MSDH Public Health Update: Smart in the sun, COVID-19, Inspection results and more

Mississippi Public Health Update April 26, 2022 Get Out, Get Active — Safely! It's the perfect weather to get active outdoors, and physical activity is one of the best steps for overall health you can take. But without sun protection, you're also helping yourself to a higher skin cancer risk. Melanoma, the deadliest type of skin cancer, has increased in younger adults as a result of sun exposure and tanning. In the summer, it takes only 15 minutes of full sun to cause skin damage and sunburn to unprotected skin. Repeated sunburns could double your risk of skin cancer later in life. Smart Sun Enjoyment Stay in the shade and avoid direct sunshine as much as possible. Wear a hat to protect the face and neck, and clothes that cover the arms and legs. Use sunscreen even when you go outside for a short time. Use sunscreens with at least 15 SPF (sun protection factor). Use a higher SPF if you plan on being outdoors longer. Apply sunscreen at least 20 minutes before you go outside for full effectiveness. Reapply sunscreen at least every two hours – more often if you're sweating or swimming. Sunscreen expires! Last year's sunscreen may not still be effective; check the expiration date on the packaging. More about staying safe in the sun and heat How to recognize possible skin cancer COVID-19 COVID-19 activity continues to be low in Mississippi. COVID-19 cases reported to MSDH and current hospitalizations for COVID-19 continue to be low, with fewer than 100 reported cases a day statewide. MSDH offers free COVID-19 testing around the state, and COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters are available at county health departments. Complete COVID-19 information Check the COVID-19 activity level in your county (CDC) Latest county details COVID-19 Hotline: 877-978-6453 (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday, 8 a.m. – noon) Hearing impaired? Dial 711 first. Report your home test kit results If you or a family member has a new positive test result for COVID-19 found with a home test kit, please use our online form to help us track COVID-19 in Mississippi. Report a positive home test now Inspections MSDH regularly inspects food facilities, child care facilities, and others for safety and regulatory compliance. The latest results and violation reports for these inspections can be found on our website. Recent grade "C" restaurant inspections Recent child care facility violations Inspection reports for Mississippi nursing homes Healthy Mississippi Keeping in shape has never been more important. It's one of the best fighters of heart disease and other chronic illnesses that are the top killers of Mississippians. Mississippi is one of the five states worst in the nation for the amount of physical activity their adults get. Getting active every day could change the lives of about one in three adult Mississippians. Starting small, setting goals and being informed can all help you become the healthy person you deserve to be, and stay that way. Steps to better health Staying active is one of the greatest drivers of good health. Make an effort to move vigorously every day, whether it's walking, running, dancing, or simple exercises. Start with a few minutes and build up to half an hour or more. Ways to get moving Choosing foods that build health is the second key to getting healthy and staying that way. When you focus on more fruits, grains and vegetables, lighter meats, and eliminate snack food, you can lower your risk of major chronic diseases like cancer and heart disease, and feel better at the same time. Simple ways to eat better Regular checkups to watch your blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar give you advance warning of serious problems, and keep you on track to health. Heart disease kills more Mississippians than any other cause, yet it's easy to avoid. The numbers you need to know Keep a healthy weight to make life longer and more enjoyable. When you eat right and stay active, you're already on your way to your best weight. Help with a healthy weight What We Do A sample of services and programs of the Mississippi State Department of Health The MSDH Bureau of Acute Care Systems oversees three critical programs to help save the lives of stroke, heart attack and trauma victims in the state. By establishing specialized training and practices for first responders and hospitals, these three systems of care ensure that patients receive correct treatment for their life-threatening conditions from emergency personnel before being transported to a hospital. These systems also identify the best hospital in advance to treat patients with these conditions as soon as possible. The result has made a lifesaving difference in the survival rate of trauma, stroke and heart attack victims in Mississippi. In 2020, a fourth system of care was added to organize efficient care for COVID-19 patients. By tracking available hospital beds in the state for COVID-19 treatment, emergency personnel were able to get severely ill Mississippians to the right care as quickly as possible, and start treatment sooner. More about the Bureau of Acute Care Systems

---

STAY CONNECTED:

Manage Preferences  |  Unsubscribe  |  Help

---

This email was sent to ooseims.archieves@blogger.com using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: Mississippi State Department of Health · 570 East Woodrow Wilson Drive · Jackson, MS 39216