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Author: Samantha Borghammer
Healthful Bites Can Be on Any Budget
Having a budget can add a challenge to grocery shopping. If you track how much your household spends on food, you may notice how quickly the costs add up. No matter your budget, big or small, there is no need to sacrifice nutrition for a good price. Using a few simple strategies, eating healthful and tasty meals does not have to cost a fortune.
Author: Samantha Borghammer
Health Literacy Tips
How often do you scroll through a website or social media and click on a post written about health or wellness? With the internet at our fingertips health information is only a click away. Reading online can make staying up-to-date and healthy easier, but how do we know if we can trust what we read? Just because it is on the internet does not mean it is true. No matter what I am reading, I always ask myself these three questions to help me find out if I can trust what the post says.
Author: Brandi Bohlman
School gardens foster healthier students
“I can think of no better form of personal involvement in the cure of the environment than that of gardening. A person who is growing a garden, if he is growing it organically, is improving a piece of the world. He is producing something to eat, which makes him somewhat independent of the grocery business, but he is also enlarging, for himself, the meaning of food and the pleasure of eating.” - Wendell Berry With gardening season in full swing, we are reminded to be conscious and mindful of where our food comes from, be it the farmers market, the grocery store or our own backyards. Food less traveled is more nutrient dense and flavorful than produce sold at grocery stores, which on average travels as much as 1,500 miles.
Author: Erica Gollhardt
Reduce Alzheimer’s risk with a diet for your mind
Per the Alzheimer’s Association, 5.4 million individuals in the United States live with Alzheimer’s and it is currently the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. In most Alzheimer’s cases, the disease may be a result of many factors interacting with one another, including age, genetics, environment, lifestyle and other medical conditions.
Author: Lauren Smith
Fuel your summer activities the natural way
In just a few days, an exciting notification will pop up on my home screen, officially declaring that we can wave goodbye to a long winter and celebrate the fact that our friend, Summer Solstice, has made its grand entrance. In other words, the countdown that I have programmed into my phone for another start to a Sheboygan summer is in its home stretch.
Author: Jake Lambrecht
Healthy food can be ‘fast food’ | Healthy 2020
This sounds sacrilegious coming from a local, organic, whole food-type of person, but it dawned on me that maybe fast food is not such a bad idea in concept. The concept being that certain meals are meant to be prepared and eaten quickly. I don’t believe our culture ever was or will be at a point that every meal we eat will be slow, calm, and “mindful.”
Author: Brianna Heusterberg
County working to address mental health in schools
It is no secret that today’s students are dealing with an increasing number of barriers to their future successes. Per the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, the average classroom has at least five students who are affected by serious mental health needs, one that struggles with abuse, and 10 living in poverty.
Author: Carly Lenz and Jamie Piontkowski
County benefits from community activities
We are very lucky in Sheboygan County to have educational, recreational and family opportunities available through many groups like community education and recreation programs, nonprofit groups, hospitals, fitness facilities and more. Often these different groups end up joining forces to offer some amazing program options for enhancing health and wellbeing for everyone from babies to seniors.
Author: Kate Baer
Month’s theme is mental, physical health
May is Mental Health Month was started 69 years ago by the national organization Mental Health America to raise awareness about mental health conditions and the importance of good mental health for everyone.
Author: Christine Nitsch
Recognize employee’s health and fitness on May 16
If you love your job and love what you do, you’re going to be happier. It makes sense, doesn’t it? But how can employers motivate the unmotivated, and keep the motivated going in the right direction? With good individual health awareness and a workplace that cares about employee health, many companies are seeing positive changes happening.
Author: Trisha Erpelding
Celebrate Mental Health Month in Sheboygan
Since 1949, the national office of Mental Health America (MHA) and its affiliates across the country, including MHA in Sheboygan County, have led the observance of “May is Mental Health Month” by reaching millions of people through media, local events and screenings. This year, MHA in Sheboygan County is happy to announce several events promoting mental health that are taking place right here in our own community.
Author: Libby Holte
Medication Take Back Day is April 28
Healthy Sheboygan County 2020, in cooperation with the Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), will hold a Drug Take Back Day from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 28, at five locations throughout Sheboygan County.
Author: Annette Selk
Have you talked about advance care planning?
On Monday, April 16, we celebrate National Healthcare Decision Day as a part of the National Healthcare Decision Week during Monday, April 16, through Sunday, April 22. Since its beginnings in 2008, this national campaign aims to inspire, educate and empower the public and healthcare providers about the importance of advance care planning. The need for this day is clear when we consider that best estimates have only 35 percent of the adult population in the US with advance directives in place.
Author: Penny Maletzke
Is your child safely seated in your car?
As parents and caregivers, we always want the best for our children, the best food, clothes, schools, neighborhoods and for them to be safe. Despite our best intentions to keep our children safe, as many as 80 percent of child safety seats are improperly installed.
Author: Jake Lambrecht
Tips for gardening for the “vegetable-challenged”
There is a practical side to having a vegetable garden. You hope to be able to eat what you grow. It is certainly disappointing to have a flower garden that flops, but likely, you weren’t planning on eating your flowers. When a vegetable garden doesn’t work, it is another level of sadness. Your plants may have died AND you didn’t even get to harvest from them.
Author: Cath Tease
Kick Butts Day wants to keep kids tobacco free
The tobacco industry shows clear patterns of designing flavored tobacco products to target youth with more than 20 appealing flavors such as cherry, unicorn puke, chocolate and popcorn.
Author: Amanda Miller
Start eating well this National Nutrition Month
March is National Nutrition Month, so what better time than now to start becoming healthier and happier through healthy eating and physical activity?
Author: Annette Selk
Sheboygan County ADRC works to reduce senior falls
The Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) of Sheboygan County has been concerned about the statistics that are being reported on falls among our seniors in Sheboygan County.
Author: Lauren Smith
Food bank asks for thoughtful donations
Imagine this scene: it’s the morning of the last day of the office food drive. You are running late, but you want to make a difference in our community. You make a quick dash to your kitchen pantry and push aside last weekend’s grocery shopping haul. You grab the dusty can of green beans soaked in salt. You juggle around a few more items and find a smooshed box of angel hair pasta.
Author: Trisha Erpelding
Postpartum depression affects many new moms
About four million babies are born each year in the United States. Many of the mothers of these newborns will go through the “baby blues,” a period of hormonal shifts and mood swings for a few days or even a few weeks as they adjust to their new baby and perhaps, new parenthood. For some women, these “baby blues” may persist for a longer period.
Author: Jake Lambrecht
Seed-ordering tips every gardener should know
While I do believe that good gardening practices will matter more than what type of seed you purchase, there are a few guidelines every gardener should know. This advice mainly refers to annual garden seeds (vegetable, herbs, fruits, etc.). Most seed companies will send you free catalogs at your request.
Author: Cindy VanderWeele
Adults often unaware of recommended vaccines
You want to pass on family traditions, like a favorite cookie recipe, but no one wants to pass on a serious illness. Take charge of your health and help protect those around you by asking about vaccines at your next health care provider’s visit. Vaccinating our children is commonplace. But few adults know they need vaccines other than flu vaccine.
Author: Donna Habeck
How to know if you have cold or flu
Winter is officially upon us. Unfortunately, along with it come influenza and a rise in common colds, which are both caused by viruses. Knowing the difference between the cold and the flu can help you decide if, or when, you need to see your doctor.
Author: Rachael Lewinski
Sheboygan County Healthy 2020’s tips for surviving, enjoying winter
A mindfulness practice can help you reduce stress, shift your focus on the positive and enjoy life during one of the more challenging seasons for our mental and physical health. Paying attention on purpose, without judgment and with kindness to your emotions, energy and winter activities can lead to better safety during treacherous activities as well as avoiding succumbing to winter blues.
