Per the State of Maryland (6.24.24): On the one-year anniversary of the Supreme Court’s ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson, Governor Wes Moore and Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller issued the following statements:
Governor Wes Moore:
Health
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Gaithersburg native, Grammy Award nominated, and platinum selling musical artist Logic is teaming up with BetterHelp, an online therapy platform, and is offering fans one month of free therapy sessions. Logic is also launching a new podcast, “Logically Speaking,” which will discus mental health, therapy, addiction and music.
“We’re thrilled to partner with such a talented artist who shares our determination to destigmatize mental health issues and expand access to resources,” said Olivier Sinson, Director of Partnerships at BetterHelp. “We’re passionate about making mental health care available to everyone, and this partnership will help us reach even more people who can benefit from therapy.”
Per the Maryland Department of Health (5.9.23): The Maryland Department of Health today announced the initial data from the first round of Medicaid renewals, which is now posted on the Department’s website. May was the first month during which Maryland processed renewals for Medicaid participants.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Medicaid participants did not need to provide renewal information to maintain coverage. Federal law requires states to now begin verifying eligibility information over the course of the next year. For the month of May, Maryland Medicaid processed 119,803 renewals. Of these 119,803 renewals:
The air quality index in Montgomery County on Friday, June 9, is Code Yellow (moderate), according to www.airnow.gov. On Thursday, MCPS canceled recess and all outdoor activities as the air quality reached Code Purple (very unhealthy) due to smoke coming from wildfires in Canada.
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Due to the smoke coming from wildfires in Canada, the air quality in Montgomery County is now Code Purple (very unhealthy), according to www.airnow.gov. The Montgomery County MD Office of Emergency Management & Homeland Security (OEMHS) tweeted following recommendations Thursday morning:
“The air quality in our area is currently poor and poses a health risk to all individuals.
The Maryland Department of the Environment is advising Marylanders to expect unhealthy air conditions today through at least Thursday as smoke and fine particles produced from the wildfires continue to spread over the region. Air quality is currently at unhealthy levels for everyone. Marylanders should consider limiting time spent outdoors and avoid prolonged or heavy exertion until air quality improves. Anyone sensitive to air pollution, including young children, older adults, people with respiratory problems such as asthma, or people with heart conditions should avoid outdoor exertion altogether. People who must be outside, such as outdoor workers, should be alert for symptoms such as difficulty breathing. Air quality information is always available at mde.maryland.gov.
The Maryland Department of Health is advising Marylanders to follow the Air Quality Action Guide, which includes information on preventing adverse effects of polluted air. For a red alert, everyone should limit strenuous outdoor activity when the air is unhealthy to breathe.
“In the State of Maryland, nobody should have to justify their own humanity,” said Gov. Moore. “This order is focused on ensuring Maryland is a safe place for gender affirming care, especially as other states take misguided and hateful steps to make gender affirming care cause for legal retribution. In Maryland, we are going to lead on this issue.”
“In signing this executive order, this administration is saying to all LGBTQIA+ Marylanders: You deserve to be your authentic selves — during Pride month and every month,” said Lt. Gov. Miller. “You deserve to live safely, openly, and freely; and receive the gender affirming care you need.”
Lyme disease is the most reported tickborne disease in Maryland. In 2021, more than 900 cases of Lyme disease were reported in Maryland. Symptoms of Lyme disease include:
If left untreated, the disease may spread to the joints and nervous system. Contact your health care provider if any of these symptoms develop after a known tick bite or after spending time in a tick habitat. Most cases can be cured with antibiotics.
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.
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:
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.