The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services activated a statewide public hotline for citizens or providers needing guidance regarding the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19. At 8 a.m. today, the hotline opened and can be reached at 877-435-8411. The hotline is being operated by medical professionals and is available 24 hours a day, 7 days […]
Tag: Public health
Missouri is ‘high performer’ in public health emergency preparedness
Missouri is among states rated as high performers in public health emergency preparedness measures by a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that advocates for optimal health for people and communities through the prevention of illness and injuries. The Trust for America’s Health report “Ready or Not: Protecting the Public’s Health from Diseases, Disasters, and Bioterrorism 2020” released […]
Grundy County Local Emergency Planning Committee approve appointments
The Grundy County Local Emergency Planning Committee approved appointments for positions Tuesday. Glen Briggs was appointed chairperson, Alan Barnett vice-chairperson, and Kelli Hillerman as secretary. A listing of individuals was approved for the 2020 membership listing. They represent elected officials, firefighting, law enforcement, community groups, public health, hospital, and facilities. The committee also approved the […]
Missouri Department of Health and Human Services continues to urge flu vaccination
Flu activity is currently widespread throughout Missouri. 11,171 cases of influenza have been reported in Missouri so far. 11 people have died from influenza-associated illness this season. Nationally, influenza activity remains high, and forecasts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggest that it will remain elevated for several more weeks. As of […]
Free water testing to be offered for Missouri produce growers
MU Extension is offering free microbial water testing to Missouri produce growers through a grant from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture. The tests, which meet water testing requirements for FSMA and Good Agricultural Practices certification, are conducted by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS). Sample bottles and forms are […]
Livingston County Health Center offering Adult Wellness Blood Draw Clinic
Livingston County Health Center is offering it’s Adult Wellness Blood Draw Clinic Wednesday, November 20th from 7 to 10 a.m. at their office, located at 800 Adam Drive. This clinic is one week earlier than the usual last Friday of odd months, due to the Thanksgiving holiday. The Health Center first began offering preventive adult […]
Texas manager pleads guilty in Missouri to pet food fraud, company pays $4.5 million restitution
The manager of a Wilbur-Ellis Company processing facility in Texas pleaded guilty in federal court to his role in a multi-million dollar conspiracy to sell adulterated ingredients to pet food manufacturers, for which the company has already paid more than $4.5 million in restitution. William Douglas Haning, 48, pleaded guilty before U.S. Chief District Judge […]
Protect yourself and family from the flu
With ongoing 90-degree temperatures, getting a flu shot is likely not on the radar of Missourians right now. But a Southern California public health system reported a flu-associated death of a 4-year-old who had underlying health issues already last week. While seasonal flu viruses are detected year-round in the United States, the Centers for Disease Control […]
Missouri improves in America’s Health Rankings for women, infants and children
Among all 50 states and the District of Columbia, Missouri’s rank advanced to 37th overall in America’s Health Rankings – Health of Women and Children Report 2019, up from 41st in 2018. Within women’s health specifically, Missouri jumped eight spots on the ranking list. The report uses over 60 metrics to compare and rank the health […]
Audio: Missouri issues health advisory associated with vaping
The Department of Health and Senior Services has issued a health advisory to providers and partners regarding severe lung disease associated with vaping. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports there have now been 193 potential cases of severe lung illness associated with vaping in 22 states from June 28-August 20. The CDC is […]
Over 400 cases reported statewide in Hepatitis A outbreak in Missouri
From September 15, 2017, to August 20, 2019, there have been 414 hepatitis A outbreak-associated cases in 35 Missouri counties. Of the cases reported, there have been 233 hepatitis A outbreak-associated hospitalizations and 2 hepatitis A outbreak-associated deaths. The disease appears to be spreading through direct person-to-person contact, mostly among people who use illicit injection […]
Missouri continues fight against opioid epidemic with innovative approaches
The widespread opioid epidemic is considered a public health crisis and for years has been an ongoing challenge in Missouri and across the nation. Missouri’s Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) continues to be innovative in its efforts to help people affected by this epidemic. “What we are dealing with in Missouri is an […]
Missouri requests second federal disaster declaration this year in response to flooding and tornadoes
Acting on behalf of Governor Mike Parson, Lt. Governor Mike Kehoe requested that President Donald Trump issue a major disaster declaration to assist residents and businesses in 41 Missouri counties that have been hard hit by flooding, tornadoes, and severe storms beginning on April 29 and continuing throughout the spring. “Historic long-term flooding continues to devastate families, businesses, […]
Carroll County Chamber of Commerce welcomes new Director
The Carroll County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors announces their new Director to the community. Anna Barlow is a 1998 graduate of Liberty High School. She continued her education with a degree from the University of Central Missouri and has been working with the public for the last fifteen years as a Registered Dietitian/Lactation […]
Study finds 9 of 10 smartphones violate radiation safety limits
Public health groups are calling for a nationwide recall on some cellular phones after a new study showed some units when pressed up against the body, emit 11 times more radiation than Federal Communications Commission safety limits allows. A study done by a professor emeritus of electrical engineering from the University of Utah analyzed data from […]
Grundy County Health Department Announces Events in May and June
The Grundy County Health Department of Trenton plans to hold several events in May and June. One of the events is a barbecue for Public Health Month in the health department’s back parking lot Friday, April 26th from 11:30 to 1:30. Health Educator Abby Oberman says Hy-Vee will grill meat during the event. The barbecue […]
Melinda Hemmelgarn and others dispute claims in Missouri Farm Bureau commentary
In a recent commentary from the Missouri Farm Bureau, Blake Hurst came out in favor of SB 391, which provides that county commissions and county health center boards shall not impose standards or requirements on an agricultural operation. Refuting those claims in the Farm Bureau commentary is Registered Dietitian Melinda Hemmelgarn. She states that she […]
Researchers use UAVs to track insect dispersal patterns
In a paper to be released soon, researchers tell how they used drones to track migration patterns of pests. “This research will help us quickly determine habitat preference and dispersal patterns for newly detected invasive insect species,” says University of Missouri Extension field crops entomologist Kevin Rice. That information can help farmers decide how to […]
USDA prioritizes investments in telemedicine to address opioid crisis in rural America
Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett today announced that the United States Department of Agriculture is giving funding priority in a key grant program for applications to address opioid misuse in rural communities. “The opioid epidemic is dramatically impacting prosperity in many small towns and rural places across the country,” Hazlett said. […]