There is a wealth of resources here in Hillsborough County for those who do not have health insurance or a means to pay for healthcare, be it preventative, emergency or dental. Some clinics offer reduced or sliding rates based on individual income. The library can be a great resource for health information. Here is a list of just some of the resources available to you:

Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative
You may not think of the public library as a health resource, but it can be helpful for looking up information and other health resources. All of the local county libraries have computer labs and free internet for you to use. If you don’t have internet at home and need to locate a doctor or lookup health information online, the Hillsborough County Public Library is a great place to go. Visit them online to find a location today.

Suncoast Community Health Centers
Suncoast Community Health Centers are non-profit and community owned and operated. They accept walk-ins and can provide pediatric healthcare, family healthcare, internal medicine, obstetrics and gynecological services. They also offer dental services ranging from routine cleanings to minor oral surgery and root canals. Suncoast Community Health Centers accept Medicaid, Medipass, and Medicaid HMO’s. They also offer sliding fees based on income for those who choose to self-pay. Find a clinic here.

Tampa Family Health Centers
Tampa Family Health Centers are also non-profit health centers providing primary health care services to Hillsborough County residents. Their services include pediatrics, family medicine, internal medicine, OB/GYB, psychiatric care, family planning and dental. Tampa Family Health Centers accept Medicaid and Medicare, as well as many insurance plans. They also offer sliding fees based on income. Find a list of their locations here.

The Health Equity Coalition of Hillsborough County strives to implement community based programs that will promote organizational, systems and environmental community change, including increased access to quality healthcare. These resources can be invaluable to those who are medically underprivileged, and help in bridging the gap in quality healthcare.

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Resources for Prenatal Care In Hillsborough County
Access to Healthcare and Immunizations

Studies continue to show that more education is linked with better health and even longer life expectancy for most individuals. Children who are born to parents with more education have also shown to have better health in the long run and longer life expectancies. But why is it that the amount of education an individual has affects his or her health?

Some researchers believe that simply having additional years of education can add years to a person’s life and promote better health. However, education also affects other aspects of living that can be associated with better health. Here are some examples:

Income
More education usually leads someone to advanced careers with increased pay. People with higher income can afford to take better care of their health. From being able to afford healthier foods to doctor’s visits and hospital stays, they can lead healthier lives.

Working Conditions
Better working conditions and jobs can be attributed to education level, and these can play a big role in someone’s health. Someone who lacks education may be left at a job that does not provide healthy working conditions or health insurance, requires long hours, or has safety issues.

Health Insurance
People who have further education may have better access to careers and employers that provide good health insurance coverage, or they can afford to buy it individually. Someone who is only a high school graduate may not be able to afford quality healthcare that insurance would usually cover.

Home and Neighborhood
Something as simple as the homes and neighborhoods people live in can be related to their long-term health and life expectancy. Those who live in neighborhoods near a pollution site or interstate highway will be exposed to conditions that can negatively impact their health. An old or rundown house might expose inhabitants to hazards like mold and asbestos.

Knowledge
People with more education are likely to be more knowledgeable about their health, eating habits, exercise and so forth. Because they have this knowledge as a tool, they may be more likely to care about their own health and well-being than someone without it.

There are many other reasons that education can directly and indirectly impact the quality of an individual’s health. Take some time to think about how these can influence people’s health and consider ways we can work around them to increase equality of health in our community.

Sources:
More Education, Better Health
Parents’ income, education affect kids’ health

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Introducing a CHANGE

In urban areas of the United States, air quality is a public health concern, since air pollution can cause respiratory problems, asthma, and even heart attack and stroke. Poor air quality or pollution does not always affect everyone the same. Some groups of people are more susceptible to harm from air pollution due to their location or socioeconomic status.

What Is Being Done About Air Quality?
Air pollution has decreased over the past year, but research shows that the effects of it on our health are worse than they were originally thought to be. So what is being done about it?

· Clean Air Act. In 1970 Congress passed this act, which sought to protect people and the environment from the effects of air pollutants. A main component of the act was that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was required to reduce routine, or daily, emissions of powerful air pollutants that cause serious health problems.

· Amendment to the Clean Air Act. In 1990, the Clean Air Act was amended to require the EPA to use a technology-based and performance-based method of reducing toxic emissions from major sources of air pollution.

