Hello, and welcome to the Fairfax County Health and Safety Podcast for April 29, 2008. I’m Jim Person, Fairfax County emergency information officer. Coming up, learn about Fairfax County’s “Saving Babies” initiative and safe community forums to be held in May by county police. Links to topics mentioned in this podcast can be found online at www.fairfaxcounty.gov.
Infant mortality and low birth weight levels in Fairfax County are lower than national averages, but “low” is not low enough. The Fairfax County Health Department has mobilized the Saving Babies Coalition, which is focusing outreach initiatives to educate women about lifestyle choices that will promote healthy women and ultimately healthy babies.
One of the goals of “Saving Babies” is to stress the importance of good health before a women gets pregnant. Research has shown that a prenatal diet rich in folic acid, such as fortified cereals, orange juice and leafy green veggies, supplemented by 400 micrograms of folic acid each day reduces the risk of certain birth defects by as much as 80 percent.
Just like the signs of a cardiac arrest or stroke, we need to be able to recognize the signs of premature labor. Pregnant women experiencing contractions, pelvic pressure, change in vaginal discharge, leaking of fluid, low dull backache, menstrual-like cramps and abdominal cramps should know to seek immediate medical advice.
For more about the Saving Babies initiative education and outreach activities, contact the Fairfax County Health Department at 703-246-2411, or visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/hd/pcs/.
The Fairfax County Police Department needs YOU to tell them how to best serve and protect your community.
Police will be holding three Safe Community Forums across the county in May and they encourage residents to attend. You have a stake in shaping the police service of tomorrow: Come with your input on how the Fairfax County Police can better protect your families, homes and businesses. Invest some time and attention into meeting with police and letting them know what you want, need and expect from them. Your views and feedback are critical as the police department plans for the future, especially in the challenging financial times ahead. Safe Community Forums will be held between 7 to 9 pm. on:
- Wednesday, May 7, at the Lake Anne Village Center, 1609-A Washington Plaza in Reston.
- Wednesday, May 21, at the James Lee Community Center, 2855-A Annandale Road in Falls Church, and
- Thursday, May 22, at the Hollin Hall Senior Center, 1500 Shenandoah Road in the Mount Vernon area of Alexandria
For more information, contact the Fairfax County Police Department Public Affairs Department at 703-246-2253.
That’s it for this edition of the Fairfax County Health and Safety Podcast, produced by the Fairfax County, Virginia government. Thanks for listening. Additional information about health and safety topics and emergency preparedness may be found online at www.fairfaxcounty.gov.