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Community Health Services CEO Joe Liszak reports that adult obesity high blood pressure are on the rise among Sandusky County adults.(Photo: Craig Shoup/The News-Messenger)Buy Photo

FREMONT - Community health professionals in Sandusky County are concerned about the increase in adult and childhood obesity, increases in drug addiction, and binge drinking behaviors as the county released its 2016 Community Health Assessment.

Although there were increases in adverse health behaviors, data from the assessment revealed some positive trends including reductions in adult suicide rates and youth cigarette smoking.

The data werecollected as part of a 2016 and 2017 health assessment, which the county will utilize to implement community strategies to combat the negative trends, according to Emily Golias, Community Health Improvement Coordinator for theHospital Council of Northwest Ohio.

Golias said 33 percent of the 1,200 adults responded to the survey, which included mail, house visits and phone interviews, while 95 percent of county youths ages 11-17 responded. Golias said the analysis has a 95 percent accuracy rate according to health data standards.

To collect better data, all surveys were anonymous.

Obesity is on the rise in the county, according to Community Health Services CEO Joe Liszak, with 42 percent of adults in Sandusky County reporting being obese.

The obesity rate for those earning $25,000 or less annually in the county was even higher, at 56 percent.

Children also are struggling with obesity, scoring well above the state and national average. In Sandusky County 23 percent of youthsages 6 to 17 had a Body Mass Index classified as obese. The Ohio average, last compiled in 2013, was 13 percent for obesity rates, while the 2015 national average was 14 percent.

Alcohol consumption in Sandusky County is on the rise, trending well above the state and national averages, according to Tim Wise, Fremont Director forFirelands Counseling and RecoveryServices.

For adults surveyed in Sandusky County, 62 percent of those said they had at least one alcoholic drink in the past month, up from 51 percent during the county's 2013 assessment. The county's 62 percent rate was significantly higherthan the state average of 53 percent, based on data collected in 2015, and the national average of 54 percent, collected in 2014.

Tim Wise, Fremont Director for the Firelands Counseling and Recovery Services, discusses the increased alcohol use in Sandusky County, including binge drinking.(Photo: Craig Shoup/The News-Messenger)

Binge drinking statistics in which a man has five drinks and a woman hasfour in a two-hour period werenearly doublethe national average, with 29 percent of Sandusky County adults surveyed saying they bingedrank, versus the national average of 16 percent.

"I think this is alarming. There is an unfortunate steady increase in binge drinking," Wise said. "I think we've got some work to do."

As part of the survey, childrenfrom birth to age 17 were assessed on various criteriaincluding drug and tobacco use, sexual activity and social determinants that affect overall health.

Abby Slemmer, CEO of United Way of Sandusky County, said county youths were exposed to several Adverse Childhood Experiences, with the primary one being divorce.

Slemmer said 36 percent of the children surveyed experienced the separation of their parents, while 25 surveyed said their parents insult them.

Other adverse experience include living with someone who served time or will serve time in prison, 19 percent;lived with a problem drinker, 18 percent;and lived with someone who misuses prescription drugs, 17 percent.

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Slemmer said 25 percent of the youth experienced three different adverse experiences.

Poverty is a concern for the health of families in the county, Slemmer said.

"Poverty limits the access to healthy foods, safe neighborhoods and stable housing," she said.

Data collected from the health assessment echoed Slemmer's statement as 12 percent of all adults in the county need help meeting their daily needs for food, clothing, shelter or paying bills, with percentages rising to 37 percent for those with annual incomes less than $25,000.

Ten percent of adults said they had to choose between buying food or paying bills. Five percent surveyed said their food assistance had been cut, and 5 percent of adults said they did not eat because they did not have enough money for food.

A growing drug epidemic has led to an increase in the number of adults admitting to using a prescriptionthat did not belong to them, or usingprescription drugsto get high, with 10 percent in Sandusky County reporting that behavior compared to 7 percent in 2013, the last assessment performed in the county.

Among county adults, 2 percent surveyed said they used recreational drugs such as heroin, synthetic marijuana, bath salts or methamphetamine ,while 25 percent of drug-using adults said they used almost every day.

Contrary to data linking low income with less healthy lifestyles, more adults earning $25,000 or more a year said they misused medication compared to those earning $25,000 or less 9 percent to 5 percent.

Adults considering or carrying out suicide attempts drastically decreased, down from 6 percent in 2013 to 1 percent in 2016, according to Wise.

"Adults going two or more weeks feeling sad or hopeless dropped from 15 percent in 2013 to 9 percent in 2016," Wise said.

