Health Archives - Page 22 of 50

New COVID-19 Vaccine Will Be Available Soon

Published September 18, 2023 at 7:49AM

Per Montgomery County (9.14.23) A new COVID-19 vaccine will soon be available. Earlier this week, the Food and Drug Administration approved a new vaccine and the advisory committee of the Centers for Disease Control recommended that anyone age 6 months and older get vaccinated. The new vaccines are a much closer match to currently circulating variants. They are updated versions of the Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines.

There will be a limited number of County-sponsored clinics distributing the new vaccines, but they will be for residents who are uninsured. Information about those clinics will be available when vaccine is available.

Healthy Meals for Children Bill Goes Into Effect Today

By Patrick Herron

Published September 15, 2023 at 8:15AM

Last March, Bill No. 1-22 Healthy Meals for Children, which requires restaurants in Montgomery County that offer a children’s meal to provide a healthy option (meal and drink) for their youngest customers, was passed. The first phase (healthy beverage option) went into effect in March, and the second phase (healthy meal option) goes into effect this Friday, September 15. This is the first bill of this nature to be fully implemented in the country. It should be noted that while a healthy option must be presented, customers are not limited in selecting any menu item of their choice. According to the bill, the healthy meals must be under 600 calories and include the following:

On Thursday, county leaders held a press conference at the Silver Diner (12276 Rockville Pike) in Rockville. Per the restaurant, “Silver Diner made it clear today that it supports Montgomery County, Maryland’s new legislation, “Healthy Meals for Children” Bill. (Bill 1-22) that goes into effect on Friday, Sept. 15. The legislation requires food and restaurant facilities offering children’s meals to include healthy food and beverage options, something Silver Diner has been doing for more than 10 years.

FDA Approves Updated mRNA COVID-19 Vaccines to Protect Against Currently Circulating Variants

By Patrick Herron

Published September 12, 2023 at 10:01AM

Per the FDA (9.11.23): Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration took action approving and authorizing for emergency use updated COVID-19 vaccines formulated to more closely target currently circulating variants and to provide better protection against serious consequences of COVID-19, including hospitalization and death. Today’s actions relate to updated mRNA vaccines for 2023-2024 manufactured by ModernaTX Inc. and Pfizer Inc. Consistent with the totality of the evidence and input from the FDA’s expert advisors, these vaccines have been updated to include a monovalent (single) component that corresponds to the Omicron variant XBB.1.5.

What You Need to Know

MoCo Restaurants Must Offer Healthy Meal and Healthy Drink Options for Children Beginning This Friday, September 15

By Patrick Herron

Published September 11, 2023 at 10:01PM

Last March, Bill No. 1-22 Healthy Meals for Children, which requires restaurants in Montgomery County that offer a children’s meal to provide a healthy option (meal and drink) for their youngest customers, was passed. The first phase (healthy beverage option) went into effect in March, and the second phase (healthy meal option) goes into effect this Friday, September 15. This is the first bill of this nature to be fully implemented in the country. It should be noted that while a healthy option must be presented, customers are not limited in selecting any menu item of their choice.

“Childhood obesity remains a longstanding problem in our nation and the rate continues to climb impacting our children’s health and quality of life. Especially in a time when our busy lifestyles have more families eating out, it is imperative that as a County we encourage healthy options in our children’s meals,” said former Councilmember Rice after the bill was initially passed. “I applaud the many restaurants, large and small, in our community that are already providing healthier selections. This bill lays out a minimum threshold over an extended period to ensure that our children have a healthier beverage and meal option available to them, all in order to promote more healthful eating habits throughout their lives.”

Maryland Department of Health Announces Summit, Toolkit and Trainings in Support of National Suicide Prevention Month

By Patrick Herron

Published September 11, 2023 at 5:09PM | Updated September 11, 2023 at 5:26PM

Nationally, suicide is the 12th leading cause of death. Since the pandemic, many communities have seen an increase in suicide.

Older adults (85+) have the highest rates of suicide, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

MCPS: Heat Advisory Continues, Thursday, Sept. 7

By Patrick Herron

Published September 7, 2023 at 8:17AM | Updated September 7, 2023 at 10:06AM

Per MCPS: Extreme heat conditions continue today, Thursday, September 7, with the local heat index forecast to exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit in the afternoon. School-based outdoor activities such as recess should be moved indoors after 12pm; if morning activities are held outdoors, adequate rest and water breaks should be permitted. Marching band and athletics programs will follow guidance in accordance with the MCPS Athletics Heat Safety plan. The National Weather Serviceprovides hourly heat index information.

