Hi there,
As many of you are aware, June is Pride month. Pride is also a time when people celebrate and work to strengthen our LGBTQ+ communities. For public health professionals, Pride is a time to reflect on how we can address the health-related challenges and disparities due to stigma, discrimination and denial of civil and human rights, that may affect the health of LGBTQ+ people. Nationally, data related to LGBTQ+ health address a number of disparities, including:
- LGBTQT+ youth are two or three times more likely to attempt suicide and more likely to be homeless.
- Lesbians are less likely to get preventive services for cancer.
- Gay men are at higher risk of HIV and other STDs, especially among communities of color.
- Transgender individuals have a high prevalence of HIV/STDs, mental health issues, and suicide.
- Elderly LGBTQ+ individuals face isolation, lack of social services or culturally competent providers.
- LGBTQ+ populations have higher rates of tobacco, alcohol, and other drug use.
These are just a few examples of health challenges LGBTQ+ individuals face. I am proud that Oakland County has various programs, services, and coalitions that are working to reverse these public health trends. Additionally, the Health Division is partnering with Affirmations and Corktown Health to address disparities and promote inclusive and culturally relevant health care. This Pride month we continue our commitment to equity and look forward to celebrating the diverse experiences and perspectives of the LGBTQ+ community. Check out the Oakland County blog for a list of pride events in Oakland County.
This month, we also officially begin summer! Below we have some general tips to stay healthy and safe while outdoors. Oakland County moved to a high community level for COVID-19 transmission according to CDC since last month. Remember to take measures to protect yourself, especially in indoor spaces, but also while outdoors and at those upcoming graduations, weddings and more.
Be Well,
Dr. Calandra Green, Health Officer, Oakland County
June is Great Outdoors Month
We are celebrating Great Outdoors Month by encouraging everyone to get outside and enjoy the beautiful landscapes that Michigan has to offer. Right here in Oakland County, there are many trails and parks for you and your family to explore! Here are a few tips for you to stay safe and healthy while enjoying the great outdoors.
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Be safe around water. Watch kids in or around water without being distracted.
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Prevent mosquito and tick bites by applying EPA registered insect repellant and following product label instructions.
- Make sure to drink enough water and stay hydrated.
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Apply sunscreen to protect your skin from harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation.
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Follow food safety steps for a safe and enjoyable grilling season.
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Stay up to date on severe weather. Summer weather can sometimes be unpredictable. Floods, tornadoes, and lightning are all threats that come with summer thunderstorms. Find more information about preparing for severe weather events here.
COVID-19 booster recommended for ages 5-11
Following FDA authorization, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now recommends that children ages five through 11 years should receive a booster shot five months after their initial Pfizer-BioNTech vaccination series. The booster shot is 10 micrograms, the same dosage as the primary series for the age group and a third of the dosage given to people ages 12 and up. The most common side effects for the booster dose in clinical trials were pain, redness and swelling at the injection site, as well as fatigue, headache, muscle or joint pain, chills and fever. Booster shots for this age group are available at our clinics that can be found at oaklandcountyvaccine.com.
Monkeypox - What you need to know
Monkeypox is nothing new, and the virus is present in several countries. More recently, cases have emerged outside those initial countries and among people who have not traveled to those areas. The CDC is now tracking multiple cases of monkeypox reported in several countries that don’t normally report monkeypox, including the United States. It’s not entirely clear how the individuals were exposed to monkeypox. Anyone who has been in close contact with someone who has monkeypox is at risk. Monkeypox is also less contagious than diseases like COVID-19. Transmission of monkeypox requires prolonged close interaction with someone with symptoms.
People who may have symptoms of monkeypox should contact their healthcare provider.
Keep your children safe while online
Are your children safe while online? Minors can be easily targeted with advertisements from alcohol, tobacco, pornography, illegal drugs and gambling marketers through email, texts and social media. Thankfully, the State of Michigan offers a free program to stop adult advertisements from reaching e-mails, text messages, Instagram, Snapchat and Twitter. The Michigan Child Protection Registry, like the federal Do Not Call List, is a free do-not-contact service for Michigan’s families. Signing up only takes seconds. Just go to www.ProtectMIChild.com and keep your family safe.
Health Division COVID-19 vaccination sites & info
Check out our Get Vaccinated page for information about upcoming COVID vaccination sites and to find out who is eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine and booster. Appointments are recommended and can be made online or by calling our Nurse on Call hotline at 1-800-848-5533 (Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.).
Visit the state’s COVID-19 vaccine dashboard and the Oakland County Vaccine Hub for updated vaccination data.
Oakgov.com/health is the best place to receive the latest information. Add, update, or opt out of Health Division email or text communications by clicking here.
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