· Enforcement. National Air Quality standards are enforced at both the state and local levels. In Florida, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection monitors air quality, and in Hillsborough County, the Hillsborough County Environmental Protection Commission does.

· Transportation/ metropolitan planning. As transportation contributes to air quality, the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for transportation plays a role in reducing air pollution. MPO implements Congestion Management System planning, organizes bicycle and pedestrian programs, and promotes mass transit in an effort to reduce air pollution.

Why Are Some People Affected More?

· Location. Sometimes, sources of pollution may be located closer to areas of underprivileged communities, thus increasing the residents’ exposure to toxins.

· Socioeconomic status. People of a lower social position may be more inclined to health effects of air pollution. They may lack the access to health care, work at places with poorer air quality, or already have existing health conditions that would put them at greater risk.

What Can I Do?
While changing air quality altogether is a larger issue that you cannot change on your own, there are ways you can protect your own health and reduce your exposure to poor air and pollution.

· Check the AQI. The Air Quality Index shows you the air quality in your area on a daily basis. You can check it each day through Air Now and reduce your exposure on days when the index is at an unhealthy level.

· Avoid heavy traffic. Regularly commuting during rush hour may increase your risk of health effects from air pollutants, so if possible, try commuting during irregular hours.

· Exercise at the right time. Exercising outdoors is best done in the morning, when ozone is low. Avoiding exercising outdoors during rush hour traffic, as that will protect you from air pollutants as well.

· Use your car’s A/C re-circulate. If you do sit in rush hour traffic often, use your air conditioning’s re-circulate feature.

Sources:
Air Quality and Health (WHO)
Your Health: Air pollution affects brain, heart, blood vessels (USA Today)
Health Buzz: U.S. Air Quality Better, But Still Unhealthy (US News)

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Grants to Build Our Community

Schools supplies and a new backpack aren’t the only things children need to get back to school. Hillsborough County schools require students to have up-to-date immunizations and a routine health physical within one year of entrance. There are several locations in Hillsborough County that provide free back-to-school physicals and immunizations. The last two free events are this week:

SouthShore Community Resource Center
201 14^th Avenue SE, Ruskin, FL 33570
Saturday, August 20, 2011
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Appointment required; call (813) 443-3048 for more information

Webb Middle School
6035 Hanley Rd., Tampa, FL 33634
Saturday, August 20, 2011
9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Walk-ins only; call (813) 443-3048 for more information

A parent or guardian must accompany child at all times, and a valid immunization record is required for free immunizations. Physicals for sports, Head Start or childcare will not be provided. Any school-aged K-12 child is eligible to participate. Hillsborough County will also be providing free backpacks with school supplies at these back-to-school events.

Sources:
Back to School Physicals (SDHC)
Hillsborough County Hosting Back-to-School Fair (Bay News 9)

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Access to Healthcare and Immunizations
The Importance of Early Screenings and Medical Checkups

Although there has been an improved focus on preventative care in the United States, not all Americans have seen the benefits. The level of medical care an individual receives has been shown to be related to economic status, education, race and gender. Immunizations rates for children are high, even among minority groups, but disparities in immunization rates are still a problem for the adult minority populations.

Closing the Gap

Health disparities are important to the entire U.S. population, as minority groups are expected to increase in proportion to the whole population. Improving the health of the minority populations will ultimately affect the future of America’s overall health.

On June 8, 2000, the state of Florida signed the Reducing Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities "Closing the Gap" grant program into law. These grants are used to support the growth of community-based organizations and help with improving healthcare and disease prevention for racial and ethnic populations

Resources in Hillsborough County

Those who can’t afford proper preventative care will often put off visits to a healthcare provider until their problems become severe. Preventative care can often eliminate the need for emergency rooms visits or hospital stays, but it can be expensive for those who do not have health insurance.

Many state and county programs are available to assist you in getting preventative care. Here are some options for Hillsborough County residents:

· Medicaid—Medicaid is available for low-income families with children, children, and pregnant women, non-citizens with emergencies, elderly and disabled persons who do not receive supplemental security income.

