National Health Corps Philadelphia

Tick Borne Diseases: As people across the country spend more time outdoors during the summer, the prevalence of tick borne diseases rises. Reducing tick exposure and knowing the symptoms of tick disease is important. Human Symptoms of Tick Borne Disease exposure:... These symptoms usually appear 1-2 weeks after tick bite. -Fever and Chills -Headache and Muscle Ache -Rash *Meet with your primary care provider if you feel like you’ve been exposed to a Tick Borne Disease. Avoid Exposure By: -Walking on paths away from brush where ticks live. -Wear insect repellant. -Check your entire body and bodies of pets to ensure no tick bites. Here is the proper way of removing ticks according to the National Parks Service: How to remove a tick: Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin as you can. Pull upward with steady, even pressure. Don’t twist or jerk the tick. After removing the tick, clean the bite area and your hands with rubbing alcohol or soap and water. Dispose of the tick by putting it in alcohol, placing it in a sealed bag/container, wrapping it tightly in tape, or flushing it down the toilet. Source: https://www.nps.gov/arti/one-health-disease-ticks-borne.htm [Image Description: Depiction of a Blacklegged Ticks alongside a U.S dime to demonstrate size.]

As my service transitioned into teleservice during the COVID19 pandemic, my generational advantage, as a millennial, helped equip me for remote teleservice. My lifelong exposure technology makes navigating a virtual work environment second nature. I have been able to contribute to my host site’s COVID19 response by auditing COVID19 tests and ensuring that results are tracked and communicated to patients and created an electronic map of all the positive results tracking exposures in my host site’s community. My teleservice contributions to my host site have made me appreciate my technological literacy as a millennial. -NHC Philadelphia member [Image Description: Graphic depicting the world surrounded by the logos of social media apps.]

Have you been itching to go to the beach or pool but are nervous about COVID-19? According to epidemiologists interviewed by NPR, the risk associated with going to the beach/pool is LOW! It is still suggested to maintain social distancing in the water and on land. The water itself is a highly unlikely source of infection due to its large volume. Other low-risk summer activities include: - BYO everything outdoor picnics (don’t share food, drinks, or utensils) - Going to a... vacation home - Camping - Exercising outdoors (Image Description: Cartoon drawing of people at the beach floating in the water and playing with a beach ball.) Source: https://www.npr.org//from-camping-to-dining-out-heres-how-

June is Men’s Health Month. On average, Men die 5 years earlier than women. They are also less likely to be insured compared to women. Most of the causes of Mens’ earlier mortality are due to preventable reasons, so encourage Men in your life to receive a physical from a provider. Men are also less likely to reach out and talk to someone when they are experiencing mental stress. Encourage Men in your life to see a mental health professional as needed. Source: https://www.nim...h.nih.gov//men-and-mental-health/index.shtml and https://health.gov//06/june-is-mens-health-month/index.html [Image Description: Graphic stating that June is Men’s health Month. A blue ribbon is depicted below the text.]

Throughout my service term, I have participated in roughly two hundred hours of training provided by both the National Health Corps of Philadelphia and my host-site, Education Plus Health, Inc. In that estimated time frame I have collected fliers, pamphlets, business cards, my own notes on significant topics and experiences, and more. Reflecting back on my collection of events and moments I’ve thought of a few things: Firstly, yikes, that’s a lot of paper. Secondly, supportin...g the health and wellness of students in Education Plus Health’s school-based health centers would be a more difficult task without the network I have created and the skills and knowledge it has helped me to develop. It truly does take a village to support our youth. I look forward to being part of that village in my future professional endeavors. - Isabella Colletti, NHC Philly 2019-2020 [Image Description: NHC Philadelphia member’s notebook with records of training and significant experiences throughout the service term accompanied by the National Health Corps 2019 to 2020 Handbook and a collection of Philadelphia community resource program information and business cards.]

Hiking makes an excellent social distancing activity this summer. Experiencing Nature with Family and friends makes for fond summertime memories. Here’s some safety tips to stay safe during this hiking season. Know your limits: Go on hikes that are at or below your skill level. How frequently do you hike? How comfortable are you in Nature? Plan Your Hike: Plan your hiking route before you hike and also make an Emergency Plan! Also make sure to check the weather.... Bring the essentials: Makes sure to properly equip yourself for hikes to ensure Safety!. Here is a resource for the ten essentials a group must have to safely hike. https://www.nps.gov/articles/10essentials.htm Respect Nature, Be Safe, and Have Fun this Hiking Season!. [Image Description: Person walking through a dense forest.]

As the weather has been getting nicer, NHC Philly members have been enjoying the outdoors as much as possible during the pandemic. Some of our members have been going on socially distant walks and sitting by the Schuylkill River! Image description: Picture near the river with the grass, sky and trees in the background

June is Alzheimer and Brain Health Awareness Month. The number of Americans diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease is projected to increase greatly in the future. The CDC also shows the impact of race and ethnicity on Alzheimer and Dementia related diagnoses. 14% of African American adults over the age of 65 have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease compared to 10% Non-Hispanic White Americans. Show your support with the Alzheimer Association by using the profile picture frame and wearing purple this month. #ENDALZ Image Description: Infographic stating "New Estimates of Americans with Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias Show Racial and Ethnic Disparities."

This month, NHC members teamed up with Prevention Point Philadelphia to assist in a socially distanced community cleanup of Kensington. According to Prevention Point, at the end of the event, volunteers had picked up 682 needles and multiple gallons of trash. The members enjoyed the opportunity to connect with the community and each other after many months of teleservice. To learn more about Prevention Point and their mission, visit https://ppponline.org/. [Image description: 9 individuals pose in front of a mural in Kensington, while wearing masks and gloves and holding brooms and shovels used for the cleanup.]

"As a public health program, we are committed to speaking this truth and examining our own policies and practices as well as those of our partners and systems with which we interact. We will continue to fight against racism and police brutality and work for truer equity and equality." #stopthehate... #RestoreHumanity #bethechange

Millions of Americans are living with viral hepatitis but many do not know they are infected. For Hepatitis Awareness Month in May, learn the ABCs of viral hepatitis and what you can do to raise awareness of hepatitis A, hepatitis B and hepatitis C. https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/awareness/ #HepAware2020 Image Description: [Infographic about Hepatitis Awareness Month happening in May stating learn the ABCs of Viral Hepatitis and find out if you might be at risk.]

As summer approaches and the weather heats up, it’s important to be mindful of how the heat can affect one’s health. Children, older adults, and individuals who work outdoors can be particularly susceptible to heat stroke or heat exhaustion. The CDC recommends a number of ways to protect yourself from heat, including staying hydrated, remaining indoors at peak heat hours, dressing in loose clothing, and more (https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/features/extremeheat/index.html). And as many of us are eager to take advantage of the outdoors after much time inside, it is equally important to continue to be mindful of social distancing. [Image: Infographic about Beat the Heat with tips on different items surrounding a thermometer. Source: Oregon Health Authority.]

While we miss being together in person for monthly member meetings, NHC Philadelphia members are still gathering online for thoughtful and enriching training opportunities. For their third virtual meeting, the Professional Development Committee facilitated a discussion to reflect on Ted Talk presentation topics such as changing habits to expand your social networks and embracing procrastination. If you are interested in learning more about these concepts yourself, follow thes...e links: The secret to great opportunities? The personal you haven’t met yet - Tanya Menon https://www.ted.com//tanya_menon_the_secret_to_/transcript Inside the mind of a master procrastinator - Tim Urban https://www.youtube.com/watch #NHCPhilly #applynow [Image Description: NHC Members gathered on a Zoom conference call with discussion questions posted above.]