Spring break is almost here!  Whether you're traveling internationally or taking a road trip, this safe travel checklist from Wisconsin DHS has some important tips! Here are some other reminders to ensure you and your fellow travelers have a great trip:

• Sun Smarts: Apply and reapply sunscreen with at least SPF 30.
• Hydration is Key: Keep a water bottle handy and sip throughout the day to stay hydrated.
• Swim Safely: Only swim in designated areas and never alone. Keep an eye on each other to ensure everyone enjoys the water without worry.
• Road Trip Wisdom: Check your car's essentials before heading out, and take turns driving to avoid fatigue.

Learn More: 

The Latest Updates on Travel World Health Organization

Travelers' Health from the CDC

Measles Cases and Outbreaks from the CDC

Traveler Health: What you need to know from WI Department of Health Services 

Fueling Longevity: Smart Nutrition Strategies For Older Adults

As we age, our body needs different amounts of calories, nutrients, and vitamins to keep performing at our best.  Muscle mass decreases, bones begin to thin, and some people may be less mobile. According to the American Heart Association, calories should come from nutrient-dense foods. Some examples of nutrient-dense foods include:

• Vegetables- spinach, carrots, broccoli, kale, beets, sweet potatoes 
• Fruits- strawberries, oranges, limes, grapefruit, blackberries, apples, pomegranate, pineapple, banana, avocado, blueberries 
• Whole grains- barley, quinoa, brown rice, farro, oatmeal, popcorn, whole-wheat flour 
• Lean meat- skinless chicken breast, turkey breast, fish and seafood (salmon, cod, tuna, shrimp) 
• Low-fat dairy- Greek yogurt, skim milk, low-fat cottage cheese 

While older adults may need fewer calories each day compared to a younger person, they may have similar or even increased nutrient needs. This can place older adults at higher risk for malnutrition. Malnutrition can lead to health complications, such as diabetes, cancer, and heart disease, as well as increased chances of falls, leading to increased healthcare costs.  So, what can you do to prevent these problems? 

• Talk with your provider about dietary changes or adding supplements or vitamins 
• Keep a food diary to help keep track of what you are eating. Review it to see if you are meeting dietary needs 
• Spend Smart. Eat Smart. Make a food spending budget. Purchase items that are going to go the furthest. Cooking more at home will help you know exactly what is in the food you eat, and it saves costs in the long run.  
• Read nutrition labels and look for whole foods, or foods that do not have many additives.  

Learn More:

Nutrition & Exercise Resources from National Council on Aging

Healthy eating, nutrition, and diet from National Institute on Aging

Spend Smart. Eat Smart - Recipes from Iowa State University Extension

World Tuberculosis (TB) Day is observed on March 24, the date in 1882 when Dr. Robert Koch announced his discovery of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacillus that causes TB. The theme of world TB Day 2026 is:

"Yes! We Can End TB! Lead by Countries! Powered by People!"

What is TB?

TB is a contagious bacterial infection - usually in the lungs - that spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. TB is preventable and curable, yet remains one of the top ten causes of death globally. In fact, according to the World Health Organization tuberculosis resurged in 2023 as the top infectious killer, surpassing COVID-19.

Learn More:

• World TB Day from The Stop TB Partnership
• 2024 data about reported Tuberculosis in the United States from the CDC (released January 2026)

Recommended Reading:

Everything Is Tuberculosis by John Green (2025) is a nonfiction book that follows the experience of a young patient living with tuberculosis while placing that story within the broader historical, scientific, and social context of the disease. Several staff members have read the book and found it to be an informative and engaging overview of a condition that continues to influence public health.

Positive thinking doesn't mean that you ignore hard things in your life. It simply means that you approach things - even the unpleasant ones - in a positive way. According to Mayo Clinic, there are proven health benefits to increasing your positive thinking. Those include:

• Increased life span
• Lower rates of depression
• Greater resistance to illness
• Better cardiovascular health and reduced risk of death from cardiovascular disease and stroke
• Reduced risk of death from cancer, respiratory conditions, and infections
• Better coping skills in times of stress

It's not yet clear why people who engage in positive thinking experience these health benefits. It may be that having a positive outlook enables you to cope better with stressful situations, reducing the harmful health effects of stress on your body. It could also be that positive people tend to live healthier lifestyles. The good news is that everyone can practice positive thinking. Use the attached 30 Day Positivity Challenge sheet to guide you!

Learn More: Which Leisure Activities Are Linked to Lower Risk of Dementia from the American Academy of Neurology

Public Health Response: When A Child’s Blood Test Registers Lead Levels 

When Winnebago County Public Health staff receive a notification about a child whose blood lead levels are high, they jump into action. 

When this happens, a public health nurse contacts the parents to review the dangers of lead exposure and how it could impact their child’s development. The importance of rescreening is emphasized as well as how lead poisoning could affect growth and learning. (An elevated level is considered to be 3.5 mcg/dL or greater) During the conversation, the public health nurse offers to visit their home to provide a visual inspection, education, and support. 

Together, they discuss common sources of lead and information about products that have been recalled for lead contamination. Practical prevention steps, diet, and referrals to community resources are also covered.

For children with levels 5.0 mcg/dL or higher, the public health nurse also offers a developmental assessment to check for any developmental delays in children. When a child’s blood lead level reaches levels of 10 mcg/dL or greater, the case then also brings in our Environmental Health staff. Their role is critical as they conduct a full-lead investigation at the family's home. Immediate interim measures are identified to reduce exposure. They complete a detailed risk assessment report and write a work order outlining the steps needed to fix the problem. Finally, they work closely with the property owner to remediate lead hazards and make the home lead safe. 

How often does this happen? 

In 2025 our team investigated 52 cases of children with elevated blood lead levels of 3.5 mcg/dL and above. Of those cases, 39 families received a home visit with a public health nurse. Six families declined a home visit, but received education over the phone. The Environmental Health team investigated 12 of those properties to identify lead hazards and work with the property owner to correct the lead hazards.

Here Are Some Practical Tips to Reduce Childhood Lead Exposure: 

• Test early: Lead poisoning can affect a child’s ability to learn and behave, so early testing at ages 1 and 2 is essential. 
• Older homes: If your home is built before 1978 keep paint intact, hire lead-certified contractors for renovations that can professionally address surfaces with lead paint. 
• Clean often: Soil and dust spread lead. Use wet mops to clean your floors, wipe windowsills, vacuum, and remove shoes at the door. 
• Water safety: If your house has old plumbing, run water for 2–3 minutes before use; drink cold water only and use cold water for cooking and preparing baby formula. 
• Wash hands and toys: After outdoor play, before eating, and at bedtime wash hands with soap and water. 
• Avoid risks: Certain Mexican candies (tamarind/chili), and children’s jewelry contain lead, especially risky for pregnant women and children. 
• Work precautions: Change clothes if exposed to lead or work with lead paint at work. 
• Home projects: Use lead-safe practices to prevent dust spread, especially true in older houses as renovations can expose old paint and create toxic dust. 
• Nutrition: Provide foods rich in calcium, vitamin C, and iron.

Learn More on our website.

Hannah Wainio

Community Health Strategist II, Winnebago County Public Health; WPP project lead for Addressing and Preventing Childhood Trauma in Winnebago County: A Community Schools Approach