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Hi there,
First and foremost, I want to acknowledge the devastating impact of the changing landscape in SNAP benefits due to the federal government shutdown. In Oakland County, more than 44,000 households in Oakland County are in hardship by this outcome. The State of Michigan is providing $4.5 million to the Food Bank Council of Michigan to help feed residents and continuation of school meals for all. We have been busy connecting residents to our community partners to help during this trying time. This list of resources on our website provides information regarding local resources such as food banks and pantries, Meals on Wheels and more. There is also information about relief through the Double Up Food Bucks program to help those who are eligible purchase fresh fruits and vegetables. Through Dec. 31, there is no expiration on earned Double Up Food Bucks and a new Double Up Bonus Bucks- voucher of $40 also is available.
Gleaners also hosts free bi-weekly food distributions at two Oakland County office locations. The next distribution is on Nov. 12 from 9 to 10 a.m. at the Oakland County Farmers Market, 2350 Pontiac Lake Road in Waterford and Nov. 13 from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. at our Southfield Health Division Office, 27725 Greenfield Road in Southfield.
Respiratory virus season is upon us! Remember to take actions to protect yourself and others during those holiday gatherings. More information about seasonal flu is below. Oakland County continues to promote COVID-19 vaccination, and our recommendations align with the State of Michigan and key medical partners. COVID-19 vaccine is recommended for:
- All infants and children ages 6 months through 23 months, and all children ages 2 years through 18 years with risk factors, and any child over 6 months whose parents would like them to be vaccinated.
- All pregnant women at any point in pregnancy.
- All adults ages 18 and older. It is especially important for those with risk factors or who have never received a COVID-19 vaccine.
Wishing our residents a Happy Veteran’s Day and Thanksgiving!
In peace and wellness,
Kate Guzmán, Health Officer, Oakland County Health Division
Prevent flu this respiratory virus season
Flu is most common in the fall and winter months, typically peaking between December and February. As people spend more time indoors, spreading flu and other respiratory viruses can increase. These actions can protect yourself and others:
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Get the flu vaccine
- The best way to prevent flu is to get vaccinated every year. Everyone aged 6 months and older, without contraindications, is recommended to get an annual flu vaccine.
- Visit either Oakland County Health Division location, your local pharmacy or health care provider for a flu shot.
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Stop the spread of germs
- Avoid close contact with other people who are sick and stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.
- Practice other good health habits including getting plenty of sleep, cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces. Drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious foods.
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Take flu antiviral drugs if your doctor prescribes them
- Antiviral drugs can make flu illness milder and shorten the time you are sick.
- Higher risk individuals should contact their health care provider as soon as flu symptoms develop to be treated with antivirals.
Health conditions - Does it run in the family?
Most people have a family health history of at least one chronic disease, such as cancer, heart disease, or diabetes. If you have a close family member with a chronic disease, you may be more likely to develop that disease too, especially if more than one close relative has the disease or a family member got the disease at a younger age than usual.
Thanksgiving Day is recognized as Family Health History Day. Use family gatherings as a time to talk about health history. Include information about major medical conditions, causes of death, age at disease diagnosis, age at death, and ethnic background.
In many cases, healthy habits can reduce your risk for diseases that run in your family. Screening tests, such as blood sugar testing, mammograms, and colorectal cancer screening, help find early signs of disease. Use this tool called My Family Health Portrait to keep track of the information and update it regularly.
Ready to quit smoking?
Quitting smoking is one of the most important actions people can take to improve their health. This is true regardless of their age or how long they have been smoking.
Quitting smoking improves your health, but it can be hard to do. You don't have to do it alone. On Nov. 21, please join people across the country for the American Cancer Society's Great American Smokeout. Remember, the key to success is to keep trying and not give up. More than half of adults who have ever smoked have quit.
The Michigan Tobacco Quitlink offers free information, tobacco treatment referral, online program, and text-messaging 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669) in English or 1-855-DÉJELO-YA (1-855-335-3569) in Spanish.
Homeless Awareness Month
This month we recognize National Homeless Awareness Month. Housing and Urban Development place homelessness into 4 distinct categories (literally homeless, imminent risk, fleeing domestic violence, and other such as experience persistent instability) (HUD). In 2024 in Oakland County, approximately 1,110 adults were identified as homeless and close to 500 households with children experienced homelessness (Alliance for Housing).
More than 60% of the individuals in Oakland County who reported experiencing homelessness identified as Black, Indigenous, or Persons of Color (Oakland County State of Homelessness report, 2021). Seniors, households with children, people of color and/or with a disability are also more likely to experience homelessness compared to non-Hispanic white individuals (National Alliance to End Homelessness) due to past and current discriminatory practices and policies. One example is redlining which leads to lower home ownership rates among communities of color (Redlining in Michigan, MSU-E).
People experiencing homelessness may delay healthcare or lack access to healthcare services which can increase their risk for developing serious and chronic health issues. They may also be more likely to have difficulty managing mental health issues and substance use because they lack adequate healthcare services. Oakland Connects is available to help people experiencing homelessness find long-term and permanent solutions. Residents may also visit the Baldwin Center every Wednesday for Wellness Wednesdays to connect with health, housing and employment resources.
If you or someone you know needs housing help, here are additional Oakland County resources.
Join our team!
There are some jobs open right now working for Oakland County. Health and Human Services is currently hiring Public Health Nurses, Hearing and Vision Technician, and more! Visit www.oakgov.com/jobs to learn more about these positions and to apply.
More Health Division info
Check out our webpage page for information about our services and various health topics. You can also call us at 1-800-848-5533, Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
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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