· Medicare—Medicare is for people 65 and older, people under 65 with certain disabilities, and people of any age with End-Stage Renal Disease. Depending on the type, Medicare can cover everything from preventative care to hospital stays, nursing facility care and prescriptions.

· Hillsborough County Health Care Plan—If you have limited income and do not qualify for Medicare or Medicaid, this program covers primary and specialty care, pharmacy and more.

· Free back-to-school physicals and immunizations for children—Several locations in Hillsborough County are offering free back-to-school physicals in August.

Sources:

Eliminate Disparities in Adult and Child Immunization Rates (CDC)

Minority Health Resources (CDC)

Closing the Gap (Florida Department of Health)

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Grants to Build Our Community

With the summer in full swing, it is important to keep kids busy and out of trouble. Keeping kids active on a daily basis, however, can become an expensive undertaking for parents. There are a number of options available for families in Hillsborough County to keep kids safe, happy, healthy, and active during the summer, at no great expense to their parents.

City of Tampa Parks and Recreation Department Summer Camps

The Tampa Parks and Recreation Department is offering Summer Day Camps and Special interest camps at 25 different locations throughout the city of Tampa. Children will get to enjoy fresh air and outdoor activities while having fun and making new memories. This option is extremely affordable as well, just $80 per child for nine weeks.

YMCA

Local YMCA clubs offer various summer camps. Some are one-week sessions and some are more extended “sports clinics.” Camps run through August 3. Most day camps operate from 9 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. each day. For details, call (813) 224-9622.

Sports Camps

While sports camps are somewhat more expensive, they offer the child the opportunity to refine or build new skills in a single sport or even a variety of sports. Some of the options available include: basketball, baseball, gymnastics, flag football, cheerleading, soccer or golf.

Girls Camp

The Centre for Girls, run by the Centre for Women has a summer program that extends through August 3. The program includes cooking, field trips, aerobics, fitness classes and computer lab activities. The program is run by counselors and helps build self-esteem and healthy choices in girls. The Centre is located at 105 W. Sligh Avenue, and the program is open to girls age 10 to 18.To become a member, stop by for a tour and to pick up a registration packet, call (813) 231-3404.

Sources:

Summer Camps (TampbBay.com)

Summer Camps (TBO.com)

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Feeding Kids All Summer Long

Tutoring in Hillsborough County

Childhood hunger, nutrition and obesity are all important issues for any society. They are as prevalent here in Hillsborough Country as they are anywhere else in the nation. Thousands of children in our community depend on school lunch programs to provide balanced meals for them. Without these programs, many children would either go hungry or fall back on food options that are a combination of inexpensive and unhealthy. It is vital to the youth of our community that nutritious food be available even when school is out of session. Luckily it is.

Hillsborough County Summer Food Program

Hillsborough County itself provides breakfast and lunch to children age 18 and younger all summer. Registration is not required; children need only be onsite to receive a meal. Meals are distributed at non-profits, faith based organizations, county parks and other areas where needy children are likely to be during summer break. For a list of distribution locations follow this link.

Hillsborough County Public Schools

The schools are still doing their part. From June 13 through August 12, several Hillsborough County schools offer lunch to children whether they are in summer school or not. Schools with half or more of their students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunches are eligible for this program. It is recommended that parents or community advocates call individual schools before referring a child there for meals.

If you know a child in need of viable meal options over the summer months, we urge you to look into either of these options. Not only will these programs provide nutritious meals, but they will also add some structure to the day. Having a place to be, with responsible adult supervision, can help to ensure that children are not out on their own–potentially getting involved in harmful activities.

Sources:

Hillsborough School District Announces Summer Food Service Program (Seminole Heights Patch)

Summer Food Program (Hillsborough County, Florida)

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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that in 2009 25.2% of the residents of Florida were officially obese. Additionally they report that African Americans have higher instances of obesity than any other racial group in the United States. They define obesity as having a body mass index of 30 or greater. One means of attacking this issue is direct and accurate communication about nutrition. The USDA recently decided that more straightforward approach was necessary when it comes to communicating the basic fundamentals of nutrition.