The data showthat the number of youths who attempt suicide in Sandusky County is 7 percent, slightly above the Ohio average of6 percent, but below the national average of 9 percent.

In Sandusky County, female youths are more likely to make a plan to attempt suicide, at 17 percent compared to 9 percent for males, according to surveys.

A complete countywide health assessment will be made available through the Sandusky County Health Department's website, the Fremont City Schools website, the United Way of Sandusky County, Community Health Services, and WSOS Community Action.

Emily Golias of the Hospital Council of Northwest Ohio speaks to a room full of community health professionals about data collected during the 2016 Sandusky County Health Assessment.(Photo: Craig Shoup/The News-Messenger)

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Study shows obesity, alcohol on rise in Sandusky County - Fremont News Messenger

Judy Russell, For USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin 1:48 p.m. CT April 5, 2017

Judy Russell(Photo: USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin)Buy Photo

Several faith communities in Oshkosh will combine their ministries and congregations to offer special Holy Week services this week. The public is welcome to attend.

The first service will be on Maundy Thursday at 7 p.m. at First Congregational Church, 137 Algoma Blvd. FCC and First Presbyterian Church are jointly offering this worship. The service will be led by the Rev. Tom Willadsen of First Presbyterian and the Rev. Nancy Taylor of First Congregational.

Eight faith communities are jointly offering a Good Friday Ecumenical Service from 1 to 3 p.m. at Bethany United Church of Christ, 145 W. 24th Ave. The Rev. Deborah Bartelt of the host church said there will be a combined choir, with a choir rehearsal at 11:15 a.m. in the sanctuary. In addition to the host church, participants are Algoma Boulevard United Methodist Church, First United Methodist Church, Wesley United Methodist Church, Emmaus Ecumenical Catholic Community, First Congregational Church, St. Paul's United Church of Christand First Presbyterian Church. Questions? Call 920-235-1631.

Three congregations will individually offer a Tenebrae Service on Good Friday. This is a service of light and darkness based on the Passion and the "seven last words" of Christ. A series of reflections are offered, as are hymns and prayers. After each read verse, a candle is extinguished. The service ends in silence and darkness. The Tenebrae Service at Peace Lutheran Church, 240 W. Ninth Ave., begins at 6:30 p.m.; Tenebrae at the St. Mary site of Most Blessed Sacrament Parish, 605 Merritt Ave., starts at 7 p.m.;and Tenebrae at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 364 S. Cambridge St., Wautoma, begins at 7 p.m.

Tim Wise, anti-racist writer and educator, will be the keynote speakerMonday, April 10, as Social Justice Week kicks off at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. His address, "Breaking Barriers, Building Bridges," will be from 6 to 7 p.m. in the Alumni Welcome and Conference Center. Wise's latest book is "Under the Affluence: Shaming the Poor, Praising the Rich and Sacrificing the Future of America." Social Justice Week is sponsored by the Interfaith Dialogue and Education Alliance of UWO. Events Tuesday through Friday will be in Reeve Union. For the full schedule, go to equity.uwosh.edu/social-justice-week/.

Scripture, and a variety of choral and instrumental sacred music, will be part of a free, public Lenten Meditation program at 3 p.m. Sunday at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 2450 W. Ninth Ave., Oshkosh. Music will be provided by members of Good Shepherd and a guest string quartet. There will be a reception after the program.

Oshkosh now offers two free Memory Cafes each month for families who are caring for loved ones with Alzheimer's disease or dementia, and for those experiencing some dementia. The next Memory Cafe will be from 1 to 3 p.m. Wednesday, April 12, in the lower level of the Oshkosh Public Library. Kathy Davies of the Alzheimer's Association Greater Wisconsin Chapter said, "These social afternoons are designed to reconnect families with others facing similar challenges and provide time to share, laugh and learn." The second Memory Cafe this month will be Monday, April 24, from 1 to 3 p.m. at the 20th Avenue YMCA in Oshkosh. Y membership is not required to attend. Snacks and beverages are provided. Questions? Call 715-869-2667 or email to kdavies@alz.org.

A Stone Soup Supper, sponsored by the Human Concerns Committee of Most Blessed Sacrament Parish, will begin at 5 p.m. Holy Thursday in the lower level of the St. Mary church site. Those attending are asked to bring a non-perishable food item for the Oshkosh Area Community Pantry. The supper is open to the public.

A planting demonstration by Lowney's Landscaping Center will be the program when the Senior Young-At-Heart Club of St. Jude Parish has a potluck lunch and program at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 12, in Leannah Hall at the Sacred Heart site. Those attending are asked to bring an item to be donated to the Oshkosh Area Humane Society.

Thought for the Day: Others are not in this world to live up to our expectations.

