TCHD Public Health News
2017
Fall Newsletter
Lead Poisoning Prevention
 
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there is no safe blood level in children.  The CDC estimates that approximately half a million U.S. children have blood lead levels above 5 micrograms per deciliter, the reference level at which public health actions should be initiated.   The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) recommends that all low-income children in Colorado be tested for lead at 12 months and 24 months of age.  This simple blood test can prevent permanent damage that could last a lifetime. For children identified with lead poisoning, TCHD conducts interviews and conducts site visits to identify and mitigate exposure to lead. For more information, www.tchd.org/lead .

In 2017, to help protect older children from potential exposure to lead in public school drinking water, Colorado legislators enacted House Bill 17-1306, directing CDPHE's Water Quality Control Division to establish a grant program to test for lead in public school drinking water. Most schools that have not yet tested their water are eligible to apply for grants, with priority given to school buildings where children may be at greater risk starting with oldest public elementary schools, oldest public schools not elementary schools, and then all other public schools. The following links are to the CDPHE Guidance Document and draft Application Form . For further details or assistance, call TCHD at 303-220-9200 and ask for Elaine Hassinger, Water Quality Specialist.
 
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When Should a Child Care Facility or School Contact Communicable Disease at Tri-County Health Department?

  • When they observe an increase of student illness from the sick log (i.e., diarrhea, vomiting, coughing, fevers)
  • If there is any suspect exposure between students and wild animals (i.e. bats, skunks, fox, raccoons)
  • When there is a concern for spread of diseases (i.e. whooping cough, meningitis, C. diff, etc.)
  • If they have questions about the best way to sanitize or disinfect classrooms and surfaces
  • To learn how to prevent outbreaks and/or spread of diseases

  
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Infectious Tidbits

Read the Fall 2017 Quarterly Infectious Disease Newsletter from Tri-County Health Department to learn more about communicable disease prevention and control.

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Syndromic Surveillance Newsletter

We are pleased to share our second quarterly Syndromic Surveillance Newsletter, which provides updates about the national syndromic surveillance effort and the most current cross-jurisdictional work using syndromic surveillance data.

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Private Insurance Now Accepted at Tri-County!

We are excited to announce that Tri-County can now bill most private insurance plans for vaccines.
 
  Continue reading to see a list of accepted insurance plans and to learn more about our immunization clinics.

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Need Fast and Easy Lunch Ideas?
 
Here is a new idea that can save you time.  Check out Tri-County's Pinterest page for more lunch ideas.
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CDC Releases New Data on the Link Between Health and Academic Achievement

 

Click here to learn more.

 
Tri-County Health Department  | 303-220-9200  |  http://www.tchd.org/