Latest News

Douglas County Wants Your Thoughts on Health Plan

phillip.rooney@douglascounty-ne.gov (Phillip Rooney) — Mon, 20 May 2013 18:54:12 +0000

Your help is needed to ensure Douglas County is a thriving community where optimal health is assured for all.

The Douglas County Health Department and Live Well Omaha are asking your help in developing a Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP). This planning process will identify health priorities, develop action steps, and target resources.

Everyone, as individuals and organizations, has an essential role to play in this effort. The Health Department and Live Well Omaha are encouraging you to select from 11 areas of opportunity identified in recent a recent pair of Community Health Needs Assessments for adults and youth.

Please visit the following one of the following links to take the one-question survey and select the top three health priorities for Douglas County:

· www.douglascohealth.org or

· (English version) https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/CHIP2013

· (Spanish version)https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/CHIP2013Spanish

The Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) helps identify the health priorities that can make the greatest impact on community health status.

The survey is available for your input through May 29. The CHIP will be presented at the annual Health Summit on Oct. 17.

Flu Death is Season's First in Douglas County

phillip.rooney@douglascounty-ne.gov (Phillip Rooney) — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 19:00:56 +0000

A woman from Douglas County over the age of 65 with underlying medical conditions died this week after being hospitalized with seasonal flu complications, according to the Health Department. She was not immunized.

“We extend our sympathies to her family for their loss,” Douglas County Health Director Dr. Adi Pour said. “It is a harsh reminder that the flu claims lives every year, and we all must do what we can to protect ourselves and our loved ones from this highly contagious disease.”

This flu season had an early start, with the first local cases recorded in October. To date there have been 1,132 confirmed cases of influenza in Douglas County during this flu season.

Some simple actions can help you reduce the severity of seasonal influenza:

· Elderly individuals are advised to seek prompt antiviral treatment when diagnosed with the flu to reduce the likelihood of serious illness or death

· Cover your cough with a tissue or cough into your sleeve.

· Wash your hands and keep your hands away from your face.

· Avoid close contact with people who are coughing or appear ill.

· Stay home if you are sick or keep family members home if they are sick.

· If you haven’t done it already, consider protecting yourself with a flu vaccination.

“While it is not perfect, the flu vaccine provides the best protection we can offer at this time,” Dr. Pour said. “It also can reduce the severity of the illness if you become sick.”

Dr. Pour encouraged everyone to follow basic good health practices, such as making sure to eat right and get enough rest. Children under 5 years of age, adults 65 and older, pregnant women, and individuals with underlying illnesses are especially at risk of flu complications.

“It does not appear our flu season has peaked,” Dr. Pour said. “That may not occur for several weeks, so it is important that people take the appropriate precautions.”

New Year's Resolution - Live Smoke Free

phillip.rooney@douglascounty-ne.gov (Phillip Rooney) — Wed, 26 Dec 2012 19:40:26 +0000

Many people look at the New Year as an opportunity to improve their health, and those can go beyond eating well and staying active.

One of those resolutions is to take a pledge to quit smoking, or if you don’t smoke, pledge to live in a smoke-free environment.

People who live in apartments and other multiunit housing can easily be exposed to secondhand smoke from nearby units.

Secondhand tobacco smoke can:

· Cause heart disease, lung cancer and premature death among nonsmokers.

· Contribute to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and increase the chances of lung problems, ear infections, and severe asthma in children.

· Be harmful even when filtered out of the air or when windows are kept open. There is no “safe level.”

Smoking in buildings increases the risk of structure fires. There were 147 fires in multi-unit buildings between August 2011 and August 2012 in Douglas County, according to the Omaha Fire Department.

According to the CDC, 26 states and the District of Columbia had comprehensive smoke-free laws in 2010, up from zero in 2000. The Nebraska Clean Indoor Air Act of 2008 protects you from secondhand smoke by prohibiting smoking in public places and places of employment, including the entries and exits of apartment complexes, hallways, laundry rooms and workout facilities.

