Health Archives - Page 26 of 49

Montgomery County Recognizes National Public Health Week April 3-9

Published March 29, 2023 at 9:51PM

Per Montgomery County: Montgomery County will commemorate National Public Health Week (NPHW) April 3-9 by highlighting daily themes through a series of social media posts based on this year’s theme “Centering and Celebrating Cultures in Health.” Montgomery County is home to many diverse cultures, all of which have different health impacts based on unique backgrounds and circumstances. It is important to honor these cultures through meeting people where they are to positively impact their health.

“Those who work in public health demonstrate their resilience, compassion, and talent for their craft day after day, and month after month,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “It took a pandemic for many to realize their heroism and dedication to keep us safe, healthy and alive. But since time immemorial, our public health workers have cared for us at our weakest, helped us fight against cancer, overcome mental health challenges and addictions, and protect the welfare of the most vulnerable amongst us. This week, we thank all of them for their tireless efforts. Specifically, I want to acknowledge our County government public health employees as well as the public health volunteers in the County’s Medical Reserve Corps and send my sincere gratitude for their hard work.”

FDA Approves First Over-the-Counter, Non-Prescription Narcan Nasal Spray

By Patrick Herron

Published March 29, 2023 at 11:25AM

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced today that the first Narcan product has been approved for use without a prescription. Narcan is used to treat opioid overdoses in emergency situations. The FDA granted the over-the-counter approval of Narcan to Gaithersburg based Emergent BioSolutions. Per the FDA: Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Narcan, 4 milligram (mg) naloxone hydrochloride nasal spray for over-the-counter (OTC), nonprescription, use – the first naloxone product approved for use without a prescription. Naloxone is a medication that rapidly reverses the effects of opioid overdose and is the standard treatment for opioid overdose. Today’s action paves the way for the life-saving medication to reverse an opioid overdose to be sold directly to consumers in places like drug stores, convenience stores, grocery stores and gas stations, as well as online.

The timeline for availability and price of this OTC product is determined by the manufacturer. The FDA will work with all stakeholders to help facilitate the continued availability of naloxone nasal spray products during the time needed to implement the Narcan switch from prescription to OTC status, which may take months. Other formulations and dosages of naloxone will remain available by prescription only.

Maryland Department of Health Announces Request for Applications to Expand Abortion Provider Capacity

By Patrick Herron

Published March 29, 2023 at 9:28AM

Per the Maryland Department of Health (3.28.23): The Maryland Department of Health (MDH) today announced a Request for Applications to administer the Abortion Clinical Training Program. The program will help expand the number of healthcare professionals with abortion care training, increase the racial and ethnic diversity among healthcare professionals with abortion care education, and support the identification of clinical sites in need of training.

“On my first full day in office, we announced the release of $3.5 million in previously-withheld funding to support Maryland’s Abortion Clinical Training program,” said Governor Wes Moore. “The program will help ensure that Maryland remains a safe haven for abortion and is critical to providing safe and supportive reproductive health care access.”

Governor Moore Announces EBT Reimbursements for Fraud Victims

By Patrick Herron

Published March 27, 2023 at 12:40PM

Per the State of Maryland: Governor Wes Moore today announced Electronic Benefits Transfer reimbursements for fraud victims. Since beginning outreach to eligible individuals last week, the Maryland Department of Human Services has approved nearly 1,300 claims totaling $761,584 in reimbursed benefits.

“My administration is using a direct and swift approach to reimburse people whose food and cash benefits were stolen,” said Governor Moore. “We are demonstrating how our state will lead and find innovative ways to solve our common problems and restore faith in our family-serving institutions.”

Governor Moore’s Statement Regarding Texas Hearing to Revoke FDA Approval of Mifepristone

By Patrick Herron

Published March 16, 2023 at 3:01PM

Per the State of Maryland: Governor Moore released the following statement regarding the Texas hearing seeking to revoke the FDA approval of Mifepristone:

“Since the FDA approved two-dose medication for abortions more than 20 years ago, more than 5 million people have used mifepristone as a safe and effective healthcare option. Attempts to restrict access to mifepristone are not based on scientific justification—these are nothing more than politically motivated attacks to dismantle women’s rights to make decisions about their own health care.

Montgomery County, MD Files Lawsuit Against McKinsey and Company, Inc. for Company’s Role in Creating Opioid Epidemic

By Patrick Herron

Published February 23, 2023 at 7:25PM

Per Montgomery County: On Wednesday, the Office of the County Attorney for Montgomery County filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court Northern District of California against McKinsey and Company, Inc. for the company’s role in marketing opioids to the public and medical providers. The suit alleges that the McKinsey defendants served as marketing advisors to several opioid manufacturers, and in this role, helped counter the “emotional message” from the families of overdose victims and advised Purdue on how to “turbocharge” the sale of opioids. To read the full complaint, please click here.

