'Flurona' Co-Infection Gains Traction Amid COVID-19 and Flu Season Peaks
|
|
Flurona is a combination of the two viruses and affects both upper and lower respiratory tracts and their functions, such as breathing. After the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shortened isolation guidelines to five days after experiencing symptoms or being asymptomatic, a growing concern has risen regarding the negative impact this may have on the already scarce workforce.
Schools are taking an especially hard hit as more students, teachers, and substitute teachers demonstrate symptoms of or test positive for COVID-19 or the flu. As a result, Missouri schools are seeing administrative staff, such as principals and counselors filling in, to ensure an adult is in every classroom. As schools and businesses remain open, winter temperatures drop, and peak flu season continues, Flurona is a growing concern for community members of all ages.
|
|
February is American Heart Month -
Go Red for Women on February 4
|
|
American Heart Month, observed throughout February, promotes heart health and raises awareness about high blood pressure as a leading risk factor for heart disease and stroke. Go Red for Women Day on February 4 is a campaign sponsored by the American Heart Association dedicated to raising awareness about how cardiovascular disease disproportionately affects women. Heart disease especially impacts new and expecting mothers and is the number one killer of new moms in the U.S. Those most affected, and often least aware of their risks, are Black women.
|
|
High costs of insurance often prevent people from prioritizing primary health care. However, routine health and dental appointments improve overall wellbeing and can prevent future disease onset. Fear of medical debt shouldn’t put you or your family at risk of health complications.
Missouri Medicaid has expanded to bring affordable health care coverage to people previously ineligible. Low-cost and free insurance is now available for adults 19-64 years old, people with disabilities, and more through MO HealthNet.
|
|
Los altos costos de los seguros a menudo impiden que las personas den prioridad a la atención primaria de salud. Las citas médicas y dentales de rutina mejoran el bienestar general y pueden prevenir la aparición de enfermedades en el futuro. El miedo a las deudas médicas no debería ponerlo a usted ni a su familia en riesgo de sufrir complicaciones de salud.
Missouri Medicaid se ha expandido para otorgar cobertura de atención médica asequible a personas que antes no eran elegibles. El seguro gratuito y de bajo costo ahora está disponible para adultos de 19 a 64 años, personas con discapacidades y más a través de MO HealthNet.
|
|
Get Free At-Home COVID-19 Tests |
|
Every home in the U.S. is eligible to order 4 free at-home COVID-19 tests. The tests are completely free. Orders will usually ship in 7-12 days.
Order your tests now so you have them when you need them.
|
|
February is National Children's
Dental Health Month
|
|
- Brush your teeth twice a day.
- Floss daily.
- Limit sugary beverages and snacks.
- See your dentist regularly for prevention and treatment of oral diseases.
|
|
The pediatric Pfizer vaccine for ages 5 to 11 is also available every Monday and Wednesday by appointment only.
|
|
ICYMI: HCC Rides Bridges the Access Gap in Health Care |
|
One obstacle of existing public transportation services, including the services for Medicaid enrollees, is the lack of flexibility. While these programs are helpful for appointments scheduled in advance, they offer little wiggle room for changes or emergencies. The same is true for public buses; even if there is no cost, hours of operation and routes are limited.
Because of these challenges, HCC Rides focuses on flexibility. The program aims to promote independence, especially for those who feel like a burden relying on others or miss appointments due to inconvenience. “We’ve had people say, I would not have been able to get to and from my dialysis because my kids would have had to take off work,” said Smith. “We’re able to alleviate the burden some older patients may feel when relying on others.”
While the program primarily provides rides to and from health and wellness appointments, flexible access to care-adjacent errands prevent patients from missing or delaying necessary medication or tests. Riders can request stops to the pharmacy to drop off prescriptions or pick up medication. Patients undergoing dialysis, chemotherapy, and other treatments, or patients who feel too sick to drive, are also able to utilize HCC Rides. If a patient needs a test from an outside facility, drivers capable of and comfortable driving that distance will be available.
According to Smith, many HCC patients don’t have insurance, access to transportation, or both, and will utilize the emergency room (ER) for care. “A lot of the clients we see don’t have transportation or Medicaid and use the ER as primary care," she said. "We want to try and get as many people away from that as we can so that the ambulances and emergency rooms can be used for true emergencies.”
Establishing a reliable service for uninsured residents helps bridge the access barrier gap both financially and geographically. This also allows emergency resources and services to be retained, a critical need as rural facilities often face resource shortages, especially in emergency departments.
|
|
Join HCC Network For an Adult Mental Health First Aid Workshop |
|
Please join the HCC Network, Santa Fe Agri-Leaders, and First Call KC for this free workshop. A light dinner will be served. This workshop is open to anyone in the community that would like to learn the risk factors and warning signs of mental health problems. This workshop will teach all participants how to interact with a person in crisis, how to protect themselves, and how to connect the person with professional help. We encourage anyone in the community that is interested in helping their neighbor to attend!
Cost: Free
Dates: Feb 22 & Feb 23 (must attend both evenings)
Times: 4:30-8:30pm
Location: Santa Fe High School Ag Room, 108 Chiefs Ave, Alma, MO 64001 (please park in front of school and enter through the commons door)
|
|
You're Invited to the Missouri Rural Stakeholders Engagement Meeting |
|
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Office of Intergovernmental and External Affairs Region 7 and the Missouri Rural Health Association (MRHA) invite you to the next rural stakeholders engagement meeting on Wednesday, February 2, from 12:00 pm-1:00 pm CT. The main topic of this meeting will be health workforce. The HRSA Bureau of Health Workforce and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration will be in attendance to share information on their current programs, funding opportunities, and activities related to this critical topic. Donald Kauerauf, Director of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, will join to provide a few updates about the Missouri Workforce Initiative Task Force.
Registration is required.
|
|
|
|
|
Reimaging a Public Health System to Build an Equitable Tomorrow
Feb. 15, 2022
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
