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In this issue:
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If you’re an Oregon Health Plan (OHP) member, did you know you might be able to get help with vet bills, supplies and adoption fees for your therapy animal? You may also be able to get a lamp or light box to treat anxiety and depression, hotel stays after surgery or modifications to your home related to your medical condition.
These benefits are called “health-related services,” and they go beyond what’s included in the standard array of covered OHP benefits, supporting one's overall physical and mental health via stress relief or other indirect ways. They are available through your coordinated care organization (CCO) and must be approved by your health care provider.
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Backpacks, toiletries, duffle bags… These are just some of the items Oregon State Hospital (OSH) patients need when they are discharged.
“We hope a backpack and basic hygiene supplies can allow for a bit of a softer landing in the community,” said Ryan Stafford, OSH Volunteer Services director.
OSH’s annual August donation drive is underway. The hospital seeks items to help patients when they’re discharged and to restock its inventory of magazines, puzzles, games and art supplies for OSH patients.
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Items desired: backpacks, duffle bags, suitcases or other items to help patients transport their belongings, new or unopened hygiene items (soaps, shampoo, conditioners, toothpaste, deodorant, feminine hygiene products).
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Additional items needed: puzzles (from 100 to 1,000 pieces), magazines, family-friendly table games, art supplies (non-toxic paints, Elmer’s school glue, Mod Podge, paints, brushes, stamps, ink pads and beads).
Donations may be new or gently used. Items can be shipped directly to OSH campuses in Salem or Junction City (to the attention of “Volunteer Services”) or left in donation barrels in visitor lobbies (click here for addresses). If you need a receipt for the tax-deductible donation or would like to arrange a pick-up of bulk or large items, email OSHVolunteer.Services@odhsoha.oregon.gov or call (503) 890-1369.
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Health notes |
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The record-breaking heat across Oregon and the United States continues to pose health risks. Over the next week, parts of southwest Oregon will experience multiple days over 100 degrees, and many other locations will see highs in the 90s. Check your forecast and be aware of high temperatures in your area.
Oregon’s heat waves have been getting worse in recent years. It’s a trend that is expected to worsen. Heat waves can seriously affect the health of the elderly, those who live or work outdoors, have low incomes, are infants and children, or who have a chronic medical condition. Here are a few tips to stay safe:
- Regardless of your level of activity, drink plenty of fluids, even if you are not thirsty, but especially when working outside. Avoid alcohol or liquids containing large amounts of sugar, because they can make your body lose water.
- Learn how to prevent, recognize and treat heat-related illnesses.
- Air conditioners can help you stay cool, but not everyone has one. Visiting friends with an air conditioner or going to free cooling centers in your community can help you stay cool.
More extreme heat resources can be found at 211.org. For heat advisories and more tips visit our Extreme Heat webpage.
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OHA answers your questions |
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Dr. Paul Cieslak, OHA senior health advisor and medical director, Communicable Diseases and Immunizations program, and OHA’s COVID-19 Commercialization Team, answered today’s questions.
Q: How long can germs from hands live on gas pump handles? – Ina May, Tigard
A: “Good question, especially after Oregon just lifted its decades-old ban on self-service at gas stations, allowing drivers to pump their own gas if the station chooses. While I’m unaware of any study of the duration of viability of various germs on gas pump handles, the handles are most surely regularly contaminated with a variety of bacteria, most of which are harmless. There might be potentially disease-causing Staph aureus, a bacteria that about 30% of people carry in their noses (usually harmless but can cause serious disease in health care settings), and group A Streptococcus (which causes Strep throat and other conditions), along with some viruses.
“Studies of persistence on other surfaces have found that some of these organisms can survive for many days. Bottom line: there will be plenty of germs on gas-pump handles, the risk from them is probably low, and the best way to reduce the risk is to wash one’s hands after handling the pump.”
Q: I read in an OHA bulletin that it is no longer necessary to have a positive COVID-19 test to receive the antiviral COVID-19 medications Paxlovid or molnupiravir. I'm in a high-risk category (age, weight, heart problems, blood thinners) and have been trying to get molnupiravir to take with me on a cruise where I know the medication is not kept onboard. I've been through Test to Treat, Color Health and my own physicians, and they all tell me they don't prescribe without a positive test. Can you explain this, please, and tell me if there is any way I can achieve my objective? – Kathleen, Boring
A: “Kathleen, you do not need to test positive for COVID-19 to be eligible for a Paxlovid or molnupiravir prescription. The FDA fact sheets for Paxlovid and molnupiravir were revised in February 2023, and although they are quite technical, if you look under “RECENT MAJOR CHANGES” on the first page of each, you’ll see “removal of requirement of SARS-CoV-2 viral testing.” That said, both medications are prescribed for the treatment of COVID-19, and it is entirely up to the prescribing health care provider to determine whether a prescription is warranted and safe, test or no test. While our partners at Color Health should not be asking you for a positive test result, they do require justification, and your travel plans may not qualify as justification.”
If you have questions about health topics in Oregon, submit your question here. Although we are unable to answer every question, we try to address those that may be of interest to a broader audience. Please understand that we are unable to provide specific medical advice for personal medical conditions.
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If you need mental health support for any reason, help is out there.
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