Judy Russell of Oshkosh writes about happenings at area centers of worship. To submit news for her consideration, email her courtesy of oshkoshsubmit@thenorthwestern.com with the subject Church news. Deadline is 5 p.m., Mondays.

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Ecumenism hallmark of Holy Week services - The Oshkosh Northwestern

Social Justice Week activities are planned to help raise awareness and build an inclusive atmosphere at the UW Oshkosh campus

Taking place April 10-14 and themed Breaking Barriers, Building Bridges, the week includes a national speaker, workshops, discussions and an LGBTQ Ally March.

This years Social Justice keynote speaker is Tim Wise, who is a national anti-racist writer and educator. He will speak from 6 to 7 p.m. Monday, April 10 at the Alumni Welcome and Conference Center Ballroom, 625 Pearl Ave. A book signing will follow Wises presentation.

Wise is the author of seven books, including his latest, Under the Affluence: Shaming the Poor, Praising the Rich and Sacrificing the Future of America.

Wise has spent the last 20 years speaking to audiences in all 50 states, including on more than 1,000 college and high school campuses across the U.S., as well as lecturing internationally.

A graduate of Tulane University, Wise has been featured in several documentaries related to race issues and he appears regularly on CNN and MSNBC.

Social Justice Week is an annual event that allows members of the UW Oshkosh community to engage with local and national experts on current topics and trends in the area of social justice, said Ameerah McBride, Office of Equity and Affirmative Action director at UW Oshkosh. As a university, it is important to engage our students in dialogue surrounding current affairs and events while also challenging them to think critically about these issues. UW Oshkosh prepares graduates who are talented, liberally educated, technically skilled global citizens and are fully engaged as leaders and participants in civic, economic, political and social life. Social Justice Week seeks to support this mission by opening discourse on social issues, bringing the relevance of classroom study into the real world.

Week of activities

Each April, with the help of the Social Justice Minor Program, the Office of Equity and Affirmative Action coordinates Social Justice Week activities. The speakers, interactive discussion and other events boost a spirit of diversity and inclusion on campus and in the community.

There are numerous presentations and discussions taking place in addition to Wises speaking event April 10 and a campus LGBTQ Ally March 5-8 p.m. April 13 from Reeve Ballroom. Check out a full calendar of Social Justice Week events.

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Breaking Barriers, Building Bridges is UW Oshkosh Social Justice Week theme - UW Oshkosh Today

Kip Roegiers

Staff Writer |kroegiers.express@gmail.com

Author and activist Tim Wise explained March 17 how the poor are blamed for their poverty through the myth that they havent worked hard enough to gain success, despite blatant inequalities in society.

In his talk at City College, Wise critiqued the cultural belief that there is a correlation between hard work and success. He called meritocracy a myth, imposed upon the public to disguise the mechanisms of inequality intrinsic in society.

This concept of meritocracy, it doesnt just hurt people of color, Wise said. Its a dagger pointed at every single one of us.

Wise emphasized that without intervention, people will defer to the default myth about inequality they witness and blame the poor for their poverty, rather than cultivate authentic justice.

To be an educator, you need to be a revolutionary now, Wise said. We have an education system that produces inequality because we have an economic system thats predicated and rooted in inequality. Woodrow Wilson said we need one group to prepare themselves for the receipt of a liberal education, and one group, much larger by necessity, to forego the privilege of a liberal education and to prepare themselves for the performance of certain difficult, manual tasks.

Wise argued that unless white people recognize that a section of society is deliberately drained of opportunity and culturally excluded from the education system, they wont address the same causes at the root of their own depreciating quality of life.

Quoting activist James Baldwin, Wise argued those who write their own history to favor themselves become incapable of learning from it. Wise said that even on a personal level, people cannot be released from their history if they deny how it still affects them. Wise explained socio-economic and political problems, like an injury that requires surgery, for which politicians like Trump promise to treat with pain-killers.

You know what one of the most highly correlated factors with Trump supporters was? The percentage of people in that community who are addicted to opiates, Wise said. When a politician comes along and says, I can take away your pain, that person is a walking, talking, breathing, human version of an opiate.

Thats what were seeing today, Wise said. Were seeing white folks that are in real trouble, but theyre misdiagnosing their pain, or letting it be misdiagnosed, and maintaining faith in a system that wasnt set up for most of them either.

Wise has written a new book titled Under the Affluence: Shaming the Poor, Praising the Rich and Sacrificing the Future of America. Wise signed copies of his book after his speech, and then led a workshop for faculty and staff, who consulted him on ways to assist disproportionately impacted students.

