The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Health

Health News 06/12/2024

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Dr. Jonathon Tsai (Courtesy of BayCare)

New staff at BayCare Medical Group
Dr. Jonathon Tsai, general surgeon, has joined the BayCare Medical Group, 4211 Van Dyke Road, Suite 200, in Lutz, in the Physician Office Building on the St. Joseph’s Hospital-North campus. The surgeon earned his Doctor of Medicine from the University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, and completed a general surgery residency at Charleston Area Medical Center in West Virginia. Dr. Tsai prioritizes minimally invasive robotic surgery.

Strokes on the rise among young people
Research from the American Heart Association shows the rate of stroke has been steadily rising for the past 30 years among Americans younger than age 49, particularly among people living in the South and Midwest regions of the United States, according to an AdventHealth news release.

The findings came from the Global Burden of Disease 2019 study, which is a peer-reviewed, large-scale assessment of global health trends. It also found the stroke rate is declining in adults ages 75 and older in the U.S.

The most recent data from the Florida Department of Health shows stroke was the fourth leading cause of death in Florida. Since 2010, the number of Floridians who died from stroke has increased. Each year there are approximately 65,000 to 75,000 hospitalizations from stroke. Stroke is also a leading cause of long-term disability, the release says.

Most risk factors for stroke in young adults are similar to those in older adults, like high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol and obesity. Other risk factors include excessive alcohol use, physical inactivity, smoking and heart disease.

Health experts encourage people to remember the acronym “BE FAST” to look for symptoms:

B – Balance: look for loss of balance
E – Eyes: check for vision loss
F – Face: look for an uneven smile
A – Arms: check to see if one arm is weak
S – Speech: listen for slurred speech
T – Time: it is time to call 911 if any of these signs are present

To learn more about stroke prevention and treatment, visit AdventHealth.com.

States ranked for tick-borne illnesses
To mark National Lyme Disease Awareness Month, Pest Gnome has ranked 2024’s Worst States for Tick-Borne Illnesses, according to a news release.

(Erik Karits/Pexels)

Pest Gnome is part of the Home Gnome family of home services sites that make it easy to find home services professionals, its website says.

Fifty states were compared in six categories for the annual rates of tick-borne illnesses like Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF).

Environmental factors such as forest area, hiking trails, and length of tick and flea season were also considered among 25 total metrics.

The most vulnerable states for tick-borne illnesses are: 1) New York, 2) Pennsylvania, 3) Texas, 4) California and 5) Wisconsin.

The least vulnerable states: 1) Hawaii, 2) Arizona, 3) Utah, 4) Idaho and 5) New Mexico.

To read the full story, visit PestGnome.com/blog/studies/worst-states-tick-borne-illnesses/.

Grantee spotlight
The Special Hearts Farm “Special Animals for Special Hearts,” in Winter Garden, serves individuals with disabilities and unique abilities by providing adult day training, supported employment, and entrepreneur business opportunities related to farming and gardening experiences.

The farm received $10,000 from the Autism License Plate grant and used the funds to support the farm, according to a news release.

Participants are trained to perform jobs including livestock care, woodworking, gardening and making goat milk soap. Products that are created, marketed and sold (goat milk, rustic signs, farm parties, goat yoga) provide an opportunity to promote community health and awareness.

The next Autism License Plate grant application cycle will open on July 1. All nonprofit organizations with an Internal Revenue Service designation as a 501(c)(3) exempt organization and State of Florida Charitable Solicitation Registration number that are providing services to individuals with autism and related disabilities in Florida are eligible to apply.

Health News 06/05/2024

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AdventHealth Wesley Chapel leaders honor the men and women of Pasco County Fire Rescue. (Courtesy of AdventHealth)

A celebration of first responders
AdventHealth Wesley Chapel hosted an EMS ceremony on May 21, commemorating the 50th anniversary of National EMS Week, to celebrate the dedication and bravery of Pasco County Fire Rescue first responders, specifically the service of Station 26 A shift, according to a news release.

Members of this EMS team were recognized for responding to a cardiac arrest patient on Easter Sunday and bringing them to the ER at AdventHealth Wesley Chapel. The patient is recovering in the hospital’s cardiac rehab program because of the quick actions and care of the first responders.

The ceremony showcased the importance of honoring first responders who play a critical role in ensuring the health and safety of the community, saving lives and providing essential care during crises.

