Governor Kim Reynolds signed three proclamations from the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) Friday, which declares March Brain Injury Awareness, Colorectal Cancer Awareness and Problem Gambling Awareness Month. More than 17,000 Iowans receive medical treatment for traumatic brain injuries each year, generally stemming from falls, car accidents or sports injuries. Reynolds hopes to draw more attention to this “silent epidemic” and encourages Iowans to learn more about the symptoms experienced by the more than 95,000 Iowans with a long-term disability from a brain injury. Colon cancer is the second-most common cause of cancer death in Iowa. However, it is also one of the most preventable. Approximately seven in 10 people with colorectal cancer experience no symptoms, and Reynolds and the IDPH encourages Iowans over the age of 50 to talk with their healthcare provider to schedule a screening. If the condition is detected early, the five-year survival rate is nearly 90 percent. The final proclamation highlights problem gambling. For most people, wagering is purely for fun, but as many as 13 percent of adult Iowans say their betting resulted in negative consequences for themselves, their family and their community. The IDPH offers support to gamblers and their families and encourages anyone who believes they may have a problem to take advantage of their services by phone, text or live chat. More information on each of these proclamations can be found by following the links included with this story on our website.
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