Be Prepared to be Away During an Emergency

Kids hugging their mom before heading off to their first day of school.

July 24 is National Parents Day

Emergencies can happen anywhere, at any time, including when you’re not with your children and pets. It’s a scary thought. But you can take steps to protect them when you’re not around to do it yourself.

Camp & Childcare Parents

On any given weekday during the school year, an estimated 69 million children are in school and childcare.(1) During summer, some of those same children are in camps and childcare.

Parents, guardians, and other caregivers want to know their children are safe when they’re away from home. Camp and childcare providers play an important role in giving parents and guardians peace of mind. They should have family reunification plans and hold regular drills to help children and staff practice staying safe in the event of an emergency.

In addition, here are some ways you can prepare for an emergency that happens when you are not with your child.

Knowing camp or childcare providers have an emergency plan and the supplies they need to care for your child can help you feel better about leaving them in the care of others.

Pet Parents

Pets are family, too. It’s natural for pet parents to feel anxious about leaving their pet in the care of someone else, such as a pet sitter or kennel, or if you have someone nearby who can check in on them. Having someone who can check up on your pet if they are not somewhere safe can give you peace of mind.

Here are suggested steps you can take to help keep your pets healthy and safe if an emergency happens while you’re away.(2)

  • Make sure your pet has plenty of food. Write out feeding instructions, including portion size and other special considerations, such as the feeding order of multiple pets.
  • Check that your pet has enough medicine. Write out instructions for giving prescription medicines and where they’re kept. Keep medicines up and away from children and pets.
  • Write out your itinerary and contact information, including your cell phone number and the name and phone number of where you’re going.
  • Leave contact information for your veterinarian and one or two people you trust to make decisions in case you can’t be reached. Be sure to ask those people before you do this. Contact your veterinarian’s office to let them know you have a pet sitter.
  • Leave the pet sitter with copies of important paperwork, including a list of vaccinations and dates received.
  • Microchip your pet.
  • Make sure your pet wears collars and tags with up-to-date contact information and other identification.
  • Keep your pet’s carrier or crate near the exit. Tell the sitter where your pet might hide when it feels stressed or scared.
  • Prepare a pet emergency kit, including first-aid supplies and detailed instructions on how to use it.
  • Leave instructions about your home, such as garage door codes, utility shutoff instructions, and your neighbor’s names and phone numbers.

Prepping your pet sitter or a person you trust to check in on your pet can help ensure that your pet gets the best possible care when you’re away.

Reuniting After an Emergency

Separation from one’s family during or after an emergency can have mental and physical effects on everyone involved, including parents and guardians, children, and pets.

Reunification is the process of returning children and pets to their families as quickly as possible after an emergency. The faster reunification happens after an emergency, the better.

Learn more about reuniting with loved ones after an emergency.

References

  1. https://www.cdc.gov/childrenindisasters/reunification.html
  2. https://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/keeping-pets-and-people-healthy/emergencies.html

Resources

Thanks in advance for your questions and comments on this Public Health Matters post. Please note that CDC does not give personal medical advice. If you are concerned you have a disease or condition, talk to your doctor.

Have a question for CDC? CDC-INFO (http://www.cdc.gov/cdc-info/index.html) offers live agents by phone and email to help you find the latest, reliable, and science-based health information on more than 750 health topics.

In Case You Missed It: Top Posts of 2020

best of 2020 image

Most of us were ready to say goodbye and even good riddance to 2020.

It is a year that no one will soon forget for obvious reasons, like the COVID-19 pandemic and a record-breaking Atlantic hurricane season, and lesser-known ones—did you know that California and Colorado experienced the largest wildfires in their states’ histories?

But 2020 wasn’t all bad. Some good things happened, too.

We were also able to publish 36 posts on various personal health preparedness topics to the Public Health Matters blog. Let’s look back at some of the most viewed blog posts of 2020.

Little girl using a nebulizerManaging Asthma During COVID-19

One in 13 people can be affected by asthma. People with moderate to severe asthma may be at higher risk of getting very sick from COVID-19. This post shared tips on how people can prevent and control asthma attacks during the pandemic.

Drive thru sign in parking lotHeaded Out? How to Stay Healthy When Running Essential Errands

Since the start of COVID-19 pandemic, we have all tried to do our part to slow the spread by staying home. But that is not always possible. This post shared tips on how to stay healthy when running essential errands, for example, to the grocery store, pharmacy, bank, and gas station.

