- Email: [email protected]
Sports-related injuries in older adults
WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZA-
TION (WHO) HEPATITIS C:THE IGNORED SILENT EPIDEMIC Hepatitis C is a global pandemic and major public health problem. More than 170 million people worldwide are now estimated to suffer from the disease, and the prevalence is considered to be 0.5% to more than 10% in population samples around the world. The disease can only be controlled with increased prevention efforts because there is no vaccine available at this time. The causative agent of hepatitis C was first identified in 1989. The primary mode of transmission is percutaneous (via the skin) exposure to blood. In developed countries, it is estimated that 90% of cases of hepatitis C infection are in current and former intravenous drug users and those with a history of transfusion of unscreened blood or blood products, such as hemophiliacs. In developing countries, it is believed that unsterile injections, unscreened blood, and sexual intercourse are the predominate routes of exposure. Hepatitis C can lead to chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. The prevention of hepatitis C requires efforts from health care providers as well as the general public. All blood and organ
Int J Trauma Nurs 1998;4:115-6. Copyright © 1998 by the Emergency Nurses Association. 1075-4210/98/$5.00 + 0 65•8•91621
JULY-SEPTEMBER 1998
donors should be screened, and hospital and injection equipment sterilized. The public must be instructed that unprotected sexual activities, or traditional scarification and circumcision practices, pose a risk if unhygienic tools are used. Additional information can be obtained from the WHO by contacting their Intemet Website: http://www.who.eh/(Access WHO Fact Sheets No. 36 and No. 164).
CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION (CPSC) REMINDER: REMOVE RECALLED HOUSEHOLD HAZARDS The CPSC urges consumers to
remove hazardous products from the home. Despite recall notices and public warnings, many items can still be found in homes (storage areas, attics) or garage sales. The CPSC has requested that information regarding the hazardous products be distributed to governmental, health, and safety officials. Consumers should check for the products and discard them. In some areas of the county, recalled products are rounded up and brought to central locations for disposal. The recalled items include playpens that collapse and entrap a child in the folded top rails; bunk beds that can strangle young children; handheld hair dryers that do not have a built-in shock protection device; lawn darts; and halogen torchiere floor lamps that need repair to prevent fires. Additional information about recalled products can be obtained from the CPSC by sending a
postcard to Recall List, CPSC, Washington, DC 20207; calling the toll-free telephone hotline at 800-638-2772; or visiting the CPSC Website at http://www.cpsc.gov CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION (CPSC) AND AMERICAN ACADEMY OF ORTHOPAEDIC SURGEONS (AAOS) SPORTS-RELATED INJURIES IN OLDER ADULTS The CPSC and the AAOS are teaming up to help prevent sports-related injuries in older Americans. Between 1990 and 1996, there was a 54% increase in the number of such injuries. The goal of this program is to encourage individuals 65 years and older to remain active, to gain the multiple health benefits of exercise, and avoid injuries. Most injuries were in connection with more active sports, such as bicycling, weight training, and skiing. The CPSC and AAOS recommend that the best way to stay safe while exercising is to complete warm-up exercises before starting an activity; to use the proper safety gear (eg, bicycle helmets); and to read instructions and ask for assistance with aerobic and weight training equipment. To obtain a copy of the brochure, "Keep Active and Safe at Any Age," readers can call (800) 824-BONES; or send a selfaddressed, stamped businesssize envelope to "Keep Active" Brochure, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, PO Box 1998, Des Plaines, 1L 60017; o1" contact the CPSC Website at http://www.cpsc.gov
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF TRAUMA NURSING/Trauma News Today 115
TION (WHO) HEPATITIS C:THE IGNORED SILENT EPIDEMIC Hepatitis C is a global pandemic and major public health problem. More than 170 million people worldwide are now estimated to suffer from the disease, and the prevalence is considered to be 0.5% to more than 10% in population samples around the world. The disease can only be controlled with increased prevention efforts because there is no vaccine available at this time. The causative agent of hepatitis C was first identified in 1989. The primary mode of transmission is percutaneous (via the skin) exposure to blood. In developed countries, it is estimated that 90% of cases of hepatitis C infection are in current and former intravenous drug users and those with a history of transfusion of unscreened blood or blood products, such as hemophiliacs. In developing countries, it is believed that unsterile injections, unscreened blood, and sexual intercourse are the predominate routes of exposure. Hepatitis C can lead to chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. The prevention of hepatitis C requires efforts from health care providers as well as the general public. All blood and organ
Int J Trauma Nurs 1998;4:115-6. Copyright © 1998 by the Emergency Nurses Association. 1075-4210/98/$5.00 + 0 65•8•91621
JULY-SEPTEMBER 1998
donors should be screened, and hospital and injection equipment sterilized. The public must be instructed that unprotected sexual activities, or traditional scarification and circumcision practices, pose a risk if unhygienic tools are used. Additional information can be obtained from the WHO by contacting their Intemet Website: http://www.who.eh/(Access WHO Fact Sheets No. 36 and No. 164).
CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION (CPSC) REMINDER: REMOVE RECALLED HOUSEHOLD HAZARDS The CPSC urges consumers to
remove hazardous products from the home. Despite recall notices and public warnings, many items can still be found in homes (storage areas, attics) or garage sales. The CPSC has requested that information regarding the hazardous products be distributed to governmental, health, and safety officials. Consumers should check for the products and discard them. In some areas of the county, recalled products are rounded up and brought to central locations for disposal. The recalled items include playpens that collapse and entrap a child in the folded top rails; bunk beds that can strangle young children; handheld hair dryers that do not have a built-in shock protection device; lawn darts; and halogen torchiere floor lamps that need repair to prevent fires. Additional information about recalled products can be obtained from the CPSC by sending a
postcard to Recall List, CPSC, Washington, DC 20207; calling the toll-free telephone hotline at 800-638-2772; or visiting the CPSC Website at http://www.cpsc.gov CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION (CPSC) AND AMERICAN ACADEMY OF ORTHOPAEDIC SURGEONS (AAOS) SPORTS-RELATED INJURIES IN OLDER ADULTS The CPSC and the AAOS are teaming up to help prevent sports-related injuries in older Americans. Between 1990 and 1996, there was a 54% increase in the number of such injuries. The goal of this program is to encourage individuals 65 years and older to remain active, to gain the multiple health benefits of exercise, and avoid injuries. Most injuries were in connection with more active sports, such as bicycling, weight training, and skiing. The CPSC and AAOS recommend that the best way to stay safe while exercising is to complete warm-up exercises before starting an activity; to use the proper safety gear (eg, bicycle helmets); and to read instructions and ask for assistance with aerobic and weight training equipment. To obtain a copy of the brochure, "Keep Active and Safe at Any Age," readers can call (800) 824-BONES; or send a selfaddressed, stamped businesssize envelope to "Keep Active" Brochure, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, PO Box 1998, Des Plaines, 1L 60017; o1" contact the CPSC Website at http://www.cpsc.gov
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF TRAUMA NURSING/Trauma News Today 115