Digital Newsletter - 3rd Quarter 2024

July is UV Safety Month

Sunburn can occur in under 15 minutes, and children’s skin is especially vulnerable. Too much sun exposure affects your body’s ability to cool down and can cause dehydration.

Overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) light can lead to skin cancer (including the use of tanning beds). Some people are at higher risk of skin cancer than others, but anyone can get it. Consider an annual visit to a dermatologist. Early identification can lead to early treatment.

How can I protect myself?

-- Minimum SPF 15 or higher sunscreen labeled “broad spectrum” protects against both UVA and UVB rays. Apply 30 minutes BEFORE going outside and reapply often. Keep out of direct sunlight (which breaks it down) and replace expired sunscreen.

-- Wide brim hats/visors for extra face/shoulder protection.

-- Choose sunglasses that protect eyes from UV rays. They should be labeled either “100% UV protection” or “UV absorption up to 400nm (nanometers).” 

New Mobile Health Clinic

Ready to Visit Your Town

You may have seen the news story on WMBD-TV a few weeks ago about our new Mobile Health Clinic, which arrived in January. The mobile clinic sets up at easily accessible locations in rural areas of McLean County, or at special events, to offer free health screenings and education.

Free screenings commonly include:

-- A1C tests (blood sugar)

-- Blood pressure checks

-- Height, weight and BMI

-- Heart health education

-- Ask a certified nutritionist

 “Access to Care has been identified as one of the most common reasons people do not get regular health check-ups, and this new mobile health clinic helps address this issue,” said MCHD Administrator Jessica McKnight. “Being aware of risk factors for heart disease, stroke, or diabetes is vital to receiving treatment that can keep you healthy for years to come. All we need is an invitation to visit your McLean County town or event.”

The mobile unit is currently scheduled to visit more locations such as Danvers, McLean and Bellflower.

For a full calendar, or to make a request, visit our Mobile Health Clinic web page, or call (309) 888-5446.

Looking for Participants:

Free Diabetes Prevention Program

It takes most of us a lifetime to learn unhealthy habits. But it doesn’t take a lifetime to learn healthier ones. That’s the idea behind our free, year-long Diabetes Prevention Program.

The evidence-based national program is designed for adults who are currently “prediabetic,” which means their blood glucose (sugar) level is high enough that they are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes, but have not yet been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. One in three American adults have prediabetes, yet most are unaware.

Without intervention, individuals with prediabetes are up to 30 times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than those with normal blood glucose levels.

Once diagnosed, type 2 diabetes is difficult to manage without insulin, increases risk of other medical issues, and often depletes quality of life and shortens life span.

The good news is that those diagnosed with prediabetes can reverse the condition and prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes. With the help of our trained lifestyle coaches, group participants learn to make gradual lifestyle changes that result in modest weight loss, increased physical activity, healthier dietary choices and stress managing techniques.

MCHD is a fully recognized provider of the CDC’s National Diabetes Prevention Program. This recognition highlights our commitment to deliver a proven lifestyle change program that effectively reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes. 

New group classes typically begin in July and January.

For more information visit our web page, or contact a Lifestyle Coach by email: health.promotion@mcleancountyil.gov or by phone (309) 888-5548.

Back-to-School Immunization Appointments

Vaccination protects children from a variety of diseases, which is especially important before entering the classroom. Minimal requirements can be found on the IDPH Immunizations web page, or by calling your child’s school nurse.

In addition to your child’s pediatrician, MCHD also offers child immunizations (regardless of income) and accepts most private and public health insurance plans. Back-to-school immunization appointments fill up quickly! 

To inquire about costs and/or coverage call (309) 888-5455 or visit our Child Immunizations web page.

If your child’s medical office does not have a record of previous immunizations, you may be able to access Illinois vaccination records on the Illinois Vax Verify portal on the IDPH website.

­­­­­­­­­­­­What’s All the Buzz About Mosquito Season?

With warm weather comes mosquito season and the risk of West Nile virus (WNV) infection, which can make some people very ill. Mosquitoes become infected with WNV after feeding on infected birds, then spread the disease by biting humans.

About 1 in 5 people who are infected will develop WNV symptoms, but most will be unaware they are infected until they require medical attention. People aged 50+ or those with certain health conditions are at greater risk of more serious symptoms.

WNV surveillance generally occurs between May & October in various locations around the county, monitoring the presence of disease in mosquitoes, birds, horses and humans, and notifying the public when the virus is detected in their area. 

Since there is no human vaccine for WNV, we recommend following the 3 Rs (click here for 30 sec video produced by WEEK-TV):



1.    Remove areas of standing water around your yard or business where mosquitoes can breed, such as old tires or unused planting pots. This is recommended weekly. It takes only 7-10 days for the Culex mosquito egg to develop into a biting adult.

2.    Repel mosquitoes using insect repellent that includes DEET, lemon eucalyptus oil, or picaridin according to label instructions (consult a physician before using on young children). You can also repel by wearing clothing that covers your skin, especially at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.

3.    Report dead birds that show no sign of injury to the MCHD Environmental Health section at (309) 888-5482. If it appears the bird died within the past 24 hours (no decay or insect infestation) MCHD may collect it and have it tested for WNV.

For more information visit our WNV web page.

WIC Celebrates

50 Years

of Service!

In the 1970’s too many low-income children suffered from chronic iron-deficiency anemia and malnutrition, leading to emergency room visits & more medical care. Low-income mothers were at higher risk of low-birth-weight babies, premature births and fetal deaths. In 1974 the first WIC office opened, followed by dozen more that same year.

50 years later, WIC (which stands for Women, Infants & Children Nutrition & Supplemental Food Program) is aimed at improving the diet and safeguarding the health of infants and children up to age 5, as well as pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women who are at nutritional risk. 

WIC food packages provide additional nutritious foods without impacting other benefits like SNAP or Medicaid. Certified nutritionists provide education to clients to set nutrition goals, stretch food dollars, shop at farmer’s markets, and prepare & store food. Breastfeeding support is also available.

MCHD's WIC staff in front of WIC billboard

Studies show that improving nutrition during pregnancy & at a very early age:



-- Increases maternal health & reduces risk of disease later.

-- Decreases premature births, fetal deaths, infant mortality, and low birthweight rates.

-- Supports proper growth of the body, which improves physical health and performance.

-- Supports proper development of the brain. Children who get proper nutrition show better performance at school and have higher IQs.

Today – WIC continues to be a vital entry point into the health system for at-risk, low-income pregnant, postpartum & breastfeeding women, infants, and young children. For more information on participation visit our WIC web page or call us at (309) 888-5457.