Get a Healthy Start to the School Year

CPS students head back to school next week and CDPH recommends these healthy steps all families should add to their back-to-school checklists.

• Get up to date on your vaccinations. Vaccines are important for maintaining a healthy school environment. CDPH operates three immunization clinics where children can get school-required and CDC recommended vaccinations, as well as seasonal flu and COVID-19 vaccines at no cost. Children can also receive no cost immunizations through the Chicago CareVan, a mobile immunization unit in partnership with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois. Learn more at bit.ly/cdph-vaccines
• Don’t forget about back-to-school forms. Keep your information up-to-date with school including emergency contacts and health information. In Illinois, students entering in kindergarten, sixth and ninth grade must provide proof of physical exam.
• Stay healthy year-round. Set a healthy routine that includes a well-balanced diet, limiting screen time and practicing good hand hygiene.

Learn more at www.chicago.gov/city/en/sites/onechifam/home/children-teens/child-health/back-to-school.html

Healthy Chicago Symposium

Healthy Chicago 2025 is a multi-year program that invests funding, energy, and actions across seven city-wide priority areas, or equity zones that make a real difference in community health.

Today, CDPH is hosting a Healthy Chicago 2025 Symposium and Equity Zones Showcase at the Chicago Cultural Center to reflect on the progress made by the department, our partners, and communities to co-create efforts toward a city where all people, in all communities, have an equal opportunity to live full, healthy lives. Visit www.healthychicago.org to learn more and get involved in the movement.

Clipping the Wings of West Nile Virus

High temperatures and frequent rainfall in recent weeks have led to a surge in mosquito breeding, and more mosquitoes means more potential carriers of West Nile virus. In order to combat the growing mosquito population, CDPH has initiated a targeted program of insecticide spraying in particularly high-risk areas of the city. The spray used by CDPH is EPA-approved and safe for humans and pets, but door hangars will be distributed in advance of any sprayings to notify residents who would prefer to avoid exposure. Sprayings will take place around dusk and into the early nighttime, when mosquitoes are most active.

While this program of spraying for mosquitoes is a helpful step towards combatting the spread of West Nile, the most reliable way to avoid illness is to protect yourself from mosquito bites:

• Use insect repellent that contains DEET, Picaridin, IR3535, or Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus.
• Eliminate standing water. This includes emptying water from flowerpots, gutters, pool covers, pet water dishes and birdbaths regularly.
• Keep grass and weeds short to eliminate hiding places for adult mosquitoes.
• When outside between dusk and dawn, wear loose-fitting, light colored clothing including long pants, long sleeve shirts, socks and shoes.
• Check that all screens, windows and doors are tight-fitting and free of holes and tears.
• Check on neighbors regularly who may need additional assistance, including the elderly.

Additional information on West Nile virus and the CDPH vector control program, including symptoms and how to protect yourself, can be found on the CDPH website. 

Quick Hits

LoveFest 2023

CDPH joins the Chicago Black Gay Men's Caucus in co-hosting 'Lovefest Health Summit and Slam 2023' at the DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center, on Saturday, August 19.

The event, from 11am – 5pm, will include a panel discussion, fireside chats, a keynote address by Dr. Maurice Brownlee, and a cash prize poetry slam. The panel discussion will focus on mental health, safety, and substance use/abuse awareness. This will be followed on Sunday, August 20 by ‘LoveFest 2023 – HealthySexyYou!’ also at the DuSable Museum, from 10am to 9pm. ‘Lovefest 2023,’ highlighting the importance of mental, physical and spiritual wellness for Black gay, bisexual and same gender loving men, will feature a Community Health Village with free HIV/STI and other health screenings; Sunday service; drag review; vogue classes; DJ sets, a talent show and a mini (vogue) ball. The DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center is at 740 E. 56th Pl. For more information, go to chicagoblackgaymenscaucus.org/lovefest-2023.

Damen Silos

Ongoing exposure to pollution through the air, water and land can impact individuals and communities differently, and the Cumulative Impact Assessment is setting out to identify data on how environmental burdens and other stressors vary across Chicago. One such potential burden could be environmentally complex demolitions , which is why the City takes the permit application review process so seriously, requiring more stringent review and a public meeting regarding the demolition impacts prior to approving permits.

Due to the size of the Damen Silos, its historic use, and proximity to the south branch of the Chicago River, the City is hosting a dedicated public meeting on Tuesday, August 22, at 6 pm at The Arturo Velasquez Westside Technical Institute at 2800 S. Western. All community members are invited to attend. During this briefing, representatives from the Office of Climate & Environmental Equity, Department of Buildings, CDPH, and the wrecking company will provide updates on the demolition permit application and plans to protect the environment and public health throughout the demolition process.

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