In partnership with our member charities, Community Health Charities continues to offer National Health Day email updates to businesses throughout the state to promote and enhance the health and wellness of employees and their families. Feel free to contact us if you are interested in learning more about any of the monthly National Health Day topics or the health initiatives of Community Health Charities. We may offer a Lunch & Learn relevant to a topic that may be of interest to the employees in your workplace. To support any of the health charities we represent, be sure to ask about our charitable giving campaigns for the workplace to support your health charity(ies) of choice. World AIDS Day, December 1 The number of women living with HIV has tripled in the last two decades. Women now comprise about half of all HIV/AIDS cases in the world. In some places and within certain age groups, the percentage of women with HIV/AIDS has surpassed that of men. In the United States, 43 percent of people aged 13-19 with new HIV infections are girls. HIV is most likely to be transmitted to women through heterosexual intercourse and during childbearing years. Learn how to protect yourself from AIDS/HIV and find out what amfAR is doing to address this issue at www.amfar.org. Source: amfAR website 2007 Preparing for Winter Health The winter season usually greets us in December. We remember to winterize our vehicles and homes but we often forget to prepare ourselves and our families for this time of year. Here are a few tips that could help keep you healthier over the next few cold months. If someone in your house takes medication regularly, it is important to have enough medication to last a few days. Bathe children every other day or every third day as bathing can often cause dry and irritated skin. Stay well hydrated. You and your family still need water at this time of year, especially with increased physical activity. When outside, wear sun glasses and sun block on exposed areas as winter sun can be intense. When shoveling, remember more scoops of snow and lighter loads! Flu season is right around the corner. Speak to your healthcare practitioner about getting vaccinated for the flu. Hand washing is important at this time, especially after you use the bathroom and before meals. A good hand wash consists of using warm water for about 60 seconds which is equivalent to humming the tune "Happy Birthday." When the song is finished, you will have had a good hand washing! Be sure to rinse away all the soap residue and dry with a single paper towel. Use that towel to turn off the faucet and open the bathroom door. Viruses can be spread through coughing, sneezing, and touching surfaces such as doorknobs, telephones, and hand rails. Stay home from work when you are sick. Eat healthy foods with fiber and protein such as beans and vegetables. Turkey, which is low in calories, is a good choice of protein and makes a tasty addition to soups as well as a sandwich. Fresh cranberries are a good source of fiber and can be added to many dishes. Acorn and butternut squash are loaded with vitamins and nutrients. Don't forget to include citrus fruits to your family's diet as they are good sources of vitamin C. Be sure to get plenty of sleep. Do not drink alcohol outside in the cold weather as it may cause your body to lose heat more rapidly. Dress warmly and stay dry by wearing a hat, a scarf or a knit mask to cover your face and mouth. Wearing sleeves that are snug at the wrist, mittens rather than gloves, a water-resistant coat and boots, and several layers of loose-fitting clothing are effective ways to keep warm. Dress children in one more layer than you would wear. During the winter it's important to nurture your mind and body. As the result of cold weather and shorter daylight hours, less time is spent outdoors and in fresh air which can affect one's outlook. This can lead to feelings of exhaustion, lack of motivation, and/or a depressed mood. It's important to keep active and exercise regularly. Find indoor things that stimulate your creativity such as visiting museums and art galleries, attending concerts and films, going shopping, eating dinner out, or having coffee with friends. Engage in ways to entertain yourself and family at home by reading, assembling puzzles, painting or drawing, playing instruments, and taking pictures. Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention If you would not like to receive these updates each month, please send an email to the list administrator by clicking here.