In addition to the ceremony at AdventHealth Wesley Chapel, AdventHealth Zephyrhills hosted a celebration on May 23 to honor Station 29 C shift and AdventHealth Dade City honored Pasco County Fire Rescue Station 32 A shift on May 24.

Veterans Home is charity of the month
The five Pasco County Tax Collector’s offices will feature the Baldomero Lopez State Veterans Nursing Home in Land O’ Lakes as its charity of the month for June.

The nursing home was built for veterans who need long-term skilled nursing care, with about 50% of the beds dedicated to veterans with dementia and related memory disorders.

“It is truly inspiring to serve our veterans who sacrificed so much in protecting our freedoms,” said Administrator Marlies Sarrett, in a news release.

“By supporting them as Charity of the Month, it is a fitting way to honor their service to our country. By donating, you are ensuring the residents of the Baldomero Lopez State Veterans Nursing Home have a refurbished outdoor recreation area to use. It is a way to honor their service!” said Sarrett.

Donations will be accepted at all tax collector offices, through the mail and online.

For information about the nursing home, call Program Director Rebecca Corley at 813-558-5000.

For more about the tax collector’s office’s charities, call Assistant Tax Collector Greg Giordano at 727-847-8179.

Mental health first aid
The Alliance for Healthy Communities has scheduled a Youth Mental Health First Aid class for June 13 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at BayCare Behavioral Health, 7809 Massachusetts Ave., in New Port Richey. The class is open to any adult who works with or interacts with youth.

The course teaches participants how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges, such as anxiety, depression, eating disorders and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) among adolescents ages 12 to 18. Participants can learn how to build skills and confidence needed to reach out and provide initial support to young people who are struggling, and learn how to connect them to appropriate support.

For more information, visit MHFA.org. To register, call 727-315-8644, or email .

Detention facility partnership
The Pasco County Detention Facility announced a new partnership with correctional health care company NaphCare to provide services — medical, mental health, dental and pharmaceuticals — for its inmates, according to a news release.

The partnership will build on NaphCare’s 19-year legacy of delivering quality and proactive health care in Florida, with the goal of elevating patient care through innovative solutions while upholding the highest standards of care, the release says.

The detention facility will implement NaphCare’s first-of-its-kind, corrections-specific electronic health records (EHR) system, TechCare, offering the county a customized clinical information tool to efficiently track, organize and manage the medical information of incarcerated patients.

As of April 1, NaphCare began overseeing health care services in the detention facility, providing services to its 1,450 inmates.

Pasco hospitals all earn an A
All AdventHealth hospitals in Pasco County, including AdventHealth Wesley Chapel, AdventHealth Dade City and AdventHealth Zephyrhills, have again earned an “A” Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group, a national nonprofit watchdog, according to a news release.

Leapfrog assigns an A, B, C, D or F grade to general hospitals across the country based on more than 30 measures of errors, accidents, injuries and infections, as well as the systems hospitals have in place to prevent them.

Leapfrog’s hospital safety grade is the only hospital ratings program focused exclusively on preventable medical errors, infections and injuries that kill more than 500 patients a day nationally. The grade is peer-reviewed, fully transparent and free to the public.

Grades are updated twice annually, in the fall and spring.

To see AdventHealth West Florida’s full grade details and to access patient tips for staying safe in the hospital, visit HospitalSafetyGrade.org.

Know your risk for blood clots before taking birth control

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In today’s evolving reproductive health landscape, informed decision-making about contraception is crucial, particularly for women affected by inherited blood clotting conditions or thrombophilia. Selecting the right birth control method is pivotal, say experts, who point to research that shows the risk for potentially life-threatening blood clots is 35 times greater among women with genetic clotting disorders who use estrogen-based contraceptives.

((c) monkeybusinessimages/iStock via Getty Images Plus)

Dynamic debate
Recent advances in technology and health care policies have fueled debate around screening for thrombophilia, a condition characterized by an increased tendency to develop blood clots, before starting estrogen-based contraceptives.

Current guidelines discourage universal thrombophilia testing, citing concerns such as costs and potential adverse psychological effects. Instead, selective screening, focused on individuals with personal or family histories of blood clots, is more likely to be embraced by the medical community. Also, concerns about unfair treatment by insurers or employers due to genetic disclosures underscore the complexities of this approach.

However, people in support of a more patient-centered approach to health care and this type of birth control decision-making stress the importance of identifying individuals at higher risk for blood clots.

