About the Guardian
The Guardian of Public Health is a monthly newsletter from the Bureau of EMS, Trauma, and Preparedness (BETP) within the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). The Guardian aims to provide its readers with relevant content on topics that affect the public health of citizens and communities in Michigan. For questions or comments please contact Kerry Chamberlain at chamberlaink2@michigan.gov.
Livingston County MRC Takes Home Two 2016 MRC Program
Recognition Awards
Virginia Zimmerman –
MI Volunteer Register & MRC Coordinator Bureau of EMS, Trauma and
Preparedness
Livingston County Medical Reserve Corp (MRC) was one of two units that received the
Community Resilience MRC Program Recognition Award, having demonstrated contributions to resilience at the
community level in daily unit operations and through involvement in activities
and events. Volunteers
performed various roles, such as nurses for blood draws, and support staff at
lead testing clinics for the Flint Response. With Michigan’s new immunization
waiver education program and educational requirement for Michigan parents
opting out of getting their children vaccinated, the MRC stepped in to support
the local health department requirements. MRC volunteers supported the seasonal
vaccination effort by providing waiver education, parent consultations, phone
bank calls, and scheduling appointments. By advocating, educating, and
providing vaccination services to the residents in their community, they are
contributing to the community’s ability to be more resilient.
Read More>>
Changing climate conditions: An emerging public health threat in
Michigan
Aaron Ferguson - MICHAP Program Manager, Division of
Environmental Health, Bureau of Epidemiology and Population Health
Michigan’s climate is changing in measurable and impactful
ways. Since 1951 the average annual temperature and precipitation have
increased by up to 1.3°F and 1.4 inches in some areas of the state,
respectively. Those changes coincide with shifting seasonal patterns and increases
in extreme heat and precipitation events, which threaten our natural and built
environments and in particular, human health. With such changes projected to
continue throughout the 21st century, it is critical that public
health officials, citizens, and decision makers from local and state government understand the relationships between health and climate change as well as
strategies to increase the resilience of their communities.
Read More>>
Upcoming
Specialty Training in Region 2 South
Amy Shehu - Region 2 South Healthcare Coalition Coordinator
Region 2 South will be holding two training events in 2016.
Based on a 2012 Hazmat incident at a
hospital in Region 2 South, the region partnered with the Hazmat Coordinator at
that facility to develop plans to establish a Region 2 South Technical Support
and Response Team (TSRT) and purchase specialized equipment. To ensure ongoing familiarity with this specialized equipment and encourage ongoing participation from team members a training will be held July 27, 2016.
Region
2 South Healthcare Coalition is conducting the annual Technical Support Team
(TST) training this summer. Region 2 South is the housing agency responsible
for maintaining operational readiness for Michigan’s one-hundred bed
Transportable Emergency Surge Assistance (MI-TESA) unit. This operational
readiness is achieved in part by maintaining a trained and exercised TST. The 2016 Technical Support Team Training will be held in August 20 and 21, 2016.
Read More>>
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Zika Virus and Birth Defects — Reviewing the Evidence for Causality
In the New England Journal of Medicine, researchers explore the possible link between Zika virus infection and birth defects. They explored current data and utilized three different methods to assess causality. Their assessment showed strong evidence that Zika virus infection in pregnant women causes birth defects. The researchers also suggest that the true risk factors of birth defects are not known. Read More>>
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Lack of Evidence Supporting the Effectiveness
of Disaster Supply Kits
Researchers in the American Journal of Public Health explored the effectiveness of disaster supply kits. They reviewed the literature and found a lack of evidence that disaster supply kits promote self-sufficiency and resilience. They cited 13 major barriers to creating a disaster supply kit including lack of knowledge of preparedness and emergency preparedness information that is written at a high level. The researchers do not suggest forgoing disaster supply kit education, however, there is a need for more research as to why they are not as effective as they should be. Read More>> |
