Health in the 406

Winterize to Prevent Falls

In Montana, 57% of reported falls (including ones on ice) are from stumbling, tripping, or slipping.
Keep yourself from falling this winter by attaching ice grippers to the bottom of your shoes and use walking assistive devices.
Learn how to prevent from slipping and falling during the winter.

Methamphetamine is a highly addictive stimulant that effects the central nervous system, causing harm throughout the body.
Approximately 1.6 million adults in the United States reported using methamphetamine in the past year.
In 2018, 4,204 stimulant-related hospitalizations and ED visits to Montana hospitals occurred, costing $39 million.

Recent studies demonstrate that a cloth mask can reduce wearers’ exposure to infectious droplets through filtration and mask mandates have an association with a healthier economy.
Multi-layers masks made with higher thread counts were shown to limit the forward spread of droplets and block up to 50-70% of fine droplets and particles. Some materials such as polypropylene and silk may enhance effectiveness.
Learn more about cloth mask use and how to protect yourself and your family.

Everyone 6 months of age and older should receive the flu vaccine annually; especially those individuals with increased risk of complications.
Because COVID-19 and influenza will be circulating at the same time, it’s more important than ever to get your influenza vaccine this season.
Protect yourself, your loved ones, and your community - including Montana’s essential workers - by getting an influenza vaccine and taking every day preventative actions.

Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID 19) within households is high, occurs quickly, and can originate from both children and adults.
Persons should self-isolate immediately at the onset of COVID-like symptoms, at the time of testing as a result of a high risk exposure, or at time of a positive test result, whichever comes first.
Prompt adoption of disease control measures, including self-isolating at home, appropriate self-quarantine of household contacts, and all household members wearing a mask in shared spaces, can reduce the probability of household transmission.

If you smoke, you are 30-40% more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than someone who doesn’t smoke, and if you have diabetes smoking can lead to increased health complications.
Quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do for your overall health especially if you have diabetes. The sooner you quit the better your overall health.
Learn more about strategies to help aid in smoking cessation and support resources available across Montana.

Hypertension (high blood pressure), kills approximately 1,300 Americans per day and is a leading risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
Hypertension is known as the “silent killer” because most of the time hypertension has no symptoms; many Montanans unknowingly have hypertension and might need prescribed medication.
Keep your blood pressure controlled. Know and monitor your blood pressure numbers, and take key steps to protect your health.

Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) usually results from an electrical disturbance in the heart and is a medical emergency.
Communities can come together and improve survival rates from SCA with help from the Cardiac Ready Communities Program at DPHHS.
Individuals need to know what to do in a SCA. Learn CPR and how to use an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED).

Montanans with disability are two times more likely than those without disability to be diagnosed with diabetes and to have disparities in management of their diabetes.
Montana’s Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES) is partnering with the Montana Disability and Health Program to improve inclusion of participants with disabilities.
Taking charge of your diabetes is possible for everyone; learn ways to stay healthy!