| |
Union Station Hosts Launch of HRSA's Poison Help Campaign
The hustle and bustle of Union Station added to the excitement of the March 13 launch of HRSA’s new digital Poison Help Campaign and kickoff of National Poison Prevention Week on March 16-22.
Travelers, lunch-time visitors, and staff from the nearby offices of Sen. Christopher S. “Kit” Bond (R-Mo.) and Rep. Lee Terry (R-Neb.) joined in the festivities, which featured a press event and 12 exhibits staffed by HRSA and the 11 other sponsoring organizations of the Poison Prevention Week Council.
Headlining the press event was the unveiling of HRSA’s new digital Poison Help Campaign – Poisonhelp.hrsa.gov – by HRSA Administrator Elizabeth Duke. HRSA developed the campaign in response to the alarming statistics on poisonings in the United States:
- In 2007, more than 2.4 million poison exposures were reported to the nation’s network of Poison Control Centers (PCCs).
- Unintentional poisonings are the second leading cause of death for U.S. adults.
- Poisonings don’t just affect curious children. Latest data show that prescription drug misuse by adults is increasing. Poisoning is a problem that spans the generations – an especially disturbing fact considering that poisoning is preventable.
- Of the 90 percent of poisonings that occur within the home, 70 percent are treatable at home with assistance of a PCC.
|
|
Dr. Duke urges the audience to program their phones with the national Poison Help toll-free number (1-800-222-1222), which HRSA funds.
|
|
“Each of the partners here today plays a vital role in poison awareness and prevention, and HRSA is proud to be part of this effort,” Duke told the audience.
The new campaign gives Americans more tools to prevent poisonings, including vital information on the Poison Help toll-free number (1800-222-1222), media ads, bilingual radio jingles, a brochure, and other helpful information that can be used by local media and community groups alike.
The 1-800 number, which HRSA funds through its Poison Control Program, provides universal access to PCCs and immediate, 24-hour access to a nurse, pharmacist or other poison expert, as well as bilingual services. A call is received every eight seconds, according to the American Association of Poison Control Centers.
Duke also noted HRSA’s special efforts to promote poison prevention in Hispanic communities in El Paso, San Antonio and Miami, where the PCCs have 24-hour bilingual services.
Duke was joined at the podium by Nancy Bock, chairman, Poison Prevention Council and vice president of education, Soap and Detergent Association; Nancy Nord, acting chairman of the Consumer Product Safety Commission; Dr. Stuart Heard, president of the American Association of Poison Control Centers; and Kristin Lolmaugh, vice chairman, Poison Prevention Week Council.
In closing, Duke urged the audience to program the toll-free number into their home phones and cell phones – and to make sure it’s at their fingertips if a poisoning emergency arises.
HRSA's "Poison Help" team poses in front of their exhibit with Associate Administrator for Healthcare Systems Joyce Somsak and HRSA Administrator Betty Duke (far right, second row) at the Union Station event. (Bottom row, left to right: Barbara Singer, Meredith Knutsen, Nicole Fister. Top row, left to right: Colleen Geib and Poison Control Program Director Lori Roche.)
|
|
Associate Administrator for Healthcare Systems Joyce Somsak and Poison Control Program Director Lori Roche visit with Dr. Stuart Heard, President, American Association of Poison Control Centers, at the association's exhibit.
|
Back to top
|
|
Printer-friendly April 2008 Inside HRSA Acrobat/PDF
