CDC Urges Caution Due to RSV Surge
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is reporting that some regions of the country are experiencing a dramatic increase in RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection) detections and RSV related emergency room visits. In Michigan, the increase in children being admitted to hospitals has prompted the Michigan Health & Hospital Association to ask people to not seek care for children from emergency rooms for any non-emergency medical conditions.
Health officials are very concerned that the spread of the illness, which is particularly hard on the very young and the elderly, could get worse as people travel and gather for the holiday season. Normally RSV is a very typical respiratory virus with most adults and older children have symptoms of a mild cold. Because the symptoms are mild, many people who have it may fail to consider how easily they can spread the disease especially to those who may be more vulnerable to experiencing severe complications from the virus. "Most adults, for example, will have no symptoms and may never even know they have had RSV," said Kent County Health Department Medical Director Dr. Nirali Bora. Bora says the strategies to help prevent spreading RSV are as follows.
- Staying home when you are sick
- Washing your hands often and thoroughly
- Avoiding close contact with others if you have cold or flu like symptoms
- Coughing or sneezing in your elbow and never your bare hands
- Frequently clean the surfaces that you touch the most often like door knobs and devices
- Wearing a mask when around other people, especially if you are more vulnerable to respiratory illnesses
These precautions are universal for viral diseases like COVID-19 and the flu. There is no vaccine for RSV but getting the COVID-19 booster and a flu shot are wise defenses. While COVID cases in Michigan continue to be reported as low to medium, and the flu has not yet shown a major uptick, many health experts are predicting more flu cases than average for the upcoming season, making experts wary of a possible simultaneous rise in all three viruses.
Community Health Improvement Plan
Every three years, the Kent County Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) undergoes a community-engagement process to identify the most significant health-related needs facing those who live in Kent County. The process involves the participation of local leaders and community partners in the review of data surrounding a variety of health topics followed by a multi-step process to prioritize which issues should be addressed through health improvement plans. During the most recent CHNA, the following were identified as the most pressing needs facing the Kent County community:
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ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE - Affordable health care for those who need it and information sharing of available resources to live a healthy life.
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ECONOMIC SECURITY - The ability of individuals and families to afford their basic needs and have an equal opportunity to save and build wealth.
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MENTAL HEALTH - Prevention and treatment of psychological, emotional, and relational issues that lead to higher quality of life.
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DISCRIMINATION AND RACIAL INEQUITY - The policies and practices that create a culture of inclusivity and belonging and advance health equity.
Over the past several months, community workgroups have been meeting consistently to develop goals and strategies to address the health priorities of Access to Health Care, Economic Security and Mental Health. While a workgroup related to discrimination and racial inequity was not established, each of the priority workgroups developed goals and strategies using an equity lens. The following is a general overview of the strategies selected by the workgroups to include in Kent County’s Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP):
ECONOMIC SECURITY
- Strategy 1: Establish system for private landlords to report on-time rent payments to credit bureaus to improve the credit scores of tenants
- Strategy 2: Work with local stakeholders in the childcare arena to increase awareness of subsidies available to families to support payment for childcare
- Strategy 3: Increase utilization of public benefits that provide assistance with food access, utility payments and other essential needs.
MENTAL HEALTH
- Strategy 1: Update the Kent County Mental Health Crisis Brochure on a quarterly basis and ensure that it is translated into the most common languages spoken in the County
- Strategy 2: Develop culturally and linguistically appropriate behavioral health resource kits and distribute them to geographic areas and populations who have not historically been engaged through outreach activities
- Strategy 3: Ensure social workers, nurses and nurse practitioners, psychologist, peer support specialists and other mid-level providers working with special populations in Kent County have knowledge and skills in trauma-informed care.
