 |
 |
||||
 Headlines
VDH Participates in The Early Childhood Learning Campaign
Catherine J. Bodkin, LCSW, MSHA The first five years of a child’s life are a critical developmental period. In fact, research shows that children learn more from birth to age three than any other time in their life. During these formative years, what parents, childcare providers and communities do will affect the way our children learn, think and behave for the rest of their lives. In recognition of the important role that parents play in the lives of young children, the Virginia Department of Health has launched its Early Learning Campaign. The series of events runs from Mother's Day, May 8, until Father's Day, June 19 as part of Governor Mark R. Warner’s Early Learning Campaign. VDH will provide parents with important information to help them give their children the best start possible. The objective of the campaign is to educate and inspire parents, providers, community leaders and others about the benefits of investing in early childhood. Organizations across the Commonwealth will host local events to provide information about children’s developmental needs and comprehensive services and resources for parents and young children. Across the Commonwealth, through local libraries and other community sites, local health districts will offer immunization clinics, school-readiness programs, healthy nutrition, breastfeeding information, child development clinics and parent support programs. Some localities will have puppet shows, outdoor festivals, celebrities reading books and parent groups. Events in your local community can be found on the Library of Virginia Web site www.lva.lib.va.us.
|
 |
||||
Seeing Through the Eyes of Israel
The Virginia Department of Health, along with the Jewish Community Federation of Richmond took another step toward better preparing Virginians for a terrorist event. They invited some of Israel’s top experts to speak about overcoming mass casualty incidents resulting from terrorism. In April, four representatives from Israel shared their experiences following various mass casualty incidents. One of the speakers, Dr. Daniel Laor, said that in the last four years, Israel has had to cope with more than 20,000 terrorist events. In order to respond, the country has developed an integrated network of agencies trained to work together during these incidents. Israel operates using a plan referred to as the “5 Ps”: preparedness, performance, psychosocial, practice and predictions. Preparedness and performance deal with the readiness and response of the hospitals and their staff. To assist in that effort, a plan has been developed for Israeli health care professionals and hospital volunteers to know how to respond before, during and after an incident. Presenters also discussed the most common injuries sustained during various terrorist acts and addressed the type of care and recovery needed for each injury. Dr. Laor and others emphasized the need to develop terrorism response plans based on the needs and perception of the public. According to statistics released by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Association of the Schools of Public Health, 55 percent of the respondents are not confident that the U.S. health care system can respond during a crisis. In addition, 75 percent of the respondents are not sure if their local, state and federal government has adequate emergency plans. Israel’s experience with thousands of terrorist events has made the country’s health care providers experts in dealing with mass casualty incidents. Event organizers hope that the information shared will assist Virginia’s emergency preparedness planners in both the public and private sectors. Adopting some of their procedures and policies could help Virginia improve its emergency response plans. For more information about VDH Emergency Preparedness and Response Programs, visit www.vdh.virginia.gov/epr/.
