Under director Alan Balsam, the Town of Brookline Department of Public Health provides a range of environmental, community, and clinical health services to monitor and improve the health status and quality of life of persons who live or work in Brookline.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH, CLICK HERE.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH, CLICK HERE.
N E W S N E W S N E W S
FALL 2014 -- Two initiatives reflect a continued focus on issues of climate change, especially around educating younger people. On Oct. 8, Car Free School Day at all K-8 schools encouraged students to find ways to get to their schools without using a car. A Climate Change Project is planned for February 2-8. Efforts to promote wellness include a series of Community Flu Clinics (more info at 730-2336, a big emphasis in all schools on hand washing for illness prevention, and activities to celebrate national Food Day in October.
Clean Hands for Good Health
Dr. Alan Balsam, Director of Public Health and Human Services, states that "Frequent hand washing with soap and warm water is perhaps the simplest and most effective way to help you and your family stay healthy." "Regular soap works fine," Dr. Balsam emphasized, "antibacterial soap is unnecessary. In fact, the antibacterial soaps may contribute to the growing problem of antibiotic resistance."
Dr Balsam also noted that with the increased incidence of diseases such as MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus), a drug resistant staph infection, simple hand washing is a very effective strategy to avoid the spread of germs.
Educational Packets
The Health Department offers hand-washing educational packets to local schools, day care centers, buildings, senior living centers, and other Brookline locations. The packets include samples of posters, flyers, and curricula that can be ordered from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, the Massachusetts Medical Society, and other organizations.
Tips for Effective Hand Washing
Tips for effective hand washing include:
Dr. Balsam mentioned two other very beneficial hygiene practices to avoid spreading germs:
Dr. Balsam also noted that the Massachusetts Department of Public Health website, has hand washing information that can be copied from the website. If you would like any additional information about hand-washing materials, please contact Dawn Sibor at the Brookline Health Department at 617-730-2656.
FALL 2014 -- Two initiatives reflect a continued focus on issues of climate change, especially around educating younger people. On Oct. 8, Car Free School Day at all K-8 schools encouraged students to find ways to get to their schools without using a car. A Climate Change Project is planned for February 2-8. Efforts to promote wellness include a series of Community Flu Clinics (more info at 730-2336, a big emphasis in all schools on hand washing for illness prevention, and activities to celebrate national Food Day in October.
Clean Hands for Good Health
Dr. Alan Balsam, Director of Public Health and Human Services, states that "Frequent hand washing with soap and warm water is perhaps the simplest and most effective way to help you and your family stay healthy." "Regular soap works fine," Dr. Balsam emphasized, "antibacterial soap is unnecessary. In fact, the antibacterial soaps may contribute to the growing problem of antibiotic resistance."
Dr Balsam also noted that with the increased incidence of diseases such as MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus), a drug resistant staph infection, simple hand washing is a very effective strategy to avoid the spread of germs.
Educational Packets
The Health Department offers hand-washing educational packets to local schools, day care centers, buildings, senior living centers, and other Brookline locations. The packets include samples of posters, flyers, and curricula that can be ordered from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, the Massachusetts Medical Society, and other organizations.
Tips for Effective Hand Washing
Tips for effective hand washing include:
- Rub your hands vigorously together and scrub all surfaces. Wash for at least 20 seconds. (Tip: have your children sing the "Happy Birthday" song twice while washing.) It is the soap combined with the scrubbing action that helps dislodge and remove germs.
- When soap and water are not available, use alcohol-based disposable hand wipes or gel sanitizers. You can find them in most supermarkets and drugstores. If using a gel, rub the gel in your hands until they are dry. The gel doesn't need water to work; the alcohol in the gel kills germs that cause colds and the flu. However, alcohol-based disposable hand wipes or gel sanitizers do not remove dirt.
Dr. Balsam mentioned two other very beneficial hygiene practices to avoid spreading germs:
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs are often spread when people touch something that is contaminated with germs and then touch their eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs can live for a long time on surfaces like doorknobs, desks, and tables.
- Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing. Turn your head (never cough in the direction of someone else) and cough or sneeze into a tissue and then throw it away. If tissues are not available, cough or sneeze into the inside of your elbow. Then, wash your hands, and do so every time you cough or sneeze.
Dr. Balsam also noted that the Massachusetts Department of Public Health website, has hand washing information that can be copied from the website. If you would like any additional information about hand-washing materials, please contact Dawn Sibor at the Brookline Health Department at 617-730-2656.