Patient-centered approach
Each year, many hundreds of women in the United States alone lose their life due to blood clots linked to estrogen-based contraception, as studies demonstrate. Advocates for genetic testing emphasize its role in facilitating personalized health care decisions, potentially reducing the incidence of clot-related fatalities, and empowering women with information and a more patient-centric approach to reproductive health care.

Cost considerations remain a significant factor, but for many, the value of preserving health and saving lives far outweighs financial concerns. While insurance coverage for genetic testing varies, studies show a willingness among women to bear screening costs, underscoring the importance of informed decision-making.

Despite the perceived low absolute risk for blood clots among individuals with genetic clotting disorders, personal factors must be considered. Tailored approaches to contraceptive decisions, guided by individual risk profiles, may be warranted, especially in certain populations with higher rates of genetic clotting disorders.

For individuals with genetic thrombophilia, contraceptive options such as copper IUDs or progestin-only pills offer effective alternatives without increasing clotting risks. Prioritizing safety and effectiveness is paramount in contraceptive decision-making.

While genetic testing may cause some level of anxiety or concern, studies indicate that most individuals do not regret pursuing testing. Knowledge empowers individuals to make proactive decisions about their health, outweighing potential psychological burdens.

Genetic disclosures
Understanding the implications of genetic disclosures on insurance and employment can inform decision-making processes, though these concerns may rightfully deter some individuals from pursuing testing.

Women interested in pursuing genetic testing should talk with their health care provider about their testing options. Genetic counselors can also provide valuable help. Women considering their contraception options and interested in learning more about genetic testing can get more information from the Rowan Foundation at AlexRowanFoundation.org.

Empowering women
Genetic testing holds the promise of empowering women to engage in informed discussions with health care providers, fostering shared decision making in reproductive health care. Informed choices, guided by genetic information, may pave the way for more personalized and patient-centered care.

-StatePoint

Published May 29, 2024

Health News 05/29/2024

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Pasco Fire Rescue recognized
The American Lung Association in Florida presented Pasco County Fire Rescue with the Top Fundraising Firefighter Company Trophy, recognizing the firefighter company that raised the most funds — nearly $10,000 — during the 19th annual Fight For Air Climb Tampa, the Lung Association’s premier stair-climbing fundraiser. This is the first time Pasco County received the top honor, according to a news release.

“As firefighters and first responders, it’s our duty to save lives and protect our community,” said Pasco Fire Rescue Chief Tony Perez, in the release. “Our team’s participation in the Fight For Air Climb Tampa is an extension of that commitment, and I’m proud so many of our firefighters heeded the call.”

Pasco Fire Rescue competed against 13 other Tampa Bay area teams in the firefighter division. Twenty-five team members climbed in full turnout gear to the top of the Bank of America Plaza, Tampa’s second-tallest skyscraper.

“Lung health and air quality are especially important for firefighters and first responders – the nature of our work puts us at a higher risk for developing lung disease,” added Chief Perez. “The Lung Association’s work is critical to us, our families and our community.”

The Fight For Air Climb brought together more than 600 participants and raised more than $171,000 for the Lung Association’s mission.

For information about the event, visit ClimbTampa.org. For more about firefighters and lung health, including ways to reduce risk and early warning signs of lung disease, visit Lung.org.

Hospital earns top safety grade
St. Joseph’s Hospital-North in Lutz has received an “A” grade in the Leapfrog Group’s Spring 2024 Hospital Safety Grades, released on May 1.

The hospital now has earned the top grade four consecutive times — fall 2023, spring 2023 and fall 2022 — from the Leapfrog Group, a national organization that evaluates hospitals for patient care and safety, according to a news release.

Leapfrog collects and analyzes data about infections, accidents, injuries and errors at nearly 3,000 general hospitals nationally. Letter grades ranging from “A” to “F” are assigned.

“Patient safety is among the highest priorities for our medical staff and team members,” said Sara Dodds, president of St. Joseph’s Hospital-North, in the release.

“We are laser-focused on patient safety. We are proud that we have been recognized four consecutive times with the highest grade in this national report card and evaluation. The grade reflects the contributions of our entire hospital and that our initiatives, practices and protocols in the area of patient safety are working and are at the highest standards,” said Dodds.

St. Joseph’s Hospital-North, 4211 Van Dyke Road, opened in February 2010 to bring high-quality health care services to north Tampa. The hospital is part of the BayCare Health System.

