Showing posts with label 211. Pasco County. Show all posts
    Showing posts with label 211. Pasco County. Show all posts
  • Safety First on Halloween



    Just because Halloween celebrates all things scary, doesn't mean you want any safety scares of your own.  Use these tips from USA.gov to make sure you and your family have a fun and safe holiday.


    Pick Visible Costumes:  Pick brightly colored costumes to make it easier for cars to see trick-or-treaters on dark roads.  If the costume must be dark, apply reflective tape on the costume or candy bags to help them be more noticeable.  Flashlights are also good to carry.

    Use Face Paint instead of a Mask with your Children’s Costumes:  Face paint may work better than a mask when it comes to visibility.  If you decide to paint designs on your kids' faces, follow the directions on the face paint package closely.  It's a good idea to test the face paint a few days before Halloween and be sure to avoid the eye area when applying.

    Don’t snack while Trick-or-Treating:  Inspect all treats before allowing your children to snack on them.  Toss out any candy with opened or damaged wrappers and homemade treats. 

    Consider using a Glow Stick:  Make sure costumes are flame resistant.  In luminaries or jack-o-lanterns consider using a glow stick or battery-powered lights instead of candles.

    more
  • New Dietary Guidelines to Replace the Food Pyramid





    LET'S EAT FOR THE HEALTH OF IT!
    Your food and activity choices each day affect  your health -- how you feel today, tomorrow and in the future.  The tips below are a good starting point toward a change for a healthy diet and a healthier you: 
     More in-depth information can be found by following each topic link above and by visiting the Ten Tips Nutrition Education SeriesSample menus are available to show how all the recommendations for each food group and nutrient intake can be integrated into a weekly menu.  You can also find tips for eating out and key information on vegetarian diets, and more.

    Improving what you eat and being active will help you to reduce your risk of chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, some cancers and obesity. 

    For additional resources check out:
    • www.DietaryGuidelines.gov
    • www.Health.gov/paguidelines
    • www.HealthFinder.gov

     Information supplied by the USDA Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion



    more
  • New Sunscreen Labels to Help you Get the Best Protection


    Beginning next summer the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is changing sunscreen labels to make it easier for you to pick a product that offers the protection level you want.  The labels will clearly tell whether a sunscreen protects against sunburn, skin cancer and signs of premature skin aging; and whether it is a broad spectrum product.

    Broad spectrum sunscreens with an SPF of 15 or higher will protect against all three.  Anything less than 15 SPF will only protect against sunburn and soon will be labeled with a warning that reads "Skin cancer/skin aging alert: Spending time in the sun increases your risk of skin cancer and early skin aging.  This product has been shown only to help prevent sunburn, not skin cancer or early skin aging".  Future labels will also include information on how much time a user can expect to get the declared SPF level of protection while swimming or sweating. 

    Spending time in the sun increases the risk of skin cancer and early skin aging.  To reduce this risk, consumers should regularly use sun protection measures including:
    • Use sunscreens with broad spectrum SPF values of 15 or higher regularly and as directed.
    • Limit time in the sun, especially between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., when the sun’s rays are most intense.
    • Wear clothing to cover skin exposed to the sun; for example, long-sleeved shirts, pants, sunglasses, and broad-brimmed hats.
    • Reapply sunscreen at least every 2 hours, more often if you’re sweating or jumping in and out of the water.
    Follow this link for more information on sunscreen, basic information on skin cancer and skin safety.

    more
  • Medicaid Area Offices Accommodate Hearing Impaired


    Medicaid Offices for Hearing-Impaired Beneficiaries

    The Florida Association of the Deaf, Inc. (FAD) recently published a press release on Florida Medicaid Area Offices for beneficiaries who are hearing-impaired and need access to Medicaid services.

    Florida Medicaid, a form of health insurance, is a state and federal partnership overseen by the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA). Thirteen Medicaid Area Offices are set up throughout the state dedicated to assist beneficiaries. Each area office has a contact person and telephone number to help those beneficiaries who are hearing-impaired.

    Medicaid Areas Office Contact Names and telephones numbers are listed here, alphabetically, for Pasco and the surrounding counties:

    * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
    Hernando: Area Number 3B, Tommy Ellis @ 352-840-5735
    Hillsborough: Area Number 6, Scott Henjum @ 813-350-4830 &
    Dondra Smith @ 813-350-4846
    Pasco: Area Number 5, Gayle Ninis @ 727-552-1925
    Pinellas: Area Number 5, Gayle Ninis @ 727-552-1925
    Polk: Area Number 6, Scott Henjum @ 813-350-4830 &
    Dondra Smith @ 813-350-4846
    Sumter: Area Number 3B, Tommy Ellis @ 352-840-5735
    * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *


    Beneficiary Services are free. You can call or have a family member call for you. To learn more about offerings and assistance, click here to view ACHA's Beneficiary Services section.


