"An Ounce Of Prevention" Program Is Launched

New Education Program Boldly Addresses Public Health Issues

Source

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Reckitt & Colman

Forums

Related Articles

ATLANTA, APRIL, 1998 - More than 160,000 people will die in the United States this year from infectious diseases, but "An Ounce of Prevention Keeps the Germs Away." That is the latest message from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Reckitt & Colman, the maker of LYSOL brand products. They have formed a partnership to develop a comprehensive educational program with the ultimate goal of preventing the spread of infectious disease and reducing its death toll.

The "Ounce of Prevention" program, announced in Atlanta at the first International Conference on Emerging Infectious Diseases, is the culmination of years of research into the transmission of infectious diseases. Infectious diseases, ranging from the common cold to disabling conditions such as Lyme disease and even deadly diseases like AIDS, are caused by exposure to microscopic agents including viruses, bacteria, parasites and fungi. Each year Americans are sick more than 4 billion days, but the good news is that many infectious diseases can be prevented through surprisingly simple and inexpensive measures.

"The results of nation wide focus groups, designed to determine common patterns in basic behavior, have revealed an astonishing need for public education about the simple, inexpensive ways to prevent the spread of infectious diseases," says Dr. James Hughes, director of the National Center for Infectious Diseases, CDC. "After years of researching the connections between behavior and disease transmission, we are ready to launch the Ounce of Prevention program."

"While it is nearly impossible to avoid contact with infectious agents, there are many simple steps everyone can take every day to reduce their chance of getting sick," comments Brenda Isaac, RN, BSN, MA, a school nurse with extensive experience in the area of public health. "This program will have a direct impact on the frequency of illness in parents and their children, as well as reducing wage loss due to absenteeism." The "Ounce of Prevention" program offers seven easy steps to preventing the spread of infectious diseases:

1. Wash your hands often -- Many of us are guilty of not washing our hands often enough. Frequent hand washing is one of the best methods of protection against over two dozen infectious diseases ranging from the common cold to more serious illnesses such as Hepatitis A and Chicken Pox. There is a correct way to wash your hands. Follow these simple steps:
   • first wet your hands, then apply soap
   • rub hands vigorously together and scrub all surfaces
   • continue for 10 - 15 seconds to dislodge and remove germs
   • rinse and dry hands well

2. Routinely clean and disinfect -- Cleaning and disinfecting are not the same thing. The regular cleaning of surface areas will remove dirt and most germs, but disinfecting offers that extra ounce of protection. While surfaces may look clean, many infectious germs may be lurking around, and given the right conditions some of the germs can live on surfaces for hours. It is especially important to clean and disinfect in the kitchen and bathroom, the two most infectious rooms of the home.

3. Handle and prepare food safely -- Food safety is critical to the effective reduction of infectious disease transmission. Some common sense tips to keep in mind when handling food include:
   • Use caution when purchasing food. Check expiration dates. Do not let frozen thaw or refrigerated products warm up.
   • Store food properly. Keep foods well protected and do not allow raw products to come into contact with any other food.
   • Use precautions when preparing and cooking food. Cook food thoroughly. Do not use the same plate or utensils for raw and cooked food.
   • Cool and promptly store leftovers. Make sure that hot foods stay hot and cold foods stay cold.
   Practicing these food safety procedures will help prevent infections of salmonella, E. coli and even Hepatitis A virus.

4. Get immunized. Immunization saves lives. Diseases like Polio that once terrorized society are now preventable due to the research of dedicated scientists. Make sure the whole family gets the shots they need, keep records and remember to ask your health care provider about immunization before visiting another country.

5. Use antibiotics appropriately. Antibiotics can be affective against some bacterial infections, but not against viral agents. When used inappropriately, antibiotics can foster the development of resistant bacteria that will no longer respond to available treatment methods. Always follow directions when taking antibiotics.

6. Keep pets healthy. Pets should be vaccinated and examined regularly by a veterinarian to ensure their good health. Litter boxes and cages should be cleaned daily. Wash hands after handling pets. Many pets can carry infectious diseases, e.g. iguanas and turtles can spread salmonella.

7. Avoid contact with wild animals. Wild animals can carry diseases that are harmful to you and your pets. Keep your house clean and seal potential entrance sites to keep wildlife out.

   Americans are spending more than $950 billion yearly on medical costs. "An Ounce of Prevention" program calls us from today's busy lifestyle, back to basics where we can all take responsibility for our own health. Following the simple steps outlined above will help prevent the spread of infectious diseases, reduce medical bills and perhaps even save lives.

   Components of the "Ounce of Prevention" program include an educational video, brochure and poster, which outline the steps to preventing infectious diseases. The video and companion materials will be shown and distributed in state and county health clinics, HMO clinics and doctors' waiting areas nationwide. For a free brochure call 1-800-995-9765.

   Reckitt & Colman Inc., the maker of LYSOL brand products, is based in Wayne, NJ.

   The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is an agency of the Department of Health and Human Services. CDC is the nation's disease prevention and control agency.

   CONTACT: Sandy Berger/Amy Hinkelman, G.S. Schwartz & Co., 212 725-4500