Child advocate award
Robin DeLaVergne, senior vice president of external affairs at Tampa General Hospital, was named the 2024 Cornelia Corbett Child Advocate Award recipient at the Champions for Children annual “Light the Way” soiree in Tampa, according to a news release.

Each year, the award is presented to a prominent community member who, through their philanthropy and advocacy, has made a significant contribution to the welfare of children in the Tampa Bay area.

DeLaVergne serves on the Tampa Downtown Partnership Board of Directors, the Tampa Bay Economic Development Council Executive Committee and Board, and the Tampa Bay Chamber Board of Directors. She currently serves as chair for the Children’s Board of Hillsborough County.

The recipient has received multiple awards for her commitment and leadership in the Tampa Bay area, including the 2012 Women of Distinction Award from the Girl Scouts of West Central Florida; the 2017 Dottie Berger MacKinnon Woman of Influence Award from the Tampa Bay Chamber; the 2017 Sustainer of the Year from the Junior League of Tampa; and the Leadership Tampa Alumni 2017 Park Wright III Award, the release says.

The AdventHealth Winter Haven ER is expected to open to patients at the end of May. (Courtesy of AdventHealth West Florida Division)

New off-site emergency department
A ribbon-cutting for the New AdventHealth Winter Haven ER, 6945 Cypress Gardens Blvd., took place on May 9 with hospital leaders, local government officials and members of the business community in attendance, according to a news release.

The 20,000-square-foot ER has 24 exam rooms, including a resuscitation room, a bariatric room, an isolation room, an obstetrics-friendly room and pediatric-friendly rooms.

The facility also will have two triage rooms near the lobby to help patients be seen and get into treatment quickly.

The ER will offer lab services, X-ray, CT and ultrasound scans, too, and a helipad was constructed behind the ER to help support critical patient transfers, the release says.

The new emergency room is 2.5 miles and less than five minutes from the LEGOLAND Florida Resort, of which AdventHealth is an official medical partner.

Health News 05/22/2024

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Promoting mental health awareness
Throughout the month of May, Tampa Bay Thrives is promoting the priority of emotionally healthy communities and mental health.

Tampa City Hall is lit up in the color green in recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month. (Courtesy of Tampa Bay Thrives)

Official buildings and bridges in the City of Tampa were illuminated in the color green on May 1 and May 2 to kick off Mental Health Awareness Month.

Thrives also is highlighting a series of four video vignettes as part of its original awareness campaign, #IYKYK (If you know, you know), featuring residents across the region sharing their mental health journeys.

The #IYKYK project tackles topics such as:

  • Talking to a primary care doctor about mental health concerns
  • How to choose a therapist and evaluate clinical options
  • What to expect when you walk into that first session
  • Advice on how to know when you’ve found the right therapist for you, and how to handle a conversation when the fit is not right

The month will conclude with the illumination of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge May 28 to May 31.

Tampa Bay Thrives is an affiliate of Mental Health America and offers a free online screening tool for a quick and easy way to determine whether you are experiencing symptoms of a mental health condition. Visit https://screening.mhanational.org/screening-tools/?ref=TampaBayThrives.

There also is a Let’s Talk line for support: call 844-YOU-OKAY (968-6529).

For more information about the organization, visit TampaBayThrives.org.

NAMI launches new guide
Mental Health America and its affiliates across the country have led the observance of May as Mental Health Awareness Month since 1949, by reaching millions through media, local events and screenings.

Cities and businesses throughout the country host various events to support mental health and open up the lines of communication.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) has announced the launch of the Schizophrenia and Psychosis Lexicon Guide to help transform how we talk about, understand, and treat schizophrenia and psychosis. This represents a step in NAMI’s mission to foster understanding, empathy and respect in mental health communication, according to a news release.

The new guide is a collaborative effort involving mental health experts, individuals with lived experience, and comprehensive research, which ensures that the guide is a well-rounded resource, the release says.

The guide is available on NAMI’s website, https://www.nami.org/Support-Education/Publications-Reports/Guides/Schizophrenia-Psychosis-Guide-Care-Advocacy-Engagement/, and provides health care professionals, caregivers, advocates, and the media with an approach to conversations that respects the experiences of individuals living with these conditions and promotes positive engagement.

Orlando Health expands in Pasco County

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Orlando Health, which acquired Florida Medical Clinic (FMC) last August, continues to expand its presence in Pasco County.