“As Purdue and other pharmaceuticals companies made billions off the harm and death their products brought to millions of Americans, McKinsey and Company, Inc. were their enablers and a profiteer of this blood money,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “This is another example of the corporate structure being used to shield people from their immoral actions. They must be made to account for their callous greed and the filing of this lawsuit marks an important milestone in our county’s efforts to do just that. We will aggressively advocate for the many Montgomery County residents who have been harmed by this deadly and preventable epidemic. The actions and decisions of this company were immoral, inhumane, and unconscionable. They need to be held equally accountable.”

Governor Wes Moore Joins Twenty States to Announce Reproductive Freedom Alliance

By Patrick Herron

Published February 21, 2023 at 1:36PM

Per the State of Maryland: Today, Governor Wes Moore joined California Governor Gavin Newsom, Colorado Governor Jared Polis, Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont, Delaware Governor John Carney, Hawai’i Governor Josh Green, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, Maine Governor Janet Mills, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, New York Governor Kathy Hochul, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper, Oregon Governor Tina Kotek, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, Rhode Island Governor Daniel McKee, Washington Governor Jay Inslee, and Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers, to announce the launch of a multi-state Reproductive Freedom Alliance (Alliance).

The Alliance is a non-partisan coalition of 20 Governors committed to protecting and expanding reproductive freedom in their states, the largest such coalition ever convened. The Alliance will work together to strengthen reproductive freedom in the face of an unprecedented assault on abortion access and other forms of reproductive health care by states hostile to abortion rights and judges who are advancing their ideological agenda. All Governors who support reproductive freedom are welcome to join the Alliance.

Germantown 7-Eleven Closed by Health Department

By Patrick Herron

Published February 14, 2023 at 5:21PM

MONTGOMERY COUNTY CODE – CHAPTER 15, EATING AND DRINKING ESTABLISHMENTS, SECTION 15-B (a): A PERSON MUST NOT OPERATE A FOOD SERVICE FACILITY WITHOUT A VALID LICENSE FROM THE DIRECTOR”

We will post an update when the location reopens. There are additional 7-Eleven locations in Germantown at 12301 Middlebrook Road, 12861 Clopper Rd, 21040 Henderson Corner Rd, 19700 Frederick Rd, 13001 Wisteria Dr, and 18701 Liberty Mill Rd.

Montgomery County to Hold Free Flu Vaccination Clinic for Children and Adults on Friday, Feb. 17

By Patrick Herron

Published February 13, 2023 at 2:03PM

Per Montgomery County: Montgomery County will hold a free flu vaccination clinic for children and adults from 10:30 a.m.-5:45 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 17, at the Dennis Avenue Health Center, located at 2000 Dennis Ave. in Silver Spring. Adults and children ages six months and older are eligible to receive vaccinations at the clinic. COVID-19 vaccinations and testing also will be available. The vaccination clinic is free. Appointments are required.

An annual flu shot has been shown to reduce the risk of flu illness, hospitalization and death. While Montgomery County has likely passed “peak” flu season and cases are currently declining, health officials still recommend vaccinations as the best way to prevent the spread of seasonal flu. In addition to vaccination, good health habits can help stop the spread of germs and prevent illnesses like the flu.

Montgomery County Releases Local Data on Health Trends; Report to Be Used as Guide for Addressing Health Disparities

By Patrick Herron

Published February 9, 2023 at 4:44PM

Per Montgomery County: Montgomery County health officials today released “Health Survey in Montgomery County, MD 2022,” a report on local health status and behaviors. While the County ranks first for most health outcomes and health factors among Maryland counties, the unavailability of sub-county level data makes the understanding of health variations within the community difficult and can prevent planning efforts and resource allocation for population subgroups and communities. The findings from the health survey will help public health officials and policy makers target specific population and communities at high risk to address health equity and to improve population health.

The County’s Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) worked with Rockville-based Westat to design a mail-in survey to assess community health needs for Montgomery County residents aged 18 and older. The report is the first primary quantitative data collected to assess community health needs and will complement findings from other secondary quantitative data and qualitative data collected from key informant interviews and focus groups meetings. The findings will be included in Healthy Montgomery’s upcoming Community Health Needs Assessment.

Maryland Department of Health issues consumer advisory for Enoki Mushrooms

By Patrick Herron

Published January 30, 2023 at 11:06AM

Per the Maryland Department of Health: The Maryland Department of Health (MDH) is warning consumers not to eat enoki mushrooms produced by Shandong Youhe Biotechnology Co Ltd. in Shandong Province, China, because of potential contamination with Listeria bacteria. Samples collected and tested by MDH in early January were positive for the Listeria bacteria. MDH is working with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and other states to investigate the source of the contamination. This product is not currently linked to the ongoing recall of enoki mushrooms that was issued by Utopia Foods Inc of Glendale, NY, on December 13, 2022, and expanded on January 13, 2023.

The enoki mushrooms are sold in a 7.05 oz (200g) clear plastic package with a brown and green label. The photograph below shows the information contained on the front and rear labels: