Health Archives - Page 25 of 49

Maryland Department of Health Urges Marylanders to Take Action to Reduce Asthma Triggers During Asthma Awareness Month

Published May 16, 2023 at 7:37PM

Per the Maryland Department of Health: Following Governor Wes Moore’s proclamation of May as Asthma Awareness Month, the Maryland Department of Health (MDH) is urging Marylanders to have an Asthma Action Plan, monitor air quality, and reduce asthma triggers in the home and at school and work.

Asthma is a serious, common, and chronic lung disease that causes difficulty breathing and affects about one in 13 people, and in 2018 resulted in more than 29,000 asthma-related emergency department visits in Maryland. The state health department is working closely with its partners to continue sharing critical information and resources on this issue.

Number of Montgomery County Residents Experiencing Homelessness Increased by 313 Since Last Year

By Patrick Herron

Published May 15, 2023 at 11:52AM

Per Montgomery County: The number of adults and children experiencing homelessness in Montgomery County increased by 313 people since last year, according to the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) 2023 Point-in-Time (PIT) survey report released May 10. The PIT survey is part of an annual regional analysis and report that started in 2001. According to the 2023 report, all nine jurisdictions in the Metropolitan Washington area included in the survey recorded an increase in the number of persons experiencing homelessness when compared to the 2022 count.

Montgomery County’s PIT count was conducted on the night of Jan. 25, 2023, as part of the nationwide effort to count people experiencing homelessness, including:

Montgomery County Minority Health Programs Release ‘Minority Voices 2022: Our Mental Health Journey’; Report Highlights Mental Health Needs of Minority Residents

By Patrick Herron

Published May 15, 2023 at 9:18AM

Per Montgomery County: Montgomery County’s three minority health initiatives/programs (MHIP), which are part of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), have released a report on the mental health needs of minority residents. “Minority Voices 2022: Our Mental Health Journey” is the result of a year-long partnership between the Asian American Health Initiative (AAHI), the African American Health Program (AAHP), and the Latino Health Initiative (LHI).

Through the sharing of personal experiences, the report aims to raise awareness, reduce negative stereotypes and stigma surrounding mental health, and initiate an open dialogue that encourages individuals to speak up and seek help. It also identifies barriers to seeking mental health support and the factors that positively impact mental well-being.

‘Growing Up Healthy’ Child Safety and Resource Fair to be Hosted by Four DHHS Programs on Saturday, May 20, in Wheaton

By Patrick Herron

Published May 12, 2023 at 8:58AM

Per Montgomery County: Four Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) programs are joining efforts to host the first-ever “Growing Up Healthy Child Safety and Resource Fair” from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday, May 20, at the Wheaton Regional Park. This free event was created to connect families to community resources and services that will help their children grow up healthy. DHHS programs that will be at the fair are the African American Health Program (AAHP), the Babies Born Healthy Program (BBH), the Early Childhood Child Care Support Services and the Improved Pregnancy Outcomes Program. Wheaton Regional Park is located at 2000 Shorefield Rd. in Wheaton. Free parking is available. To attend the event, register online.

“With summer just around the corner, it is important for parents and guardians to have knowledge and resources to keep their kid’s health and safe during summer break and beyond,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “The Growing Up Healthy Resource Fair will offer information about a range of health and safety topics. I encourage all residents who are caring for children to attend this event. We want this summer to be fun, joyous, and free from danger for everyone.”

Maryland Department of Health Urges Marylanders to Guard Against Tickborne Diseases

By Patrick Herron

Published May 9, 2023 at 8:56AM

Per the Maryland Department of Health: Following Governor Wes Moore’s proclamation of May as Tickborne Disease Awareness Month in Maryland, the Maryland Department of Health (MDH) today launched a Tickborne Disease awareness campaign encouraging Marylanders to take simple precautions to prevent illness caused by infected ticks.

The best way to avoid tickborne diseases is to avoid ticks and their habitat. Ticks prefer humid environments and can be found outdoors in leaf litter, weeds, tall grasses, shrubs, and woods.

Montgomery County to Host Online Annual Spring Forum Focusing on Access to Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Treatment on Thursday, May 18

By Patrick Herron

Published May 8, 2023 at 12:45PM

Per Montgomery County: The Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) will host its annual mental health and substance use disorder spring forum from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, May 18. “Overcoming Disparities and Barriers to Treatment for Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder” is a free event that will focus on treatment access within underserved communities and will include a track for adults and a concurrent track for youth, planned by members of the County’s Youth Ambassador Program. The forum will be hosted online.

