News Archive

Today is World Asthma Day

World Asthma Day 2008 is today May 6th. It's organized and sponsored by the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) as a partnership between health care groups and asthma educators to raise awareness about asthma and improve asthma care throughout the world.

The theme of World Asthma Day 2008 will be “You Can Control Your Asthma.” Asthma control is the goal of treatment and can be achieved in the vast majority of asthma patients with proper management. A person’s asthma is under control when he or she has:

Donation from Animas Surgical Hospital

Animas Surgical Hospital Contributes to Family Planning Program

San Juan Basin Health Department provides family planning services to over 1000 low income women in our community. The program reaches ever increasing numbers of women with limited financial resources.

Open Burning "Season"

IF YOU MUST BURN, BURN SMART

 It’s springtime in the Four Corners – traditional yard cleaning, clearing and fuel reduction season. After the long winter, it’s also a time when many people are enjoying being outside. To help ensure good air quality for all, San Juan Basin Health Department urges people to consider alternatives to open burning such as composting, chipping, or land-filling.

Public Health Week April 7-13

Climate Change 2008 Theme for U.S. Public Health Week
article by San Juan Basin Health for Durango Herald (April 2, 2008)
and Recommended Climate Change Links

Pan Flu Vaccine Allocation Plan

PANDEMIC INFLUENZA AND THE U.S. PLAN FOR ALLOCATING LIMITED AMOUNTS

Dental Program Receives Grant

Suzanne Heller, Southwest Smile Makers program manager and Lynn Westberg, San Juan Basin Health director will be attending the 2008 Southwest Regional Grants presentation at Fort Lewis College on March 11th as one of the recipients of an El Pomar Foundation grant. The foundation is one of the largest and oldest private foundations in the Rocky Mountain West. The $20,000 grant awarded to Southwest Smile Makers will help update equipment in the new dental clinic as well increase on-going outreach and follow-up efforts.

News Briefs March-April 2008

Radon Presentation – Free Test Kits still Available ~ March 12

Although winter and radon testing season are winding down, there is still time to test your home for radon.  Remember: all homes should test for radon. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) estimate almost one out of every two homes in our Tri-County area has radon levels at or above EPA’s recommended guide lines. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States.

Radon Presentation in Pagosa

 A Radon in Your Home presentation will be offered in Pagosa Springs on Tuesday, March 4th from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. at the Community Center. Free radon test kits will be available, as long as supplies last. This presentation is sponsored by La Plata County Cooperative Extension and San Juan Basin Health Department.
 

For more information, call 247-5702, ext 223 or 247-4355.

Mumps Case Confirmed

February 26, 2008

San Juan Basin Health Department has received confirmation of a mumps case in a female Fort Lewis College student. The Fort Lewis College Health Office has already notified all students as well as faculty and staff. There is also a second possible case that is being investigated.

While rare, complications of mumps can be severe. Since the development of the measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccination, mumps is far less common in the United States.

Radon Awareness Month - Workshops Offered

Radon Community Presentations

Community presentations on radon are being offered several times in Durango as well as in Pagosa and Bayfield. The presentation titled, What is it?  Is it in my Home?  What can be done? is also available for group presentations such as neighborhood meetings, HOAs, civic clubs, social clubs, etc. Contact Marian at 247-5702, ext. 223. Free test kits will be available. The workshop is sponsored by La Plata County CSU Cooperative Extension and San Juan Basin Health Department.