Teach with an eye toward what the least powerful people need, and everyone will benefit, Wise said.

Wise claimed, for example, that positive feedback by the teacher is statistically much more vital for black students than white students because of the comparative deficit in encouragement black students receive from society. Wise said strategies like increasing positive feedback are ideal. Such strategies dont force teachers to teach differently to disproportionately impacted students, but incorporate changes that, at worst, wouldnt be as beneficial to white students as their under-privileged peers.

That is students of color, that is former foster youth, particularly African American and Latino students, said Mark Dennis, professional development coordinator for the Office of Student Equity, whose office invited the author through a state grant to address the achievement gap between specific populations of students and the rest of the student body. Those are the students that are having the hardest time achieving here.

Dennis said he hoped the talk catalyzes an ongoing effort to develop allies and make the City College curriculum more responsive to the diversity of cultures that make up the student body.

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Author and Activist Tim Wise visits City College; debunks common myths on the poor - Sac City Express

Its a personal act, one that everyone should do, anti-racist essayist and educator Tim Wise instructed.

Take a critical autobiographical account of your life, trace it back as far as you can. Think about how you ended up where you are now, and benefited from things you didnt earn because of your whiteness, gender, class, sexual identity or sheer luck.

I think the first order of business is to get clearer on our own stories. The myth of rugged individualism is not a national problem, its an individual problem, Wise responded to a question about how to combat racial inequality on an individual level.

We still do buy into this notion of individual merit as to Why Im here, and youre not.

Wise addressed a crowd Thursday evening in Ivy Tech Community Colleges Shreve Hall as part of the schools diversity speaker series. Wise has authored seven books, including his recent Under the Affluence: Shaming the Poor, Praising the Rich and Sacrificing the Future of America.

He discussed the concepts of race, privilege, inequality and activism in the aftermath of Donald Trumps rise to the presidency, a time in American history Wise called both dangerous in regard to race and full of potential.

How did America get here, and how do we respond? We have to really interrogate the very premises of this movement, he said, referring to Trumps Make America Great Again campaign slogan.

White people are trapped in a history they do not understand, because they dont grasp the context of exclusion and privilege. Until white people understand the predicate, understand the history that whites have mis-remembered, we are all doomed to stay trapped in inequality, Wise said, sharing quotes by writer James Baldwin and anti-apartheid activist Randall Robinson to illustrate his point.

Wise told the audience a story about driving his daughters to their dance class in downtown Nashville, Tennessee. Their car was stopped at a red light in a public housing neighborhood. His youngest daughter asked why black people lived in this neighborhood.

Before he could answer, his eldest daughter responded, Redlining. Yes, but not entirely, Wise told his daughters.

Banks that practiced redlining of neighborhoods based on race or ethnicity starved those neighborhoods of capital, often leaving such areas underdeveloped or left to decay. In the 1930s, public housing was intended for working-class white families. But other government financial programs afforded to whites helped subsidize white flight from urban public housing into the suburbs.

Of course he knew how to respond to his daughters question about race in the projects. But what about the families and teachers who dont?

People will go to default thinking: to the American myth of rugged individualism, the belief that you start with nothing and wherever you end up is up to you and your hard work. And to the default assumption that there must be something wrong with others.

Wise asked the audience to consider the history between police officers and black people. It dates back to white men being hired to enforce slave codes, and to enforcing Jim Crow-era segregation. It is punctuated by violence during the civil rights movement of the 1960s.

And it is documented today in the war on drugs: Studies show whites participate in drug activity at the same, or at a greater, rate than blacks. But black people are four times more likely to be imprisoned on drug charges than whites, he said.

If you dont know that history, youll come back with some All lives matter nonsense, Wise said, speaking about his two white daughters again. He doesnt need anyone to tell him the lives of his children matter.

The difference is, every cop in America, teacher, boss, banker giving out loans, knows that their lives matter. You dont have to specify that which is ignored. America has a history of saying all but not meaning it, Wise said of inequality and injustice.

The election of President Trump should not be shocking. Wise said Trump followed a 400-year-old playbook of Rich white men telling white folks, who are definitely not rich, all their problems are those folks right over there, black and brown folks.

Elite whites have appealed to the whiteness of the poor to divide and conquer, even when inequality works against the best interests of the working class.

White Americans have had the luxury to believe in the myth of rugged individualism and have faith in horizontal mobility. Black and brown folks are now being scapegoated for the pain, self-doubt and shame of struggling white people, Wise said.

If we ignore this, the problems that millions of white folks are facing wont get solved, he said. They wont get solved for anyone.

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Speaker: To combat inequality, we must be clear on our own stories - The Herald-Times (subscription)