National Public Health Week

 By Ronald G. Rios

A healthy nation begins with healthy individuals. With that said, I ask each resident this question, what can you do today to improve your health?

Every April since 1995, the American Public Health Association observes National Public Health Week. This year’s theme is “Building a Foundation for a Healthy America.”

Just like building a foundation for a home, each block represents an individual within the community, and the mortar represents the public health services that hold the community together.

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March Is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

By Ronald G. Rios

March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness month, and I encourage all residents to educate themselves and their families about colorectal cancer – the third most common cancer in men and women.

Statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicate that in 2005, 72,007 men and 69,398 women were diagnosed with colorectal cancer; and 26,781 men and 27,259 women died.

Men and women of all racial and ethnic groups are affected by this disease, which almost always develops from precancerous polyps (abnormal growths) in the colon or rectum.

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Heart Health – February is American Heart Month

By Ronald G. Rios

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. About every 25 seconds, an American will have a coronary event. In 2009 an estimated 785,000 Americans will have a new coronary attack and about 470,000 will have a recurrent attack.

It is important for both men and women to learn more abut the risks and prevention strategies of heart disease. To raise awareness about heart disease, February is American Heart Month. During this month, I ask individuals to educate themselves about a healthy lifestyle and learn how to make choices that can increase your overall heart health.

Giving up smoking, lowering high blood pressure, reducing high blood cholesterol, aiming for a healthy weight, becoming physically active and managing diabetes can help reduce your risk of heart disease.

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County Health Department Offers Cancer Education and Early Detection Program

By Ronald G. Rios

Through its various departments, Middlesex County offers a wide range of programs and services to the more than 780,000 residents that live here.

As Freeholder Chair of the County’s Public Health and Education Committee, I plan to explore, through a monthly column, the many offerings of the Middlesex County Public Health Department. It is my hope that by doing so, you, our residents, will be better informed about the opportunities available and the ways we can work together to improve our individual and collective health.

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