- Strategy 4: Assist middle school, high school and college students in exploring a career in mental and behavioral health professions by engaging with organizations who have connections to students (e.g., Grand Rapids African American Health Institute’s Pathways program, Kent Intermediate School District, and local colleges/universities)
ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE
- Strategy 1: Develop and distribute educational materials effort related to the understanding insurance, when and where to access care, different portals of care, and overcoming barriers to care
The Kent County Health Department (KCHD) will utilize this newsletter to provide updates on the CHIP. KCHD recognizes the following community members for their exceptional leadership throughout the CHIP planning process:
- Wende Randall – Essential Needs Task Force – CHIP Co-Chair
- Dallas Lenear – Project GREEN – Economic Security Co-Chair
- Michelle Bryk – Women’s Resource Center – Economic Security Co-Chair
- Regina Salmi – Network 180 – Mental Health Co-Chair
- Raymond Higbea – Grand Valley State University - Mental Health Co-Chair
- Coleen Davis – Renew Mobility – Access to Health Care Co-Chair
- Laura Fitzpatrick – Trinity Health – Access to Health Care Co-Chair
KCHD Drive Decreases Diaper Dilemma
Many families are finding themselves in a diaper dilemma. As the price of everything continues to rise, the cost of diapers now exceeds $100 per month, per child. Prices can be even higher for parents who may not have transportation to access the most affordable places to purchase diapers and are forced to use closer more expensive options, like convenience stores. In fact, an estimated one in three mothers nationwide now struggle with diaper scarcity and many are forced to choose between less frequent changings or skipping other necessities in the home.
To help alleviate some diaper security issues for local families, the KCHD WIC team held a diaper drive at KCHD's main clinic during October. Almost 3000 diapers were collected and donated to Great Start Collaborative to be distributed to more than 140 Kent County families. If your organization would like to host a diaper drive, click here for more information.
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KCHD Helps Recruit Healthcare Workers
The Michigan Health Council, a nonprofit that aims to strengthen Michigan's healthcare workforce, is working on a new series of videos aimed at k-12 students. The videos will be part of a new "Healthcare Career Pipeline" to educate students about the career opportunities in healthcare.
Spearheading this new project is Aleysha Czartoszewski, who is developing fun and engaging lesson plans, videos, and activities for educators to use in their classrooms. The goal is to help K-12 students see themselves reflected in Michigan’s healthcare workforce. Three KCHD employees were chosen for the statewide project based on their experiences and dedication to their profession. Interviews were conducted earlier this month in Studio Kent.
Students will be able to hear firsthand what it’s like to work in public health. The upcoming videos will feature our own Claudine Mujawamaliya, Samantha Gorney, and Tereza Figueroa. Keep an eye out for the videos as we post them on our YouTube page!
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 A career with the Kent County Health Department offers you the opportunity to make a difference through service to your community. With stable and secure employment, competitive pay and benefits, and a defined benefit (pension plan) , you will find a career is more than just a job.
Currently KCHD has a variety of openings for Public Health Nurses, Food Sanitarians and Medical Assistants.
Find out more about available positions and how to apply by clicking here.
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KCHD Closed For Thanksgiving Holiday
The KCHD, and all County offices, will be closed on Thursday, November 24 and Friday, November 25 in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday.
For more information on how to access Kent County departments and offices, visit www.accesskent.com.
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Celebrating 60 Years at KCHD
"Somebody has to do it and I think I am that somebody" Harold Applehof
Yep, you read that correctly. Harold Applehof has worked with the KCHD for 60 years. Technically he is just a couple of months shy of the milestone but that fact did not stop his colleagues from throwing Applehof a surprise celebration in his honor.
Since 1963, he has been an X-Ray technician working in the area of tuberculosis with KCHD. He retired as a full-time Kent County employee 23 years ago but he couldn't stay away. Almost immediately he returned to the role on a part time basis as a contracted employee. These days you can find him every Tuesday working in the KCHD Annex.
Applehof says the technological changes he has seen continue to amaze him. "We went from hand developing, to automatic processing, to now the internet and the cloud," said Applhof. His colleagues say that his experience and knowledge is incredibly valuable but it's his dedication and personality that drives their own work. "To be so joyful and happy and to always have a smile on your face, that's something," says TB Nurse Tyler Schwerin. "As long as he is working, I am going to tap into that because it is so awesome and it's contagious." Dr. Nirali Bora, Medical Director at KCHD says, "If we can come to work with that kind of energy, with that kind of spirit, I hope I can say that in 60 years."
Applehof says he never thought he would be doing the job this long when he started. He says the job offered him an opportunity to serve but it also allowed him to raise his family and share valuable time with them. When asked if he was ready to retire for the final time, Applehof's response was quick and direct, "No. No, no. No, no, not nope." Applehof was surprised by friends and family at a small reception held at KCHD on November 1. His co-workers also surprised him with a short video that was made in his honor.
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