As people watched Hurricane Irma rage across their TV screens toward the Florida panhandle in 2017, the Cape Coral Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) prepared for action.

Key to their efforts? Information from the U.S. Census Bureau, including stats gleaned from the most recent census.

The team used population maps derived from Census Bureau data to identify distribution points for supplies - and to send wheelchair-accessible vans to pick up mostly older residents who initially wanted to stay put and ride out the storm.

The 2019 theme is "Prepared, Not Scared."  It's important for people to remember that a key to disaster prep is responding to the 2020 Census, which can lead to more effective and efficient emergency response times and rescue operations, and allocation of funds for rebuilding communities. To find out more about how Census data informs emergency response before, during and after disasters, continue reading...

WVDHHR's Statewide Therapist Loan Repayment (STLR) Webpage now has a webinar presentation in addition to the applications, which includes:

The opportunity can provide up to $20,000 of student loan repayment in exchange for a 2 year service obligation at a qualified treatment provider in the state of WV for any students who qualify.  And please feel free to email me should any questions arise. 

On behalf of Catherine Slemp, MD, MPH, Commissioner and State Health Officer please see the  below health alert regarding increase in new HIV infections among people who inject drugs :

 

HIV has long been present across West Virginia, although at low levels. With the state's opioid and now broader substance use epidemic, West Virginia has been increasingly vulnerable to HIV outbreak(s) among persons who inject drugs (PWID). The sharing of injection drug equipment as well as high-risk sexual practices associated with substance use generate this vulnerability.

 

The West Virginia Bureau for Public Health (BPH) actively monitors HIV diagnoses across the state and works with local and federal partners to prevent, investigate and respond to increases. In addition to the Cabell County increase previously reported, BPH has now identified an increase in HIV diagnoses among PWID in Kanawha County (for more information visit  www.hivawarewv.org ). Although state and local health officials are still investigating, epidemiologic evidence suggests the increase in HIV among Kanawha County residents is distinct from the Cabell County cluster and indicates increased and recent local transmission (e.g., the Kanawha County increase is not simply an extension of the Cabell County cluster).

 

New HIV infections among PWID are clearly increasing in West Virginia. From 2014 to 2019, the proportion of new HIV diagnoses in West Virginia attributable to injection drug use (IDU) has increased over five-fold from 12.5% to 64.2%, primarily driven by the Cabell County and now Kanawha County increases. The emergence of HIV among PWID in more than one part of the state and the vulnerability of other West Virginia counties to HIV transmission indicate that enhanced surveillance and prevention activities are warranted statewide. As a result, the BPH is asking all healthcare providers to increase vigilance for potential HIV infection, especially among PWID, to increase testing, to encourage prevention efforts, and to rapidly report new HIV infections to BPH. Prevention, prompt identification of cases and linkage to care improves clinical outcomes and is critical to reducing HIV transmission.

 

For additional information, including recommendations, please see  HEALTH ADVISORY #162.

The West Virginia State Medical Association invites physicians, residents, and students to attend a one day Addiction seminar on November 1, 2019 at the WV School of Osteopathic Medicine in Lewisburg, WV. 

Sessions run 8 am - 4 pm with breakfast and lunch provided. 

This event provides discounted rate for current medical students and is eligible for up to 6 Continued Medical Education credits. 

For registration fees and other event information, click here.

Community Health Center, Inc., (CHCI, a HRSA-funded NCA) will lead an eight-month learning collaborative to help health centers implement a postgraduate residency training program. Content will include transformational strategies and coaching support provided through:

You may begin to notice census workers in your neighborhood. This is a normal part of preparations for the 2020 Census. Census Bureau employees are also in the community to continue collecting information for the American Community Survey and other ongoing surveys.

Visit the new 2020 Census website for more information on census workers, including:

• How you can verify someone is a census worker.
• Why census workers are out in communities.
• How you can avoid repeat visits from census takers.

Help us spread the word about the 2020 Census. Share this on social media or forward it to a friend. Check out 2020census.gov,  or read the full web article here .

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (CDC ACIP) has shared  updated flu vaccine recommendations  for the 2019-20 season. The committee still recommends healthcare providers offer flu shots to everyone six months and older with no contraindications by the end of October. The updated recommendations reflect the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) changes for the age indication of the Afluria Quadrivalent vaccine and approved dosages of the Fluzone Quadrivalent vaccine.