COMMUNITY EDUCATION TOPICS

TOPIC: Childhood Injury Prevention

The Problem

Accidental injury kills one million children annually worldwide. Ninety eight percent of these deaths occur in low-income countries, where injury is making significant gains on disease as the leading cause of death in young children.

In the United States and most other industrialized nations, accidental injury has surpassed disease to become the number one cause of death among children ages 14 and under.

The Solution

There is no one device or solution to prevent effectively all types of accidental childhood injuries. Instead, a combination of several factors is necessary to create programs that reduce injuries: educating adults and children, creating safe environments, conducting research and advocating for effective laws.

Click the Link below to access information and tips from

http://www.safekids.org

TOPIC: 9-1-1 Access Tips

Click on the Links Below for

Current Facts About Calling 9-1-1

from the

National Emergency Number Association

Including:

9-1-1 History & Other Facts

9-1-1 Cellular / Wireless Facts

9-1-1 Internet Telephone / VoIP Facts

Plus More Tips Concerning Voice Over Internet Protocol 9-1-1 Access from:

911VoIP.org

TOPIC: Heart Attack Facts from the National Heart, Lung, & Blood Institute (NHBLI)

Fact 1: What Is A Heart Attack?

The heart works 24 hours a day, pumping oxygen- and nutrient-rich blood to the body. Blood is supplied to the heart through its coronary arteries. In coronary heart disease (CHD), plaques or fatty substances build up inside the walls of the arteries. The plaques also attract blood components, which stick to the artery wall lining. Called atherosclerosis, the process develops gradually, over many years. It often begins early in life, even in childhood.

The fatty buildup or plaque can break open and lead to the formation of a blood clot that seals the break. The clot reduces blood flow. The cycle of fatty buildup, plaque rupture, and blood clot formation causes the coronary arteries to narrow, reducing blood flow.

When too little blood reaches the heart, the condition is called ischemia. Chest pain, or angina, may occur. The pain can vary in occurrence and be mild and intermittent, or more pronounced and steady. It can be severe enough to make normal everyday activities difficult. The same inadequate blood supply also may cause no symptoms, a condition called silent ischemia.

If a blood clot suddenly cuts off most or all blood supply to the heart, a heart attack results. Cells in the heart muscle that do not receive enough oxygen-carrying blood begin to die. The more time that passes without treatment to restore blood flow, the greater the damage to the heart.

To learn more:

Click Here to See a heart attack in progress.
(Video Playtime: 30 Seconds)

[Information about RealPlayer]

Fact 2:

Heart Attack Warning Signs

A heart attack is a frightening event, and you probably don't want to think about it. But, if you learn the signs of a heart attack and what steps to take, you can save a life–maybe your own. What are the signs of a heart attack?

Many people think a heart attack is sudden and intense, like a "movie" heart attack, where a person clutches his or her chest and falls over.

The truth is that many heart attacks start slowly, as a mild pain or discomfort. If you feel such a symptom, you may not be sure what's wrong.

Your symptoms may even come and go. Even those who have had a heart attack may not recognize their symptoms, because the next attack can have entirely different ones.

Women may not think they're at risk of having a heart attack–but they are.

Click this Link to learn more about women and heart attack.

It's vital that everyone learn the

warning signs of a heart attack.

These are:

	Chest discomfort. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts for more than a few minutes, or goes away and comes back. The discomfort can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain.
	Discomfort in other areas of the upper body. Can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw, or stomach.
	Shortness of breath. Often comes along with chest discomfort. But it also can occur before chest discomfort.
	Other symptoms. May include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea, or light-headedness.

Learn the signs–but also remember: Even if you're not sure

it's a heart attack, you should still have it checked out.

Fast action can save lives-maybe your own.

After you learn more about heart attack,

try a brief quiz to see if you know what to do if you or someone

else has warning signs.

FACT 3: Surviving a Heart Attack

How do you survive a heart attack? Fast action is your best weapon against a heart attack. Why? Because clot-busting drugs and other artery-opening treatments can stop a heart attack in its tracks. They can prevent or limit damage to the heart–but they need to be given immediately after symptoms begin. The sooner they are started, the more good they will do–and the greater the chances are for survival and a full recovery. To be most effective, they need to be given ideally within 1 hour of the start of heart attack symptoms.

These important Links will connect you with pages from the NHLBI Website to give you more Heart Attack Survival Facts:

	Uncertainty is Normal
	Delay Can Be Deadly
	Call 9-1-1
	Emergency Medical Personnel
	Plan Ahead

For Additional Facts on Heart Attack and Other

Important Information on

Diseases and Conditions Effecting

the Heart, Blood, Blood Vessels, and the Lungs-

Click the Link Below.