Raising awareness for heart health on Wake Up Tri-Counties, RaeAnn Tucker joined Seth Parlier in the Sav-A-Lot Studio to highlight the importance of cardiovascular care, especially for women. With February marking Heart Health Awareness Month, the conversation centered on the sobering fact that heart disease remains the leading cause of death for women aged 20 and older. Last Friday, February 7th, communities rallied for Wear Red Day, a symbolic gesture to emphasize prevention and education. Meanwhile, as National Condom Week begins on February 14th, health officials are urging Americans to prioritize safe sex. By normalizing condom use, the initiative aims to reduce STDs and unplanned pregnancies, making it a thoughtful addition to Valentine’s Day preparations.
Heart disease remains the leading cause of death for women in the U.S., claiming more lives than all forms of cancer combined. RaeAnn Tucker, Director of Health Promotion with the Henry and Stark County Health Departments, said, “Women often do not take their risk of heart disease seriously or personally. However, Heart Disease is the number 1 killer of women, killing more than all forms of cancer combined. Many of these deaths can be prevented, but most women don’t notice the symptoms until it’s too late. That’s why it’s been called the silent killer. You can help increase awareness of women’s heart health by wearing red, speaking up, and uniting with millions of women to help save lives across America.”
Risk factors such as smoking, high blood pressure, obesity, and physical inactivity can be managed with lifestyle changes. To learn more, contact your nearest First Choice Healthcare clinic or visit their social media pages. Together, we can save lives.
First Choice Healthcare Clinics in Kewanee, Colona, and Toulon are offering free condoms, confidential STD testing, treatment, and preventative immunizations like Hepatitis B and HPV. They also provide counseling, education, and expedited partner treatment. Services are accessible to all, with Medicaid, insurance, cash payments, and a sliding fee scale for low-income families.
The Health Departments and First Choice Healthcare said, “Of all birth control methods available, the condom is the only option that also protects against the spread of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) such as HIV, Gonorrhea, Chlamydia and Syphilis. With this in mind, we believe National Condom Week is also an opportune time to remind area residents that our First Choice Healthcare Clinics offer confidential” services:
- Free Condoms
- STD Testing for Males and Females
- Treatment of STDs
- Contraceptive Supplies
- Preventative immunizations against such STDs as Hepatitis B and HPV ~ Counseling, Education, and Referral
- Expedited Partner Treatment
This Valentine’s Day, the Henry and Stark County Health Departments are reminding residents that love and health go hand in hand. As National Condom Week kicks off from February 14th to 21st, the focus is on promoting safe sex and normalizing condom use. With Americans spending billions on romantic gifts, the Health Department encourages adding condoms to the list—a simple step that protects against sexually transmitted diseases and unplanned pregnancies.
To combat HIV transmission, the Henry & Stark County Health Departments and First Choice Healthcare Clinics in Kewanee and Colona are highlighting their PrEP/HIV Prevention program. Funded by a new grant, the initiative offers confidential services, including safe sex education, HIV testing, and risk assessments. Residents can also receive counseling and prescriptions for PrEP or PEP medications, which help prevent HIV before or after exposure. Financial assistance is available for those with Medicaid, private insurance, or no insurance at all. For more information, call the First Choice Healthcare Clinic nearest you, Kewanee (309) 852-5272; Colona (309) 792-4011; or Toulon (309) 852-3115, www.henrystarkhealth.com, or find them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
The Henry & Stark County Health Departments, together with First Choice Healthcare, are urging residents to stay proactive about their health as the infectious season may continue until May. They are offering Pfizer’s updated Covid-19 vaccines and seasonal flu shots for both adults and children over 6 months old at their clinics in Kewanee, Colona, and Toulon. For COVID-19 vaccinations, appointments are necessary and can be made by contacting the nearest First Choice Healthcare clinic. Flu shots for adults are available on a walk-in basis, while children’s flu vaccinations require an appointment. The health departments also recommend regular hand washing, covering your nose and mouth when coughing, and staying home if sick to keep the community healthy during the festive season.
For more information, call the First Choice Healthcare Clinics in Kewanee at 309-852-5272; Colona at 309-792-4011; and Toulon at 309-852-3115, or visit our website at www.henrystarkhealth.com; find them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram at Henry and Stark County Health Departments.