Author: Char Pachniak
Sheboygan County Horizon4Girls announces Jan. as National Mentoring Month
Sheboygan County Horizon4Girl staff speak with parents and family members daily and are often asked for a magic potion. How do we improve school attendance, academic achievement, promote responsible decision making, and provide skills to better navigate relationships at school, socially and at home? Let’s take a step into the lab and see what we can whip up.
Author: Rachael Lewinski
Practice mindfulness with health resolutions
As the New Year begins, many of us look at it as a fresh start and set big health goals. However, many of us fall victim to losing our motivation and giving up on our commitment as the excitement wears off and challenges set in. As a personal trainer, around the end of February, I have seen many people get frustrated, lose motivation and just plain stop what we so enthusiastically began a month ago.
Author: Janelle Schirmer
Sheboygan Healthy 2020 covers New Year’s goals
With the holiday season winding down and a new year beginning, there comes the opportunity to start fresh. You may be thinking back to all your holiday eating at parties and get-togethers. Now it’s time to look forward and focus on setting healthy goals. Aiming to eat healthier can sometimes feel like an overwhelming goal with little direction on where to start. It’s helpful to break this goal down into smaller, realistic goals that you can work on.
Author: Grace Talbot
Eating Healthy for the New Year
It is almost 2018, which means that the time for change is rightaround the corner. After the holidays, it is possible that you would like to make better choices, this article will provide you with 8 tips for eating healthier in the New Year!
Author: Trisha Erpelding
Remember your presence is the best present this holiday
Many of us spend the holiday season searching for that perfect present, combing the aisles during our Target run to find something great that will really make our loved one’s eyes light up. It might be that hard-to-find toy or another item at the top of a wish list, but there is a gift that you can’t buy that your family needs just as much — you.
Author: Elizabeth Wimmler
Tips to reduce drug insurance angst
Understanding drug insurance can be overwhelming, but focusing on key concepts and taking a few simple steps can reduce the insurance-related frustration.
Author: Amy Benz
Sheboygan Area schools teams up with Nourish
Sheboygan Area School District has teamed up with Nourish to bring “Harvest of the Month” to students and the community. Each month, a piece of produce is chosen to be a featured item on the school lunch menu as well as in snacks in certain schools in Sheboygan County. The goal is to increase fruit and vegetable consumption in students and build a solid relationship with our local farmers. Ultimately, the program seeks to help students develop healthier eating habits.
Author: Kate Baer
How to survive holidays after losing a loved one
I met grief as an adult in my late twenties. My step-dad was diagnosed with lung cancer and he died almost exactly one year to the day of diagnosis. Forty-five days later we were spreading his ashes in Northern Wisconsin when we received another heartbreaking call: my father-in-law had died unexpectedly of a heart attack. Sixty days after that, my husband and I lost a friend in his early 40's unexpectedly due to an unknown heart condition. A year and a half after that, I tragically found my Dad who had passed away due to alcohol withdrawal complications. Six months after that, my close girlfriend passed.
Author: Amy Giffin
Reignite your family meals together, not just on holidays
Each year, families and friends will gather together around the table. In some cases, people even travel hundreds of miles for Thanksgiving, while others will spend days preparing and cooking. But what about the meals we eat on the other 364 days of the year?
Author: Liz Abler
Join in Great American Smokeout on Thursday
Join Healthy Sheboygan County 2020 in partnership with re:TH!NK, the Lakeshore Tobacco Prevention Network, this year for the Great American Smokeout on Thursday.
Author: Kerri Robertson
Sheboygan Senior Activity Center hosts workshops
Take a moment and look around you. Half of all Americans live with at least one chronic disease, and 28 percent of us have two or more. Arthritis alone affects 50 million Americans and is now the most common cause of disability. Across the nation, health care costs associated with chronic diseases make up 75 percent of the $2 trillion spent on health care each year. This means 145 million of us can learn how to manage our symptoms and adopt healthy behaviors to help reduce the personal and societal burden of our diseases.
Author: Lauren Smith
Sheboygan County Food Bank commits to fresh method
What if food pantries are your main source of food to fuel your body because you have a disability that affects your ability to work, recently lost a job or simply can’t make ends meet?
Author: LIBBY HOLTE
Have unused drugs? Turn them in Saturday
Healthy Sheboygan County 2020, in cooperation with the Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), will hold a Drug Take-Back Day from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. this Saturday, Oct. 28, at five locations throughout Sheboygan County.
Author: DR. SCARLETT & DR. SHAH
Low back pain affects people of all ages
Low back pain is the second most common reason for visiting a doctor and can affect people of all ages, from childhood to adulthood. Approximately 80 percent of the population will experience back pain at some point throughout their life. Low back pain is also responsible for lost workdays and is the single leading cause of disability worldwide. Over 100 million American adults live with chronic pain. Our spine is composed of approximately 33 vertebrae bones stacked on top of one another. In between each of those bones lay discs, which provide the cushioning between the vertebrae. The discs can be thought of as shock absorbers for our spine.
Author: Faith is a Certified Therapy Dog with Horizons4 Girls in Sheboygan.
A word from Faith, Horizons4Girls’ therapy dog
Hi there! My name is Faith, and I work at Horizons4Girls, or should I say, “I volunteer.” I am a Certified Therapy Dog with an advanced degree in working with troubled teens, or as they like to identify themselves, “at promise.” Each one of these middle school and high school teens has plenty of gifts that just need to be identified and enhanced.
Author: ANNETTE SELK
ADRC events will discuss end-of-life health care
You have your advance directive (a legal document, such as a living will that is signed by a competent person to provide guidance for medical and health-care decisions, such as the termination of life support or organ donation, in the event the person becomes incompetent to make such decisions) completed and signed. Your doctor, the hospital, and your health care agent have copies. Everything is in place, right? Maybe. But there are often more decisions that need to be made as one nears the end of life. Will you or your loved one want cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), a feeding tube, an antibiotic, a surgery? The decisions can seem to be endless as options for healthcare have expanded. It can be particularly difficult deciding for another person, especially someone you love.
Author: PAMELA KRUEGER
Sheboygan County substance abuse remains a problem
Per the National Institute on Drug Abuse, individual abuse of tobacco, alcohol and illicit drugs cost our nation more than $740 billion annually in costs related to crime, lost work productivity and health care expenditure.
Author: JAKE LAMBRECHT
If your health matters to you, think about where your food comes from
Per the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, “Food Security exists when all people, at all times, have physical, social, and economic access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food which meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life.” When it comes to obtaining food, we all want to make sure we have enough. That’s where the “sufficient” part comes in, but what about the “safe and nutritious” part? Too often those aspects take a back seat or are reduced to meeting minimum government guidelines. Consumers either assume that food is safe and nutritious or place more importance on quantity. This has led to a prevalence of diet related health disorders in our country today. Instead of looking for the next “2 for 1” deal at the grocery store, I encourage you to focus on the thought: follow the trail.
Author: KATE BAER
Mental Health America partners with UW-Sheboygan for recovery month
September is National Recovery Month and Mental Health America (MHA) in Sheboygan County is proudly partnering with the University of Wisconsin-Sheboygan Theatre to address the topic in an educational and personal way.
Author: KATE BAER
Sheboygan group focuses on suicide prevention strategy
Suicide continues to remain a preventable, yet significant, health problem in Wisconsin.
Author: RACHAEL LEWINSKI
Tapping into the intimate relationship between mental health, exercise
We all know the benefits of physical exercise are endless, leading experts to deem it as our best wonder drug. However, we often don’t prioritize our mental health, which is intimately and dramatically affected by our physical fitness.
