From the National Diabetes Education Program

January is the start of a new year and a time when many people make New Year’s resolutions to be healthier.  Maintaining a healthy weight and staying active can help prevent a number of chronic diseases, including type 2 diabetes.  Small changes – such as losing a small amount of weight and becoming more active – can go a long way toward improving your health.  But even if you know what do, figuring out howto do it and fitting it into your daily routine can be a challenge.

Change begins with just one step.  This New Year, make your resolution stick by taking the first step toward a healthier life.  The NDEP’s Just One Steptool will help you take the first of many small steps that can lead to big rewards.  The tool will help you think about:

    what step you will take to help reach your goal (for example, walking),
    when and how often you will do it (for example, go walking on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday during the lunch hour), and
    how much time you will put into your step (for example, walk 15 minutes each day to start).

Once you have taken the first few steps, the NDEP can help you make a plan to help you reach your health goal:
 

1.    Think about what is important to you and your health.  What are you willing and able to do?
2.    Decide what your goals are.  Choose one goal to work on first.
3.    Decide what steps will help you reach your goal.
4.    Pick one step to try this week.

The key to reaching your health goals – and keeping your resolutions all year long – is to set a goal and make a step by step plan.  Resolve to make the first step at http://www.yourdiabetesinfo.org/JustOneStep, then check outhttp://www.yourdiabetesinfo.org/MakeAPlan.

For help to change habits and to lose weight, check out the Weight-control Information Network’s (’s) “Changing Your Habits: Steps to Better Health” fact sheet.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ National Diabetes Education Program is jointly sponsored by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) with the support of more than 200 partner organizations.

Lawrence County Food Inspections, December 2012

by Tanya Horn

Resolve to be Ready in Kentucky, Commit to Emergency Preparedness in 2013!

ATLANTA — This year was characterized by extremely active and devastating weather events across the country; flooding in the Southeast as a result of Tropical Storm Debby and Hurricane Isaac, wildfires across the Midwest, and Hurricane Sandy which devastated parts of the Northeast and was the second-largest Atlantic storm on record.

As 2012 comes to a close and people make resolutions for the new year, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Kentucky Emergency Management (KYEM) are encouraging everyone to Resolve to be Ready in 2013 by committing to emergency preparedness.

“Although local, state and federal governments are ready to assist the public during times of emergencies and disasters, preparedness starts at home.  In the event of large scale disasters, it may take time to respond immediately,” said KYEM Director John W. Heltzel.

“The severe weather and tornadoes that destroyed much of West Liberty last March and other past disasters have taught us many valuable lessons which we continue to learn from,” continued Heltzel. “One of the most important lessons is the value of individual and family preparedness.”

As we have seen in 2012, including the recent severe weather affecting many parts of the country during the holidays, disasters can strike anytime, anywhere, and being prepared is one of the most effective things we can do to protect our homes, businesses and loved ones.  Resolve to be Ready in 2013 is a nationwide effort to increase awareness and encourage individuals, families, businesses and communities to take action and prepare for emergencies in the new year.

“Resolve to be Ready is one new year’s resolution you’ll want to keep,” said FEMA Region IV Administrator Phil May. “There are simple steps you can take to prepare for emergencies, such as putting together an emergency supply kit and creating a family emergency plan. Taking these steps will help keep you and your family safe, and could be the most important pledge you make.”

By making a resolution to take a few simple steps in advance, people can minimize the impact of an emergency on their families, homes and businesses.  To take the pledge, visit www.ready.gov/resolve or www.listo.gov, which includes free information, checklists and guidelines about how to put together a kit and make a plan.
Here are a few important tips to get you started:

·        Be informed. Know the hazards and risks in your area and learn what you need to do to get ready for them. One way you can do this is by signing up to receive information on your mobile device.  Here are a few agency websites that offer timely information:

   KYEM
   FEMA
   American Red Cross
   National Weather Service

·        Make a family emergency plan so you know how you would communicate with and find your loved ones when a disaster strikes. Think about how you would reach your kids at school or your spouse at work. If you had to evacuate, where would you go? Thinking this through in advance will make a big difference.

·        Build two emergency supply kits – one for home and one for the car – that include water, food and first aid supplies to help you survive if you lose power or are stranded in your car. This is especially important for dealing with icy roads and snowstorms this winter.

·        Get Involved.  Be an advocate and educator for safety and emergency preparedness within your community. Contact your local Citizen Corps.
Spread the word to your loved ones and encourage them to Resolve to be Ready in 2013. Anyone can learn more by visiting Ready.gov or Listo.gov.  

Dick Bartlett
Emergency Preparedness/Trauma Coord
KHA/KHREF