Douglas County Convenes Opioid Taskforce
According to the Oregon Health Authority, Oregon has one of the highest rates of prescription opioid misuse in the nation. Though death rates of opioid overdose in Oregon have been declining overall over the past few years, overdose deaths from drugs like fentanyl have seen a sharp increase. Douglas Public Health Network (DPHN) is working with key partners to prevent use, misuse, addiction, and overdose as well as promote treatment and recovery.
Year of Wellness in Umatilla County
Umatilla County Public Health Department (UCPH) understands the importance of engaging with community members to educate and support them in making healthy choices. To engage with hard to reach residents in Umatilla County, the UCPH instituted a Year of Wellness filled with outreach events to help communities make healthier choices.
Mosquito Surveillance in Lane County
West Nile Virus (WNV), which people can get from the bites of infected mosquitoes, has not been found in Oregon yet this year, but has been found in mosquitoes and people in all the neighboring states. Oregon’s official mosquito season started strong and early this year with warm and wet conditions that are favorable to mosquitoes. Fortunately there is a statewide mosquito surveillance program in Oregon to ensure the greatest protection for all people in Oregon. Lane County Public Health Department (LCPHD) is one of the health departments taking an active role not only in surveillance, but also making sure to communicate early and often about how people can protect themselves and their families against WNV.
Central Oregon Region Collaborates on Perinatal Care
According to the 2015 State of the World Mother’s Report, the United States ranked 33 in Mother and Child Wellbeing, which is last of all developed countries. Oregon ranks slightly better than the national average in maternal child health indicators and Oregon local health departments are key drivers of programs that ensure optimal health for all families. One example of this is the regional partnership between Crook, Deschutes, and Jefferson counties to offer the perinatal care continuum. Perinatal refers to the crucial time during pregnancy, birth, and the period after birth and interventions during this time can be monumental in promoting community health.
Yamhill County School Intervention Linked to Positive Health Outcomes
The Good Behavior Game is as a school-based, cost-effective strategy for promoting positive health outcomes. Yamhill County Public Health Department is partnering with local schools, the Yamhill Community Care Organization (YCCO, Yamhill’s Coordinated Care Organization), and other community organizations to ensure that every child in Yamhill County has a chance at a healthy start.
Health Equity Zones in Clackamas County
According to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, a person’s zip code may have more of an impact on their health than medical care. Communities located within just a few miles of each other can have extreme differences in terms of life expectancy and risk for diseases. Clackamas County Public Health Division (CCPHD) is acting on this concept by implementing Health Equity Zones (HEZ) across the County, which are 10 distinct geographic areas within the county.
North Central Public Health District Partners on Veggie Rx Program
North Central Public Health District, representing Wasco, Sherman, and Gilliam counties, (NCPHD) has been working with partners for the past year to bring fresh fruits and vegetables to Sherman County community members via a successful, award-winning, Veggie Rx program. Veggie Rx is a fruit and vegetable prescription program that addresses food insecurity through increasing access to fresh produce. In a Veggie Rx program, providers “prescribe” vouchers to families experiencing food insecurity.
Coos Health & Wellness Supporting Breastfeeding at Work
When Coos Health & Wellness surveyed community members to understand their opinions about breastfeeding, they found that over 90% of respondents reported that they would support a breastfeeding campaign in the community. Although 91% of new moms in Coos County initiate breastfeeding after birth, only 41% continue to breastfeed at six months. The World Health Organization and American Academy of Pediatrics recommend breastfeeding for the first year of life and beyond; if mothers can continue to breastfeed their babies, both the mom and baby have reduced health risks and increased health benefits.