DHSS Director's Message

Experience Matters

Nearly two weeks ago, the department announced a case of a laboratory-confirmed infection of Naegleria fowleri in an adult resident. We were aware of this potential case because a physician in a hospital reached out with concerns. The department worked with the hospital, local public health agency, and state and federal partners to confirm the diagnosis, begin the work of accurately informing the public, and reasonably continue assessing other environmental areas of risk to enhance public safety. The level of experience of the medical providers, the state and local epidemiologists, and our federal partners at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) mattered.

This reminds us why it is so critical to have experienced health professionals in our care facilities, public health departments, and state agencies who have access to clear regulatory and clinical information. Additionally, the high risk, low incidence nature of this case played a key role in the decision to issue a health advisory, an opportunity to provide education and raise awareness among health professionals and agencies across the state.

The department is working on or supporting a variety of initiatives to support access to experienced health professionals and persons across the state. From administering state and federal workforce related funds, to ensuring maximum federal match, to enhancing Graduate Medical Education, to administering fifty paid public health summer internships across the state, and to providing ongoing education and subject matter expertise in an array of fields, we are working to ensure the experience is there. We look for opportunities and appreciate our partners’ feedback on ways we can improve.

Policy Message

The first report by the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Commission identified four areas of focus: the prevalence of Ultra-Processed Foods (UPFs), children’s vulnerability to environmental chemical exposure and accumulation, the effect of digital technology on childhood physical activity and mental health, and the overmedicalization of children. A second report outlining strategies for how to address these factors was submitted to the presidential administration on time, and though its public release is reportedly delayed an unpublished draft of the anticipated report has been reported by multiple news outlets.

Many states are already pushing forward with their own strategies to address some of the MAHA Report’s findings. DHSS currently has programs focused on nutrition and obesity in communities, schools, and childcare, and will closely track and evaluate new ideas and opportunities for helping Missourians achieve optimal health.

A study presented at the national Endocrine Society showed that deaths from cancers related to obesity tripled in the U.S. over the past two decades. DHSS Chief Medical Officer Dr. Heidi Miller was interviewed by Show Me Today about the study, where she shared information about the factors and behaviors that increase the risk of obesity and what Missourians can do to tangibly improve their health.

Nutrition and risk factors associated with obesity are critical issues for Missouri families, as an estimated 35% of Missourians and 16% of Missouri children are obese. The two leading causes of death in our state are heart disease and cancer, and in 2024, heart disease killed 15,376 Missourians and 5,511 of all cancer deaths were associated with obesity.

Outstanding Older Worker of the Year

Please help us locate and recognize Missouri’s next “Outstanding Older Worker of the Year.” Missouri’s Senior Community Service Employment Program, operated by DHSS, seeks to honor a Missouri resident who is 55 or older, employed at least 20 hours a week, and displays dependability and new skills on the job. Nominations are currently being accepted through September 2. The winner will be recognized at a ceremony during National Employ Older Workers Week in Jefferson City, held on Sept. 24 at the State Capitol. 

Missouri’s Senior Community Service Employment Program recognizes the value of older workers in our workforce and provides job training for individuals aged 55 or older who wish to enter or reenter the workforce but need a little extra training to do so. The purpose of the program is to provide job skill training for the participants and to provide needed support to community host agencies, which consist of not-for-profit 501(c)(3) or governmental agencies. Host agencies benefit by having someone who is subsidized by the SCSEP program, helping them fill positions they could not afford to pay for on their own.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, employers rate older workers high on characteristics such as judgment, commitment to quality, attendance and punctuality. Experience matters.

Nominations can be emailed to SCSEPEmployment@health.mo.gov or mailed to Missouri Outstanding Older Worker Contest, Bureau of Senior Programs, P.O. Box 570, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0570.

Rural Health Transformation

Over the past couple of weeks, I have continued meeting with regulated entities and industry partners representing a variety of industries including cannabis, hospitals, local public health, food, data, philanthropy, maternal-child health, and emergency response. In some instances, there were specific topics to discuss. In others, it was an opportunity to learn about their priorities and share priorities of the department. In all instances, it was about collaboration and making meaningful connections.

A topic of desired discussion by many was around rural health transformation as anticipation grows on how Missouri will approach the application and use funds to improve the future health of, and access to, health care services in rural communities. The Office of Medicaid Transformation is leading the state’s application process with the advisement of the Governor’s Office, Department of Mental Health, Department of Social Services, Department of Health and Senior Services, and others. Some of the most important contributors to informing the path forward are our public stakeholders. The Medicaid Transformation office has established a portal for the submission of ideas. Comments must be submitted by Sept. 30, 2025, for consideration. 

We have had communication with federal partners to try to understand priority areas that may impact Missouri’s success in the competitive portion. I am repeatedly hearing sustainability, rural health impact (on chronic disease, substance use, mental health), workforce, innovation in care and technology--and additionally, the importance of partnerships and alliances. DHSS is engaged on nearly every issue and with most provider types. I believe in the importance of collaboration when possible and the difference we can make together.  

Read more about this application process. 

Did You Know…?

According to DHSS data:

• In 2023, 29% of Missouri 3^rd grade children had untreated tooth decay compared to 13.4% as a national average.
• In 2020, there were approximately 57,000 emergency department visits due to non-traumatic dental complaints among Missouri residents annually, with an estimated cost of $21 million per year.
• Dental caries (tooth decay) is the top chronic disease for children in Missouri.

Missouri’s Office of Dental Health webpage contains valuable information and resources for early intervention.

On-demand Immunization Record Access

Recently, my son asked how he could obtain his immunization record…at 9 p.m…and he was certain it was an emergency. Of course, I panicked and spat the “lack of planning on your part shouldn’t constitute an emergency on mine” lecture as my wheels were turning as to how I was going to help him. I remembered the department’s new Docket platform and within minutes he has his immunization records. Missourians can now securely review, download and share their immunization records through the Docket smartphone app and web platform. The service expands digital access for school, travel, health and personal use, streamlining how individuals manage their personal vaccination information. Note, the information in the system is only complete if providers of vaccinations input the information into ShowMeVax. While he was not advance planning, DHSS was. #collegebound

Better Experiences for Stakeholders and Constituents

DHSS recently launched the State Unintentional Drug Overdose Reporting System (SUDORS) Dashboard. The dashboard contains data from Missouri coroners and medical examiners on the circumstances surrounding accidental and undetermined intent drug overdose deaths.