My Plate

To provide a guide that all people can use to make better dietary choices, the Food Pyramid that we are all familiar with has been replaced. The new visual representation of a proper meal is called “My Plate.” It is literally a graphic of a plate with five sections:

1. Fruits
2. Vegetables
3. Grains
4. Protein
5. Dairy

The sections are of differing sizes so that people can better gauge how much of their meal should be made up each food group. Fruits and vegetables represent half of the recommended portion, with an emphasis on vegetables. Grains and protein represent the other half of the solid food that is recommended, with slightly more grains being recommended than protein. Dairy is suggested as a glass of low-fat milk. In addition to the straightforward visual representation of what constitutes a nutritious meal, the USDA provides some additional nutrition tips:

• Pay attention to portion control and eat more slowly to savor your meal.
• Ensure that half of your grains are whole grains.
• Drink 1% or fat-free milk.
• Watch your sodium intake and select foods that have the least amount of salt.
• Choose water instead of sugar-filled beverages.

If you would like a PDF of their official recommendations, simply click here.

Any tool that aids in increasing healthy behaviors and focuses on nutrition is one that should be embraced. This new communication tool is a foundation for health education and the promotion of adopting a nutritious diet. As it will likely be a standard for years to come, it is important to be familiar with it.

Sources:

Choose My Plate (U.S.D.A)

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Many of the construction materials used to build and beautify Hillsborough County unfortunately contain lead. This is because paint was a common additive to paint for many years. While lead based paint has been outlawed for use in houses and other areas since 1978, many areas of our county were developed before then. Today we know that lead can be a very dangerous part of any environment; however, many people do not seem to know the effects of lead poisoning.

Exposure to lead, often via lead-based paint or even water pipes, can allow trace amounts of lead to build up within a person’s body. Lead can enter a person’s body if they inhale small pieces of chipped paint or construction dust. It can also find its way into your system if you touch it and then put your hands in your mouth, nose, or eyes. Repeated exposure allows lead to build up, leading to dangerous consequences.

Symptoms of Lead Poisoning

• Changes in mood; especially increased amounts of bad moods
• Fatigue
• Weak muscles
• High blood pressure
• Headaches
• Trouble with memory
• Reproduction problems in adults

People of all ages can become exposed to lead in all sorts of settings. Children are especially at risk, because their bodies are more easily affected by lead poisoning. They are also more likely to come into contact with the substance, as they have a tendency to crawl on the ground, where they may come into contact with lead chips or play in soil that may be contaminated with lead.

Diagnosis

If you feel that you, your child, or someone else may be suffering from lead poisoning, you must consult a doctor. A medical professional can take a simple blood sample and have it tested for lead levels.

Sources:

Lead in paint Dust and Soil (Environmental Protection Agency)

Lead Poisoning (Mayo Clinic)

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Neighborhood Benefits of Community Gardens

Is your neighborhood walkable? What does that even mean? Walkability is not just about having sidewalks–it’s about having places to walk to: parks, grocery stores, work, the community center etc. According to Walk Score, a website that scores neighborhoods, walkability is judged by the following criteria:

• The presence of a center or main street
• Enough people for businesses to flourish and public transportation to run
• A mixed-income population
• Plenty of parks and public spaces
• Buildings close to the street, with parking lots relegated to the back
• Schools and workplaces close enough to neighborhoods
• Streets designed for bicyclists, pedestrians and transit

Why is walkability important? There are many reasons, but the two most important ones are because it inherently promotes more walking, which in turn means less pollution and healthier residents. In a study done by the National Institutes of Health, researchers found that body mass index and pollution were lower in areas deemed “walkable.”

Other studies, like one done by the Natural Resources and Earth System Science Program, have shown that neighborhoods with walkable access show a higher level of social trust among neighbors and a higher participation rate in community events. They also found that those residents volunteered more and watched less television.

Being in a neighborhood where there is more community participation and people are walking to get to where they want to be can also have a definite crime deterrent, as there is more interaction among residents and more hustle and bustle along the streets.

So tell us, is your neighborhood walkable? You can check out your walk score here and then tell us about your findings!

Sources:

How Walkable Neighborhoods Increase Home Values, Illustrated (NRDC Switchboard)

Walkable Neighborhoods Have Higher Levels of Trust, Community Participation (NRDC Switchboard)

2 Studies: Urban Sprawl adds pounds, pollution (The Seattle Times)

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