Nashville − The Department of Health urges Tennessee smokers to take part in this year’s Great American Smokeout on November 19, 2009. The goal of this annual health observance is to encourage smokers toquit for one day in the hope they may quit for good. In Tennessee,tobacco users can call the Tennessee Tobacco QuitLine free of charge at1-800-QUIT-NOW or 1-800-784-8669 to set a plan for how to quit.

“Tennesseans who want to start the process of quitting smoking have a powerful tool available to help them in the QuitLine,” said Health Commissioner Susan R. Cooper, MSN, RN. “Research shows that smokers who have a cessation plan and a support system have a much better chance of success with their quit attempt.”

The Tennessee Tobacco QuitLine offers personalized support for Tennessee residents who want to quit smoking by connecting them with trained coaches to guide them through the quitting process. Callers will receive ongoing professional coaching via individually scheduled calls with a quit coach personally assigned to them. This convenient and confidential service is free and available to Tennessee residents in both English and Spanish. The service is also available for the deaf and hard-of-hearing at TTY 1-877-559-3816.

Since the launch of the Tennessee Tobacco QuitLine in August 2006, more than 33,000 Tennesseans have called the service. More than 10,800 callers completed the intake process and were assigned to a quit coach, and more than 7,450 people have enrolled in the iCanQuit tobacco cessation program. QuitLine callers have complimentary access to relapse prevention techniques, printed resource materials, information on nicotine replacement therapies and other services to aid in the quitting process. One QuitLine client who has been tobacco-free since June 2008 shared this story of her success:

“I went through your program; I thoroughly enjoyed it. I’ve smoked since I was 9 years old. This is the only program I was able to go through and quit smoking. I really enjoyed working with your coach. The coach that I was assigned to was excellent; she was a lot of help.” Janet S., Dickson

Smoking cessation services are also available at Tennessee’s county health department clinics. All patients are screened for tobacco use and asked if they are interested in quitting. Those who want to quit are evaluated by medical professionals to determine the best course of treatment to help them stop smoking. These services are offered on a sliding fee scale based on income.

Smoking is responsible for almost one in five deaths in the United States, and according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, smoking accounts for approximately 9,400 deaths in Tennessee every year, nearly half of which are due to lung cancer. Secondhand smoke is another serious problem in Tennessee. An estimated 1,730 Tennesseans die every year due to exposure to secondhand smoke.

The healing process begins almost immediately after quitting smoking. Within 20 minutes of giving up tobacco, elevated heart rate and blood pressure decrease; in 12 hours, the carbon monoxide level in your blood drops to normal; within two weeks to three months, circulation improves and lung function increases; and in one year after quitting, the risk of coronary heart disease is cut in half.

The Tennessee Tobacco QuitLine (1-800-QUIT-NOW or 1-800-784-8669) is a statewide toll-free telephone tobacco cessation treatment program made possible through the Tennessee Department of Health. There is no charge to callers for services and callers have unlimited access to a quit coach through the QuitLine. Hours are Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Central  time.

NASHVILLE — Halloween is a fun night for both children and adults, but the Tennessee Department of Safety (TDOS) and Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) remind parents, children and especially motorists to do their part to make sure that everyone gets home safely.  The celebration can quickly turn into a real night of horror if someone is hurt by a carless or impaired driver.

“With Halloween falling on a Saturday this year, we want to make sure revelers aren’t taking the party to the roadways, putting trick-or-treaters and responsible motorists at risk,” said Department of Safety Commissioner Dave Mitchell.  “Law enforcement officers throughout Tennessee will be out in full force arresting and removing drunk drivers from our roadways.”

Halloween is a particularly deadly night due to drunk drivers. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2008, 58 percent of all highway fatalities across the nation on Halloween night involved a driver or motorcycle rider with a BAC of .08 or higher.  Last year in Tennessee, eight people were killed in seven crashes on Halloween between 12:00 a.m., October 31, 2008, through 6:00 a.m., November 1, 2008. Four of those crashes involved alcohol. That compares to three people killed in crashes on Halloween during the same time period in 2007. One crash in 2007 involved alcohol.

“One foolish decision can turn a fun Halloween into a real nightmare,” stated THP Colonel Mike Walker. “We want everyone to have a good time, but be smart about it.  Designate a driver.  This is your warning, because if you drink and drive, you will go to jail.”

The Tennessee Highway Patrol will be holding a Sobriety Checkpoint in Montgomery County Friday evening on Highway 13,  located 1 mile south of Highway 149.

Parents and children have a responsibility to be safe this Halloween too.  The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) found that the number of deaths among young pedestrians (ages 5-14) is four times higher on Halloween evening than any other evening of the year.  The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) reports that fatal collisions between motor vehicles and young pedestrians (under the age of 15) happen most frequently between 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., prime trick-or-treating time.  Parents should remind teens just how terrifying and dangerous and illegal it is to drink and drive.  In 2008, 31% of young drivers, 15 to 20 years old, who were killed in crashes, had a BAC of .08 or higher.   Drivers are less likely to use restraints when they have been drinking.  In 2008, 63 percent of young drivers of passenger vehicles involved in fatal crashes who had been drinking were unrestrained.

