|
In this issue:
|
|
|
|
When you think about the last three years and all that the COVID-19 pandemic has brought, what feelings or images come to mind? Have you considered expressing those thoughts in poetry?
Poetry can be a powerful tool and a form of therapy.
In recognition of National Poetry Month, we’d love to read your poetry. Whether you’ve written poetry your whole life or never before, if you’re inspired, send us an original poem that reflects your feelings or experiences related to the pandemic. If your poem is around 150 words or less, we may publish it in this newsletter. If you’re unsure where to start, visit this beginner’s guide to writing poetry. Please submit poems by the end of April.
Thank you!
|
|
|
New data from the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute analyzes and ranks the health of U.S. counties. The institute publishes the 2023 County Health Rankings every year.
“What the County Health Rankings once again show us is that where we live, work, play, learn and age have everything to do with our ability to attain lifelong health and well-being,” said Cara Biddlecom, deputy director at OHA’s Public Health Division. “The unfortunate truth is that not everyone has access to the same opportunities for health. Gaps in health exist based on race, ethnicity, ability, gender identity, language and geography. Healthier Together Oregon, our state health improvement plan, aims to work across sectors to promote quality education, increase living wage jobs, facilitate safe homes and neighborhoods and improve access to health care – in ending structural racism, achieving social justice and realizing OHA’s goal of eliminating health inequities by 2030.”
The interactive database also compares Oregon’s data to that of the United States and breaks down factors such as length and quality of life, health insurance status, food insecurity and education, as well as health conditions including birth weight, obesity, smoking and teen births.
|
|
 |
|
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT |
|
|
|
Click image to watch video
The horses at HORSES on the Ranch freely roam their Prineville property, and they approach visitors with intention. Each horse is drawn to different people for different reasons, because each has a their own personality and history, as do their visitors.
“It's fascinating to watch,” Bedortha said. “We have a 22-year-old Quarter Horse, Mattie, that was orphaned at a pretty young age, and she's the one that approaches those clients that are struggling with grief or traumatic loss. We also had a young person dealing with chronic pain who really connected with Sparks, an 8-year-old Paint horse that has some degenerative joint issues and deals with body pain, too.”
HORSES on the Ranch provides equine-assisted psychotherapy programs that focus on women, veterans and young people. Working with these large animals can support and facilitate healing for a variety of conditions including depression, anxiety, grief, PTSD, substance abuse and recovery, and behavioral and social difficulties.
|
|
 |
|
Health notes |
|
|
Pregnant people can now use Color Health’s online or telephone support to get the COVID-19 antiviral medication, Paxlovid. The Color Health service can provide the medication within 24-48 hours at no cost, regardless of health insurance status.
Paxlovid is an antiviral pill for non-hospitalized patients, taken orally for five consecutive days. It is available by prescription to people age 12 and up infected with the COVID-19 virus who have conditions that put them at risk for severe illness. While it is not necessary to test positive for COVID-19 to receive Paxlovid, it’s important to begin taking it within five days of symptom onset.
You can access Color Health services online or by calling 833-273-6330, toll-free. The service is available every day, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., in multiple languages. You must provide an Oregon address to use the service. For more information and a step-by-step guide to using Color Health, check out our blog.
|
Domestic (private) well users who live in parts of Umatilla and Morrow counties that are within the Lower Umatilla Basin Groundwater Management Area, or LUBGWMA, are eligible to apply for water testing vouchers. The tests will help residents know their risk of exposure to nitrate and other contaminants.
OHA’s March 22 press release about the vouchers included technical information about nitrate levels in drinking water that is not relevant in the LUBGWMA, where people who rely on domestic well water for daily living may have been exposed to high levels of nitrate for many years. In response to community partners that said the information was confusing, OHA is sharing this update with more appropriate messaging.
The application deadline for testing vouchers is May 15, and they must be used by June 7. The vouchers cover the cost of testing for nitrate, arsenic, bacteria, lead, iron, manganese and hardness. Apply here.
|
|
 |
|
OHA answers your questions |
|
|
|
Rebecca Pierce, PhD, MS, BSN and manager of OHA’s Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAI) program, and Measure 110 Program staff answered today’s questions.
Q: My private practice employer says that with the lift on the mask mandate that we are under an OSHA mandate, not OHA. I've never seen an OSHA mask mandate so now I'm confused. Does the OHA lift pertain to all health care settings? – Anndi, Corvallis
A: “Yes, Oregon OSHA COVID-19 workplace rules have been suspended, effective April 3, in alignment with the repeal of OHA’s masking requirements. Therefore, OHA and Oregon OSHA mask requirements in health care settings are both lifted, as of Monday, April 3. Individual facilities, however, may choose to continue requiring masks. Some regulatory agencies, such as Oregon Department of Health and Human Services (ODHS) and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), will continue to require masking for health care facilities in some situations. Please refer to relevant regulatory agency policy for this information.
“For other masking policy updates for nursing, assisted-living and residential care facilities, check out the masking section that begins on Page 4 of this summary.”
Q: When marijuana was legalized in Oregon, we were told that revenue would go toward expanding our underfunded drug treatment programs. That doesn't appear to have happened, at all. Where is the marijuana tax revenue going, and why is it not going to drug treatment? - Larisa, Portland
A: “I believe you’re referring to Measure 110, which voters approved in 2020. The new law—the Drug Addiction Treatment and Recover Act—decriminalized personal possession of illegal drugs including heroin, cocaine and psilocybin (psychedelic mushrooms). It also calls for taxes and fees collected from Oregon’s legal cannabis industry to help fund drug addiction treatment programs through 42 Behavioral Health Resource Networks that have been established across the state -- at least one network in every county. Those networks provide comprehensive and coordinated services and support to anyone who needs it regardless of their ability to pay. There are seven mandated services that each network must provide including low-barrier drug addiction treatment services. By the end of 2023 the state will have distributed more than $265 million to these service networks, the vast majority (97%) coming directly from cannabis revenues. Learn more about the networks here.”
If you have a question related to COVID-19 or other public health topics, submit your question here. While we are unable to answer every question, we try to address questions that may be of interest to a broader audience. Please understand we are unable to provide specific medical advice for personal medical conditions.
|
|
If you need mental health support for any reason, help is out there.
|
|
|
|
|
|
