Farewell Everyone!
It's not goodbye but rather "see you later!"
Hello DPH Colleagues 😊 As I sit down to write this newsletter, a wave of mixed emotions washes over me. It's with a heavy heart and a sense of gratitude that I bid adieu to the incredible team at the Idaho Division of Public Health. This will be my last newsletter to you all (but don’t fret, the newsletter will continue after I am gone). Over the past two years, my journey here has been nothing short of extraordinary, filled with learning, growth, and wonderful connections.
Starting as a CDC Foundation Field Employee focusing primarily on COVID and later transitioning into a state role assisting with division wide communications, I have had the privilege of witnessing the unwavering dedication and passion that defines each member of this remarkable organization. Your commitment to public health and well-being has been both inspiring and contagious (no pun intended), and it's been an honor to contribute alongside such a talented and devoted group of individuals.
The memories we've created together, whether during challenging projects, collaborative meetings, or the camaraderie shared (even though I’ve been a state away), will forever hold a special place in my heart. I want to express my sincere appreciation for the support, mentorship, and friendship that each of you has generously extended throughout my time here. Together, we've achieved milestones and worked towards a common goal, and I am proud to have been a part of such a dedicated and dynamic group.
Thank you, from the depths of my heart, for making my time at the Idaho Division of Public Health truly memorable. I will miss you all dearly and look forward to crossing paths in the future.
Wishing you continued success and fulfillment in all your endeavors.
-Clinton Avery F. Dela Cruz
Now on to the Newsletter!
🦃 Weekly POLL | This week’s question is:
View past Poll and Survey Responses in our newsletter archives.
Highlighting staff news, achievements, and milestones.
👋 Welcome Heather Muth! The Idaho Immunization Program is happy to welcome Heather as the new COVID-19 Vaccine Subgrant & Contract Monitor. Heather was born in Huntington, WV and lived in Pittsburgh, PA for a couple of years before moving to Casper, WY where she grew up. Over the years, she has lived in various other places in the western United States. For the past five years, she has been living in Twin Falls, Idaho. Prior to working with DHW, Heather was at South Central Public Health District where she served as a COVID-19 Investigator, COVID-19 Lead for the Epidemiology Staff, and COVID-19 Vaccine Coordinator. She also served as a backup for the public information officer.
Heather is a licensed Esthetician and runs her own skincare business. In her free time, Heather enjoys traveling, visiting wineries, kayaking, hiking, walking her Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Liam, and spending time with friends and family.
👏 Congratulations Miranda Helm! The Bureau of Vital Records and Health Statistics would like to congratulate Miranda on her promotion to Technical Records Specialist 1. Miranda began with us in November of 2004 as a CSR 1. In January of 2013, Miranda was promoted to an OS2. She began her new position, as a TRS1, Monday, November 13th. We say congratulations Miranda! She has been a great asset to our Registration team and we are happy to have her in this new position!
👏 Job Well Done Betsy! Feedback from participants about the quality of the Zero Suicide workshop training and of Betsy Hammar’s leadership in organizing has been overwhelmingly positive. Many expressed appreciation for DHW’s support of this initiative. One notable example was a message from Brenda Freeman of University of Nevada, Reno (and sister of Sharlene Green, a former clinician for the Duck Valley community).
“Betsy, I heard rave reports on the training you just did in Boise. Great job! Happy Thanksgiving... I hope you are well. Best, Brenda”
📑 Josh Rundle updated and published the State Health Assessment dashboard. He is working on refreshing the look as well. Joe published the updated GHI State Health Assessment dashboard to the GHI website.
🦠 COVID-19 continues to circulate in Idaho, and with the upcoming months expected to see an increase in RSV and flu cases, it's crucial to stay vigilant. Despite the specific virus causing illness, there is a rise in respiratory symptoms within our communities and the Department of Health and Welfare (DHW). With fall bringing more indoor activities and school sessions, it's important to take precautions to prevent the spread of diseases like COVID-19, flu, or RSV.
If you feel unwell:
For teleworkers, assess if you can continue working or need sick time.
If in the office, inform your supervisor and determine if remote work is possible or if sick time is necessary.
Get tested for COVID-19, considering similar symptoms with other respiratory viruses.
If positive, follow the CDC isolation and exposure calculator and wear masks upon returning to the office according to guidelines.
To protect yourself and others:
Stay home if sick.
Practice frequent handwashing.
Cover coughs and sneezes.
Consider vaccination.
Maintain at least six feet of distance in public.