Construction began earlier this year on a 300-bed hospital at 3000 Wiregrass Ranch Blvd., in Wesley Chapel, according to Orlando Health’s Media Relations Manager Sandra Bentil.

The facility, which is known as Orlando Health Wiregrass Ranch Hospital, is reportedly anticipated to be completed and ready to serve patients in early 2025.

(Marcelo Leal/Unsplash)

The multistory hospital is going to be one of the anchors of the Wiregrass community that is being developed by J.D. Porter. It reportedly will be the largest hospital in Wesley Chapel when it is completed.

A wide range of health care services, including emergency and inpatient care, are going to be offered at the hospital.

Physicians from FMC, which was rebranded as Florida Medical Clinic Orlando Health on May 1, will be among the professionals providing health care services at the new hospital.

Orlando Health also will build a freestanding emergency room at the intersection of State Road 54 and Henley Road in Lutz.

The plan to construct the 10,865-square-foot facility was announced last December by Matt Taylor, senior vice president of Asset Strategy for Orlando Health. 

A groundbreaking hasn’t occurred yet at that site, Bentil said.

The ER will have 10 exam rooms, an imaging suite, lab and ambulance bay, according to Taylor.

The property for the Lutz ER was purchased from LIV Development. 

That company is currently involved with the construction of Livano Sunlake, a 234-unit luxury multifamily and mixed-use development also located in Lutz, Taylor said.

The decision to build the ER in Lutz was driven by the tremendous population growth that Pasco County has experienced in the last decade, and also by the desire to provide a convenient location to meet patients’ needs for emergency care, Taylor said.

Pasco County’s population in 2022 was 608,794, a nearly 31% increase from the 465,516 who lived there in 2010 according to USAFacts.org. For comparison, the population of the United States grew 7.7% and Florida’s population grew 18% during that period. 

“The demand for convenient access to a wider range of choices in health care services has been increasing and continues to grow in this area. Orlando Health is pleased to expand its presence to serve this community and address their health care needs,” Taylor said.

A freestanding ER is simply an emergency facility that’s not physically attached to a hospital, according to Orlando Health’s Media Relations Department.  The purpose of a freestanding ER is to provide the same level of care and services as are available at traditional hospital-based emergency rooms, to be staffed by board-certified emergency medicine doctors and nurses who are certified in advanced cardiac life support and pediatric advanced life support.

The Lutz ER will be the seventh one operated by Orlando Health. The other six are located in Leesburg, Clermont, Kissimmee, Lake Mary, Orlando and Davenport.

At last report, the not-for-profit health care organization has $9.6 billion of assets under management that serves the southeastern United States and Puerto Rico.

More information about Orlando Health can be found at OrlandoHealth.com.

Published May 15, 2024

Gulfside honors thrift shop volunteers

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Jill Skinner receives her President Lifetime Achievement Award from Aaron Barrish, director of thrift shops at Gulfside. (Courtesy of Gulfside Healthcare Services)

Gulfside Healthcare Services celebrated National Volunteer Appreciation Day on April 24 with a tribute to its dedicated thrift shop volunteers, recognizing their invaluable contributions through their unwavering dedication and commitment in support of Gulfside Hospice patients. 

The day of appreciation included breakfast, lunch and snacks to fuel their spirits, and each volunteer was presented with a gift as a token of thanks for their selfless service.

Four individuals were honored with the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award — Fran Hunt, Hudson; Beth Dwyer, Dade City; Jill Skinner, Zephyrhills; and Dick Rudy, New Port Richey.

In addition, more than 60 volunteers received the Gold Award.

Gulfside Healthcare is committed to fostering a culture of appreciation and support for its volunteers, recognizing their vital role in fulfilling the organization’s mission of providing exceptional care and support to those in need.

For more information about Gulfside and its volunteer programs, visit Gulfside.org/volunteer-with-gulfside.

Published May 15, 2024

How workplaces can contribute to COPD risk

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Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema, is a long-term lung disease that makes it hard to breathe. Impacting 11.7 million people in the United States, many people only think of it as a disease that impacts people who smoke and use tobacco products, but long-term exposure to dust, chemicals, fumes and vapors from the workplace are also risk factors.

((c) KatarzynaBialasiewicz / iStock via Getty Images Plus)

In fact, work-related exposures account for 10% to 20% of either respiratory symptoms or lung function impairment consistent with COPD.

