News and Articles

Creating Appropriate Preparedness Outreach Materials

Alice Frame, MA - MDHHS Disabilities Health Unit Coordinator

Formative research (also known as formative evaluation) is research done during the design process of a project to better understand audience needs, test possible program or campaign messages, and get feedback on plans. Formative research is so important – it helps guide researchers, designers, and public health officials in designing, implementing, and evaluating campaigns and interventions. Gathering information from the target audience can prevent the implementation of campaigns and interventions that are ineffective and financially wasteful.

Creating Appropriate Preparedness Outreach Materials>>

Training & Events

Continuing Advances in Special Pathogen Response

September 9, 2019

East Lansing, Michigan

This conference will integrate Special Pathogen Response into emergency preparedness post special pathogens response network funding.

Who should attend: Hospital Staff, Physician Assistants, Nurses, Allied Health Professionals, EMS, Regional Healthcare Coalition Members, Local & State Public Health, Tribal Health, Health Profession Students, Emergency Management and Behavioral Health

To register for this conference:

MI-TRAIN Course ID: 1084417

Pediatric Patients: Bridging the Readiness Gaps

June 18, 2019

Lansing, Michigan

This conference is designed to bring together key professional stakeholders who oversee the care of pediatric patients from the pre-hospital setting to the emergency department and beyond.

EMS, CME and Social Worker credits are available for this conference.

Register Now! MI-TRAIN Course ID: 1083034

The Michigan Update

May is Hepatitis Awareness Month

Emily Stafford - Information and Education Coordinator, MDHHS Division of Immunizations

May is Hepatitis Awareness Month and May 19^th is Hepatitis Testing Day in the United States (U.S.)  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Division of Immunization (MDHHS) would like to bring awareness to viral hepatitis. Hepatitis A, B and C are the most common viral infections in the U.S. and affects more than 5% of Americans. Millions of Americans are living with chronic hepatitis and may not know it. Often, people do not show symptoms, or they may have a flu-like illness. Without a blood test they may never know they are infected with hepatitis but still can infect others.

May is Hepatitis Awareness Month>>

Research

Increased Risk of Endemic Mosquito-borne Diseases with Climate Change

Over the last 20 years, the incidence of most of endemic mosquito-borne diseases (MBD) has increased approximately 10% in Canada, due in large part to climate change. It is anticipated that both the mosquito lifecycle and virus transmission patterns will be affected by climate change, resulting in an increase in both the range and local abundance of several important mosquito species. Laboratory studies and mathematical modelling suggest that increased ambient temperatures, changes in precipitation and extreme weather events associated with climate change will likely continue to drive mosquito vector and MBD range expansion, increasing the duration of transmission seasons and leading to MBD-related epidemics. 

Increased Risk of Endemic Mosquito-borne Diseases with Climate Change>>

Tools & Resources

Capacity-Building Toolkit for including Aging & Disability Networks in Emergency Planning

The purpose of the Capacity-Building Toolkit for Including Aging and Disability Networks in Emergency Planning is to serve as a resource to guide the aging and disability networks in increasing their ability to plan for and respond to public health emergencies and disasters. For organizations already engaged in emergency planning, this toolkit can help expand and improve their capabilities. For organizations new to emergency planning, this toolkit will help orient them to the process. Both goals are accomplished through content that guides programs that serve people with
access and functional needs, including older adults and people with disabilities, through the emergency planning process of preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation activities.

Capacity-Building Toolkit for including Aging & Disability Networks in Emergency Planning>>