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Legislative Cardiovascular Health Check: a multidisciplinary health promotion experience for South Carolina lawmakers.

The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control has conducted a Legislative Cardiovascular Health Check for the past 4 years. The primary purpose of the event, held in the lobby of the State Capitol Building, is to increase the awareness of State legislators about the leading causes of death in South Carolina and about community-based health promotion services that are available. The health check emphasizes the relationship between modifiable risk factors and the development of heart disease, cancer, and stroke. These legislative events are organized by State health department staff members, but they are conducted by local health department personnel from throughout South Carolina. This approach is intended to build the capacity of these local staff members to communicate more effectively with their legislators and to carry out similar events at the county or community level. The health check is staffed by a trained multidisciplinary team, including persons designated as legislative liaisons. The liaison people contact legislators prior to the event and provide them with health status data specific to their respective districts. The Legislative Cardiovascular Health Checks have been attended by members of the General Assembly and their staffs, members of the Governor's staff and the Lieutenant Governor's office, and other employees of the State Capitol. An average of 380 people have participated annually. Screening activities have included blood pressure and blood cholesterol checks, with risk factor counseling and educational materials provided to each screened participant. During the past year, activities were expanded to include a variety of interactive exhibits related to nutrition, exercise, and smoking. Feedback from participants has been positive. The Legislative Cardiovascular Health Check is encouraged and supported by the upper management of the State health department and is now established as an annual event of mutual benefit to legislators and to State and local health department staff members.

Blood Pressure↗

Self-reported prevalence of diabetes and preventive health care practices among people with diabetes in South Carolina.

In conclusion, South Carolina has a higher prevalence of diabetes compared to the national average. Age is a major factor associated with increased prevalence. African Americans had a disproportionately higher prevalence of diabetes relative to white Americans in South Carolina. Compared to the standards of diabetes care recommended by the ADA, health care practice by people with diabetes and health professionals still needs to be improved. Diabetes communication programs, including diabetes education for people with diabetes and health professional education, continue to be necessary for the improvement of diabetes care.

Adolescent↗

Organochlorine residues in six species of estuarine birds, South Carolina, 1971-75.

In South Carolina between 1971 and 1975, authors evaluated the occurrence of organochlorine residues in the laughing gull (Larus atricilla), white ibis (Eudocimus albus), glossy ibis (Plegadis falcinellus), American oystercatcher (Haematopus palliatus), willet (Catoptrophorus semipalmatus), and ruddy turnstone (Arenaria interpres). Tissues of birds found dead and eggs were analyzed, eggshell thicknesses were measured, and incidental observations were made of reproductive success and population status. Eggshell thickness of the white bis, American oystercatcher, and laughing gull were not significantly different (P less than 0.05) from the pre-1947 norms. DDE and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were found most frequently and at the highest concentration in eggs. DDE residues declined significantly in oystercatcher eggs, and declined slightly in laughing gull eggs; no change was noted in white ibis eggs. No consistent trends were found for dieldrin and PCBs. Authors found no obvious problems with reproductive success of any species. Populations of the five species breeding in South Carolina appear stable. The white ibis and laughing gull in South Carolina have experienced population explosions over the past 50 years; the glossy ibis has increased substantially since the first documented breeding records in 1947.

Animals↗

Human rabies exposures and postexposure prophylaxis in South Carolina, 1993-2002.

OBJECTIVES: South Carolina mandates reporting of animal bites and manages distribution of biologics for rabies postexposure prophylaxis (PEP). Incidence and epidemiologic characteristics of potential human rabies exposures and preventive treatment in South Carolina from 1993 through 2002 were examined to help assess the burden of PEP in the state and determine if the incidence of rabies exposures has changed over time. METHODS: Data on animal exposure investigations and PEP administration at the state and county level were examined, and the annual incidences of potential rabies exposures and human PEP courses were calculated. RESULTS: The incidence of animal exposures for which investigations were initiated was 297.9 per 100,000 population per year, and the incidence of PEP was 10.6 per 100,000 population per year. At the county level, the incidence of PEP appeared inversely correlated with the population density. Most courses of PEP were administered following exposures to domestic species, although these animals accounted for only a small proportion of rabid animals in the state. The annual PEP incidence was similar throughout the study period, but it was markedly higher than estimates from 1981 (< 5/100,000 population per year). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of PEP in South Carolina is higher than previously thought, and these findings suggest that incidence extrapolations for other states and at the national level may be underestimated. An accurate estimation of the incidence of PEP and an understanding of rabies epidemiology is important at the state level to allow for better public health planning.