Author: SAMUEL KEFER
Protect yourself against ticks
Wisconsin summers bring beautiful weather. Some see this as an opportunity to crank the air conditioning, but many will take advantage of this opportunity to get outdoors. When you are taking in the scenic lakefront, hiking the Ice Age Trail, or some other outdoor activity, the most common pest you might encounter are mosquitoes. While these are a nuisance, there is another insect to look out for — ticks. Ticks are a type of parasite that attach to a host organism and feed off them. There are a variety of tick species in Wisconsin. According to the University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of Entomology, most common are the wood and deer tick. Although small, ticks can carry a number of diseases. The Wisconsin Division of Public Health lists Anaplasmosis, Powassan virus, and, most prominently, Lyme disease as examples. Data from the Center for Disease Control show a decrease from 20102015 in the number of people contracting Lyme disease in Wisconsin each year. However, those numbers are still higher than other states, with 1,309 confirmed cases in 2015, which is why Wisconsinites need to protect themselves from ticks. To learn how to protect yourself against ticks, here are answers to some key questions:
Author: CINDY VANDERWEELE
Parents, don’t forget vaccinations before school starts
Parents, don’t forget vaccinations before school starts
Author: ERICA GOLLHARDT
Physical health is important for people of all ages
General health for individuals is often categorized into age groups. Even when you search online for fitness tips and suggestions, articles focus mostly on specific generations (i.e. teens versus elderly). Besides age and medical conditions, the focus on health and maintaining an active lifestyle is truly similar between age groups.
Author: NATE DAVIS
A well-cared for lawn makes for a healthy lake
Being in Sheboygan County lends us the great gift of having a national treasure almost on our doorstep: Lake Michigan. So often taken for granted, the secondlargest Great Lake and its surrounding rivers provide some of the most treasured summer fun.
Author: HEATHER CLEVELAND
Healthy diet can be first step to building resiliency in life
Resilience.
Author: Lauren Smith
Host a healthy summer food drive
In the summer months, the top things on many Sheboyganites’ minds are following the scent trail to the nearest brat fry, planning a day on North Beach and spending nights beside a bonfire pit. Far from many people’s thoughts are spending hours in the kitchen baking grandma’s recipe of her famous sugar cookies to warm the hearts of loved ones. Even joining the crowds at Deer Trace on Nov. 26 to stock up on Christmas gifts seems like light years away.
Author: ELIZABETH ABLER
Ordinance moving tenants toward smoke-free living
As we start a favorite month in Wisconsin, we are reminded that this is the seventh year our state celebrates the Smoke Free Air Bill passage of July 5, 2010. In June we celebrated Healthy Homes Month, which is sponsored by U.S. Department of Housing And Urban Development (HUD). The observance focuses on raising awareness of housing’s impact on health and providing ways for families to protect themselves from hazards in the home.
Author: ERICA GOLLHARDT
How seniors can keep active while staying safe this summer
As we continue through the warm summer months, we look for outdoor and indoor activities to keep busy. For seniors who reside in long-term care facilities, getting the chance to go outside during the warm weather days can be difficult. Local assisted living facilities and nursing homes have activities and programs enabling seniors to stay active without breaking a sweat. Some examples include balloon tennis, bean bag toss, ring toss, gardening, cooking, or seated chair exercises. Facilities benefiting from having onsite therapy services invite residents to utilize their equipment for quick exercises; some examples include an arm pedal exerciser or a simple exercise bike.
Author: Chia Lee
Never too late to quit or too early to inform about tobacco
My name is Chia Lee. I am a recent graduate of Lakeshore Technical College. Earlier this year, I accepted a spring internship with re:TH!NK, the Lakeshore Tobacco Prevention network, a partner of Healthiest Manitowoc County.
Author: LIBBY HOLTE
Practice beach safety this summer in Sheboygan
The gorgeous Sheboygan summer days are finally here! Now is the time to take advantage of the weather and be active with your family on the beautiful beaches of Sheboygan County. Before you throw on those flip flops and run to the beach, remember that safety is priority No.1.
Author: BETH TEUNISSEN
6 reasons to shop at your local Farmer’s Markets
Farmer’s markets have fresh, local fruits and veggies that come straight from farms to your plate. Haven’t been to the farmer’s market before? Well, the benefits to stopping at your local farmer’s market are endless!
Author: AMY GIFFIN
Sheboygan Area School District offers free summer meals
Learning does not end when school lets out.
Author: JONATHAN RIBICH
Tips for keeping lawns healthy for everyone
Land access is important for good health and in the United States, it can be easy to take for granted.
Author: KERRI ROBERTSON
Celebrate National Senior Health and Fitness Day
For many aging Americans, May is a month to be celebrated loudly and proudly. Since 1963, when President Kennedy declared the month of May as Senior Citizens Month (later renamed Older Americans Month) the meaning of the celebration has changed drastically.
Author: STAFF AT ADVANCED PAIN MANAGEMENT
Options exist for patients with chronic pain
Over the past year, I have had many patients come to our clinic quite discouraged over the escalating government regulation on the prescription of opioid medications. They are quite concerned that they are going to have their “pain pills” taken away and left to suffer in endless pain. With nearly 15,000 deaths per year in the United States attributed to opioid pain medications, the government stance is more than justified.
Author: KATE BAER
Discover mindfulness at upcoming mental health event
Life is difficult and we all experience pain and stress to varying degrees throughout our lifetime. These emotional, physical and mental pains, sometimes due to stress, bodily injury/disease, or a combination of both, are often inevitable. A fact of life. Pain and stress affect everyone. An old anonymous adage shares, “Pain is inevitable, but suffering is optional.” Suffering is the emotional context we give to pain. The stories we tell ourselves, our bodies, our minds.
Author: KATE BAER
Annual mental health, addiction resource fair nears
Join anytime between 4 and 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 2, for the 3rd annual community- wide Mental Health and Alcohol & Drug Abuse Resource Fair in Sheboygan County, at the new location of St. Dominic Parish Activity Center (2133 N. 22nd Street, Sheboygan).
Author: ANN SALZMANN
Think about end of life wishes now
My husband and I recently planned a trip to Disney World with our 7-year-old granddaughter. We have planned Disney trips over the years but things have changed. Technology and options at Disney have changed, and so have we. We are a bit older. We have different goals and priorities. So, our family has had many discussions about the trip to determine what is best for us at this time.
Author: CHRISTA WILSON
Drug Take-Back event is answer to unwanted meds
Each year on a Saturday in April and a Saturday in October, the citizens of the United States get rid of a few hundred tons of unnecessary weight. Sounds like a great weight loss plan, right? Well, it’s not pounds of body weight that are shed; it’s pounds of unused medications.
Author: ERICA GOLLHARDT
Tai Chi could be answer for elderly seeking exercise
Tai Chi, a traditional Chinese martial art, continuously is proven to have both physical and mental benefits for individuals of any age. This gentle form of martial art concentrates on controlled movements, breathing and relaxation. The commitment to Tai Chi is less than 30 minutes a day and does not require any equipment to get started.
Author: HALEIGH KAISER
Fill your ‘bucket’ with positive actions
Creating a healthy lifestyle is talked about everywhere you go these days. However, it is not all about diet and exercise. There should also be a focus on mental and emotional health. Researchers have found a correlation between caring for and helping others and an increase in health. An article from BMC Public Health finds that voluntarily helping others is associated with lower depression, increased well-being and a 22 percent reduction in the risk of dying.
Author: HEATHER CLEVELAND
Nutritious eating for one
At Nourish, we encourage eating together. We invite you to join us for our community dinners. However, eating together is not an option for everybody every day, whether you live alone or are traveling for work. Here are some tips for eating healthy for one.
Author: LIZ ABLER
Kick ‘butts’ to live a healthy, smoke-free life
Several times a year, I have been writing articles for our HSC 2020 column on Tobacco prevention. I usually mention that “Tobacco use is still the number one preventable cause of death in the United States” and that remains true. This statement can cause readers worry or concern and it is meant to have an impact.