Community members are encouraged to stay well hydrated, limit outdoor activities if necessary, and review the information below on extreme heat safety. MCPS will continue to monitor conditions and communicate any changes as necessary.

Message from the MCPS Medical Officer Regarding COVID-19

By Patrick Herron

Published September 6, 2023 at 6:38PM

It is important that everyone continue to practice healthy habits, such as good handwashing, covering coughs and sneezes, and staying home when sick. These vital health strategies and vaccination are key prevention measures we use every day to prevent the spread of illness in our schools. For COVID-19, other measures may be temporarily introduced during outbreaks, including screening testing, distancing, and masking to control spread in a specific space where transmission is high. Multiple strategies are used, and students who cannot safely and consistently mask due to young age, a medical condition, or developmental disability are not required to do so.

In school, identifying and responding to outbreaks early is a key step to ensure staff and students are ready to teach and learn.

County Leaders Unveil Plan to End Childhood Hunger

By Patrick Herron

Published September 6, 2023 at 4:03PM

From the Office of Councilmember Gabe Albornoz: Montgomery County Councilmember Gabe Albornoz and Montgomery County Food Council leaders were joined by County Executive Marc Elrich, Dr. Monifa McKnight, the Office of Food Systems Resilience, the Montgomery County Food Council, and community partners today to unveil the recommendations developed from the Montgomery County Strategic Plan to End Childhood Hunger.

The Montgomery County Strategic Plan to End Childhood Hunger was spearheaded by Councilmember Gabe Albornoz, Chair of the Health and Human Services Committee, in conjunction with the Department of Health and Human Services in 2022 to combat rising rates of childhood food insecurity in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. At least 14 percent of children in Montgomery County are food insecure, and far more live in households without sufficient income to meet basic needs.

Montgomery County Food Council and County Leaders to Unveil the Strategic Plan to End Childhood Hunger

By Patrick Herron

Published September 1, 2023 at 9:32AM

Per Montgomery County: Montgomery County Councilmember Gabe Albornoz will be joined by County Executive Marc Elrich, Dr. Monifa McKnight, the Office of Food Systems Resilience, the Montgomery County Food Council and community partners to unveil key recommendations from the Montgomery County Strategic Plan to End Childhood Hunger. The event will take place on Wednesday, September 6 at 10 a.m. at Highland Elementary School.

The Montgomery County Strategic Plan to End Childhood Hunger was spearheaded by Councilmember Albornoz, chair of the Health and Human Services Committee, in conjunction with the Department of Health and Human Services in 2022 to combat rising rates of childhood food insecurity in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Rockville Turns September Purple in Fight for Opioid Awareness

By Patrick Herron

Published August 31, 2023 at 6:57AM

Per the City of Rockville: In their ongoing fight to bring awareness to the national impact of opioid addiction and signal hope for recovery, Rockville’s Mayor and Council proclaimed September as National Recovery Month at their Monday, Aug. 7 meeting. The theme for National Recovery Month is “Recovery is for Everyone: Every Person, Every Family, Every Community.” The proclamation states that: “The Rockville Goes Purple initiative is increasing awareness of the dangers of opioids and other substances, and strives to reduce the number of lives lost to drug addiction in our community.”

Lights at City Hall, the Rockville City Police Department headquarters and other city and county facilities will once again shine purple throughout the month. The theme of the campaign is “Opioids: Let’s Talk About It,” which encourages dialogue about, and openness around, the problems of opioid addiction, and awareness about the dangers of stigmatizing addiction.

Maryland Department of Health Announces First Positive Case of Locally Acquired Malaria in Over 40 Years

By Patrick Herron

Published August 18, 2023 at 3:13PM

Per the Maryland Department of Health: Maryland Department of Health has confirmed and reported a positive case of locally acquired malaria in a Maryland resident who lives in the National Capital Region. The individual was hospitalized and is now recovering. They did not travel recently outside of the United States or to other U.S. states with recent locally acquired malaria cases.

“Malaria was once common in the United States, including in Maryland, but we have not seen a case in Maryland that was not related to travel in over 40 years,” said Maryland Department of Health Secretary Laura Herrera Scott. “We are taking this very seriously and will work with local and federal health officials to investigate this case.”