Animals↗

Police as contributors to Healthy Communities: Aiken, South Carolina.

In Aiken, South Carolina, community policing has led to numerous innovative programs that have contributed to a healthy community. The MOMS and COPS (Managing Our Maternity System with Community Oriented Policing System) program has played a significant part in the county's 50% decrease in infant mortality since 1989 and contributed to Aiken's designation as an All-America City in 1997. Other programs include a mentoring program for at-risk teen girls; instant crime reporting with donated cellular phones; seminars for seniors to alert them to scams and common crimes; demolition of unsafe homes; free installation of smoke detectors; a child ID program; and parental education on child brain development.

Adolescent↗

Fragile X syndrome: incidence, clinical and cytogenetic findings in the black and white populations of South Carolina.

Individuals in South Carolina with the Fragile X [fra(X)] or Martin-Bell syndrome have been ascertained by referral for evaluation of facial abnormalities, macroorchidism or mental deficit; by screening patients in residential and day programs for the mentally retarded; and by family follow up after an index case has been identified. Between 1982 and 1987, 100 positive fra(X) males were diagnosed. Of these, 35 were residents of residential facilities for the mentally retarded representing 2.5% of the population of institutionalized males. Another 23 were found in community day programs for the mentally retarded. Of these 58 cases, 28 (48%) were ascertained by screening for the craniofacial characteristics of the Martin-Bell syndrome, namely long face, midface hypoplasia, prominent forehead, large mandible and large simple pinnae. Although this screening procedure proved to be productive, it was found that the craniofacial traits of long face, midface hypoplasia, large jaw and simple pinnae were found less frequently in black fra(X) positive males and in prepubertal boys of both races.

Black People↗

Assessing oral cancer knowledge among dental students in South Carolina.

BACKGROUND: Because South Carolina has the fourth highest mortality rate for oral cancer among the 50 states, dental students in the state must be knowledgeable about prevention and early detection of the disease. METHODS: In 2002, the authors surveyed 163 students using a written questionnaire (response rate, 79.1 percent). The questionnaire included questions about oral cancer risk and nonrisk factors as well as oral cancer diagnostic signs, symptoms and examination procedures. The authors performed univariate and bivariate analyses (alpha < or = .025). RESULTS: At least 93 percent of the students replied that tobacco, alcohol and previous oral cancer lesions were risk factors. One hundred six students (65 percent) knew that the most likely site for oral cancer is the ventrolateral border of the tongue. Students differed in their overall knowledge of risk factors (P = .002), nonrisk factors (P < .001) and diagnostic procedures (P < .001). CONCLUSION: Although students' level of knowledge increased with academic year, educators and policy-makers need to place greater emphasis on oral cancer education and training in dental schools. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Morbidity and mortality are likely to be reduced if dentists know how to prevent and detect oral cancer.

Adult↗

Raised lipoprotein(a) in hypercholesterolaemic black students compared to age-matched whites in North and South Carolina.