Author: ELIZABETH WIMMLER
Tips for creating a medication management plan
Over the past few decades, healthcare has shifted its focus to preventative care which has generated an increase in medication use. This boost in medication use created new challenges, including medication interactions and side effects, overprescribing and unintentional medication misuse. These challenges demonstrate the importance of medication management, but complex dose regimens, busy schedules, age related changes, and caregiver roles make this task difficult to execute. We can conquer these difficulties by constructing a medication management action plan.
Author: SAMANTHA DAILY
Put best fork forward for National Nutrition Month
March is National Nutrition Month, and this year the focus is on putting your best fork forward. February ended with Paczki Day, or Fat Tuesday, and this month we can start fresh by choosing to fill our forks with more nutritious, better-for-you options. Putting our best fork forward this month can mean eating more fruits and vegetables with every meal, choosing more whole grains and reaching for more nutritious snacks. These are all simple ways we can improve our plates and step forward towards better health.
Author: LIBBY HOLTE
Time to check in on those New Year’s resolutions
January first came along, and you were packed full of motivation to make changes for the New Year. No matter how much momentum you had that first week, we all know that winter can be a hard time; sickness is traveling around, workloads are high after the holiday lull, chilly weather makes it hard to stay active, and before we know it — we are already two months into the year. Whether you are on the road to success, or have taken an unexpected detour from your goals, let’s take some time to do a check-in on ways you can take care of your mind, body, home and heart in 2017: Take care of your
Author: ANDI IGOWSKY
Tips for keeping your kids’ teeth healthy
February is National Children’s Dental Health Month. Despite the fact that it’s almost entirely preventable, tooth decay is the most common chronic disease in children. The good news is there are safe and effective preventive measures that can protect teeth.
Author: ELIZABETH WIMMLER
Tips for avoiding the risks of over the counter meds
It’s the season for coughs, sniffles, trips to the pharmacy, and unfortunately, self treatment with over the counter medications. Believing over the counter (OTC) medications are risk free and can be used safely without consulting a healthcare provider are common misconceptions. Direct to consumer medication advertising and access to OTC medicine allows people to take part in their healthcare, but can be dangerous. Some dangers include potential for overdose, creating drug interactions and mistreating serious conditions.
Author: BETHANY SODERLUND
Choose the right fats for your heart
Since February is American Heart Month, I would like to take an opportunity to debunk a myth about heart-healthy eating. One food group that is often questioned is fat. Can you eat fat while following a heart-healthy diet? Yes! In fact, your body needs fat to produce hormones, grow cells, protect your organs, insulate your body and absorb fat-soluble vitamins. What matters is how much, and what kind of fat, you eat. Moderation is key.
Author: CATH TEASE
Stop tobacco addiction at checkout counter
Most tobacco users get started before they even turn 18, which is why it’s so important to prevent tobacco sales to minors. Wisconsin Wins helps responsible retailers follow the law, avoid costly fines and keep tobacco out of kids’ hands — including new, candy flavored tobacco products that appeal to youth.
Author: KRIS FRITZ
If you’re active, winter can feel good
Winter is often defined as the “colder half of the year; a period of inactivity or decay.” Please don’t let this be true for you or your family. Don’t let winter stop all the positive physical activity and healthy eating progress made during spring, summer and fall. Let’s continue leading healthy and active lifestyles through winter:
Author: JANE JENSEN
Help make the county healthier for everyone
Healthy Sheboygan County 2020 is a community- based initiative formed in 1993 and designed to make positive changes in the health of Sheboygan County by the year 2020. The diverse membership works together to help county residents live better and longer lives. Subcommittees have engaged in a wide variety of initiatives over the last several years. A Health Literacy Campaign shared resources to help residents make better decisions about their health. Medication Take-Back days have been held twice annually at five locations throughout the county. Mental health and alcohol and drug abuse resource fairs have been held annually.
Author: KELLY BOELDT
Working to make local workplaces 'well'
In January 2015, the Sheboygan County Activity and Nutrition (SCAN) Coalition, announced plans to pursue a “Well County” designation.
Author: KRISTIN BLANCHARD STEARNS
Insurance enrollment help is available
Health Insurance coverage is an issue that should be on everyone’s mind. Yes, it is a big deal. Yes, it can be overwhelming. Enrollment is open until Jan. 31, so you still have time to sign up for a plan. Let’s talk about getting covered. What is this Affordable Care Act, “ACA,” “Obamacare,” or “Marketplace Insurance”?
Author: MIKE BURNS
Local Support available to help prevent type 2 diabetes
There are a lot of things in our life that we cannot control or prevent. Fortunately, Type 2 diabetes is one thing that we can prevent or at least delay with some knowledge, effort and perseverance.
Author: KERRI ROBERTSON
Feeling like a Scrooge? How to manage stress
The holidays seem to be one of those times of the year that people either love or loathe.
Author: LIDIA KALSOW
Encouraging children to eat veggies in fun ways
It’s no secret that children can be difficult to convince when it comes to trying new things. The website Choose MyPlate, sponsored by the US Department of Agriculture, recommends half our plate be filled with fruits and vegetables. This can be daunting to parents who struggle to get their kids to take a bite of vegetable at the dinner table.
Author: LIZ KROLL
Making the case for healthier food donations
What does “food insecurity” mean? It means people or households are limited in their resources to buy food. It can also mean they’re running out of food, cutting the quality of their food, eating unbalanced meals and maybe even skipping meals. Food insecurity is closely linked with high rates of obesity, diabetes and other health problems, and this is partly due to the lack of choices supplied by food pantries. As families depend on donated foods more and more for a greater share of their nutritional needs, the quality of those foods becomes more important. Local research has shown that one-third of all donated pantry food is of low nutritional value, damaged or very outdated.
Author: DAWN KIND
Feature veggies for healthy holiday meal
Guess who’s coming to your holiday dinner?
Author: LIZ ABLER
Great American Smoke-Out’ quitting event comes Nov. 17
The Great American Smoke-out is Nov. 17. So what’s new in tobacco prevention?
Author: LAURA APFELBECK
Ways to spice up important family meals
Iowa State University reports that not only do family meals offer children a chance to learn about their family’s values and culture, but that children who eat with their families eat more fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Even better? Teens who eat with their families are less likely to smoke, drink and use drugs, according to the research.
Author: PAMELA KRUEGER
Learn to live your best life to increase wellness, longevity
Do you want to live a longer, happier and healthier life? Wellness plays a significant role in the quality and longevity of your life! What is wellness, anyway? Wellness matters and is often described as a balance of your mind, body and spirit, which results in an overall feeling of well-being.
Author: AMY GIFFIN
Eating healthy at school can be easy
In summer 2016, the Sheboygan Area School District approved eliminating reduced- price meal fees for families. This means all students under 185 percent of the poverty level now receive free lunches and breakfasts where available.
Author: LIBBY HOLTE
Medication abuse: Being part of the solution
Did you know that one-in-25 youth ages 12 to 17 have abused cough medicine to get high, and one-in-five young adults have abused prescription drugs? According to the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America, October is National Medication Abuse Awareness Month. During this month, communities are encouraged to come together to take action against the abuse of medication.
Author: ANN SALZMANN
Screening sheds light on end-of-life care
You may know someone who recently revealed they are expecting a baby. Along with that announcement comes a great deal of planning. Parenting philosophies and birth plans are common topics for expectant parents to talk about with their doctor, family and friends.
