News and Articles

Assisting People with Intellectual Disabilities in an Emergency

Alice Frame - Disabilities Health Unit Coordinator, MDHHS

Intellectual, also known as cognitive, disabilities are characterized by limited mental and cognitive capacity and processing.  Intellectual disabilities vary widely.  One of the most common examples is Down’s Syndrome. Characteristics of an intellectual disability can include limited vocabulary or speech impairment, difficulty understanding or answering questions, and a short attention span.

Assisting People with Intellectual Disabilities in an Emergency>>

Training & Events

EMS Wednesday Webinar Series

August 15 & 22, 2018

The MDHHS Division of EMS and Trauma the presents the August Wednesday Webinar Series. 

EMS credit is available.

All who wish to receive EMS credit must register in MI-TRAIN for each webinar, attend the webinar and complete an assessment in MI-TRAIN.

Kratom: An Emerging Issue

August 15, 2018 

MI-TRAIN Course ID: 1079083

D.O.S.E (TM) Infant Safe Sleep 

August 22, 2018 

MI-TRAIN Course ID: 1079084

To access the webinars: 

http://breeze.mdch.train.org/ems

Audio Line: 1-877-873-8017 Access Code: 9922449

The Michigan Update

Biosafety Preparedness

Carrie Anglewicz, Biosafety Officer, Bureau of Laboratories - MDHHS

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Bureau of Laboratories plays a key role in the state public health laboratory system as Michigan’s state public health laboratory. The Laboratory is charged with provision and assurance of a full range of laboratory services required to support public health in Michigan.  Training and education of healthcare partners has been deemed as one of the eleven essential core functions to guide Bureau of Laboratory services within the state public health system.

Biosafety Preparedness>>

Research

Case Series of Severe Neurologic Sequelae of Ebola Virus Disease during Epidemic, Sierra Leone

In Emerging Infectious Diseases researchers describe a case series of 35 Ebola virus disease (EVD) survivors during the epidemic in West Africa who developed neurologic and accompanying psychiatric issues. They identified 35 people out of 361 EVD survivors who met the neurologic criteria.  Of the 35 survivors with neurologic issues, 13 had migraine headache, 2 suffered a stroke, 2 had peripheral sensory neuropathy, and 2 had peripheral nerve lesions. 17 patients had brain computed tomography scans. Three of these patients showed cerebral and/or cerebellar atrophy and 2 showed confirmed strokes. Sixteen patients required mental health followup; psychiatric disorders were diagnosed in 5. The 10 patients who experienced greatest disability had co-existing physical and mental health conditions. The researchers found EVD survivors may have ongoing central and peripheral nervous system disorders, including previously unrecognized migraine headaches and stroke.

Case Series of Severe Neurologic Sequelae of Ebola Virus Disease during Epidemic, Sierra Leone>>

Tools & Resources

State Strategies to Prevent and Respond to Disease Crises Through Medicaid and Public Health Partnerships

This 10-page report explores effective, collaborative approaches developed by California, Florida, and Texas that may help other states strengthen their Medicaid and public health partnerships to prevent and better respond to communicable disease crises. The approaches deal with Ebola, Zika virus, and a severe influenza season. The report outlines lessons learned from policymakers in the three states.

State Strategies to Prevent and Respond to Disease Crises Through Medicaid and Public Health Partnerships>>