BACKGROUND: North and South Carolina are the states with the highest coronary death rates and also belong to the Stroke Belt of the US. From a Reflotron cholesterol screening in North and South Carolina schools, students with cholesterol levels > or = 4.66 mmol/l (> or = 180 mg/dl) were tested for high density lipoprotein (HDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL) and lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)). METHODS: The 923 students aged 12-19 with mild hypercholesterolaemia represented one-third of the high school population, of whom 30% are black. Of the hypercholesterolaemic white students, 96% took the additional tests, of the hypercholesterolaemic black students, 88% responded. Lp(a) levels were determined by electroimmunodiffusion. RESULTS: Most important was a three-fold elevation of the geometric mean of Lp(a) values among blacks compared to whites: white males 9, white females 10, black males 25, black females 26 mg/dl, respectively, independent of age and sex. Relationships between Lp(a) and four other lipids/lipoproteins were examined and proved non-significant except for total cholesterol and LDL in black males and white females. While 70% of the white students displayed Lp(a) levels < 20 mg/dl, 65-70% of the black students showed Lp(a) levels > 20 mg/dl. CONCLUSIONS: Early identification of high Lp(a) levels may be of importance for two groups, (1) black females who have a 20% higher coronary heart disease mortality rate than white females in spite of significantly higher HDL levels; and (2) for black males and black females who have a prevalence of cerebrovascular disease twice as high as in whites.

Adolescent↗

Concentrations and profiles of polychlorinated biphenyls, -dibenzo-p-dioxins and -dibenzofurans in livers of mink from South Carolina and Louisiana, U.S.A.

In South Carolina, U.S.A., mink have been reintroduced from two apparently healthy populations to areas where populations have existed in the past but have been extirpated. High mortality was observed during transport of mink from the source populations. In order to elucidate the potential effects of dioxin-like compounds on the survival and reproduction of mink, concentrations of total polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), p,p'-DDE, dioxin-like PCBs, polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), and dibenzofurans (PCDFs) were measured in livers of mink collected from the source populations in South Carolina and Louisiana. Concentrations of total 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin equivalents (TEQs) for the South Carolina and Louisiana mink were 21 and 14 pg g(-1), wet wt., respectively. PCB and TEQ concentrations were close to the threshold values that can, under laboratory conditions, elicit toxic effects in ranch mink. Therefore, any additional exposures of these populations to TEQs might adversely affect their populations.

Animals↗

The importance of considering spatial attributes in evaluating estuarine habitat condition: the South Carolina experience.

The South Carolina Estuarine and Coastal Assessment Program (SCECAP) was initiated in 1999 to assess the condition of the state's coastal habitats using multiple measures of water quality, sediment quality, and biological condition. Sampling was subsequently expanded to include components required for the National Coastal Assessment (Coastal 2000) Program. Habitats are classified as either "tidal creeks" (< 100 meters in width) or larger "open water" bodies. Approximately 30 sites are sampled within each habitat during the summer months using a probability-based random sampling design. Results obtained from the first two years of sampling documented significant differences in several water quality parameters (DO, salinity, pH, turbidity, fecal coliform bacteria, total nitrogen, TKN, total phosphorus) and biological measures (chlorophyll-a, finfish and crustacean abundance and biomass and a number of benthic species) between the tidal creek and open water habitats. These differences highlight the value of partitioning shallow water habitats separately from the larger open water bodies traditionally sampled in estuarine monitoring programs, especially since tidal creeks serve as critical nursery areas for many species. Based on the differences observed, there is a clear need to identify different physical and biological thresholds for evaluating the condition of each habitat type.

Animals↗

A statewide biomedical communications network for South Carolina.

In 1972, the Medical University of South Carolina was awarded a contract to establish 4 Area Health Education Centers in South Carolina. These centers, based in community hospitals, provide residency programs, clinical instruction for students, and continuing education programs for health professionals. In late 1974, contractual agreements between the Medical University of South Carolina's Library/Learning Resource Center and the Area Health Education Centers were negotiated to provide book and nonbook learning materials to all health practitioners in South Carolina. The history and the functions of the resulting network and evaluation of audiovisual and self-instructional learning materials procured and distributed by the network are described.

Area Health Education Centers↗

Lyme disease in South Carolina.

Lyme disease is present in South Carolina, though not as prevalent as in many other states in the country. The characteristics of South Carolina cases are similar to those of the nation as a whole. The tick vector of Lyme disease in the Southeast is not clearly established, but is thought to be Ixodes scapularis. Questions remain concerning the prevalence of infection in local ticks with Borrelia burgdorferi, and the risk to a person bitten by a tick in South Carolina.

Adolescent↗