There are simple precautions partygoers can take such as designating a sober driver in advance or taking a taxi. Below are tips parents, children and motorists should keep in mind before heading out the door this Halloween.

HALLOWEEN SAFETY TIPS

Tips for Motorists

• Slow down. Watch for children walking on roads, medians and curbs.
• Be extra alert when pulling in and out of driveways.
• Be especially alert for children darting out from between parked vehicles and from behind bushes and shrubs. They’re excited – and they are not paying attention.
• Do not pass other vehicles that have stopped in the roadway.  They could be dropping off children.
• If you are driving to a Halloween Party, put your mask on after you park the car.
• Never drink and drive – tonight or any night. If you are partying, designate a driver.

Tips for Parents

• Adults should accompany children at all times and supervise their “trick or treat” activities.
• Teach children to “stop, look left-right-left, and listen” before they cross the street.
• Instruct children to stay on sidewalks and to cross only at corners or crosswalks.
• Use a flashlight and wear retro-reflective strips or patches on your clothing or costume to be more visible to motorists.
• Be certain that the mask does not obstruct vision or hearing.
• Ensure that costumes do not impede walking or driving ability.

Tips for Pedestrians
(children and adults)

• Before crossing a street, stop at the curb or edge of the road and look left, right and left again to be sure no cars are coming. Continue to check for traffic while on the street.
• Walk – never run – from house to house or across the road.
• Cross the street only at intersections and crosswalks.
• When crossing at an intersection with a traffic light, be sure to watch for turning cars. Obey all pedestrian signals.
• Walk on sidewalks whenever possible. If there are no sidewalks, walk on the left side of the street facing traffic.

About the Tennessee Department of Safety

The Tennessee Department of Safety’s mission is (www.TN.Gov/safety) to ensure the safety and general welfare of the public.  The department encompasses the Tennessee Highway Patrol, Office of Homeland Security and Driver License Services. General areas of responsibility include law enforcement, safety education, motorist services and terrorism prevention.

“We are thrilled with this survey, which shows the results of our diligent effort to increase immunization rates in Tennessee,” said Health Commissioner Susan R. Cooper, MSN, RN. “We know vaccines save lives, and are committed to ensuring the health of our state’s youngest citizens.”

Rates of immunization in Tennessee have improved dramatically over the last few years. Just five years ago, the 2003 NIS results showed Tennessee ranked 20th in the nation for the same vaccinations.

“Immunizations are the first line of defense in protecting children from an array of very serious illnesses,” said Kelly Moore, MD, MPH, medical director of the Tennessee Immunization Program. “For example, pertussis or “whooping cough” is a simple cough illness in unvaccinated teens and adults; however, it can be deadly to unvaccinated infants, who should get their first dose of vaccine when they’re two months old. For this reason, we urge all parents to vaccinate their children on time.”

Every child under 19 years of age in Tennessee can get all routinely recommended vaccines, regardless of ability to pay. The federal Vaccines for Children program guarantees that children without insurance coverage for vaccines can get them for just a small administration fee at many doctors’ offices and all county health departments. Those interested in learning more are encouraged to contact their health care provider or local health department for details. A list of Tennessee’s county health departments is available online at http://health.state.tn.us/localdepartments.htm.

The following Web sites have reliable immunization information for parents:

• The Tennessee Department of Health Immunization Program http://health.state.tn.us/CEDS/immunization.htm
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention www.cdc.gov/vaccines
• The National Network for Immunization Information www.immunizationinfo.org
• The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Vaccine Education Center www.chop.edu/vaccine

CDC conducts the annual National Immunization Survey in all 50 states to monitor immunizations of children across the country. The survey focuses on six routine immunizations given to children from 19 to 35 months old. To view more results of the survey, go to the Internet at www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5833a3.htm.

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Health will join health providers and advocates across the country in observing National HIV Testing Day on Saturday, June 27. The goal of this observance is to promote public awareness and prevention of HIV, and the Tennessee Department of Health is encouraging all sexually active Tennesseans to get tested for HIV. TDOH provides free, confidential testing across the state in local county health departments.

Department of Health statistics show the urgent need for raising awareness about HIV. In 2007, there were 1,043 persons who were newly identified with the HIV virus in Tennessee. The largest number of HIV/AIDS cases occurred among persons aged 35-44 years and accounted for 30 percent of all cases diagnosed in 2007. Among those newly diagnosed cases, 74 percent were men and 26 percent were women; 64 percent of the total were African American.

