Credit Card Offers: What You Need to Know - 2010-09-02
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Is there a brand new credit card out there waiting for your name? Before you say yes to the offer you just received by mail, online or by phone, be a smart consumer!
Ask yourself if a new credit card account is really necessary. Taking on a credit card account carries responsibilities that could affect your credit rating and your personal finances for years. Don’t sign up for a credit card just for the so-called “freebies.” You can stop credit card offers for five years or even permanently by registering at www.OptOutPrescreen.com or by calling 888-567-8688.
Not all credit cards are the same. Take time to shop and compare interest rates, fees and terms before you decide to apply. Contact your financial institution or your current credit card company to see if they will match other offers.
If you are “shopping” for a credit card, keep these things in mind:
• Interest rates. Cards often have multiple rates, stated as the APR, or annual percentage rate of interest. Very low advertised rates are usually only “teaser” or “introductory” rates. Introductory periods must last at least six months. When the teaser period ends, the APR often goes to a higher, "go-to" rate.
• Late fees. Credit card companies cannot charge you a fee of more than $25, unless one of your last six payments was late, in which case your fee may be up to $35; or credit card companies can show that the costs they incur as a result of late payments justify a higher fee. Credit card companies cannot charge a late fee that is greater than the minimum payment. So, check late fees and other penalty rates and terms.
• Hidden fees. Most cards have cash-advance fees with no “grace period” -- interest charges start immediately. Late fees and over-the-limit fees can go as high as $25 on some out-of-state cards. Consider Iowa-issued cards because they have greater protections and cheaper fees. Avoid cards with an annual fee and expensive “add-on” items such as “free trial” credit card protection plans, insurance, and buyers’ clubs.
Avoid expensive credit card debt by managing your credit cards carefully. Pay on time and pay the full balance each month if you possibly can. Credit card companies will not impose a finance charge (except on cash advances) if you pay in full before the due date on your bill. Avoid “maxing-out” on cards or paying only the minimum amount due. For more tips on credit cards, go to: http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/credit/cre32.shtm.
To file a complaint or get more information, contact the Iowa Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division, Hoover Bldg., Des Moines, IA 50319. Call 515-281-5926, or toll-free to 888-777-4590. The website is: www.IowaAttorneyGeneral.gov.
Salmonella illnesses associated with FDA recall are preventable - 2010-08-20
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The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH), along with state and federal regulatory partners, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and several state health departments, is participating in the investigation of Salmonella Enteriditis (SE) illnesses associated with the FDA recall of Wright County Eggs.
To date, no illnesses in Iowa have been directly linked to the egg recall; however, last year in Iowa, SE caused 84 cases of illness and so far in 2010, 86 cases of SE illness have been identified in Iowa. Eggs can be contaminated with SE, but are safe when properly handled. To reduce the risk of SE illness, you should:
• Keep eggs refrigerated at all times. • Discard cracked or dirty eggs. • Wash hands, cooking utensils, and food preparation surfaces with soap and water after contact with raw eggs. • Eggs should be cooked until both the white and the yolk are firm and eaten promptly after cooking. Do not keep eggs warm or at room temperature for more than two hours. • Refrigerate unused or leftover egg-containing foods promptly. • Avoid eating raw eggs.
If you believe you may have unknowingly eaten eggs that were included in the FDA recall, you should not be concerned about illness as long as the eggs were cooked thoroughly.
For more information about the FDA egg recall, visit www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm222501.htm. For information about Salmonella, visit www.idph.state.ia.us/adper/common/pdf/epifacts/salmonella.pdf.
More Children Benefit from I-Smile Program - 2010-08-20
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Number of young children receiving care increases by 65 percent
The number of low-income Iowa children ages 5 and younger receiving early dental care has increased by 65 percent since the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) I-Smile™ program was implemented in 2005. More than 47,600 children from age 0-5 received I-Smile™ dental services in 2009, an increase of 22 percent from the previous year.
“This growth is remarkable,” said Iowa Public Health Dental Director, Dr. Bob Russell. “There is a direct correlation between early preventive dental services and reduced treatment costs.” According to IDPH, children who have their first dental visit before age 1 average treatment costs of $262. That cost increases with age. A child whose first dental visit comes at age five averages a treatment cost of $546.
I-Smile™ uses 24 dental hygienists located in public health agencies around the state who help coordinate dental care for children. Through multiple health care providers, the I-Smile™ dental home assures children receive early and regular care, including education, screenings, preventive services, and treatment. The goal of the I-Smile™ program is to ensure all Medicaid-enrolled children 12 and under have a dental home.
Regular dental care can keep a child’s smile healthy. All children are recommended to have a dental exam by the age of 1, and regularly thereafter. The IDPH I-Smile™ program is working to prevent disease, help families get dental care, and make people aware of how important it is for children to have good oral health.