“Despite the progress, second hand smoke remains the third leading cause of preventable death in the United States,” said Aja Anderson, community health educator from the Douglas County Health Department. “Surveys have found that roughly half of multiunit housing residents with smoke-free rules have experienced second-hand smoke in their home that came from somewhere else in their building.”

Flu Makes Early Start in Douglas County

phillip.rooney@douglascounty-ne.gov (Phillip Rooney) — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 21:28:13 +0000

The flu season is off to an early start in Douglas County, reflecting what is happening around the nation. Through November, the county has 27 confirmed cases of influenza, well above the typical numbers of five or fewer at this point in the season. Unlike many other areas in the country, flu cases in Douglas County are almost evenly split between type-A and type-B.

“It is too early to say for sure what these numbers mean,” Douglas County Health Director Dr. Adi Pour said. “The flu season usually last two or three months and peaks in February or March, so it is not too late to be vaccinated.”

This is National Influenza Vaccination Week, and with many people planning holiday gatherings, the time to get your vaccine is now. It takes about two weeks for the vaccine to give protection.

Even if you were vaccinated last year the flu is always changing, so you need the current vaccine. It is especially important for pregnant women to be vaccinated because they are at a much higher risk of complications from the flu. Not only will it protect the mother, the immunization is passed on to the baby for about the first six months of life before they are able to receive vaccine.

People who are at risk of developing serious flu complications, such as pneumonia, are also encouraged to get the vaccine. That includes individuals aged 65 and over, plus anyone with asthma, diabetes, or chronic lung disease. Anyone who is 65 years of age or older and has flu-like symptoms should quickly seek medical advice.

“Flu vaccine is rigorously tested and very safe,” Dr. Pour said. “Vaccine provides your best protection from the flu.”

The 2012-2013 seasonal flu vaccine is available at doctor’s offices and pharmacies throughout Douglas County, and the CDC has said it is a good match for the circulating strains. The vaccine contains protection against the strain of H1N1 that caused the 2009 pandemic.

Smoke-free Living Opportunities Grow in Douglas County

phillip.rooney@douglascounty-ne.gov (Phillip Rooney) — Fri, 09 Nov 2012 20:27:09 +0000

The Great American Smokeout is Nov. 15. To mark the occasion, when people are encouraged to consider giving up smoking, the Douglas County Health Department is calling attention to some local efforts that are helping hundreds of families to live healthier, smoke-free lives.

As success builds on success, new properties are being added to the list of smoke-free living options for families at local public housing agencies.

More than 1,400 housing units in the 11 towers managed by the Omaha Housing Authority are smoke-free, and by Dec. 1 another 215 units will be made available to provide additional healthy living options. Family developments and scattered-site housing could follow in the coming year, potentially tripling the number of smoke-free units and providing 100 percent smoke-free living.

“The concept of smoke-free living has worked so well, we are expanding it,” said OHA’s Gail Sayers-Proby. “We want more of our residents to enjoy the benefits of smoke-free living.”

Bayview Apartments, Farnam Apartments, Securities Apartments, Cherry Tree Apartments, Alamo Apartments, and Ernie Chambers Court have been selected as the next OHA units to receive the smoke-free designation, Dec. 1.

While OHA has the most smoke-free public housing units, the agency is not alone. In 2007, the Douglas County Housing Authority started its move toward smoke-free living. The policy, which affects 297 units, has been fully in place since January.

Four major reasons for the move have been cited by the agencies.

1. Health benefits for residents and employees

2. Reduced costs in preparing units for turnover to new tenants

3. Support for residents who want to stop smoking

4. To respond to residents who expressed concerns about secondhand smoke

“The change to smoke-free living has been a tremendous benefit to our residents,” said Joan Bertolini, CEO of the Douglas County Housing Authority. “Secondhand smoke is a killer that finds its way from room to room and makes people sick, including children.”

In fact, studies show that every year secondhand smoke causes approximately 3,400 deaths from lung cancer and 22,700 to 69,600 deaths from heart disease.