    Pasco and Pinellas counties are represented by Medicaid Area Office Number 5. For more details, click on either (1) the AHCA Area Office map, or (2) MyFlorida Medicaid link. Then choose "Area Number 5".


    Additionally, a few groups and links that provide support for the disabled:
    Florida Association of the Deaf, Inc. (FAD) - provides services and important information about Medicaid and interpreters. Follow FAD through Facebook, or Twitter at deaFAD.
    Florida Telecommunications Relay, Inc. (FTRI)- offers Florida Relay Service (711), providing a connection link with those who use standard telephone equipment
    Florida 2-1-1 Network - dialing 211 is easy access to community human services information, with either a landline or cell phone, and available to every person in Florida.

    Deaf Services Bureau - assistance for those in West Central Florida.
    Florida Medicaid Program - Medicaid information provided through the Florida Health Finder Network web site.
    Florida Health Finder - web site that connects Floridians with health care information.

    Information has been provided by FAD inc., ACHA, and FTRI.


    more
  • Teens and Drug Abuse - Information to make healthier decisions


    Teen Drug Abuse Help At Your Fingertips

    The National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) statistics show a decrease in teen drug use. Despite this good news, there will be kids who will get sucked into abusing drugs. Steering clear of these dangers can be a difficult thing.

    NIDA's Teen web site, teens.drugabuse.gov, is a very good resource. It delivers science-based facts about how drugs affect the brain and body to arm kids with better information to make healthy decisions.

    One helpful feature is their Sara Bellum Blog. It shares the latest research and news with teens in a non-preachy manner. It gives teens a way to communicate their thoughts about drugs. Visitors can leave their own comments. A glossary on the web site is available to look up unfamiliar terms.

    The theme this year for the National Drug Facts Week is "Shatter The Myths", November 8-14, 2010. Find out more details about it on the NIDA Teen web site.

    Teens need to be educated about the dangers of drugs in order to make good decisions. The NIDA web site is just one more tool in the arsenal to fight drug abuse.

    Information has been provided by Your U.S. Government Blog, GovGab, and the National Institute on Drug Abuse.

    more
  • Upcoming Job Fair

    Career Central is offering a Medical Field Career Fair on Friday May 14th from 9am to noon. Employers from the medical field will be available to tell you about job openings.

    The Career Central office is located at
    4440 Grand Blvd.
    New Port Richey, FL 34652
    For more information call: (727) 484-3400 or go to their website
    http://www.careercentral.jobs

    more
  • Label Cloud

Welcome to the PCLS Health Care Blog!

This blog was created as part of the E-Government services offered by the Pasco County Library System. Our intent is to provide the citizens of Pasco County, Florida electronic resources and information about Health Care in Pasco County.

Subscribe via RSS

Subscribe via email

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner

Popular Posts

Blog Archive

CDC H1N1 Flu Updates

H1N1 Podcast/Videos from CDC

Go Here to watch or listen to the latest podcasts from the CDC about the H1N1 Virus.

CDC Text Messages


CDC Text Messages Widget. Flash Player 9 is required.
CDC Text Messages Widget.
Flash Player 9 is required.

All Podcasts from the CDC

Go Here to watch or listen to all the latest podcasts from the CDC on a range of health care issues.

Health Tips from the CDC


Five Minutes Or Less For Health Widget. Flash Player 9 is required.
Five Minutes Or Less For Health Widget.
Flash Player 9 is required.

Prescription Drug Help

Health Care Providers

Florida Discount Drug Card Program

If you are 60 years old or older and without prescription drug coverage or who fall into the Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage gap; or under age 60, without prescription drug coverage, and with an annual family income of less than 300% of the Federal Poverty Level you may use this program. Qualifying incomes include those below the following:


$32,490 (for an individual)

$43,710 (for a family of two)

$66,150 (for a family of four)


For general information: http://www.floridadiscountdrugcard.com/

To enroll go to: http://www.floridadiscountdrugcard.com

Or call 1-866-341-8894 to enroll by telephone


Pasco County Prescription Discount Card


You can pick these up at any library branch or at the health department to receive a discount on your prescriptions.


For information 1-877-321-2652 or visit their website www.caremark.com/naco