Author: JAKE LAMBRECHT
Good-for-you gardening tips for growing fall vegetables
“Backyard gardening can inspire you to take an interest in the origins of your food and make better choices about what you put on your plate. When you grow your own food, you savor it more because of the effort it took to get to the table.” That’s according to Dr. Helen Delichatsios of Massachusetts General Hospital. If you planted a garden and are thinking about harvesting and storage, this information is for you, or it may inspire you to grow a garden next year. When it comes to harvest time, each crop truly has a very unique set of practices. Some crops should be left out for a frost, while others should be brought in when the nighttime temperatures approach 50 degrees. An acronym for this time of year to help explain fall harvest is appropriately named “THIS,” which stands for temperature, heat, in the soil and sweeten.
Author: JOANNA BRANDT
A grateful — and unfinished — story of depression recovery
Hi, my name is Joanna and I deal with depression, panic disorder, agoraphobia, generalized anxiety, ADHD, migraines and IBS.
Author: James Simac
Tackling the shame that comes with alcoholic label
The myths that people who are dependent on alcohol are weak-willed, lacking in moral character or love drinking more than other relationships keep active the shame of being an “alcoholic.”
Author: Jean Pittner
Eating enough fruits, vegetables is hard but important
We have all probably heard at one time or another to “eat your fruits and vegetables.” Even the USDA Dietary Guidelines remind us to make half of our plate fruits and vegetables. Why is this so important?
Author: KATE BAER
There is Hope’ suicide prevention walk set for Sept. 10
The International Association for Suicide Prevention and World Health Organization estimate more than 800,000 people die by suicide each year.
Author: KATE BAER
Mindfulness can combat the cycle of constant busyness
An overflowing to-do list. Places to go and people to see. Bills to be paid. Nonstop activities and taxi service for your kids. Late hours at the office.
Author: KELLY KEMPS
Addiction Awareness Day coming to Fountain Park
Sheboygan’s I Love My Addict support group has announced that the second annual Sheboygan Addiction Awareness Event will be 3-7 p.m. Aug. 27 at Fountain Park in Sheboygan.
Author: HEATHER CLEVELAND
Eating local can benefit many
The good food revolution encourages people to eat local. Choosing local, fresh food offers benefits to our health, the environment and our future.
Author: LISA HURLEY
Dementia-Friendly Kick-off Event planned
As the aging population increases the number of people living with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia does as well.
Author: JESSICA MINER
County resources directory is valuable
Every two years Mental Health America in Sheboygan County updates the Directory of Community Resources.
Author: JERI L. DREIKOSEN
Mindfulness can help you experience everyday life
Mindfulness is a hot topic in the wellness world these days. What is all the fuss about?
Author: HEATHER CLEVELAND
Nutritious school meals are important
Food insecurity is real and exists in Sheboygan County.
Author: Ashley Grant
Alzheimer’s detection can make a difference
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, 47 million people are living with Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia throughout the world today. In the US, someone develops Alzheimer’s every 66 seconds. Alzheimer’s takes more lives than breast cancer and prostate cancer combined. It takes the life of one in three seniors. This makes Alzheimer’s the sixth leading cause of death in our nation. With so many people affected by dementia and Alzheimer’s, it’s important to be aware of dementia and the diseases it causes.
Author: Liz Abler
Smoke Free Air Law celebrates milestone
On July 5 we will celebrate Wisconsin’s six-year anniversary since the statewide smoking ban went into effect. This public policy initiative has had such a positive effect on people’s health. Air quality in restaurants and bars has shown an extraordinary improvement after this law began. Healthy People 2020 provides a set of national goals for improving the health of all Americans, locally collaborated with the HSC 2020 Substance Abuse/Mental Health Committee to motivate actions at the local level within the community. Tobacco use is a healthrisk behavior that is a leading cause of death and disease among Wisconsin youth and adults. One of our goals is to provide information and education on current trends including the health risks of smokeless or other tobacco products. Tobacco use is still the single most preventable cause of disease, disability and death in the U.S.
Author: FRANK SIMAC
Be mindful of how words affect others
I experienced the power of my own language within the concept of ‘stigma.’ I compared stigma with the English language children’s rhyme to teach the child victim of name-calling to ignore the taunt, to refrain from physical fights and to remain calm and good-natured. “Sticks and stones will break my bones. But words will never harm me.”
Author: KRIS FRITZ
Recharge during the summer
In today’s world we are constantly making sure all of our tech devices are charged and ready to go on demand. But what about ourselves and family members?
Author: KURT ZEMPEL
Addiction harmful to too many families
Earlier this month we were invited to join Midwest Communication’s live program “Heroin in Wisconsin: Save our Families,” along with other law enforcement, health care, support and recovery groups, first responders, elected officials, family members and addicts from across northeast Wisconsin.
Author: HEATHER CLEVELAND
Experiential learning vital to food journey
That’s the question I often ask people looking to join the Nourish world in some capacity. Frankly, I am asking if you think about food. There is no right answer — only that you have one.
Author: DIANE SCHUH AND LISA ENTRINGER
Aurora helps care for ‘Silver Tsunami’ of baby boomers
Sheboygan is seeing a tremendous increase in the geriatric population.
Author: ERICA GOLLHARDT
Celebrate Older Americans Month with exercise, activities
Sheboygan County’s community of active individuals is steadily growing as awareness of fitness and nutrition become more popular.
Author: SHERRI SAMUELS-FUERST
Exercise is a fantastic, healthy return on time investment
Investing in the stock market can be confusing to many.
Author: KATE BAER
Speak out about what life with mental illness feels like
When mental illnesses or disorders are talked about, the language typically used to describe them tends to be clinical and impersonal.
Author: KATE BAER
Hope and help exist: come to annual mental health fair
FOR USA TODAY NETWORK-WISCONSIN
Misuse of prescription painkillers a problem here
The prevention program Dose of Reality has been launched in Sheboygan County and Wisconsin.
CSA can be great tool for eating well
Are you one of those people who vows to “eat more fresh veggies this year?”
Author: Annette Selk
Consider attending Honoring Your Wishes
Consider the following scenarios — which would you rather be in: Scenario 1: “I can’t believe this is happening. My 26-year-old-daughter was in a car accident last week and has a severe head injury. She remains in the hospital, is very confused and can hardly talk. She needs physical help 24 hours a day and may need more surgery. Thank goodness we completed a Power of Attorney for Health Care last year that allows me to make her health care decisions, consent to treatments and make placement decisions for her. When she completed her POA-HC, we talked about what type of care and treatment she would want or would not want if anything serious happened. I know what her wishes are and this is a comfort at this difficult time.” Scenario 2: “Last year, a friend’s son fell out of his tree stand. He also had a brain injury along with severe physical injuries. He had not completed a POA-HC document and my friend had to go to court and be appointed as his guardian in order for her to make his health care decisions. She did not have a conversation with her son and did not know what he would have wanted. With everything going on, I am so thankful we planned ahead.”
Author: PENNY MALETZKE
Proper child safety seat use vital
As parents and caregivers we always want the best for our children — the best food, schools, neighborhoods and for them to be safe.
Author: Starrlene Grossman
Let’s work together to eliminate TB
Each year we recognize World TB Day on March 24 to celebrate the discovery of Mycobacterium Tuberculosis by Dr. Robert Koch in 1882. World TB Day is our chance to talk about Tuberculosis- related concerns and share ideas to support worldwide TB control. TB is a disease spread through the air from one person to another. While a lot of work has been done to control and cure TB within the US, people still get sick and die from it every year. In fact, according to the World Health Organization, TB is the top infectious disease killer worldwide. This year the Centers for Disease Control selected the theme “Find TB. Treat TB. Working together to eliminate TB.” This highlights that it takes an entire community of people working together to end the spread of TB disease. It also reveals the sad fact that TB is still a lifethreatening problem and current efforts to find and treat TB disease are not enough. A united effort is needed to identify new strategies to improve testing and treatment options.
