First case of Zika reported in Chester County
The Chester County Health Department has been notified of the County’s first confirmed case of Zika Virus by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This case involves a Chester County woman (not pregnant) who had recently traveled to an area affected by mosquitos carrying the Zika Virus.
The patient was not hospitalized and has recovered. Upon confirmation, the Chester County Health...
Teens need to keep dental health in mind, too
While focus is often on younger kids, teen’s choices can impact whole lives
By Dr. Stephanie McGann, DMD FAGD, Columnist, The Times
Today, thanks to improved home care and the widespread use of fluorides, many teens have very few serious dental issues. However, that does not make our young patients’ immune from dental concerns. When working with young people I believe knowledge is power. It...
Study: Chesco again healthiest county in Pa.
Chester County has once again been ranked overall as the healthiest county in Pennsylvania according to a study released today by the University of Wisconsin and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
The study placed Chester County at the top of the Health Outcomes category, relating to length and quality of life, and number two in Health Factors which include health behaviors, clinical care, social...
Fermentation for the health of it
Age old technique preserves foods, adds healthy live bateria to diet
By Matthew Lapp, Columnist, The Times
Fermenting is an age-old method used to preserve food. In fact, according to Robin Foroutan, MS, RD the earliest record of fermentation dates back as far as 6000 B.C. in the Fertile Crescent. Since then, nearly every civilization has included at least one fermented food in its culinary heritage....
Officials caution care with weekend’s frosty forecast
Extreme cold can be a health hazard
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
The National Weather Service is calling for frigid weather this weekend, with overnight temperatures expected to fall to around zero degrees late Saturday night.
The only good news: after the weekend blast of arctic weather, Chester County should see moderating temperatures (although a light snow may be possible Monday night), with...
Mosquito spraying: why doesn’t the county want to talk about it?
County needs to answer questions about spraying program
By Nathaniel Smith, Columnist, The Times
The Kennett Township web site has two running headers at the top: “Monarch Butterfly population decline” and “Mosquito Spraying by Chester County Health Department 8/19/2015.”
Could these two occurrences be connected, as with bee colonies and insect-eating bird populations being...
Get the most from your dental insurance
By Dr. Stephanie McGann, DMD FAGD, Columnist, The Times
Like anything in life, if you want to get the most out of something you need to know how it works. People fortunate enough to have dental insurance should take the time to know what their policy covers and what it’s limitations are.
Never assume your dental office’s business staff knows everything. Every employer group negotiates their own...
Spring cleaning can apply to health as well
Sometimes, a lot of little things cause big issues
By Dr. Matthew Lapp, Columnist, The Times
Spring has finally sprung and after the winter we had, we deserve it! For many people, the change of season also marks an opportunity for spring cleaning inside and outside the home. If you’re like me, maybe you’ve noticed that the shrubs and grass are almost due for a trim or that the basement or...
Don’t ‘should’ on yourself
Making overly hard judgments about yourself isn’t productive
By Dr. Matthew Lapp, Columnist, The Times
As another year end quickly approaches, this is a great time to take a moment away from the rush of the holidays and reflect on the past year.
Many of us started the year with resolutions, goals, and intentions about how 2013 would unfold. For some people, life may have happened exactly as...
Where do germs go the other 8 months of the year?
By Dr. Matthew Lapp, Columnist, The Times
It’s that time again! The holidays haven’t yet arrived, but the flu season is already upon us. Chances are, the last time you stepped outside, you also saw or heard someone discuss the “bug that’s going around.” But, where’s the “bug” actually going? If you pay any attention to the news, you might think that a newly discovered disease...