According to estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are 1,106,400 million HIV-positive individuals nationwide, and one in five of those are unaware that they have HIV. Nationwide, someone is infected with HIV every 49 seconds. TDOH experts note that the virus affects all age groups, and stress the importance of early detection of HIV.

“The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that HIV testing become a routine part of medical care” says Carolyn Wester, MD, MPH, medical director of the state’s HIV/AIDS/STD section. “The earlier people know their status, the quicker they can begin treatment, which leads to longer and healthier lives. Without treatment, the HIV infection can continue to weaken the immune system and will likely progress to AIDS.”

According to statistics from the Tennessee Department of Health, more than 19,000 cases of HIV/AIDS have been diagnosed across the state since 1992. Over this period, an increasing number of cases have been reported among all races and ethnicities, with the sharpest increase among African Americans.

Various sites across the state will provide free, walk-in HIV testing on Saturday, June 27 for National HIV Testing Day. To find your nearest testing site, visit www.hivtest.org. The Tennessee Department of Health offers free HIV tests throughout the year at county health department locations. Contact information for your local County Health Department can be found online at http://health.state.tn.us/LocalDepts/index.html.

To learn more about the HIV/AIDS epidemic and how to protect yourself, visit the Department of Health, HIV/AIDS/STD section Web site at http://health.state.tn.us/STD/std.htm. Questions about HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases can also be answered by calling the HIV/AIDS/STD Hotline at 1-800-525-2437.

An April report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta found that African American mothers, who are less likely than white or Latina women to breastfeed, have reversed that trend and are now doing so in impressive numbers. Sixty-five percent of black women have nursed their infants at some point. This compares to a 36 percent rate 14 years ago. Still, only 20 percent of black mothers reach the government’s target goal of exclusively breastfeeding when their infants are six months old. Breastfeeding can help address health problems that plague both African American mothers and infants alike. Breastfeeding is the most natural and beneficial way to strengthen your baby’s immune system and provide the best possible nutrition for yourself, as a mother, and your baby.

“Breastfeeding has many benefits ranging from creating an important mother/baby bond to ensuring baby gets natural nutrients,” said Pam Noreiko, a lactation specialist at Baptist Hospital.

Baptist Hospital suggests six reasons why women should consider breastfeeding:

1. Breast milk is the most complete form of nutrition for infants. A mother`s milk has just the right amount of fat, sugar, water and protein that is needed for a baby`s healthy growth and development. Breastfed infants are seven times more likely to maintain a healthy weight gain and formula-fed infants. Breastfeeding also reduces infants’ risk of asthma, diabetes, infections and sudden infant death syndrome, all more common among African American infants.
2. Breastfeeding helps form a significant bond for mother and baby. Physical contact is important to newborns and can help the newborn feel more secure, warm and comforted.
3. Nursing uses up extra calories- 500 calories a day, making it easier to lose the pregnancy weight. It can also help ward off obesity and diabetes for which African American women are at higher risk. Breastfeeding also helps the uterus to get back to its original size and lessens any bleeding a woman may have after giving birth.
4. Breastfeeding lowers the risks of breast and ovarian cancer, and possibly the risk of hip fractures and osteoporosis after menopause. The health benefits continue through the next generation: Studies show breastfed daughters have lower rates of breast cancer when they grow up.
5. Breastfeeding makes your life easier. It saves time and money. There is no need to purchase, measure and mix formula continuously.
6. Breastfed babies score higher on IQ tests later in life, especially babies who were born prematurely.

All across the nation, advocates are offering wider education, tools and models for breastfeeding to make nursing the norm among black women. CDC officials are promoting “Healthy People 2010″ objectives that include having seventy-five percent of all mothers initiate breastfeeding and having fifty percent of all infants exclusively breastfeeding at 6 months.

The federal Office of Women’s Health has made “An Easy Guide to Breastfeeding for African American Women” available online. Thus far, 65 hospitals and birthing centers nationwide have worked to earn “Baby-Friendly” status from the World Health Organization and the United Nations Children’s Fund. This designation is awarded to facilities which offer “optimal” lactation support to patients. Such efforts include:

• breastfeeding videos playing in prenatal clinics’ waiting rooms,
• staff members who interact with patients receiving 18 hours of training in breastfeeding basics and lactation consultants meet with every new mother,
• moving infants out of the nursery into the mothers room, and providing free breast pumps to patients who can’t afford them.

Baptist Hospital’s Lactation Department has the medical knowledge and expertise to answer any questions that would help mothers breastfeed successfully. The department can be reached at (615) 284-3381. The Lactation Boutique at Baptist Hospital also offers a complete line of breastfeeding supplies, pumps and nursing bras to make the breastfeeding experience successful. Hours are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Please call 615-284-MILK (6455) for more information.

Details for this story was drawn from Baptist Hospital’s website media press releases and The Tennessean’s Healthtalk coverage and The Chicago Sun-Times.