|
back to top | ||||
| In
the News
|
|||||
| Returned Peace Corps Volunteers Bring Unique Experiences to the VDH
April 17-23 was International Volunteer Week, an annual celebration of volunteering. The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) staff includes several Returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCVs) who have volunteered overseas to improve the lives of others. RPCVs bring a unique set of experiences and values to VDH. Volunteers here have served in locations as varied as Eastern Europe, Southeast Asia, Central America, and sub-Saharan Africa. During their two-year service abroad, volunteers must adapt to the local customs and cultures of their host country as well as learn a foreign language. Russian, Mandinka, Spanish, French, Malagasy and Thai are among the languages spoken by RPCVs at VDH. Contrary to public misconception, living conditions also varied among volunteers. Some, like David Gaines, had to live in the most primitive of conditions. He spent two years in a round, mud hut with a conical grass roof in a Mandinka family compound in a remote village of The Gambia. Others, such as Kelly Lobanov, lived in a developed suburb of Moscow. Despite a few minor inconveniences, Ben Alonso reported, “My apartment in Honduras was actually nicer than my efficiency apartment in downtown Richmond.” For some volunteers, their experiences in the Peace Corps directly apply to their current positions at VDH. Kelly Lobanov, Public Relations Coordinator for VDH, used her educational training to develop a public relations program for university students in Russia. At VDH, Kelly served as a translator for doctors visiting from Kazakhstan and also translated educational materials for the department. Ben Alonso was an HIV/AIDS Prevention volunteer in Honduras and now works as an HIV Health Care Planner at VDH. He has also been able to use his Spanish fluency to help facilitate focus groups for Spanish speaking consumers of HIV health care services. Steve Pellei served as a Water Resources Engineer in Thailand and now works as the Director of Technical Services for the Office of Drinking Water. His experiences have given him a “broader understanding of the critical role water plays in determining our health, well-being, and way of life." For others, the connection was less direct. David Gaines worked with Gambian nationals assigned to an agricultural research project that investigated the improvement of local crop varieties and planting practices. He now helps manage the statewide West Nile Virus surveillance and prevention campaign at VDH. Chris Delcher, who served as a Water and Sanitation Engineer in El Salvador is now the Analysis, Visualization, and Reporting Coordinator for the Division of HIV, STD, and Pharmacy Services. Even if their experience did not directly correlate to their current position, many volunteers gained perspectives that have shaped their values and methodology. Chris Delcher reports that in the Peace Corps, he “came to understand the importance of public health” and that his service taught him “that it is important to get out into the community in order to understand its dynamics." While Peace Corps service is generally a two-year commitment, occasions may unfortunately arise that shorten a volunteer’s service. Chris Novak, Medical Epidemiologist for the Office of Epidemiology, and his wife, Shona had been serving in Madagascar for six months when political unrest broke out it in the country in 2002. The program in Madagascar was suspended, thereby prematurely ending their service commitment. In those six months, however, the Novaks were able to provide nutritional counseling, vaccines, and vitamins to families. They were also able to help with HIV/STD education and taught English to schoolchildren. Returned Peace Corps volunteers have given their time, talents, and spirit to people in underserved communities all over the world. Whether teaching public relations in Russia, designing water systems in Thailand, providing nutritional education to families in Madagascar, building latrines in El Salvador, conducting agricultural research in The Gambia, or promoting HIV/AIDS awareness in Honduras, volunteers have brought their skills and life experiences where they were needed most. Having returned to life in the United States, they continue in this spirit of service with their efforts at the health department.
|
back to top | ||||
Virginia Medical Reserve Corps Coordinators Attend the National Leadership Conference
Last April, Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) and health volunteer program coordinators from across the state attended the third annual National Leadership Conference in San Francisco, California. Coordinators from Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax, Loudoun, Rappahannock, Chesapeake, Virginia Beach, Southside Virginia, Southwest Virginia, Roanoke, Rappahannock/Rapidan, the Virginia Deparment of Health (VDH) central office, and the University of Virginia represented the Commonwealth's MRC. During the two-day conference,
sponsored by the National Medical Reserve Corps, Virginia coordinators
conducted presentations highlighting issues related to training,
program development and MRC program management. Virginia's MRC consists of both practicing and retired health care professionals and other volunteers trained to assist with health emergencies. Volunteers' responsibilities may include emergency medical care and triage, logistic or backup support for trauma units and hospitals in the event of a disaster, immunization campaigns, and public health awareness efforts. Keynote speakers such as U.S. Surgeon General Richard Carmona and National MRC Director, Commander Robert Tosatto stressed that the MRC program is a critical part of the emergency preparation and response efforts across the nation. The Surgeon General emphasized that the current 267 MRC units have quickly grown into the country's preferred long-term solution for developing and maintaining an army of medical emergency volunteers in local communities. VDH, in collaboration with Virginia MRC units, is reaching out to potential MRC volunteers and encouraging disaster volunteer groups and individuals from around the state to participate in Disaster Volunteer Day 2005. The event will be held at the Arthur Ashe Center in Richmond on Saturday, June 11 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Participants in the free program will learn information about a variety of topics including biological terrorism, epidemics, and severe weather disasters. The event will also offer an overview of the National Incident Management System and hands-on facilitated disaster preparation and response sessions. Volunteers involved in disaster preparation and response are encouraged to register early as space is limited. Contact Judy Marston, VDH Volunteer Coordinator, at (804) 864-7036 or Judith.Marston@vdh.virginia.gov for more information. To learn more about the Virginia MRC or to find out how to volunteer, log onto http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/mrc/.