Hurricane evacuation signPrepare Your Health for the 2020 Hurricane Season

Published during Hurricane Preparedness Week in May, this post shared tips on how to prepare your health for a hurricane or tropical storm during the COVID-19 pandemic. In total, the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season produced 30 named storms (top winds of 39 mph or greater), of which 13 became hurricanes (top winds of 74 mph or greater), including six major hurricanes (top winds of 111 mph or greater). This was the most storms on record, surpassing the 28 from 2005, and the second-highest number of hurricanes on record.(1)

Mother and childAFM is Serious: Know the Symptoms. Act Fast.

Acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) is a serious neurologic condition that causes limb weakness and paralysis. It is uncommon but mostly affects children. There have been three AFM outbreaks in the United States—in 2014, 2016, and 2018. This post shared information on when to suspect AFM, when to reach out to your pediatrician, and how to prevent exposure to COVID-19.

2020 didn’t come up roses but stay optimistic. There’s always this year.

Resources

References

  1. https://www.noaa.gov/media-release/record-breaking-atlantic-hurricane-season-draws-to-end

 

Thanks in advance for your questions and comments on this Public Health Matters post. Please note that the CDC does not give personal medical advice. If you are concerned you have a disease or condition, talk to your doctor.

Have a question for CDC? CDC-INFO (http://www.cdc.gov/cdc-info/index.html) offers live agents by phone and email to help you find the latest, reliable, and science-based health information on more than 750 health topics.

Asthma Intervention Program Provides Emotional Support to Patients

Stock photo of two women wearing masks during a home health visit.

This student-authored post is published by CPR in partnership with Medill News Service and the Northwestern University Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications. The views and opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the views, policies, or positions of CPR or CDC.

Gloria Seals has for the past 20 years seen firsthand how substandard living conditions can worsen asthma symptoms.

Seals, a community health worker for Asthma CarePartners (ACP) and Supervisor of Asthma Education at Sinai Urban Health Institute (SUHI), made house calls to patients with asthma to provide individualized health education. She and other community health workers taught patients how to manage their asthma, explained how to use the needed medical equipment, walked through patients’ homes to identify any environmental hazards that could worsen asthma symptoms, and demonstrated how to use scrubbing pads to patch holes in the walls to keep out pests.

“Some homes on the South and West sides [of Chicago] are just not livable,” Seals says. She has been in homes with mold, cockroaches, and mice, which are all common triggers for people with asthma.

Working with patients in their homes has shown Seals how the environment where people live can lead to repeated asthma episodes, and how stress and loneliness can worsen an illness.

The house calls ended in March when Seals adapted the program to a virtual platform. The virtual platform has allowed Seals to continue to counsel her patients and help prevent the spread of COVID-19 during the pandemic. Health workers also incorporated COVID-19 prevention information into the curriculum.

COVID-19 has hit communities of color in Chicago, like those on the South and West sides, particularly hard. Black and Hispanic people are also more likely to have asthma and other respiratory conditions, which can put a person at increased risk for severe illness from the virus that causes COVID-19.

According to CDC, people with moderate to severe asthma might be at higher risk of getting very sick from COVID-19. COVID-19 can affect the nose, throat, and lungs; cause an asthma attack; and possibly lead to pneumonia and acute respiratory disease. Disinfectants can also trigger an asthma attack.

At first, health workers were worried about how transitioning to virtual visits would affect patient care. Home visits were an important part of the program because they allowed health workers to interact in-person with patients and helped them identify allergens in and around the home.

What they found, though, was that patients depend on community health workers for more than education; they also look to them for emotional support. Community health workers are appreciated as trusted members of the neighborhoods they serve, and patients value their council, even when offered virtually.

“The social support community health workers provide has become really important now, especially for COVID-19 patients,” said Stacy Ignoffo, Director of Community Health Innovations at SUHI. “A familiar voice can give patients a greater sense of security during this crisis,” she added.

Other health experts agree. Dr. Louise Giles, a pediatric pulmonologist at the University of Chicago, said she has noticed an increased need in the community for mental and emotional health care and support.

“Families are extremely worried right now,” Dr. Giles said. “They are looking to providers for both information and emotional care.”

While telemedicine is not a substitute for in-person home visits, Seals is grateful she can still connect with her patients and serve as an additional source of knowledge and support during this time.

