We do not know why some people have asthma, but we do know that asthma "triggers" can cause an asthma attack. Though asthma triggers are different for each person, there are some very common triggers found in many homes.

• Asthma triggers are allergens and irritants that, when breathed in, may cause lungs to react badly. Common types of triggers found in Thurston County include dust mites, mold, odors, fumes, and pets.
• Health care professionals can help you find ways to better manage asthma, but there are also many things you can do on your own that make a difference.
• Asthma triggers can make asthma attacks happen more often and can also make it more difficult to manage the way asthma makes you feel each day.

The Home Environmental Assessment List™ helps people identify conditions in their homes that may be triggering asthma attacks. 

 Asthma (CDC)

Resources:

Healthy Home and Yard

Tobacco Prevention

Take Small Steps to Prevent Type 2 Diabetes:

STEP 1:  Choose to Move

Adding 30 minutes of walking into your daily routine can help you feel better and get healthier. Walking 10 minutes at a time is a great way to start – it is simple and inexpensive. Work your way up to 5 days a week and you'll be on the road to a healthier you.  

STEP 2:  Balance Your Plate

Making healthy food choices and cutting down on the amount of food you eat will help manage your weight and prevent Type 2 Diabetes. Choose foods that are lower in fat. Try a new fruit or vegetable each week. Make sure you always have a healthy snack with you in case you get hungry, like a piece of fresh fruit, a handful of nuts, or low-fat yogurt. Visit MyPlate to learn more.

 Diabetes (CDC)

Thurston County Public Health and Social Services envisions a community where Thurston County’s children and their families are making healthy food choices and engaging in regular physical activity daily to prevent longer term health problems. The 7-5-2-1-0 campaign and related efforts are how our community has been encouraging progress in ensuring healthy child weight. 

Thurston County encourages children and their families to follow some simple steps toward staying healthy and preventing chronic illness through the number 7-5-2-1-0:

Learn more about the 7-5-2-1-0 campaign.

There are many ways to approach employee health and fitness.  As an employer you need to do what works best in your work environment. While this is a past program, there is information for employers on what they can do to support a healthier workforce.

Supporting Employee Health and Fitness

Health plays an important role in our daily lives, both at work and home.  Productivity, absenteeism, and decision-making are related to an employee's health status.  The way workers deal with stress, cope with change, or experience illness connects to health and fitness.

Strategic approaches to health can increase employee performance, lower health care related costs, and improve overall morale.  In many workplaces, addressing employee health and fitness is a key management tool.

Employers depend on the workforce to achieve their goals and mission.  Even simple, modest efforts to address health can result in visible, tangible benefits both to the employer and employee.

What benefits can employers and employees expect from a healthier workplace environment?

• Increased productivity
• Improved ability to cope with change.
• Better decision making
• Reduced stress
• Enhanced performance
• Improved morale

Tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of death and disease in the United States and here in Washington State. More information on our community's efforts to curb tobacco use is available on the Substance Use Prevention webpage: 

Substance Use Prevention