. The program is administered by the WV Prevention Resource Center, an affiliate of Marshall University. Local contractors facilitate the EIP at the county level.

December Health Observances

World AIDS Day (December 1)
WV Division of STD, HIV, Hepatitis
www.dhhr.wv.gov/oeps/std-hiv-hep/Pages/default.aspx

National Handwashing Awareness Week (December 4-10)

Safe Toys & Gifts Month

National Drunk and Drugged Driving (3D) Prevention Month

Stay safe this holiday season.
•Designate a sober driver before celebrations begin.
•Never serve those under the age of 21 alcohol.
•Plan safe parties, including providing non-alcoholic drink options to guests and not serving alcohol the last hour of the gathering.
•Be prepared to get everyone home safe in case your plans or individual circumstances change.

Sources: National Health Information Center; Wellness Council of America; Mothers Against Drunk Driving