“ACP serves people who would not seek out this education on their own,” she said. “Regardless of format, having us come to them makes all the difference in the world.”

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, SUHI’s community health workers have become an essential source of education and emotional support for many patients. Their compassion and leadership in the face of adversity has built a well-informed, resilient community across the South and West Sides of Chicago.

ACP will remain virtual until an effective COVID-19 vaccine is developed. There is currently no vaccine to prevent COVID-19. The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to the virus.

 

Thanks in advance for your questions and comments on this Public Health Matters post. Please note that the CDC does not give personal medical advice. If you are concerned you have a disease or condition, talk to your doctor.

Have a question for CDC? CDC-INFO (http://www.cdc.gov/cdc-info/index.html) offers live agents by phone and email to help you find the latest, reliable, and science-based health information on more than 750 health topics.

Home Health Program Seeks to Improve Access to Support Services, Information

A male paramedic performs a health check outside on a man sitting in a chair.
Paramedics bring visual and educational materials and equipment to check patients’ vitals, conduct blood tests, and administer EKGs during Mobile Integrated Healthcare Program home visits. This photo was taken in 2016 before the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo credit: JOHN STARKS/DAILY HERALD, 2016)

In observance of National Preparedness Month, the Center for Preparedness and Response (CPR) will publish posts in September that highlight ways people and organizations are helping to “create community” where they live.

This student-authored post is published by CPR in partnership with Medill News Service and the Northwestern University Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications. The views and opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the views, policies, or positions of CPR or CDC.

Paramedics in Elgin, Ill., stop at the home of an elderly man who was recently discharged from the hospital for uncontrolled diabetes. They first check the man’s vitals, including blood pressure and blood sugar levels, and then review information about his condition and treatment plan with him.

As part of the Mobile Integrated Healthcare (MIH) Program at Advocate Sherman Hospital, a free support program offered primarily to elderly patients with chronic diseases who need additional home health support, these paramedics are helping to narrow the health literacy gap.

Paramedics use weekly one-on-one home visits to help optimize health outcomes among community residents whose low levels of health literacy could put them at increased risk of getting COVID-19. CDC defines health literacy as an individual’s ability to understand basic health information and services to make informed health decisions.

Beyond providing sources of information, MIH paramedics bring a personal touch, serving as an additional support system for patients. This is part of the reason why Sara Larson, a nurse at Elgin Family Physicians, refers patients to the program.

“This program makes patients feel like someone cares about them,” said Larson. “It makes a big difference to see patients’ realities in their homes and adapt their care accordingly.”

Home visits are also opportunities for patients to review their health information and ask questions outside of the hospital, she added.

MIH works with patients who have been hospitalized at least once for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes, asthma, pneumonia, or heart failure. It is the only hospital-based paramedicine program in the state.

Tina Link, manager of community outreach at Advocate Sherman and MIH program director, said the program was started to reduce the number of visits to emergency departments for issues that could be managed at home. Issues such as getting prescription refills and not knowing what medication to take.

“There’s a knowledge deficit,” she said. “Some patients don’t know where to go or who to ask. But they know the hospital is open and someone will take care of them.”

Paramedics teach patients how to navigate the health care system so they can understand their conditions and make informed decisions about their care. The goal of the program is to reduce unnecessary hospital admissions and decrease costs.

Last year, MIH successfully lowered hospital readmission rates for their program participants by 58%, according to data provided by Advocate Sherman.

The COVID-19 pandemic has amplified the importance of this program. Both the elderly and patients with certain underlying medical conditions are at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19, according to CDC.

“Especially with COVID-19, we don’t want people in the hospital who don’t need to be here,” said Jill League, community wellness coordinator at Advocate Sherman, who actively oversees the MIH program. “We want our patients to know how to control their condition so that they can stay home, stay healthy, and have a better quality of life.”

In the five years since the program’s establishment, Link and League agree this year is one of the most impactful. After the onset of the pandemic in March, they said they immediately integrated COVID-19 information into MIH’s curriculum. Paramedics cover COVID-19 signs and symptoms, safety guidelines, and how to self-quarantine.

Program participants have been responsive to this mission. Link said she has noticed patients becoming more conscious of their health and behaviors. They acknowledge that their medical history may put them at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19 and are eager to work with the paramedics to better understand their health.

“COVID-19 does not just target a certain population,” said Link. “It’s new for everyone and we’re all at risk, so we’re all in this together.” The universality of the pandemic encouraged patients not only to keep themselves healthy but also to protect their neighbors.