To learn more about how I-Smile™ is making a positive impact on children’s oral health in Iowa, visit www.idph.state.ia.us/hpcdp/oral_health_ismile.asp.
It's time to get "Ticked Off" - 2010-07-28
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Summer time increases outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, lawn mowing and any outside activity- in town or out in the woods- putting people at risk for being bitten by a tick. Inevitably, concerns arise as to the risk of Lyme disease and how best to protect oneself. Lyme disease is at its peak from May through October. The most commonly infected persons are males aged 5 to 19 and over 30. There are three species of ticks found in Iowa: Dermacentor variabilis (dog or wood tick), Ambylomma americanum (Lone Star tick), and Ixodes scapularis (deer tick). The most likely transmitter of Lyme’s disease is the deer tick nymph stage, an extremely small arachnid. Lyme’s infections in Iowa have gone up from 8 in 1993 to 119 in 2007. Most of the infections in Iowa are in the northeast corner.
Lyme disease is most commonly transmitted to humans through the bite of a deer tick infected with the Borrelia b. bacterium. It may affect the skin, nervous system, heart and joints. Anyone can get Lyme disease, especially if they spend long amounts of time outdoors in areas where infected ticks are found or have pets that are outside.
Lyme disease usually starts (68 as a large circular red rash at or near the site of the tick bite. The rash may increase in size and can eventually look like a "bull's eye" with a clear center. Often, the rash is overlooked or not identified. Other flu-like symptoms may be present, including fever, headache, fatigue, stiff neck, muscle and joint pain (33 These usually begin within a few days to a month after the tick bite and can last for several weeks. Some symptoms can last for years if the infection is left untreated. Treatment is with antibiotics. Cure is likely if the infection is diagnosed early. See your physician if you develop a rash and/or have flu-like symptoms after being in a tick-infested area.
The best way to prevent Lyme disease is to avoid being bitten. To protect yourself, follow these tips:
• Wear light colored clothing with long sleeves and pants. Tuck pants into socks. • Apply an insect repellent containing DEET (no higher than 15 oncentration for children and 30 or adults), Picaridin 5 -10 which has a very low toxicity rating, though does not last as long and may not be as effective on ticks as DEET), oil of lemon, eucalyptus or IR3535. Permethrin is a repellant that can only be applied to clothing, not to exposed skin. • Stay on trails when walking or hiking and avoid high grass. • Check for ticks every two to three hours while outdoors in tick areas. • After an outing, check yourself, your children, and your pets. Areas ticks prefer most include the back of the knee, armpit, scalp, groin, and back of the neck. • Remove any attached tick using fine-point tweezers (don't use bare hands) or, a specialized tick remover available at Winneshiek County Public Health for $3.00. If you have tweezers, grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible and pull it straight out. Don't twist, prick, burn, or squeeze the tick during removal. Do not use a burnt match, or nail polish to remove them. Wash the site with soap and water and apply antiseptic.
Ticks may be sent in for species identification only (not to see if they have Lyme Disease). Place tick in plastic bag with a tissue and one to two drops of water, seal, place in envelope with your name, address, and phone number and mail to: Iowa State University, Department of Entomology, 440 Science II, Ames, IA 50011-3240.
If you have further questions, call Winneshiek County Public Health at 563-382-4662. On the web at http://www.winneshiekhealth.org
The U.S. Census: - 2010-05-20
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Be Counted, but Don’t be Cheated
Iowans received the 2010 U.S. Census form in the mail in March -- our share of 130 million forms sent to all U.S. residents. I received my form, I sent it in, and I strongly urge you to join me if you haven’t sent your form in already.
Let me explain why I think the Census is a good and important thing, and then I’ll mention a couple of scams that could crop up trying to trick you into giving out your personal financial information or trying to cheat you out of money.
The Census is crucial for Iowa. It determines our share of federal funds going to cities, counties and the State of Iowa. It determines our representation by federal Congressional districts, and it affects city, county and state voting districts. Census information also is very important to all kinds of future planning decisions.
Here’s how the Census works: The Census form is ten easy questions aimed at counting every person residing in the U.S. By law, individually-identifiable answers cannot be shared with anyone, including federal agencies or law enforcement agencies. We are required to respond by mailing in the postage-paid envelope. Census workers go door-to-door starting May 1 to residences where people have not returned their forms. Workers will not enter your home, and they will have official identification.
Here’s how the Census does NOT work: It does NOT conduct the census via email or the Internet or telephone. It does NOT ask for your Social Security Number, bank account or credit card number. It does NOT ask for money or a donation.
