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Parents encouraged to do more outdoor activities with children

Parents encouraged to do more outdoor activities with children

(KFVS) - The University of Illinois Extension is encouraging parents to take children outside and enjoy the outdoors.

"Playing outside is not only a physically healthy activity, but is good for the overall wellbeing of the child," said Youth Development Educator Michelle Bisel.

Bisel said playing outdoors stimulates the senses and is important to the development of children. She said some studies even state that there are negative affects to a child who is not exposed to nature.

According to U of IE, some possible nature activities this spring include:

County health rankings releases health outcomes

County health rankings releases health outcomes

WILLIAMSON COUNTY, IL (KFVS) - The County Health Rankings and Roadmaps have been released.

Williamson County ranked 93 out of 102.

Other Southern Illinois counties ranked the following out of 102:

  • Franklin - 97
  • Jackson - 80
  • Jefferson - 90
  • Perry - 69
  • Union - 53
  • Randolph - 35
  • Wayne - 36
  • Hamilton - 99
  • White - 52
  • Saline - 98
  • Gallatin - 92
  • Hardin - 102
  • Pope - 72
  • Johnson - 64
  • Massac - 96
  • Pulaski - 100
  • Alexander - 101

Southeast Missouri county rankings out of 115 includes:

IDPH to recognize National Public Health Week

IDPH to recognize National Public Health Week

(KFVS) - The Illinois Department Public Health announced they will be joining communities nationwide recognizing National Public Health Week April 2-8 to raise awareness about the prevention and wellness through this year's theme: "A Healthier America Begins Today: Join the Movement."

The first full week of April has been observed as National Public Health Week since 1995 for communities nationwide to recognize the contributions of public health and highlight issues that are important to improving the public’s health.

“Everyone has a role to play in creating healthier communities and this year’s theme encourages all of us to start now in taking active, strategic steps to get healthy and stay healthy,” said IDPH Acting Director Dr. Arthur Kohrman.

IDPH recognizes World Tuberculosis Day

IDPH recognizes World Tuberculosis Day

(KFVS) - The Illinois Department of Public Health is recognizing March 24 as World Tuberculosis Day by embracing the local theme, “TB: Waves of Change, Oceans of Opportunity” and adopting the global slogan “Stop TB in My Lifetime.”

World Tuberculosis Day is a reminder that although the illness is not common in the United States, it is still circulating around the world. IDPH says Illinois ranks fifth in the nation for the highest number of tuberculosis cases.  

“Although Illinois experienced a record low number of new tuberculosis cases during 2011, the increase is cases worldwide can mean more cases here. And many of the new cases are drug-resistant tuberculosis cases, which are harder to overcome” said Dr. Arthur F. Kohrman, acting director for the Illinois Department of Public Health. “I urge all citizens to increase their awareness of tuberculosis and to join the global effort to stop the spread of this disease.”

Boil order lifted

Boil order lifted

VILLAGE OF PITTSBURG, IL (KFVS) - The Village of Pittsburg Water Department says the boil order has been lifted as of Wednesday, March 21 at 1:30 p.m.

You can contact the water department at 618-993-8260 for more information.

Copyright 2012 KFVS. All rights reserved.

UCH to hold Healthy Woman event in March

UCH to hold Healthy Woman event in March

UNION COUNTY, IL (KFVS) - Union County Hospital will hold their Healthy Woman Anniversary Event on March 29.

The event will be at Von Jakob's Vineyard just north of Alto Pass. They will host a women's expo at 5 p.m. followed by a dinner and keynote speaker at 6:30 p.m.

The keynote speaker this year is Eliz Greene. She suffered a massive heart attack while pregnant with twins and now speaks across the nation about health and wellness while entertaining with her wit and humor. Greene is a national spokesperson for the American Hearth Association. You can click here to look at her website.

Free colon cancer screenings scheduled throughout Southern Ill.

Free colon cancer screenings scheduled throughout Southern Ill.

(KFVS) - Hospitals across Southern Illinois are offering free colon cancer screenings Friday, March 30 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

You can stop by the following locations for a free screening:

  • CHESI in Cairo
  • Chester Memorial Hospital
  • Fairfield Memorial Hospital
  • Ferrell Hospital
  • Franklin Hospital
  • Hamilton Memorial Hospital
  • Hardin County Hospital
  • Harrisburg Medical Center
  • Heartland Regional Medical Center
  • Marshall Browning Hospital
  • Massac Memorial Hospital
  • Pinckneyville Community Hospital
  • Red Bud Regional Hospital
  • Salem Township Hospital

According to the American Cancer Society, while the cancer incidence rates have been steadily declining over the past decade, colon cancer remains the third leading cause of cancer death in both men and women in the U.S.