|
back to top | ||||
Virginia Board of Health Makes Chronic Disease Prevention and Control Its Top Priority
In April, the Virginia Board of Health formally announced its plan to make the prevention and control of chronic disease, such as cancer, heart disease and diabetes, its top priority. The Board kicked off its initiative at its quarterly meeting in Roanoke, held in conjunction with the Chronic Disease Prevention and Control conference. During the conference, which attracted more than 200 participants, the Board visited the Kuumba Community Health and Wellness Center (Kuumba). Ms. Eileen Lepro, Executive Director of Kuumba, provided a presentation and led the Board on a tour of the facility. Del. Onzlee Ware joined the Board for its visit to Kuumba. While at Kuumba, the Board held a press conference to announce its new chronic disease prevention initiative. Chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, and diabetes are the leading causes of death and disability in the United States. Factors that contribute to chronic disease include the use of tobacco products, physical inactivity, poor nutrition, failure to use screening and early detection services, improper care of an existing health condition, as well as age, gender, and race. “Chronic diseases are among the most serious and prevalent health problems,” said State Health Commissioner Robert B. Stroube, M.D., M.P.H. “However, they are also among the most preventable,” said Dr. Stroube. Adopting healthy behaviors such as eating nutritious foods, being physically active and avoiding tobacco use can prevent or help control many of the devastating effects of chronic diseases. These conditions can also be managed more effectively and with less serious consequences if they are detected early. VDH strongly recommends Virginians to visit their health care provider regularly for physical examinations that include screening tests. Chronic disease also negatively impacts the economy. Individuals with chronic illnesses now comprise the national healthcare system’s largest, most expensive, and fastest growing service group. The medical care expenses of people with chronic diseases account for more than 75 percent of the nation's $1.4 trillion medical care costs. “Given the severe consequences for Virginia’s economy and the quality of life of its residents, the Commonwealth can not afford to ignore the threat posed by chronic disease,” said State Board of Health Chairman Jack O. Lanier, Dr. P.H. “The Board supports the implementation and promotion of best practices in the prevention and management of chronic disease.” The Board has identified a number of specific public health policy objectives that the Board plans to actively pursue, including:
The Board provides leadership in public health planning and policy development, consists of 13 members appointed by the Governor. Individual board members represent professions including medicine, nursing, dentistry, pharmacy and veterinary medicine, and also represent constituencies such as local government, hospitals, nursing homes, managed care health insurance plans, consumers and corporate purchasers of health care. For more information about the Board’s chronic disease prevention and control initiative, log on to www.vdh.virginia.gov/commish/BOH.asp.
|
back to top | ||||
| Your Community
|
|||||
| Chesterfield County Health Department Partners with Schools and Childcare Centers to Improve Immunization Rates
A partnership between Chesterfield County Health Department's Child Health Team and area childcare centers has led to improved immunization rates among children at several Chesterfield childcare facilities. The program emphasizes
safety in childcare facilities and strives to educate childcare
providers about keeping vaccinations
up-to-date to prevent the spread of vaccine preventable diseases.
