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Highlights from Public Health Insider and this month's headlines
January 2019
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Disease investigators from Public Health – Seattle & King County have confirmed measles infection in a King County resident. The King County resident, a male in his 50s, was hospitalized but has since recovered. It is not clear where the man’s infection was acquired, although he reported recent travel to Vancouver, Washington during part of the time he could have been exposed. Vancouver is in Clark County, where there is a measles outbreak occurring.
“Measles is a highly contagious disease and if you don’t have immunity, you can get it just by being in a room where a person with measles has been,” said Dr. Jeff Duchin, Health Officer for Public Health – Seattle & King County. “Fortunately, the measles vaccine is very effective. Two doses of measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine provides over 95% protection against measles and that protection is long lasting.”
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COMICS FROM THE 2018 SEATTLE/KING COUNTY CLINIC, PART ONE: THE PATIENTS
Public Health – Seattle & King County is proud to be one of over 100 organizations that participated in the 2018 Seattle/King County Clinic. Over four days in September, more than 3,500 people received free medical, dental, and vision care there, waiting in line for long hours, even overnight, at KeyArena.
For the third year, a team of artists interviewed patients to better understand the circumstances that brought patients to the SKC Clinic. We will be sharing the comics from this project in three parts over the coming weeks.
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EVERY BODY CAN PLAY! EASY WAYS TO SAY “YES!” TO KIDS WITH DISABILITIES
Whether they meet at the playground or on the soccer field, kids exude joy when they play together. But for many families that include a child with a disability, this simple joy can be hard to reach. From inaccessible playgrounds to sports programs that say they can’t accommodate kids with physical differences, there are many ways that programs exclude or overlook kids with disabilities and their families. These families are experts in navigating the challenges of accessibility and inclusion.
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SEATTLE’S SODA TAX ALMOST ENTIRELY PASSED ON TO CONSUMERS, RESEARCHERS FIND
As expected, Seattleites paid significantly more for their Mountain Dews and Monster Energy Drinks last year. They also paid much more for diet drinks in some stores, even though non-sugary beverages were exempt from the city’s new tax.
Researchers at the University of Washington School of Public Health and Public Health – Seattle & King County (PHSKC) found the cost of Seattle’s so-called soda tax was almost entirely passed on to consumers.
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PUBLIC HEALTH WARNING THOSE WHO USE ILLICIT DRUGS TO TAKE EXTRA CARE AFTER REPORTED UPTICK IN OVERDOSES
Public Health – Seattle & King County is warning people who use illicit drugs to take extra care and not to use drugs alone. The warning comes after seven overdoses were reported in the north area of Seattle today, January 17th. According to first responders on scene, some victims reported injecting heroin and others snorting a crushed pill that may have been fentanyl. There were no immediate fatalities. Six of the seven individuals were transported to area hospitals for care.
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EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS FOR YOUR CAR, SEATTLE SQUEEZE EDITION
The Seattle Squeeze is coming, and locals are gearing up for what could be the one traffic jam to rule them all. As you get ready for this latest car-maggeddon, there’s no better time to put together an emergency kit for your vehicle. There are many practical reasons for an emergency car kit, especially in winter, but there may be some new creative uses for the items in the kit during the Seattle Squeeze.
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Additional Headlines
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Measles outbreak in Washington state expected to grow [VIDEO] (KING 5)
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Opinion: A call to vaccinate (Oregon Live)
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Measles outbreak calls for our attention (Vashon Beachcomber)
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With recent outbreak, here's how to stay protected against measles (KOMO)
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New report paints grim picture of nation's drug crisis (KIRO 7)
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Inslee Proposes ‘Public Option’ Health-Insurance Plan for Washington (Daily Chronicle)
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Albany County Executive McCoy Delivers 'State Of The County' Address (WAMC)
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Once again, homeless deaths in King County appear to break record (Seattle Times)
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New middle school program focuses on mental wellness (Voice of the Valley)
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Man reported missing in 2017 identified as body found in tree (Peninsula Daily News)
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Hungry for data on food safety? In Minnesota, it's more than a click away (Star Tribune)
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