Category: Public Health
Hepatitis B affects 1 in 12 Asians Americans and Pacific Islanders
While Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders make up less than 5% of the total U.S. population, they account for more than 50% of Americans living with chronic hepatitis B.
Learn about summer safety at “Safe Kids Day” events – May 18
The Washington State Safe Kids Coalition invites parents to take part in Safe Kids Day on Saturday, May 18. Local coalitions are holding several events across the state to help parents learn ways to keep kids.
Attorneys general seek warning label cautioning pregnant women against using pain pills
Nationally, about 13,500 infants were born with drug withdrawal symptoms in 2009, about one baby each hour, according to a 2012 study from the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Children, teens should not use tanning lamps – FDA
indoor tanners are 75 percent more likely to develop melanoma than those who have never tanned indoors, and the risk increases with use.
Road deaths climb in 2012, ending six-year slide
The number of people who died in traffic accidents inched up last year, reversing a downward trend in road deaths that began in 2006, according to a federal report.
Hot weather, cold water pose drowning risk
In Washington, drowning risks peak in summer months, but during the month of May, there are usually several drowning deaths on warm spring days when people, especially kids and teens, are eager to get in the water to swim, or go rafting or boating.
Healthcare’s ‘Dirty little secret’: No one may be coordinating care
Breakdowns in hospital communications are common, with sometimes dire consequences for patients.
Seattle Children’s doctor offers spring safety tips for parents and kids
The days are getting longer, the weather is getting warmer and kids are spending more time outdoors. But with spring also comes the occasional bump, bruise, bite, rash and fall. How can parents help their kids avoid injury?
E. coli outbreak leads to expanded recall of frozen food products
Several types of Farm Rich, Market Day, and Schwan’s brand frozen food products – have been recalled due to possible contamination with E. coli. The products were distributed widely throughout Washington. The recalls are related to a national E. coli outbreak that sickened 27 people from 15 states, including a Pierce County woman in her 20s.
Federal judge strikes down age limits on ‘morning-after’ pill
A federal judge has ruled that the morning-after pill for emergency contraception must be made available over the counter to girls 16 and under. The ruling could end a more than decade-long battle over how easy or difficult it should be for teenage girls to obtain emergency contraception. The ruling would also make it easier for older women to obtain the drug because it wouldn’t have to be kept behind drugstore counters anymore.
Safety begins at home – National Public Health Week article
Did You Know?
The majority of fire-related deaths happen at home.
Falls are the leading cause of injury-related deaths among people over 65
Nine out of every 10 childhood poison exposures happens at home . . .
CDC’s new antismoking campaign: Tips from Former Smokers
This week the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention launches a new ad campaign featuring the stories of former smokers living with smoking-related diseases and disabilities.
State health officials want you to send them your ticks
The Department of Health is asking people all over the state to send ticks to the agency for a project to learn more about what types of ticks live in Washington.
One in three US adults has prediabetes, yet few aware they have the condition
Only one in ten Americans with prediabetes are aware they have elevated blood sugars that put them at risk of developing type 2 diabetes, the CDC reports.







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