May 8, 2008
PUBLIC HEALTH NURSES SAFEGUARD THE HEALTH OF ALL VIRGINIANS, MAKING A DIFFERENCE EVERY DAY
National Nurses Week is May 6-12
(RICHMOND, Va.) – Whether it’s a natural disaster, an outbreak of tuberculosis, or a person in need of personal health care services, Virginia’s public health nurses serve on the front lines. They provide an array of health care services that help promote the health of Virginia residents. Virginia Department of Health (VDH) nurses work with educators, doctors and other partners to inform, educate and empower people about health issues and mobilize community partnerships to identify and solve health problems. more>>
April 24, 2008
HANOVER HEALTH DEPARTMENT TREATING INDIVIDUALS FOR MENINGOCCAL INFECTION
(HANOVER, Va)-The Hanover health department is working with the Hanover County Public School system to identify and treat individuals that may have been in close contact with a student diagnosed with a case of meningococcal infection; an infection that causes meningitis. Meningitis is a medical term for inflammation of the tissues surrounding the brain. more>>
April 17, 2008
ASSISTANCE WITH CONFIDENTIAL PARTNER NOTIFICATION HELPS REDUCE DISEASE TRANSMISSION
(Richmond, Va.) Notifying people that they may have been exposed to an infectious disease is a critical part of protecting the public health. However, for individuals newly diagnosed with HIV or certain STDs, alerting their partners can be uncomfortable and overwhelming. The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) offers Disclosure Assistance Services (DAS) to help people inform sex and or needle sharing partners that they may have been exposed to an infection and should be tested. more>>
April 10, 2008
VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH INVESTIGATES ILLNESS OF PORTSMOUTH WOMAN
Ongoing consultation with the CDC, international medical experts and the Portsmouth Health Department indicates that there is no risk to the public’s health
(Richmond, Va.)—The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is investigating the recent illness of a Portsmouth woman who died April 9, 2008. The patient suffered from encephalopathy which is a degenerative disease of the brain. more>>
April 2, 2008
STATE MEDICAL EXAMINER’S REPORT: MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS ARE COMMON IN SUICIDES
(RICHMOND, Va.)— More than half of Virginia’s suicide victims suffer from mental health problems, according to a new report compiled by the Virginia Department of Health’s Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. The new report, based on 2006 data from the Virginia Violent Death Reporting System, reveals that 56 percent of suicide victims had a mental health problem and 40 percent were receiving mental health treatment at the times of their deaths. more>>
March 17, 2008
100 YEARS OF TUBERCULOSIS TREATMENT IN VIRGINIA
Virginia Department of Health Recognizes World TB Day and a Century of Services to Virginians
(Richmond, Va.) The fight against tuberculosis (TB) in Virginia began even before the establishment of the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) in 1908. The first sanatorium for treatment of TB in the Commonwealth opened in 1904 at Central State Hospital and three more were opened before 1920. When VDH was created in 1908 the agency had four employees and an annual budget of $40,000. Public health efforts focused primarily on the prevention and control of infectious diseases like tuberculosis. Despite the best efforts of Virginia’s public health system over the past century, TB unfortunately remains a significant threat to public health. more>>
March 14, 2008
Drinking water, pharmaceuticals and personal care products
Recent media reports have raised public awareness that the medicine we take and the personal care products we use can enter our waterways and drinking water supplies.
New technology allows scientists to detect trace amounts of these compounds in our water. Until recently, researchers studying those chemicals focused on the potential effects on the environment. Research is underway on this emerging topic to determine if pharmaceuticals and personal care products, or PPCPs, have potential human health effects at trace levels. more>>
March 10, 2008
HIGHEST NUMBER OF ANIMAL RABIES CASES REPORTED IN VIRGINIA IN TWENTY-FIVE YEARS
Virginia Department of Health Urges Vaccinations for Pets during Rabies Awareness Week March 10-15
(Richmond, Va.) – In 2007, 730 cases of rabies in animals were reported to the Virginia Department of Health (VDH). This is the highest number of cases reported since 1982 when VDH received 745 reports. During Rabies Awareness Week, VDH, in partnership with the Virginia Veterinary Medicine Association, Virginia Animal Control Association and Virginia Federation of Humane Societies are stressing the importance of vaccinating companion animals, such as dogs and cats, against rabies. more>>
February 4, 2008
SIGNIFICANT DISPARITIES EXIST BETWEEN VIRGINIA POPULATIONS
National Black HIV/AIDS Black Awareness Day February 7, 2008
(Richmond, Va.)—“Prevention is power.” The message for this year’s National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day underscores the significance of education, testing and treatment for HIV in communities disproportionately affected by the disease. more>>
January 22, 2008
VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH WINS NATIONAL AWARD FOR EFFORT TO IMPROVE COMMUNICATION BETWEEN HEALTH PROVIDERS AND NON-ENGLISH SPEAKING RESIDENTS
(RICHMOND, Va.) – The Virginia Department of Health’s (VDH) Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Health Care Services Initiative, referred to as CLAS Act, has won a 2007 Vision Award as an outstanding and creative state health program from the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials. more>>