In the US, the leading cause of death for children ages 3-14 is motor vehicle crashes. The right car seat, used in the right way, greatly increases your child’s chance of surviving a car crash, but frighteningly, almost half of all car seats are installed incorrectly. Some car seats are held down using the seat belts, while some are held... READ MORE >
Actually, called latent infections, zombie infections lie dormant in a person’s body, hiding from the immune system, and often cause no symptoms until they come raging back. They can be difficult, or impossible, to treat. Latent Viral Infections Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) cause sores on or in the mouth or genitals and is spread through direct physical contact. Varicella Zoster... READ MORE >
More than 1 in 10 Americans have diabetes, and 1 in 3 adults in the US have metabolic syndrome. While these conditions are common and related to each other, they’re not always well understood. Let’s break it down to the basics. Blood Sugar As your body digests food, the carbohydrates you consume get converted into a type of fuel referred... READ MORE >
If we are fortunate, our homes are safe places to which we can retreat, rest, recharge, and share that comfort with the people we care about. Too often though, our homes have hazards that put our well-being at risk. Uncovering these hidden hazards saves time and money and protects everyone that lives in or visits that house. Slipping, Tripping, and... READ MORE >
This article is the eighth and final article in a series intended to give some local perspective on issues about COVID-19. They are also intended to help readers make an informed decision about the COVID-19 vaccines. Over the last year and a half, we watched with growing alarm as a new virus impacted the lives of every person on earth.... READ MORE >
So, a coronavirus walks into a bar. and says to the bartender, “I’ll have a shot.” The bartender replies, “Great! You can register at www.cookcountycovid19.org!” But seriously folks, should we be laughing when all around us is hardship, when so many people have lost so much, and when hope can seem in short supply? The short answer is “Yes!” Here’s... READ MORE >
Woven into the history of Cook County are stories of communities, organizations, and people collectively coming together – revealing strength through generosity, sacrifice, and cooperation. This collective spirit both grew out of and empowered communities as people looked out for one another. The first inhabitants of this area, the Anishinaabe people, lived cooperatively with the land and with each other.... READ MORE >
When we talk about relationships, it’s often assumed that we mean romance. While those kinds of attachments play a large role in many people’s lives, they’re certainly not the only relationships worth contemplating. We have other connections: family, friends, co-workers, supervisors, and neighbors. All of those associations can have relational “green lights” or “red flags.” It’s important to know which... READ MORE >
Sawtooth Mountain Clinic and Cook County Public Health are sponsoring the class “Protein Power.” It’s the third in a series of presentations that explore the macronutrients – fats, carbohydrates, and protein. Mary W. Zbaracki, a registered dietician with St. Luke’s and Treg Axtell, a physical therapist with North Shore Health, will teach the class. They’ll cover topics such as: *... READ MORE >
Since 1998, Cook County PHHS and Sawtooth Mountain Clinic staff have worked in partnership to provide community health outreach services, Child and Teen Checkups, Women, Infants and Children (WIC) nutrition support, and the Statewide Health Improvement Partnership (SHIP). In 2018, this expanded to include the universal family home visiting program, and earlier this year, Clinic staff began providing evidence-based nurse... READ MORE >