Resources:
COVID-19 information: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html
RSV symptoms: https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/about/symptoms.html
Flu information: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/
New Report Reveals Increasing Infant and Maternal Mortality Rates in Idaho | A new report highlights a concerning rise in infant and maternal mortality rates in Idaho, with a 121.5% increase in maternal deaths and an 18% rise in child mortality since the previous year. The maternal mortality rate in 2021 was 40.1 deaths per 100,000 births. Additionally, 117 infants died in 2021 compared to 97 in 2019. The report recommends Medicaid reform, emphasizing the need to update income cutoffs and extend postpartum coverage, aligning with other states. Critical issues include lack of prenatal care, maternal health insurance, and postpartum depression among Idaho mothers. The disbanding of a maternal death review committee is noted, with a call for reinstatement. Efforts to implement some recommendations, including 12 months postpartum Medicaid coverage, are underway. The report underscores Medicaid's significance for low-income families and the impact of eligibility reviews, with over 70,000 children removed from Medicaid this year, potentially contributing to a growing number of uninsured children in Idaho. The report advocates for Medicaid policy changes to better align with national standards, addressing the healthcare challenges faced by mothers and children in the state.
Read More: Idaho Capital Sun -11/28 / Idaho Infant and Maternal Health Report 2023
Idaho Legislators Request Additional Time for Medicaid Study Amidst Efforts to Identify Cost-Saving Measures | The Idaho Medicaid Managed Care Task Force, aimed at finding cost-saving measures, released its final report without a conclusive recommendation on restructuring Medicaid funding. The focus was on whether private companies or doctors should manage healthcare for Medicaid enrollees. The report calls for continuing Idaho's current Medicaid structure, utilizing both value-based care and managed care organizations. The task force proposed draft legislation to establish another panel of lawmakers to oversee Medicaid, garnering a 5-4 vote for inclusion. The report emphasizes the need for ongoing monitoring of Medicaid contracts and suggests health committees explore options for budget predictability and stability. Concerns were raised about the value-based care model, with questions about its ability to cover high-cost care and pharmaceutical drugs. The draft legislation, if approved, would create a new panel of Idaho legislators to provide oversight. Medicaid, Idaho's largest state government program, faces scrutiny over its budget, with a $4.6 billion request for the next year. The report leaves questions surrounding the enrollment in Idaho Medicaid and the effectiveness of the value-based care model. The state's Medicaid services are managed by a mix of private companies, healthcare organizations, and the Department of Health and Welfare. The report suggests ongoing evaluation and exploration of options to optimize the efficiency of Idaho's Medicaid system.
Read More: Idaho Capital Sun -11/28
Idaho Health and Welfare Explores Innovative Approaches for Furnishing Housing to Foster Children | The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare has been actively seeking housing solutions for the numerous children in foster care for the past two years. Currently, they utilize six short-term rentals accommodating 15 to 28 children nightly, but challenges in effective management persist. The department plans to relocate up to 12 children to a former assisted living facility in the Treasure Valley by January or February 2024. Additionally, they are exploring alternative options, including a wing in an underused juvenile corrections facility in Lewiston. The emphasis is on keeping foster children within the state to facilitate proximity to their communities and families, addressing the children's desire to maintain connections with their parents.
Read More: KLEW - 11/27
Interesting health related topics to catch up on.
📖 READ | Public Health related articles, stories, and interviews.
Preventing Respiratory Disease Spread with Less Authority, More Influence |
Public health leaders, including the CDC, have shifted focus from primarily COVID to a broader range of respiratory diseases like influenza and RSV. With COVID hospitalization rates decreasing and RSV and flu infections rising, hospitals are preparing for potential challenges in bed and staffing capacity. In August, ASTHO formed a workgroup with national organizations to provide early guidance to CDC and federal agencies, discussing potential scenarios for the respiratory disease season and prioritizing strategies for state and local public health leaders. READ MORE
Centering the Community’s Voice in State-Led Health Equity Initiatives | ASTHO has collaborated with state public health departments over the past two years, fostering health equity through initiatives like the STRETCH Initiative, a 10-state learning community. STRETCH focuses on operationalizing health equity and alleviating the constant pressures from negative health outcomes. ASTHO also aids states in utilizing CDC's COVID-19 Health Disparities grant to address pandemic impacts on high-risk populations. Health disparities, costing $451 billion in 2018, affect communities' quality of life and financial well-being. Recent events, including the COVID-19 pandemic, underscore the challenges faced by marginalized communities. States, with ASTHO's support, are taking steps to enhance public health staff training and involve under-represented communities in policymaking for optimal health outcomes. READ MORE
Healthy Aging and Brain Health | ASTHO initiated a program in 2015 to enhance the well-being of older adults by fostering collaboration across sectors. Since then, our healthy aging portfolio has grown, offering capacity building and technical assistance to state and territorial public health agencies. We provide evidence-based best practices to support these agencies. Additionally, ASTHO advocates for healthy aging throughout all life stages by implementing policies and programs that cater to the specific needs of each age group and the entire community. ACCESS TOOLKITS’ & MODULES
🎧 LISTEN | Public Health related podcasts, insights, and interviews.
