This has been a year like no other. As I have told our staff numerous times, this has been the longest, shortest year ever. In all of our emergency preparedness trainings over the years the one common thing that has been said is “you will see the best and worst in people”. ...

On the Ripley County Health Center’s Maternal and Child Health Services contract, we have begun a new phase. We are now providing what is called the 5 A’s and 5 R’s curriculum to prevent and reduce smoking in women of childbearing age and pregnant women...

TB (Tuberculosis) skin testing is available at your local health center. You may come in on Monday or Tuesday for the initial test and then must return for the reading on Wednesday or Thursday. Our registered nurses will always advise you of when to return. The TB skin test should be read between 48 and 72 hours after administration. The cost is $10 per test. Some workplaces require a TB skin test before the employee may begin work...

In 2019, in our county there were more than 45 confirmed cases of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever reported (we know some that were not reported). The Registered Nurses follow up on all communicable cases as you know. What is Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever? According to the Center for Disease Control, it is a bacterial disease spread through the bite of an infected tick. ...

This month our topic is Tetanus. It seems I always think more about tetanus this time of the year due to the warm weather. Mayo Clinic says tetanus is a serious disease caused by a bacterial toxin that affects your nervous system, leading to painful muscle contractions, particularly of the jaw and neck. ...

According to MAYO Clinic bedbugs are small, reddish-brown parasitic insects that bite the exposed skin of sleeping humans and animals to feed on their blood. They aren’t known to spread disease but can cause other public health and economic issues. They are about the size of an apple seed and hide in the cracks and crevices of beds, box springs, headboard, bed frames and any other objects around a bed...

February is usually the month that is considered Heart Month. Not just Feb. 14 which is Valentine’s Day which we always know is the “heart” day. Our focus is on the human heart this month which is so important in our health as we know. Heart disease affects so many in the United States. Both men and women suffer from heart disease. Obesity seems to be a contributing risk factor for both diabetes and heart disease...

January always seems to be such a depressing month. It could be that we have so much to do in January like end of year (2019) reports, budgets for all of our programs, local financial statements, Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services Annual Financial Report, Business Management Assessments, etc. The list seems to get longer each year. Of course, we have a deadline to meet of Jan. 17 so that means we must get everything done and balanced by that time...

January always seems to be such a depressing month. It could be that we have so much to do in January like end of year (2019) reports, budgets for all of our programs, local financial statements, Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services Annual Financial Report, Business Management Assessments, etc. The list seems to get longer each year. Of course, we have a deadline to meet of Jan. 17 so that means we must get everything done and balanced by that time...

WIC (Women, Infant and Children) was established as a permanent program in 1974 to safeguard the health of low-income women, infants and children up to age 5 who are at nutritional risk. Ripley County has many working families who qualify for this valuable program. This mission is carried out by providing nutritious foods to supplement diets, nutrition education (including breastfeeding promotion and support), and referrals to health and other social services...

Janet Arnold serves as the health educator/coordinator for the Building Communities for Better Health (BCBH) grant which is for three years. This grant is administered by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services and funded by the Center for Disease Control in Atlanta, Georgia. This grant process began early this year with forming a community coalition to address health issues in Ripley County...

Chris Grider is the Environmental Public Health Specialist for Ripley County Health Center. His work involves performing a variety of inspections and investigations in environmental health, including on-site sewage systems and consumer protection programs such as food service establishments, lodgings, etc...

Are you aware that all reportable communicable diseases are followed up by your local health center staff? The director, registered nurses and environmental staff must receive special training to follow up. So far this year, over 100 communicable diseases reports have been received locally and staff have investigated. ...

The Missouri Child Fatality Review Panel (CFRP) is a county-based initiative that encourages an improved community understanding and response to child fatalities from all causes from ages 0-17. This program was initiated in Ripley County by John Belew, Prosecuting Attorney and began in 1992. ...

Have you ever tripped down the stairs? Slipped on a rug? It may seem silly, but falls are nothing to take lightly. Here are just a few things to keep in mind for your health no matter what your age is: six steps to prevent a fall: 1. Find a good balance and exercise program. Look to build balance, strength and flexibility...

We have focused for many years on tobacco use in our county. We have a population of 13,936 and the median age is 42.2. Smoking prevalence is 29.1 percent, the highest value of any county in Missouri. Why is that? We know that tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death in Missouri. ...