Stay informed on consequences of tobacco
The Centers for Disease Control and Preventions estimates that 16.8 percent of Americans 18 and older currently smoke cigarettes. This equates to roughly 40 million Americans — the entire population of California. Cigarette smoking has long been known to cause the onset of many preventable diseases and continues to take more than 480,000 American lives each year. With the dangers of smoking widely known, what leads individuals to pick up the habit of smoking and what can we do to not become victims of smoking? Any marketing major will tell you that knowing your target audience for selling a product plays an important role in successfully selling that product. Big tobacco companies know this and employ their advertising tactics on youth in hopes of creating lifetime customers.
Author: JEAN PITTNER
Savor the flavor of eating right
For National Nutrition Month 2016, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is encouraging everyone to learn how to “Savor the Flavor of Eating Right” while still following a healthy eating pattern.
Author: TAYLOR HAEFFELE
Mystery meat a thing of the past
What was once slop on a tray or a vacuumpacked TV dinner has graduated to a choicebased, nutrition-inspired display of colorful fruits, vegetables and whole grains. “School lunch” has a negative stigma, but the reality is school lunches are often fresher and healthier than our typical homemade dinners. Schools have strict nutrition guidelines they must meet, certain varieties of foods they must offer and certain limits they can’t breach. The USDA has made great strides to make rules for meals and even Smart Snacks guidelines for any foods students have access to beyond lunch.
Author: KELLY BOELDT
Employers recognize wellness benefits
Sheboygan County employers credit health and wellness initiatives at the work site for providing organizational and community rewards.
Author: Craig Schicker
Use your head and wear a helmet
There are six inches of irreplaceable matter between your ears that can be preserved by wearing a safety helmet that matter is your brain.
Author: Libby Holte
February is American Heart Month
In the U.S., one in every four deaths is caused by heart disease.
Author: Dena Horvath
Breast is best for baby and mom
As a nurse working in Women’s Health and the NICU at Aurora Sheboygan Memorial Hospital, my patients will often hear my co-workers and me refer to breast milk as “liquid gold.” We do this to help mothers understand how important it is and how seriously we take our breast milk and breastfeeding.
Author: Connie Frank
Help is available if you need it
Do you find yourself struggling? Do you feel like you’re alone in a black hole? Are you drowning in financial challenges? I was, too, and I am relieved to say there is hope, and there is a way out. As a teenager, I lacked self-esteem and confidence — I never felt like I fit in. I played in the band, but was too nervous to perform. I enjoyed reading and had a photographic memory, but still couldn’t concentrate on tests. In college, I had difficulty sleeping. I forced myself into social situations, but never felt comfortable. A neck injury from a car accident led to years of chronic pain and even less enjoyment in life. Shortly after graduating and getting married, I contracted Lyme disease. The infection in my brain further intensified my headaches and impaired my thought processes. My words would jumble, and I would see things that weren’t really there. Ultimately, it would keep me from balancing my own checkbook and limit me from driving.
Author: Kate Baer
Local stigma reduction efforts underway
A local community and cross-agency effort that developed the Community Health Improvement Plan 2015-2017 identified that the stigma of mental illness is an issue requiring attention in Sheboygan County. A stigma-specific subcommittee was developed to help reduce the stigma of mental illness and substance abuse in our community. So what is stigma and how are we going to address it? Stigma can be understood as a set of negative or often untrue ideas that lead to beliefs that form an attitude. That attitude can include acts of discrimination. When one Googles the definition, synonyms that pop up include shame, disgrace and dishonor.
Author: CHAR PACHNIAK
Mentors makes a difference for children
Every January, the president of the United States recognizes January as National Mentoring month. Additionally, “Thank Your Mentor Day” takes place on the third Thursday of the month. In 2016, that will be Jan. 21. You might be asking yourself, what does that have to do with me? Think back. Was there a teacher, a coach, an aunt or an uncle that paid close attention? They were one of your mentors. The word mentor comes from the Greek and means adviser, master, guide or preceptor. One of the things we need to consider when looking at mentors within our community is the link between poverty and the availability of positive mentor relationships.
Author: Lindsay Rick
Fight the Winter Blues
Many people feel a slump in their mood after the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. The expectations of holiday events, the joy of spending time with loved ones and the frantic chaos can lead to a feeling of let down with the new year. It is important to check your emotional well-being and take preventative action during this time of year to stay healthy and make the most of 2016. There are a lot things you can do to help your emotional wellbeing during the winter doldrums. As the excitement and anticipation of the holidays comes to a close, it is normal to feel a sense of gloom. To work against this, try making plans for something soon. Plan time off, go to a concert, take a class or redecorate a room. Many people find joy in learning new hobbies such as crocheting, playing an instrument or cooking. Find something that you can look forward to and start planning for it. When we focus on the negative, or on things we can’t change, we tend to have a poor outlook which alters our mood. Try to stay grounded in the positive by practicing the art of gratitude. Melanie Greenberg, of Psychology Today, suggests gratitude goes hand in hand with mindfulness in its focus on the now and appreciating what we have, rather than wanting more and more.
Author: Kate Baer
There is Hope Walk celebrates 10th year
Ten years ago a group of local Sheboygan Falls and surrounding area families came together to begin what many of you know now as Mental Health America in Sheboygan County’s largest education and fundraiser event — the There is Hope Walk for Suicide Awareness and Prevention.
Author: Liz Abler
Tobacco-related disparities persist
Despite Wisconsin’s smoke-free law, more than half of the state’s multi-unit housing residents report living in a building where smoking is still allowed. Smoking remains the leading cause of preventable death in the United States. In Wisconsin, an estimated 7,215 people die annually from illnesses directly related to smoking. Secondhand smoke is estimated to cause about 840 deaths each year in Wisconsin. In Sheboygan County, approximately 145 die annually of illnesses related to smoking.
Author: Erica Gollhardt
Holiday Nutrition is Important to Seniors
Most people know eating healthy can lead to long and nutritious lives. However, several factors stand in the way for seniors when it comes to maintaining...
Author: NICOLE CHRISTE
Boost your immunity through good nutrition
Do not start your holiday season off with the flu. According to a 2015 report by the CDC, a national health organization, “It is estimated that in the United States, each year on average 5 percent to 20 percent of the population gets the flu.”Flu season is here. You can be prepared this year with a stronger immune system. Our immune system is our body’s protection against infection. It works by attacking viruses like the flu.
Author: Shelby Kuhn
Mental illness does not discriminate
Going to the doctor can be intimidating.
Author: Kate Baer
Help available for bereaved parents
Help available for bereaved parents
Author: KELLIE RESNICK
Teach children gratitude
Teach children gratitude KELLIE RESNICK
Author: SHERRI L. SAMUELS-FUERST
Save money on health care
Open enrollment season for choosing your health insurance is here.
Author: DAWN WITTIG
Care for the caregiver
Caregivers are those who care for others because they either can’t care for themselves or need assistance to carry out everyday tasks.
Author: Article from the Centers for Disease Control
Explore 5 smart moves to quit smoking
If you’re a smoker, quitting is the single most important step you can take to protect your health and the health of your loved ones.
Author: JEAN PITTNER
October is Eat Better Eat Together Month
What’s the fuss about family meals?
Author: MARYADELE REVOY
Medicine Abuse Month
I know, I know, not another month to celebrate or become aware of a medical issue. But this one is different. Why? Because I would guess everyone has medicine in their homes.
Author: MARYADELE REVOY
Take Back Medication Day is Saturday
Attorney General Brad Schimel recently launched a campaign to educate and bring awareness to the prescription pill abuse problem. “Dose of Reality” (doseofrealitywi.gov) is a comprehensive look at what each person can do to help stop medication abuse and why we should do it.
Author: LIBBY HOLTE
October is Health Literacy Month
Each day, people face choices about their health.