One Health - The Shared Future of People, Animals, and the Planet | In this episode, we explore a few MMWR reports. Initially, vaccination rates among kindergartners remain below pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels. Secondly, one-third of U.S. veterans are diagnosed with arthritis, with a higher prevalence among the youngest veterans compared to their peers. Lastly, healthcare personnel exhibited lower flu shot rates during the pandemic, and a significant portion was not up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations during the last respiratory virus season.
A Conversation with Former Surgeon General Jerome Adams | Jerome Adams, the former Surgeon General, engages in a discussion with Dr. Josh Sharfstein about his latest book, "Crisis and Chaos, Lessons From the Front Lines in the War Against COVID-19." The conversation covers Adams' impactful personal journey, the emotionally challenging task of leading amid a highly politicized pandemic, and his endeavors to promote health as a bipartisan priority.
📺 WATCH | Public Health related webinars, trainings, and stories.
On November 29, the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) brought together public health experts to address the expansion of naloxone access, the opioid crisis, and statewide naloxone distribution. Notable speakers included Jerome M. Adams, MD, MPH, the 20th U.S. Surgeon General and executive director of health equity initiatives for Purdue University, as well as Steven J. Stack, MD, MBA, ASTHO president and commissioner for the Kentucky Department for Public Health. The event was skillfully moderated by Marcus Plescia, MD, MPH, ASTHO's chief medical officer.
Learning and growth opportunities. ☑️ Internal / ✅ External / ⭐ Idaho
✅ Unveiling of the Perinatal Substance Use Special Issue in the Maternal and Child Health Journal / Dec 19 / Cost: FREE | Mental health conditions, including substance use disorder (SUD), account for nearly 25% of pregnancy-related deaths, emerging as the primary underlying cause. The Maternal and Child Health Journal's special issue, supported by the Association of Maternal & Child Health Programs and the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials, presents 21 open articles showcasing the latest research, programs, and policy initiatives focused on perinatal SUD. Funding for this special issue is provided by the Maternal and Child Health Bureau within the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration. REGISTER HERE
✅ Provider Strategies to Improve Access to Emergency Contraception / Dec 13, 2023 / Cost: FREE (Must Login) | The Contraception Access Learning Community is organizing a webinar to assist clinical staff and healthcare providers in enhancing emergency contraception access. The session will cover the current landscape of emergency contraception provision in the United States, present recent clinical research on new options, and explore innovative strategies for improving access in clinics. Attendees will gain the knowledge and tools needed to advocate for and implement new methods, expanding emergency contraception services across diverse healthcare settings. REGISTER HERE
✅ ASTHO Change Management eLearning Course | Upon course completion, participants will define change, list its stages, assess organizational readiness, outline best practices, and grasp guiding principles and leadership roles in change management. The course also covers Kotter’s 8-Step model and the 4 Principles for Accelerated Change.
Login to Access Course Modules HERE
🖋️ DHW Newsroom | Articles written by the DHW communications team
✒️ DHW Voice | Articles written by DHW staff members
Nov 28 | Lose Focus campaign extends efforts to aid Idahoans with substance use disorder, by IDHW Communications
Nov 27 | Every day is a great day to give thanks, by DHW Director Dave Jeppesen
Nov 21 | National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month an opportunity to break through Alzheimer’s stigma, by Tiffany Robb and Brooke Zander, DPH
📰 DHW Connection | Newsletters written by the DHW communications team
Nov 22 - DHW Connection Newsletter 112th edition
Non-work related fun—it’s what breaks were made for!
📺 Ready to get your binge on? | Agree or disagree, here are some of the best TV shows to watch this year. Let the bingeing begin! Any other fans of The Bear here?
🎧 Audio is more my jam | To all my fellow PodSnobs, take a look at this list of some of the best podcasts of 2023. Search Engine is my go to right now to help me beat the bore of chores and makes those long car rides a bit more bearable.
📖 I prefer to cozy up with a nice book | TV’s great but there’s something special about sitting down for the long haul with a good book in front of you. Here are some of the top reads in 2023.
👩🍳 Forget the TV shows, podcast, and books, let’s cook! | For all you home chef’s, and I know there are many of you, here are some easy holiday recipes to keep your tastebuds busy.
Goodbye DPH Colleagues! Until Next time.
🎞️ DPH Open House - Nov 15 | Click the links to the PowerPoint and Recording
💾 CTRL+S | A repository for our awesome content, minus the dust bunnies.
