Middletown Township recognizes October as Spina Bifida Awareness Month

The Middletown Township Board of Supervisors held a meeting on October 3, 2022, where they addressed several important topics, including proclamations for sustainability and spina bifida awareness.

The Board proclaimed October 3, 2022, as a day to promote sustainability efforts within the community. They emphasized the importance of energy efficiency and encouraged residents to adopt smarter energy practices in their daily lives.

Additionally, the Board recognized October as Spina Bifida Awareness Month. They highlighted the significance of this condition, which is the most common permanently disabling birth defect in the United States, affecting approximately 1,500 births each year. The proclamation noted that around 166,000 Americans live with various forms of spina bifida, with about 4,000 residing in Pennsylvania. The Board stressed the need for community support for individuals and families impacted by this condition and encouraged women of childbearing age to take 400 micrograms of folic acid daily to help prevent neural tube defects.

Following the proclamations, Scott Henley, the Director of Operations for the PennDow Middletown Emergency Squad, provided an update on the squad's operations. He discussed the challenges faced by emergency medical services (EMS) since the onset of COVID-19 and shared insights into their response statistics and community involvement. The squad operates two stations in the township and is committed to providing 24/7 emergency medical services. Henley also highlighted their educational initiatives and community outreach efforts, including CPR training and participation in local events.

The meeting underscored the township's commitment to health awareness and community support, as well as the ongoing efforts of local emergency services to adapt and respond to the needs of the community.