“Studies have shown that secondhand smoke is especially dangerous to children, whose bodies are still growing,” said Douglas County Health Director, Dr. Adi Pour.

Secondhand smoke contributes to 430 sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) deaths annually in the United States, and increases the risk children will develop bronchitis and pneumonia.

The Douglas County Health Department and MOTAC (Metro Omaha Tobacco Action Coalition), are working to help privately owned properties convert to a smoke-free policy. That includes technical assistance and materials to help with the policy from initiation to completion. The Health Department also can assist with compliance and maintenance of the program.

Dr. Larry Figgs Named Division Chief, Environmental Health

phillip.rooney@douglascounty-ne.gov (Phillip Rooney) — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 18:46:25 +0000

Dr. Larry Figgs has been named division chief of the Environmental Health Division of the Douglas County Health Department.

Dr. Figgs comes to Omaha from Lexington, Ky., where he was Associate Professor of Environmental and Occupational Health in the Department of Preventive Medicine, at the University of Kentucky College of Public Health.

He earned his bachelor’s degree from Howard University in Washington D.C., his doctorate in biology from the University of Louisville, his MPH from John Hopkins University, and a Certificate of Health Care Ethics from Saint Louis University. Dr. Figgs also is a Registered Environmental Health Specialist/Registered Sanitarian.

His research emphasis has been environmental hazard identification, hazard exposure assessment, and disease risk, especially cancer associated with environmental exposure.

A veteran of the U.S. Air Force, Dr. Figgs received a commission as a 2^nd Lieutenant.

The Lexington, Ky., native is married with four adult children.

Health Department – First Flu Cases Arrive

phillip.rooney@douglascounty-ne.gov (Phillip Rooney) — Fri, 12 Oct 2012 17:56:01 +0000

Fall has arrived, and with it has come an early start to the flu season.

“We have confirmed our first cases of the flu in our community,” Douglas County Health Director Dr. Adi Pour said. “Because of that, we are reminding everyone six months of age and older that vaccination is the best way to protect yourself and those around you from the flu. The sooner you can get the shot, the sooner you are protected.”

It is especially important for pregnant women to be vaccinated, since they are at a much higher risk of complications from the flu. Not only will it protect the mother, the immunization is passed on to the baby for about the first six months of life when they will then be able to be able to receive vaccine.

People who are at risk of developing serious flu complications, such as pneumonia, also are recommended to get the vaccine. Those include individuals aged 65 and over, plus anyone with asthma, diabetes, or chronic lung disease. Anyone 65 years of age or older is encouraged to quickly seek medical advice if they have flu-like symptoms.

“This year’s vaccine is not the same as last year’s,” Dr. Pour said. “Because the flu virus is always changing, it is important that you receive the new vaccine.”

The vaccine takes about two weeks to provide protection, so it is to your advantage to be vaccinated as soon as you can, Dr. Pour said. Flu season generally runs into April, if not longer.

The 2012-2013 seasonal flu vaccine is available at doctor’s offices and pharmacies throughout Douglas County, and contains protection against the strain of H1N1 that caused the 2009 pandemic. It does not include the H3N2v strain of swine flu.

“If you are wondering if you should get the flu vaccine, the answer is absolutely ‘Yes!” Dr. Pour said.

Taskforce: Prevention is Key to Stop Lead Poisoning

phillip.rooney@douglascounty-ne.gov (Phillip Rooney) — Fri, 12 Oct 2012 17:54:41 +0000

The Douglas County Health Department and Omaha Healthy Kids Alliance this month launched a taskforce dedicated to increasing the number of local children who are tested for blood lead poisoning. An event to announce the effort was attended by public health workers, community advocates, and health professionals.

A bill, introduced this year by state Sen. Brenda Council and passed by the Nebraska Legislature, seeks to ensure that more children undergo lead testing. Children receiving Medicaid are required to be tested for lead when then are 1 and 2 years old, but only about one third of Nebraska children in that age group actually are tested.