Author: Kate Baer
Support needed for family of those with mental illness
Mental Health America in Sheboygan County is a nonprofit mental health resource center that works to provide services in prevention/education, access to care and recovery support services for mental health. While educating youth and adults on what mental illness is and encouraging individuals with mental health concerns or diagnoses to seek appropriate treatment is something we focus on as an organization, we also recognize that families and friends of persons with a mental illness often face a unique set of challenges. Being the adult sibling, child of, spouse of, or close friend to someone with a mental illness often affects the individual in fundamental ways. It can be scary to watch your loved one experience emotional turmoil and behave strangely and/ or unpredictably. Feelings of helplessness for how to help your loved one get help or how to support their ongoing journey in recovery commonly increases stress in one’s own life.
Author: LAURA RAMMER
Water is the best hydration source
“I am so thirsty!” is a very familiar phrase expressed by people after they’ve completed strenuous physical activities.
Author: MaryAdele Revoy
Names, stereotypes don’t help those needing help
Community leaders meet to discuss how we lack drug and alcohol treatment providers in Sheboygan County.
Author: Kate Baer
There is Hope celebrates 10th year
Ten years ago a group of local Sheboygan Falls and surrounding area families came together to begin what many of you know now as Mental Health America in Sheboygan County’s largest education and fundraiser event — the There is Hope Walk for Suicide Awareness and Prevention.
Author: Annette Selk
Falls in seniors a vicious cycle
Every year, the National Council on Aging recognizes Fall Prevention Day on Sept. 23 — the first day of fall.
Author: MARYADELE REVOY
National Recovery Month has arrived
I joke with family and friends that I’m “addicted” to chocolate.
Author: Lauren Smith
Markets connect users with the land
Every Wednesday and Saturday until October you can take a stroll through Fountain Park and smell fresh cilantro, strawberries, peppers and many other delicious fruits and vegetables that speckle the park.
Author: Jenn English
Time to get annual immunization shots
Backpack, lunch box, notebooks, markers, crayons, shots.
Author: Amy Clark
Put cancer prevention on school checklist
HPV vaccine can prevent certain cancers and other diseases caused by human papillomavirus.
Author: Liz Abler and Miva Yang
Start thinking about school immunizations
Is your child up to date with school shots for his/her grade this upcoming school year?
Author: Christine Ditter
Sun safety as important as ever
Although summer is already well underway, sun safety is still as important as ever.
Author: Kate Baer
Applying forgiveness leads to benefits
Upsetting actions and words, or lack thereof, can leave us feeling a wealth of emotions such as frustration, anger, fear and/or loneliness.
Author: Lauren Smith
Get Up--Your Life Depends on It
You may catch yourself regularly watching TV, being hooked on your new favorite Netflix series, or surfing the internet on your laptop or phone for lengthy amounts of time. You may also be working at a desk for eight hours, five days a week. What do all of these activities have in common? Sitting. Sitting for long periods of time seems easy to do these days without much thought. Health effects from this trend are pouring out from studies left and right.
Author: Liz Abler and Roger Dier
Anniversary of smoke-free air is here
Wisconsin and Sheboygan County are celebrating the five-year anniversary of smokefree air.
Author: Jonathan Tyler
Being honest about mental health issues important
Several years ago, after a crisis event, I shared with coworkers how helpful it was to see my own psychotherapist.
Author: KATE BAER
Say no for your mental health
How is it that one of the most common words in the English language is the most difficult for many of us to say?
Author: Libby Holte
Put down the screen and pick up the happiness
The sunny summer days are making their way to Sheboygan.
Author: Liz Abler
Would-be moms still smoke, despite risk
Tobacco-related health disparities continue to be an issue within our community.
Author: Angela Wessels
Work your way through stress
We all have it, we deal with it on a daily basis and it can wear us down if we don’t handle it well. It’s stress.
Author: Erica Gollhardt
Exercise is vital for seniors too
Exercise is vital for seniors too
Author: Mary Adele
SMART WAY TO DEAL WITH DRUGS
Sheboygan County has a network of amazing nonprofits and citizen groups offering priceless services.
Author: Amy Clark
HPV vaccine now offer cancer protection
HPV vaccines now offer cancer protection
Author: Kate Baer
May is Mental Health Month; intervene early
May is Mental Health Month.
Author: Sherri Samuels-Fuerst
Make Time For Exercise
MAKE TIME FOR EXERCISE
Author: Kate Baer
Mental Health Important To Overall Health
MENTAL HEALTH IMPORTANT TO OVERALL HEALTH By Kate Baer
Author: Emily Shallow
The best way to prep for medical appointment is....
The best way to prep for a medical appointment is...
Author: Kristine Feggestad
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month
One in five women will be the victim of sexual assault at some time in their lives. One in five women will be a victim of completed or attempted sexual assault while in college. One in 16 men will be a victim of sexual assault during college. More than 90 percent of sexual assault victims on college campuses do not report the assault.
Author: Elizabeth Nora
Diabetes Awareness Day highlights disease
Diabetes Awareness Day highlights disease
Author: Elizabeth Abler
Kick Butts Day: Urging smokers to kick the habit
Today, March18, is celebrated annually as “Kick Butts Day,” a day to encourage adultsandyouthtoquitusingtobacco products and support those efforts.
Author: Ryan O'Malley
Bite into a healthy lifestyle this month
Bite into a healthy lifestyle this month
Author: Mary O. Schueller
Colon cancer: Getting tested could save your life
Colon cancer: Getting tested could save your life
Open Door-A community of friends supporting wellness and recovery
Open Door — A community of friends supporting wellness and recovery
Author: Amy Clark
Get HPV vaccine for children now to prevent cancer later
Get HPV vaccine for children now to prevent cancer later
Author: Carolyn Verhage
Top 10 myths about heart disease
Top 10 myths about heart disease
Author: Libby Holte
What is Healthy Sheboygan County 2020?
What is Healthy Sheboygan County 2020?
Author: MaryAdele Revoy
Take the national drug IQ challenge
Take the national drug IQ challenge
Helping Pregnant Women to Stop Smoking
*Helping Pregnant Women to Stop Smoking – January National Birth Defect Prevention Month*
Author: Brooke Artabasy
Winter activites for the whole family to enjoy
Winter activities for the whole family to enjoy Although you may want to stay snuggled up in your warm bed, winter shouldn't be a time that your fitness plans hibernate, especially with all of those holiday treats around.
Author: Kelly Boeldt
Striving for a well-county designation for Sheboygan
The Sheboygan County Activity and Nutrition Coalition, (SCAN) Committee, has partnered with the Wellness Council of Wisconsin to engage and challenge local businesses to improve the health and well-being of the workforce in Sheboygan County.
Author: Carrie Karbon RD, CD., Clinical Dietitian, HSHS St. Nicholas Hospital
Small changes in habits can produce big results
Happy New Year!
Author: MaryAdele Revoy
Responsible drinking today and for the next 365
Responsible drinking today and for the next 365
Author: Santa Claus
A letter of health from Santa Claus
HO. HO. HO. Merry Christmas. I can’t believe another year has gone by and it is time to visit you all back in Sheboygan again.
Author: Donna Habeck, MD
Take the bite out of winter and protect your skin
Winter is upon us. If frigid temperatures and dangerous wind chills repeat themselves this season, it’s important to have a refresher in taking care of yourself and avoiding frostbite.
Author: Kate S. Baer
Empathy can save the world
Worldwide, nationally and locally there has been great emphasis on promoting mental health and understanding mental illness. These important discussions focus on the need for prevention, education for all, increased access to mental health services and improved coordination of care with integrated behavioral health services.