Consultants with the Child Health Team make monthly contacts with
daycare directors to develop strategies encouraging better immunization
rates. They review children’s immunization records and remind
parents to visit their pediatricians or health clinics to update
care. In response to new licensure
standards, to become effective in June 2005, the Child Health Team
is developing training for daycare staff in the areas of safety,
medication administration and immunization monitoring. This is to
assist childcare centers to comply with key changes in licensure
regulations by June 2007. Currently there are 30 childcare centers
who have been assigned a childcare health consultant. This year, children presented more up-to-date immunization records at the time of registration. This is attributed due to community awareness through partnerships and improved immunization awareness among parents. Parents may contact the Chesterfield Child Health Team at 804-748-1691. To learn more about immunization requirements, log onto http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/imm/index.asp.
|
back to top | ||||
Capturing Hope: Virginia Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program Participants Share Their Images and Stories
Photographs have the power to change lives and communicate ideas in a way that words cannot. In February 2005, the Virginia Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (BCCEDP) began a special photo documentary project (funded by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) to gather images and stories of 10 women in three regions of the state. Ten women were served by Virginia's breast and cervical cancer screening program, also known as Every Woman's Life. Three of the women were breast cancer survivors; the others were women who understood the importance of annual breast and cervical cancer screening exams. Richmond photographer Thurston Howes captured hundreds of images of the women in a variety of settings important to them such as their church, place of work, home, garden, or with family or pets. The womens' images and stories will be used in BCCEDP outreach materials across the state to emphasize the impact of breast and cervical cancer screenings on real women and their families in Virginia. The women participating in the project recognized the photo documentary as an opportunity to help other women make critical, lifesaving decisions regarding screening for breast and cervical cancer. The Every Woman's Life program provides free screening to women who have household incomes under 200 percent of the federal poverty level. All women must claim Virginia as their primary place of residence. In addition, to qualify, women must be 50 to 64 years of age. If appointments are available, women 40 to 49 years of age may also be eligible for free screening services, through the Every Woman's Life program. To find out more about more about Every Woman's Life, log onto www.vahealth.org/breastcancer.
|
back to top | ||||
|
|
|||||
VDH Office of Emergency Medical Services’ Christopher Reeve Campaign Video Wins International Award The Christopher Reeve emergency medical services video, part of the new VDH Office of Emergency Medical Services (OEMS) recruitment campaign, has won the Award of Distinction in the Videographer Awards 2005 competition. These international awards set the standards for the video production industry. The Award of Distinction is awarded to those projects that clearly exceed industry standards.  The media campaign, featuring the late actor and director Christopher Reeve, was developed by the OEMS and offered free to all Virginia EMS agencies. Christopher Reeve was asked to be a spokesperson because of his commitment to helping people and because he became a patient of the Virginia EMS system following his injury in a horseback riding accident in Culpeper. Following his accident, he was served by every part of Virginia’s EMS system – emergency medical dispatch, on-site EMS response and treatment, air medical evacuation and trauma care services. Reeve died two weeks after the video was produced and one month before he was scheduled to speak at the 2004 Virginia EMS Symposium. With this multi-media campaign, the Virginia Department of Health will express appreciation to all of the state’s EMS providers, encourage providers to continue being active members of their EMS agencies and invite others to become EMS providers. EMS agencies will receive radio and TV public service spots to take to their local stations, and graphics for three posters, a brochure and radio/TV scripts that can be printed with the name of the local EMS agency.
|
back to top | ||||
State Health Commissioner Recognizes Employees Who Go the Extra Mile
On May 3, the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) saluted its employees for their hard work and dedication to the Commonwealth at its annual Virginia Public Service Week event. State Health Commissioner Robert B. Stroube, M.D., M.P.H. congratulated finalists in the VDH nomination process for this year’s Governor’s Award competition and winners of the Public Health Hero award. Health department employees from around the state nominated 64 individuals, the entire staff of two health districts, and the members of two VDH teams to be considered as nominees for the Governor’s Award. From among these nominees, six people and one team were singled out for further recognition. Seven professionals were selected this year for the Public Health Hero award which commends central office staff members who consistently go above and beyond the call of duty on behalf of the citizens of Virginia. Click on the links below to view the VDH 2005 Governor's Award nominees and Public Health Heroes: |
back to top |