SO: It is a scam if you receive an email asking for your personal or financial information -- never click on a link or open an attachment in such an email. It is a scam if someone calls you and asks for your personal financial information. It is a scam if you receive a phony form in the mail that asks for such information. It is a scam if a person comes to your door and asks for your personal financial information, or for any kind of payment. (See www.IowaAttorneyGeneral.gov for more on census scams.)
To see a copy of the REAL Census form, or for other information, go to www.2010.census.gov. That site also can tell you how to report any questionable contacts you may receive by email or phone or at your door. You also may call 816-994-2000 for questions or information.
Contact the Iowa Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division, Hoover Bldg., Des Moines, IA 50319. Call 515 281 5926, or toll free at 888 777 4590. The web site is www.IowaAttorneyGeneral.gov (click on "protecting consumers.")
Unused medications- How should I dispose of them? - 2010-05-03
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This is an ongoing discussion in Public Health, Environmental and public safety providers. You have a prescription (or over-the-counter) medication and it is discontinued, expires or is no longer used. What should be done with them? Recent findings show that if they are flushed down a sink or toilet they enter the groundwater. This includes a wide variety of medications including antibiotics, pain relievers, hormones, antidepressants and others. How do they get into the water? They get into the water cycle - rivers, streams, lakes and ground water. They may get to the reservoirs where we draw water from- lakes, rivers and even deep wells. This is currently a “low” concentration, but some of these are extremely potent to begin with. Hormones are generally at a low concentration in our bodies, but are powerful in their effects. There has been research that shows effects of these in fish and frogs in the wild. Widespread use of antibiotics in animal confinements as well as use in humans has helped create antibiotic resistant microbes. For example, previous research has revealed that up to 44.1 pounds (20 kilograms) of pharmaceuticals flow down Italy's Po River each day. This would include cocaine and heroin amongst all the legal pharmaceuticals.
OK, so what can I do? Thanks to the Iowa DNR there is a solution- for now.
What medications can I bring to the TakeAway program? • Any pharmaceutical product, both prescription and over-the-counter can be taken to a TakeAway pharmacy for proper disposal EXCEPT for controlled substances. • Only MEDICATION is acceptable – you may not dispose of sharps, test strips, rubbing alcohol, gauze, or any other items in your medicine cabinet unless they are prescription or over-the-counter medicines. • Creams, ointments, and liquids are acceptable if they are less than 4 oz. • It is preferred they be in original containers and liquids be enclosed in a plastic bag as well.
NOT ACCEPTABLE ITEMS • Controlled substances such as Adderall, Vicodin, Demerol, Hydrocodone, MSContin and Ambien, • sharps such as syringes or lancets • liquids over 4 oz., thermometers and home based care (HBC) or durable medical equipment (DME) supplies (such as): rubbing alcohol, hydrogen peroxide.
There is no local program to destroy those Controlled substances (nearest one is in Jones county) as they require law enforcement to oversee the process. For those medications, make them unpalatable- pack in coffee grounds or used cat litter- something to increase the “yuck” factor. Then put in some sort of closed container- a jar, med bottle etc. and throw away in the garbage. Sharps should be placed in a plastic container that is not likely to be punctured- laundry soap jug or milk jug etc with lid on tightly and marked “DANGER- SHARPS” and thrown into the garbage.
Is the TakeAway program free? Through this grant pharmacies receive TakeAway systems at no charge and patients can return unused medications free of charge. Proper disposal of pharmaceutical waste is not free. Iowa’s TakeAway program was initially funded by the 2009 state legislature through a Department of Natural Resources (DNR) grant. At the launch of the program (October 2009) it is not yet determined how sustainable funding will be achieved.
What Pharmacies participate in TakeAway locally? In Winneshiek County only Donlons’ and Medicap (also Medicap in Howard County). In Allamakee County, Hartig and Pamida pharmacies participate. Please check with your pharmacy for times and further information.
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Living Well Workshop is energizing people with ongoing health conditions
Developed at Stanford University, the Workshop has been offered at hundreds of locations throughout the United States. It helps participants with ongoing health conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, high blood pressure, anxiety, heart disease, anxiety and others to:
· Find better ways of dealing with pain and fatigue
· Discover easy exercises to help improve or maintain strength and energy
· Learn the appropriate use of medications
· Improve nutrition
· Talk effectively with family, friends and health professionals
· Understand new treatment choices
· Feel better about life
Taught by specially trained volunteer leaders, some who have health conditions themselves, the program covers a new topic each week and provides opportunities for interaction and group problem solving.
The workshop will be offered for 2 hours, one day a week for a six weeks. The exact date and time will be decided after enrollment is filled.
For more information or to enroll in the Living Well Workshop, call 563-382-4662 and ask for Cheryl or Karen.
Choosing Home Care - 2009-04-27
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Please check our Links Page for the link to Help Us Choose Home and learn more about Home Care in today's world of health. It is an important part of our nation's health care system and needs your support.