MIH has navigated the barriers of limited mobility and uncertainty this summer to offer patients safe, personalized health care in their own homes. Paramedics wear appropriate personal protective equipment and follow proper hygiene protocols between home visits, as recommended by the CDC.

Advocate Sherman’s intervention has not only successfully improved health literacy in Elgin but also has bridged together providers and patients to shape a resilient, well-informed community during these unprecedented times.

Get a Flu Shot to Protect Your Heart and Your Health

Doctor holding a heart

“When you have a chronic illness, you do everything you can to stay as healthy as you can, which includes getting a flu shot,” says Donnette Smith, president of the heart disease support network, Mended Hearts. Donnette leads Mended Hearts with a mission to inspire hope and improve the quality of life of heart patients, like herself, and their families.

Donnette Smith
Donnette Smith, President of Mended Hearts

“I was born with a heart disease called bicuspid aortic valve (BAV), in which the aortic valve that prevents the backflow of blood has two leaflets instead of three,” explained Donnette. However, it was not until she was 18-years-old that Donnette was diagnosed with a heart murmur during a physical screening. Later, in 1988, at the age of 41, she was diagnosed with BAV and had her valve replaced through heart catherization. “It has been a life-long journey, but I have learned a lot being with Mended Hearts.”

The Flu Can Be Dangerous

People with certain long-term medical conditions, such as heart disease, are at high risk of developing serious complications from flu. Complications of flu can include bacterial pneumonia, ear infections, sinus infections, dehydration, and worsening of chronic medical conditions, such as congestive heart failure, asthma, or diabetes. Donnette describes one time she was diagnosed with flu, “I experienced rapid heartbeat, had other symptoms, and was hospitalized with an IV. There was no room in the hospital, and I had to be placed in the chapel.” Donnette was able to recover from these flu complications, and today is vigilant in her flu prevention efforts—making sure to get her flu vaccine each year and encouraging others to do the same.

You Have the Power to Fight Flu

Donnette continues, “You look at the flu differently when you have an underlying health condition. I 1000% believe in the flu vaccine, and get my flu shot every year! I also make sure to wash my hands often, and avoid touching my face. If you have a congenital heart disease (CHD) or other chronic illness, you have to be more mindful of being around sick people. Furthermore, it is important you head to the doctor if you experience any signs of flu. [Taking these precautions] is like putting a protective barrier around your heart.”

Whether you have a congenital heart disease, like Donnette, other certain long-term medical conditions, or you have loved ones or care for someone with certain long-term medical conditions, it is very important to take steps to protect yourself and those around you.High risk medical conditions • Asthma • Neurological and neurodevelopmental conditions • Chronic lung disease • Heart disease • Blood disorders • Endocrine disorders • Kidney disorders • Liver disorders • Metabolic disorders • Weakened immune system due to disease or medication (HIV or AIDS, cancer or hose on chronic steroids) • People 6 months through 18 years old who are receiving aspirin- or salicylate-containing medications • People who are extremely obese (with a Body Mass Index [BMI] of 40 or greater).

  1. Get a flu vaccine. CDC recommends everyone 6 months and older get a flu vaccine every year. Flu shots are approved for use in people with medical conditions. Flu vaccination has been associated with fewer flu-related hospitalizations and complications in high risk groups.
  2. Take everyday preventive actions to help slow the spread of flu. Everyday actions, such as avoiding close contact with people who are sick and staying home when you are sick, also help protect you and others from flu.
  3. Take flu antiviral drugs if your doctor prescribes them. If you are at high risk of serious flu complications and develop flu symptoms, consult a health care provider. Antiviral drugs can make your illness milder, and make you feel better faster. They may also prevent serious health problems that can result from the flu. Treatment works best when started early (within 48 hours after symptoms start).

Take it from a Super Flu Fighter

Despite the challenges of CHD, and living through serious flu illness, Donnette Smith thrives. From leading Mended Hearts as President to volunteering at a local hospital, she stays busy. “I do as much as I can for as long as I can.” She will be celebrating a grandson’s 20th birthday in a few weeks, and celebrating her 70th birthday on Thanksgiving.

“Your health is up to you. Flu can be a dangerous illness, and it can take a toll on your body if you have certain chronic conditions. Know how to keep yourself healthy. Don’t be afraid to get a flu shot; it’s a great shield against flu.”