Dr. Bruce Lanphear, a leading physician and researcher who has spent decades studying the effects of lead poisoning on children, said during the meeting that children who suffer lead poisoning are much more likely to exhibit Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) or even criminal behavior.

The taskforce identified the following strategies to increase testing:

· Physician education to ensure doctors test children

· Target high-risk areas where children are likely to be exposed

· Reduce lead in older homes to prevent exposure.

According to data, children who have lead poisoning are seven times more likely to drop out of school, Douglas County Health Director, Dr. Adi Pour said.

The Douglas County Health Department and the Omaha Healthy Kids Alliance have pledged continued collaboration to advance the work of the taskforce, according to OHKA President and CEO Kara Eastman.

More information on the project can be found at omahahealthykids.org or by calling the Omaha Lead Hotline at 1-877-LEAD-411 or 1-877-532-3411.

Health Department: It’s Time for Flu Vaccinations

phillip.rooney@douglascounty-ne.gov (Phillip Rooney) — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 15:19:54 +0000

Fall has arrived, but with one new season comes another – the flu season.

“We already have reports of the flu virus circulating in at least one neighboring state,” Douglas County Health Director Dr. Adi Pour said. “Because of that, we are reminding everyone six months of age and older that vaccination is the best way to protect yourself and those around you from the flu.”

“This year’s vaccine is not the same as last year’s,” Dr. Pour said. “Because the flu virus is always changing, it is important that you receive the new vaccine.”

The vaccine takes about two weeks to provide protection, so it is to your advantage to be vaccinated as soon as you can, Dr. Pour said. Flu season generally runs into April, if not longer.

“If you are wondering if you should get the flu vaccine, the answer is absolutely ‘Yes!” Dr. Pour said.

Health Department Collaborates with Ak-Sar-Ben

phillip.rooney@douglascounty-ne.gov (Phillip Rooney) — Fri, 14 Sep 2012 13:43:43 +0000

In two weeks the city of Omaha will welcome thousands to the CenturyLink Center for Ak-Sar-Ben’s River City Rodeo & Stock Show (ARCR). With the core events including youth and livestock, the Justin Boots Championships Rodeo, the Ak-Sar-Ben Stock Show, and the Douglas County Fair, public safety and animal care are integral to the event’s continued success. The identification of human infections with a new strain of influenza A (H3N2v) among persons who have had close contact with swine has prompted heightened awareness and preventive planning by local Health Department officials and ARCR staff.

“As Omaha’s Official Community Celebration, the health and welfare of our participants and attendees is our first priority,” said Beth Greiner, President, Knights of Ak-Sar-Ben Foundation. “We are collaborating with the team of professionals at the Douglas County Health Department to provide the safest environment for both our two- and four-legged participants.”

The H3N2v virus has caused human infections among persons having contact with swine at fairs in Ohio, Indiana, Minnesota and other states. The majority of these infections have been in young people who exhibit the swine or spend time with them. Symptoms are similar to seasonal influenza (fever, cough, sore throat). Influenza passes equally between swine and people. Therefore, in addition to the normal event procedures including veterinary presence, on-site medical professionals, an Animal Care Committee presence, and numerous hand-washing stations; ARCR and Health Department officials will be activating additional preventative measures. They include pre-notification to all exhibitors; limited access to the 4-H Swine area; a no-contact rule for the Swine Farrowing Display; additional hand-washing stations, and limited stroller access points in animal areas.

“The Douglas County Health Department has reviewed with ARCR their policies and procedures for public safety and will continue to work closely with them to ensure a successful and safe event,” said Adi M. Pour, Ph.D, Director of the Douglas County Health Department. “The Department will monitor the situation as well as notify our health care providers of the heightened risk during the four-day event.”

More information on influenza A (H3N2v) can be found on the Douglas County Health Department website or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (http://www.cdc.gov/flu/swineflu/h3n2v-outbreak.htm).