June - July 2010

Metro Health Online | Dr. Guerra's Corner | News Releases

Welcome to the Summer 2010 Edition of Health e-News!

Summer is almost upon us and while that often means care-free vacations and other seasonal fun, summer months also come with their public health challenges. Get the details and some prevention tips in this issue of Health e-News.

Plus, find out the latest on the City's efforts to reduce obesity through a $15.6 million federal stimulus grant. Meet the Metro Health team members who will be helping lead the community to a new "normal" when it comes to physical activity and healthier food options. Also, get up close and personal with the Mayor's Fitness Council.

Read those details, be the first to learn about new diabetes self-managment classes, check out new ads that beg the question - "what is my child eating?", and share the date for the latest worksite wellness forum. Get everything you need to know in Metro Health's latest newsletter.

And, as always, we value your opinion and ideas and want to hear from you. Let us know what you think of Health e-News.

Obesity Initiative Off to a Running Start

Like puzzle pieces, the team and leadership are coming together to combat one of the most challenging public health issues in recent years - obesity. Meet the members of Metro Health's new grant-funded team and check out which community members are serving on the Leadership Team. Plus, in a tandem project, the Mayor's Fitness Council is announced. Read more...

Summer Program will Incorporate Public Health Services

Four Metro Health programs will partner with Parks & Recreation this summer to offer youth dental screenings/care, peer pressure education, lead screenings and lessons on why youngsters should stay tobacco-free. Read more...

Diabetes Self-Management Classes Now Available

Managing diabetes and educating individuals with the disease is the focus of a new initiative called the San Antonio Diabetes Project. The State-funded program includes diabetes self-management classes for Type 2 diabetics. Read more...

Pests, Picnics, and Persistent Heat - No Problem

Enjoy your summer by avoiding pests, food poisoning at your picnic, and heat-related injuries. Take some proactive steps to prevent these problems. Read more...

Worksite Wellness Forum

Looking for ways to support healthy behaviors in your company, organization or agency? Go to the Worksite Wellness Forum and join others who are creating a culture of health and wellness for employees. Read more...

Lead Prevention Campaign Relays a Strong Message

Imagine pouring lead-based paint into a child's sippy cup, cereal bowl, or bottle. That's the to-the-point message delivered in the latest lead prevention campaign supported by Metro Health. Read more...

How do you stay in shape

Floral Designer and San Antonio Native Oscar De Los Santos Shares His 100 lb. StoryPhoto of Oscar De Los Santos

I changed my eating habits. I eat out just about everyday so I just don't order anything fried or with gravy. My main dish is mostly chicken…turkey or seafood that's steamed. I also added vegetables to my daily meals, and if not available, I'll stop at Valero and buy a V8 for its nutritional value. I also added daily fruit. I wasn't used to eating fruit so I tried everything. I found out I hate apples and peaches but…I love blackberries, blueberries and strawberries. I like going to those fruterias that are all over town and getting a cup full of fruit.

The most important change and making a complete difference with my better food choices…is daily physical activity. I make myself do some sort of cardio in the morning before I get ready for work. I change it up from pilates, military style, or dance. The biggest part…has been training for the Rock and Roll Marathon with (my sister, Di Galvan). It was hard for me at first but now…walking, with adding some running, has made all the difference in my weight loss. Who knew? I weighed 265 and (now am) 168.3. I used to wear XXL in t-shirts… and 46-48 pants. Now, I can wear a medium to small shirt and a 34 to 33 pants.

How Do You Stay in Shape?
Send us an e-mail with a subject line of How Do You Stay in Shape to samhd@sanantonio.gov. Include a brief description of your fitness routine or activities and/or eating habits along with your name, e-mail, phone number, and photo. Your entry could be featured in a future edition of Health e-News to inspire others in our community.

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Our Vision
Optimal health for our communities and our environment

Our Mission
Provide leadership and services for San Antonio and Bexar County to
prevent illness and injury, promote healthy behaviors, and
protect against health hazards.

 

In the Community

Metro Health is giving the gift of life.
On June 21 and 28, the department will partner with the South Texas Blood and Tissue Center for a summer blood drive at the Main Immunization Clinic, 345 W. Commerce.
Anyone who is eligible to give is encouraged to participate.
Summer is usually the lowest giving time of the year, making it critical for donations. Last year, STBTC collected 155 units of blood during Metro Health blood drives. Overall, the City family gave nearly 4,000 units in 2009.

Featured Team
Photo of CPPW team
Four new faces joined current Population-based Services Division member, Len Trevino, as Metro Health moves forward with an obesity prevention initiative. The team will help lead San Antonio to a new "norm" for healthy eating and maintaining consistent physical activity.
See related article.

Did you know...?

June 1 is the beginning of the
Atlantic hurricane season.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is predicting
up to 23 named storms this year, of which 8 to 14 may turn into hurricanes.
Are you ready?

Each year, 30 million children receive emergency care in the U.S.
Help reduce risks of injuries with
some basic safety tips.

In the News

Smart Choices: Dining out with better menu info.
Read the column...

Bexar County's health assessment expanded.
Read the story...

Food-borne bacteria cause of two Bexar County deaths.
Watch the story...

Snapshot of Health

Dr. Fernando Guerra and Spina Bifida Texas (SBTX) board of directors president Mike Flores joins Nora Oyler with SBTX and the Naco-Perrin WIC team. The ladies won SBTX's annual Folic Acid Bulletin Board Contest.
Read more...

Group photo at Spina Bifida event

Healthy Link

Enter the American Academy of Pediatrics 2010 Children's Art Contest! The theme is Protecting the World's Children from Tobacco
and Secondhand Smoke.
Cash prizes up to $500 available.
Deadline is July 30.
More info and entry forms

Get your copy of the
Photovoice Smoke-Free Project commemorative publication.
The book highlights the photograpy of eight local high school students who captured the problem of tobacco.
The project was sponsored by the
San Antonio Tobacco Prevention and Control Coalition and led by UTHSC's Institute for Health Promotion Research.

The Artwork

A Good Weight

In 2007, the Steps to a Healthier San Antonio Program (Steps-SA), in collaboration with San Antonio ISD and the Southwest School of Art and Craft, presented "A Healthy Community Through the Eyes of a Child" in which children from local schools expressed their creative vision of health
concerns and issues affecting their community through the use of art.