To help people understand the many facets of COPD risk, the American Lung Association is launching a campaign to raise awareness of occupational COPD. As part of the campaign, they are sharing patient insights, along with information to help people identify workplace risk factors and signs of disease progression.

Knowing the risk factors
Mary Cohen, who lives with COPD, started having symptoms when working at a nail and hair salon.

“I did not realize that working in a hair and nail salon doing nails would put me at risk for lung disease, COPD,” says Cohen.

The leading industries and job types that increase risk for COPD include agriculture, mining and manufacturing; however, many types of workplaces, from construction to welding, can potentially expose workers to harmful irritants that can contribute to developing COPD. Workplace exposures include:

  • Secondhand smoke
  • Mineral dusts like silica, coal and asbestos
  • Organic dusts like cotton, wood and grains
  • Metal or welding fumes like cadmium
  • Diesel or exhaust fumes
  • Asphalt, tar fumes, or vapor in roads or roofing
  • Smoke from fires

Recognizing the signs
While there is no cure for COPD, it is often preventable and once diagnosed can be managed and treated. That’s why recognizing the symptoms as early as possible is so important. These symptoms include shortness of breath, a cough that may bring up sputum (mucus or phlegm), wheezing, tiredness or fatigue, or repeated lung infections like bronchitis or pneumonia. Perhaps a person notices they are taking the elevator instead of the stairs because of shortness of breath, or that they develop a lingering cough every time they sweep sawdust. Unfortunately, people often attribute these changes to their health to aging or because they have gained weight or are out of shape.

If a person has been exposed to risk factors for occupational COPD or has symptoms, the American Lung Association recommends that they speak to their health care provider. For more information, visit Lung.org/workplace-COPD.

The workplace is where people spend hours of their day and years of their life. Learning more about how to protect the lungs at work is critical.

-StatePoint

Published May 15, 2024

Five things athletes need to know about asthma and summer heat

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Nearly 25 million people of all ages in the United States are living with asthma, a lifelong chronic disease that makes it harder to move air in and out of the lungs, and for athletes, the summer heat can exacerbate the disease.

Here’s what the American Lung Association wants everyone to know during summer, when extreme heat can make asthma harder to manage.

(Maarten van den Heuvel/Unsplash)

New challenges are emerging.
Beyond traditional asthma triggers like respiratory infections, secondhand smoke and pets, new challenges are emerging. Extreme heat, poor air quality, increased allergens, extreme weather events, and more frequent and intense wildfires, all are making asthma more difficult to manage.

Excessive heat and humidity increase the risk of asthma exacerbations, asthma-related hospitalization and asthma-related death, especially for children and women. Athletes should limit time outdoors during heat waves, seek access to air conditioning and take steps to improve indoor air quality, as humidity allows dust mites and mold to thrive.

City dwellers are particularly vulnerable.
Two-thirds of the average U.S. city is made up of roads, parking spaces, sidewalks and roofs. Since these surfaces are typically dark and nonporous, they contribute to flooding, increased air pollution, poor health and what is known as “urban heat,” a phenomenon in which cities experience warmer temperatures than surrounding areas. Urban heat, combined with pollutants from power plants, motor vehicles and other pollution sources, creates ozone pollution, also known as smog. Those with asthma can experience symptoms like shortness of breath, wheezing and coughing from both ground-level ozone and particle pollution, as well as from the impacts of extreme weather and airborne allergens.

Flooding can harm lung health.
Increased severe storms result in more flooding, which can harm lung health. Chemicals, sewage, oil, gas and other dangerous substances found in floodwaters can pose health risks, and mold, associated with asthma attacks, can grow anywhere there is water or dampness.

Advocacy efforts are underway.
The Smart Surfaces Coalition is made up of 40 national and international organizations committed to making Smart Surfaces the global urban design standard. Smart Surfaces encompass a suite of cutting-edge technologies, including reflective (cool) roofs and pavements, green roofs, trees, solar panels and rain gardens. Designed to mitigate urban heat, enhance air quality and improve health, these transformative urban features can cool cities by 5 degrees F, reduce flooding, provide economic benefits and potentially advance environmental justice.

The American Lung Association, an active member of the Smart Surfaces Coalition, encourages cities to take these actions:

  • Install light-colored roads, parking lots and driveways to reflect sunlight and reduce heat.
  • Install solar panels to convert sunlight into electricity and provide shade for roofs.
  • Plant trees to increase shade.
  • Select porous surfaces to collect polluted stormwater, soak it into the ground, and filter out pollution.