Youth will participate in youth-led sessions, exploring ways to help their peers or themselves access support for mental health or substance use disorders. Youth participants will then rejoin the adults in the main Zoom room so all attendees can ask questions during a live Q&A panel. The event will conclude with links to various resources for mental health and substance use prevention, intervention and treatment. Students who attend for the full two-hour event will receive SSL hours.

Governor Moore Signs Legislation that Solidifies Protections for Reproductive Rights, Protects the Rights of Transgender Marylanders, and Establishes an Adult-use Cannabis Market

By Patrick Herron

Published May 4, 2023 at 4:55PM

Per the State of Maryland (5.3.23): Governor Wes Moore today presided over the Moore-Miller Administration’s fourth bill signing, a day dedicated to protecting the rights of all Marylanders. The governor signed historic legislation that solidifies protections for reproductive rights, protects the rights of transgender Marylanders, and establishes an adult-use cannabis market.

“Today, we further strengthened our leave no one behind vision by protecting individual freedoms, solidifying reproductive rights, expanding access to healthcare, and creating an adult-use cannabis market that directly benefits those that were disproportionately affected by the war on drugs,” said Gov. Moore. “Here in Maryland we are committed to righting the wrongs of the past and protecting the rights of all Marylanders in the future. As long as I am governor, I will fight with everything I’ve got to ensure we’re creating a safe, equitable, and prosperous home for every Marylander.”

Montgomery County Produces Nation’s First Health Care Providers’ Handbook on Hindu Patients

By Patrick Herron

Published May 2, 2023 at 7:56AM

Per Montgomery County: Coinciding with the celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, The Health Care Providers’ Handbook on Hindu Patients was released today marking a major initiative by Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich’s Office of Community Partnerships Asian Pacific American Advisory Group (APAAG.) This is the first such handbook in the nation providing detailed information specifically for Hindu and Jain patients.

“With over 2 million Hindus in the United States and over 80,000 Indians and Nepali Americans in Maryland alone, it is important that our caregivers are sensitive to the needs of an ever growing and diverse community,” said APAAG co-chair Chowdhury. “By being culturally in-tune caregivers may be better equipped to address a variety of issues that are unique to the Hindu and Jain diaspora. With over 15% of Montgomery County residents self-identifying as Asian descent, Maryland can serve as a model in helping health care providers understand and meet the distinct cultural and religious needs of its many patients.”

State of Maryland to Purchase Substantial Amount of Mifepristone to Protect Essential Health Care Access for Women

By Patrick Herron

Published April 16, 2023 at 6:40PM

“Yet again, women’s health care and reproductive rights have come under attack,” said Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller. “And once again, Maryland has stepped up to continue providing safe and effective reproductive health care.”

Since the FDA approved the drug more than two decades ago, mifepristone has been used safely in more than 60 countries, providing critical care for women. The medication is used for a variety of reproductive health care needs.

Montgomery County Ranked Healthiest County in Maryland

By Patrick Herron

Published April 11, 2023 at 12:02PM

Per Montgomery County: Montgomery County ranks as the healthiest county in Maryland in the annual County Health Rankings (CHR). According to the 2023 rankings, the five healthiest counties in Maryland are Montgomery County, followed by Howard County, Frederick County, Calvert County and St. Mary’s County. The CHR, a collaboration of the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, annually compares counties within each state on more than 30 factors that impact health, including social determinants such as education, jobs, housing, exercise, commuting times and more.

Several factors influence how well and how long people live. These include behavioral habits such as physical activity, nutrition, and smoking, in addition to factors from the built environment, such as access to affordable housing and well-paying jobs.

Maryland Department of Health celebrates Public Health Week

By Patrick Herron

Published April 4, 2023 at 10:06AM

“Maryland’s public health workforce is expansive, diverse, and driven to serve,” said Governor Wes Moore. “I join all Marylanders in expressing both my abiding gratitude that we have such a rich public health legacy and my shared commitment to building an even stronger, healthier future for all of Maryland’s communities.”

Throughout April, MDH and its partners will host and participate in events to raise awareness of the underlying causes of poor health and disease risk among vulnerable populations. Events include weekly community walks for state employees, a digital ad campaign to promote and celebrate the contributions of public health workers, and a networking event for state employees exhibiting culturally-diverse MDH programs and services.