Press Release on Success of Sheboygan Retailers prohibiting sales of tobacco to minors
tobacco press release
Author: Kate Baer
Consider Giving these Gifts this Holiday Season
We welcome with the holiday season hot chocolate, cozy fires, twinkling lights, and time spent with our families.
Author: Jean Beinemann
Better Health Takes the Whole Team
The Green Bay Packers played on a cold, rainy night in October at Lambeau Field. The Packer team was in sync and won the game by pounding the Minnesota Vikings in a 42-10 victory.That very morning a crowd of persons interested in the health of Sheboygan County met at LTC. The crowd gathered to develop a “new game plan” designed to improve the health of Sheboygan County residents.That meeting served as a “kick-off” to create a new community health plan assisting Sheboygan County residents to “Live Better, Longer.”
Author: Kristin Blanchard
Help with open enrollment is available
So let’s talk about getting covered. What is this Affordable Care Act, “ACA,” “Obama Care,” or “Marketplace Insurance”
Author: Cath Pape
Great American Smokeout a good time to quit
Healthy Sheboygan County 2020 encourages participation in the Great American Smokeout on Thursday, Nov. 21.
Author: Angelia Neumann
Grieving is a normal part of living
Grief is a normal response to loss; however, you may not feel “normal” when you are grieving.
Author: Becky Zak
Kids can share through Candy Collection Program
The Sheboygan County Dental Access Committee is planning an Operation Gratitude Candy Collection Program with the endorsement of Healthy Sheboygan County 2020, Sheboygan County Activity and Nutrition Coalition (SCAN), Sheboygan County Dental Society, along with the participation of several area schools.
Author: Sherri L. Samuels-Fuerst
It's "Ok2Ask" about your health
Why is it that we are willing to ask Siri on our iPhones just about anything, but many of us don’t feel comfortable asking our own doctor questions when we don’t understand?
Author: Jonathan Tyler
Talk to your teen about anxiety, suicide
Working in the mental health field over the last five years, I have had many conversations with parents about depressed, anxious and suicidal teens. One common theme I hear is the difficulty some parents have discussing mental health with their children.
Author: Elissa Halla
Tips for safer outdoor grilling this summer
Outdoor grilling is a popular activity in Wisconsin’s “warm” summer months. However, summer is also the peak season for foodborne illnesses. Follow these safe thawing and grilling tips to keep your family safe while enjoying cookouts all season long.
Author: Annette Selk
Talking with your doctor is major step to good health
Have you ever left the doctor’s office unsure of what the doctor said or what you should do next? You are not alone.
Families of the addicted suffer in silence
If you have been reading this newspaper section for the past two weeks, you know it is National Recovery Month and throughout Sheboygan there have been events to create awareness. I have seen courage displayed by people who thought they had no voice. I complete this series with honoring one such woman who is publicly sharing her story for the first time:
Fighting the demon of addiction
September, National Recovery Month, is three weeks in and going strong.
Author: MaryAdele Revoy
Local events scheduled for Recovery Month
It’s September. It’s back to school sales, and saying goodbye to summer.
Author: Kate Baer
A call to action for suicide prevention
National Suicide Prevention Week is Sept. 7-13, with World Suicide Prevention Day on Sept. 10. A recent report, “The Burden of Suicide in Wisconsin,” released in 2014 covering data from 2007- 2011, signifies that suicide remains a significant public health concern in our state.
Author: Mariah Shaver
Safety important to remember at the county fair
With the summer winding down many Sheboygan County residents’ favorite event is coming: the Sheboygan County Fair. It is important to remember safety for not only yourself, but also your loved ones at events like this. It is easy to get caught up in the fair atmosphere and forget about obvious safety tips. Some important places safety needs to be remembered are with children, on the amusement rides, and around the animals.
Author: Stacey Richter
Healthy lunch options for your school-age children
Would you like to pack a healthier lunch but you don’t know where to start? Let’s take a look at the National School Lunch Program guidelines, created by the USDA and use these as a base for packing a healthy lunch.
Author: Kristin Blanchard
Local engines for healthier communities
For nearly 50 years, America's community health centers have provided high quality, cost effective and accessible primary and preventative care to all individuals regardless of insurance status or ability to pay. Health centers serve as the health care home for more than 22 million Americans through more than 9,000 delivery sites across the nation. One in every 15 people living in the United States depends on their services.
Why worksite wellness matters
Almost one-third of the workforce now spends the majority of their day seated at their desks plugged into workstations. Sedentary lifestyles have become a concern of epic proportion. More than 66 percent of Wisconsin adults are overweight or obese. As the number of overweight adults increases so does their risk of many chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, some cancers, arthritis and others. This epidemic is placing a huge burden on our healthcare system and economy.
Author: Laura J. Rammer
Help your child prevent tooth decay
Baby bottle tooth decay is the extensive breakdown of a child’s baby teeth. Even though the baby teeth are temporary, it is important to take care of them or there can be problems in the future affecting both primary (or baby) teeth as well as permanent teeth. A child’s set of primary teeth are the guides for permanent teeth and they need to be protected from tooth decay.
Author: Mariah Shaver
Tips to prevent heat-related illnesses
With the weather finally becoming nice, everyone wants to be outside. However, the summer heat can be a danger just as much as the cold can be in winter.
Author: Angela Wessels
Walk for suicide prevention Aug. 16
Despite the fact that approximately 1 in 4 adults each year deal with a mental illness, the topic of mental illness can make many people uncomfortable. For those who have had friends or family impacted by mental illness or suicide, the stigma that society places on these issues can be isolating and painful.
Author: Elissa Halla and Elizabeth Abler
E-cigarettes: What do we know?
July 5 marks the fourth anniversary of Wisconsin’s Smoke Free Air Law. The implementation of this law was an effective tobacco control strategy and has proven to be an effective policy change. We have made steady progress in reducing the prevalence of smoking in both adults and youth.
Author: Elissa Halla
Small bugs can cause big problems
The summer weather we have all been waiting for is finally here! After the long and cold winter you may be anxious to get outside and enjoy the beautiful parks, beaches, and campsites of Sheboygan County. Before you run out the door, remember to apply insect repellent to protect your family and pets from insect bites and illnesses common in our area.
Author: Kevin Struck
Understanding health care instructions can be challenging
Findings from a survey and five focus groups conducted over the past two years by the Healthy Sheboygan County 2020 Health Literacy Committee indicate understanding health care instructions can be an especially daunting task for certain groups such as the elderly, young people new to the system, and individuals whose primary language is not English.
Author: Dr. Sanjay Suthar
Preparing for your physician appointment
Preparation is important in life and preparing to see your physician is no different. Whether it’s a first time or a return visit to a doctor, being prepared will take some anxiety out of the visit as well as allow both you and your physician to focus on your concerns.
Author: Brooke Artabasy
Family activities for the summer
The days of summer are here. The kids have time off of school and the weather is getting warm. While experts say that having down time with no scheduled activities is a good thing for children, spending the entire summer doing nothing doesn’t sound like a ton of fun.
Author: MaryAdele Revoy
May is National Military Appreciation Month
On Monday many of us had a vacation or a day off of school. It was Memorial Day - a day where we recognize and remember those who lost their lives while serving in the military. Did you observe this day while enjoying a day out of the office? Was there a moment during the day where it dawned on you why you have an extra day to gather with family and friends?
Author: Kathleen Manny
Older Americans Month - safe today, healthy tomorrow
“It's not how old you are, it's how you are old.”— Jules Renard
Author: Kate Baer
A followup to March's Community Conversation
In late March, more than 300 attendees joined together at Blue Harbor to talk openly and honestly about mental health and alcohol and other drug abuse in our community. Participants at this Community Conversation represented all walks of life and sectors including areas of local law enforcement, social services/human services, legislature, education, businesses, nonprofits, health care providers, and of course families and consumers.
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