Other strategies to reduce urban heat, air pollution and ozone levels include using public transportation carpooling, increasing green spaces and installing cooling centers in extreme conditions.

Resources are available.
Educational programming can help people better manage the disease in summer and year-round. Patients can check out the self-management education programs, information and tools available at Lung.org/asthma or call the American Lung Association’s Lung Helpline at 1-800-LUNGUSA. Living with an illness, or being the caretaker to someone who is, can take a physical and emotional toll. Patients can get support and knowledge, and connect with others by joining the Lung Association’s Patient & Caregiver Network.

For the 24.8 million Americans living with asthma, extreme summer temperatures and emerging environmental threats can make life more difficult. Fortunately, new educational resources and expanded programming can help patients navigate new and old challenges alike.

-StatePoint

Published May 15, 2024

Health News 05/15/2024

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(Courtesy of AdventHealth)

Bucs Babies celebrates 10 years
The AdventHealth Bucs Babies Program, an ongoing partnership between AdventHealth West Florida and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, continues to celebrate each newborn arriving at any AdventHealth hospital across the Greater Tampa Bay area as an AdventHealth Bucs Baby.

Marking the milestone of the program’s 10th year, infants born during the NFL draft week are officially inducted into the “rookie class,” receiving an exclusive Bucs Babies Draft Kit, according to a news release.

Included in the kit are essential items for new parents, such as newborn wash, shampoo, lotion, a hat, and an array of Bucs-themed gear.

The program also includes an invitation to the annual Bucs Babies Birthday Bash, a free event each year at the AdventHealth Training Center where parents and their little ones can enjoy activities and photo opportunities.

Health center consolidation
The Pediatric Health Center, near downtown New Port Richey, has merged with a new comprehensive health center on Rowan Road. The last day of medical and dental services at the Pediatric Health Center was April 30, according to a news release.

The New Port Richey Family Health Center, 5957 Rowan Road, offers a wide range of services under one roof, including medical, dental, behavioral health and pharmacy services for children, ensuring greater convenience and accessibility to patients, the release says.

For more information and questions, call 352-518-2000, or visit PremierHC.org.

Mosquito activity increases
The Florida Department of Health in Pasco County (DOH-Pasco) is advising residents there has been an increase in mosquito-borne disease activity in areas of Pasco County, according to a news release.

Eastern equine encephalitis virus was detected in a group of sick emus. The risk of transmission to humans has increased. Pasco County Mosquito Control and DOH-Pasco will continue surveillance and prevention efforts, the release says.

Residents and visitors are reminded to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes and to take basic precautions to help limit exposure.

To protect yourself from mosquitoes, remember to “Drain and Cover.”

Drain standing water to stop mosquitoes from multiplying.

  • Drain water from garbage cans, house gutters, buckets, pool covers, coolers, toys, flowerpots, or any other containers where sprinkler or rainwater collects.
  • Discard old tires, drums, bottles, cans, pots and pans, broken appliances and other items that aren’t being used.
  • Empty and clean birdbaths and pet water bowls at least once or twice a week.
  • Protect boats and vehicles from rain with tarps that don’t accumulate water.
  • Maintain swimming pools in good condition and properly chlorinated. Empty plastic pools when not in use.

Cover skin with clothing or repellent.

  • Wear shoes, socks, and long pants and long sleeves. This type of protection may be necessary for people who must work in areas where mosquitoes are present.
  • Apply mosquito repellent to bare skin and clothing. Always use repellents according to the label. Repellents with DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, para-menthane-diol, 2-undecanone and IR3535 are effective. Ensure repellent is safe for children and age-appropriate. Use mosquito netting to protect children younger than 2 months old.
  • Cover doors and windows with screens to keep mosquitoes out of the house. Repair broken screening on windows, doors, porches and patios.

To learn about what repellent is right for you, use the Environmental Protection Agency’s search tool to help choose skin-applied repellent products.

The DOH continues to conduct statewide surveillance for mosquito-borne illnesses, including West Nile virus infections, Eastern equine encephalitis, St. Louis encephalitis, malaria, chikungunya, and dengue.

For information, visit the department’s website, or call DOH-Pasco at 727-619-0300.

For more on the Pasco County Mosquito Control District, visit PascoMosquito.org.