May is Hepatitis Awareness Month: Get Educated, Get Vaccinated and Get Tested! MD Hepatitis Coalition honoring Local Heroes

Baltimore, MD (May 8, 2012) –The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) joins the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and the Maryland Hepatitis Coalition in observance of National Hepatitis Awareness Month.  DHMH also joins the Maryland Hepatitis Coalition in honoring a number of local heroes for their exemplary work and dedication in the battle against this disease.

BALTIMORE, MD (May 3, 2012) – With warmer weather and tick season right around the corner, the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) reminds Maryland residents that they can protect themselves and their families from tick bites and tickborne diseases, including Lyme disease.

See the attached Press Release for more information.

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tickborne disease awareness 050312 final.doc

[DHMH Press Release]

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 Annapolis (April 24, 2012) —The Maryland Community Health Resources Commission (CHRC) announced today 17 grant awards, totaling $600,000, to support local action strategies to improve overall health in communities and advance the goals of the State Health Improvement Process (SHIP). 

BALTIMORE, MD (April 23, 2012)—On April 30, Maryland Kids In Safety Seats (KISS) will begin offering a new service for parents and caregivers who have difficulty making it to car seat inspection events: advice from a car seat technician using live video chat though Skype.

 Baltimore, MD (April 23, 2012) -The Maryland Health Care Commission (MHCC or Commission) has been tasked with implementing HB 1141, MHCC- Cardiac Surgery and PCI Services, legislation  agreed upon in the final days of the 2012 legislative session.  

 Baltimore, MD (April 11, 2012) - During the month of April, the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) is joining federal, state, and local partners nationwide in the observance of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) Awareness Month. DHMH will partner with healthcare providers throughout the State and regional federal health agencies to ensure that clinicians have the latest information on diagnosing, treating, and preventing sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in Maryland.

 BALTIMORE (April 4, 2012) – The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) today issued an alert regarding the use of an unapproved medicine called Baczol, which contains an antibiotic that would ordinarily require a prescription and is ineffective against some of the conditions for which it is commonly purchased.  This unapproved medicine, which is produced outside the United States, has been found in a number of convenience stores that serve Latino communities and is marketed specifically for pediatric populations under the names Baczol, Pediatric Baczol, or Baczol Antigripal.  The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued an import alert for this medication (Import Alert # 66-41, 2/7/2011).  

 Snow Hill, Md. – The Worcester County Health Department celebrated National Public Health Week 2012 hosting its 3^rd Annual Public Health Conference in Ocean City yesterday.

 BALTIMORE, MD (April 2, 2012) – About 1 in 5 adult women and 1 in 6 adult men in Maryland has been the victim of sexual violence sometime in their lifetime, according to a 2010 survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) joins other states across the nation in promoting awareness and highlighting prevention efforts during April, which is Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

 BALTIMORE, MD (April 2, 2012) – Maryland health officials are recognizing April as Oral Cancer Awareness Month by focusing on educating the public about the risk factors, signs and symptoms of the disease.

 SNOW HILL (March 12, 2012) –The Worcester County Health Department and Animal Control have scheduled four rabies vaccination clinics for this spring.

 Baltimore, MD (March 9, 2012) - The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene's (DHMH) Infectious Disease and Environmental Health Administration (IDEHA) will observe the 6th annual National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NWGHAAD) on March 10. DHMH joins the Office on Women's Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), state and local public health agencies, and the many organizations across the country encouraging people to take action in the fight against HIV/AIDS and raise awareness of its impact on women and girls. 

 BALTIMORE (March 7, 2012) – The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) is working with the Calvert County Health Department to investigate four cases of severe respiratory illnesses in the same immediate family. Three have died.  Testing by the DHMH Laboratories Administration has confirmed that two of the cases had Influenza H3, a strain of Influenza A that has been circulating this season. These cases were complicated by bacterial co-infections, a known complication of influenza infection. 

 BALTIMORE (March 6, 2012) – The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) is working in conjunction with the Calvert County Health Department to investigate a cluster of respiratory illnesses in Calvert County.  As the Calvert County Health Department has reported, DHMH is aware of four cases in adults from a single family with severe respiratory illness; three have died.  At this time, no other similar clusters have been reported from Calvert County or elsewhere in the state.

 BALTIMORE (February 28, 2012) – The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) today commemorated American Heart Month by making a commitment to Million Hearts™ – a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services initiative to prevent 1 million heart attacks and strokes over the next five years. Maryland is the first state to announce a coordinated commitment to the initiative.

 Worcester County will recognize 74 alcohol retailers at the 11th annual Worcester County Alcohol Licensee Recognition Breakfast at Lighthouse Sound restaurant in Bishopville on February 16.

 BALTIMORE (January 27, 2012) -- The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene is reporting multiple Campylobacter infection cases associated with consumption of raw (unpasteurized) milk from the Family Cow dairy store in Chambersburg, PA.  DHMH, in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Department of Health, advises consumers that milk recently purchased from this store may contain harmful bacteria.

 Baltimore (January 10, 2012) - Lt. Governor Anthony Brown and the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH)  today announced the launch of a new Health Care Innovations website to highlight efforts across Maryland to enhance patient care, improve health and control costs.

• Dr. Brent Fox’s office, 443-736-3755: Patients should call to request their medical records be released to alternative providers.

• Primary care provider:  Primary care providers may make decisions to see, treat or refer individuals for pain management needs on a case by case basis. The Lower Shore counties are designated as underserved for primary care, so patients may experience waiting periods to obtain appointments.  Physicians will expect to receive medical records prior to making treatment or referral decisions.

• Local health departments: Health departments will assist Medicaid enrollees in care coordination and complaint resolution.  Somerset, Wicomico and Worcester county health departments also have addiction treatment programs. Please call Somerset at 443-523-1700, Wicomico at 410-749-1244, or Worcester at 410-632-1100 to find out more.

• Health Choice enrollees and Medicaid clients may call the HealthChoice Enrollee Action Line (HEAL) at 1-800-284-4510.

• Health insurance companies: Patients should be familiar with the referral rules and requirements of their insurance plans.  Call the insurance company directly for assistance in finding an available pain management provider.   

 BALTIMORE (December 2, 2011) – The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene today released proposed regulations to oversee surgical abortion sites in the State.  The proposed regulations, which will be published on January 13, 2012, in the Maryland Register, aim to protect patient safety while preserving patient access to surgical abortion services.

Baltimore, MD (November 30, 2011) - The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene's (DHMH) Infectious Disease and Environmental Health Administration (IDEHA) will join the World Health Organization, UNAIDS, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), as well as state and local partners around the country, in commemorating World AIDS Day on December 1.

 Snow Hill, Md. – The Worcester County Health Department is pleased to announce that two of the agency’s managers have graduated as scholars from the 2011 Mid Atlantic Health Leadership Institute Program.

 BALTIMORE, MD ( November 17, 2011) -  The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) today released data showing that the use of cigars has increased among Maryland youth, even while the use of cigarettes has declined substantially.  The Department is launching a public health campaign with a new website, www.thecigartrap.com, to highlight the dangers of cheap, flavored cigars.

 Baltimore, MD (November 15, 2011) -- The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) today issued a warning to consumers about certain skin creams that may contain mercury.  One such product, labeled "Crema Aguamary," and purchased in Mexico, was brought into Maryland and is thought to be responsible for at least one case of mercury poisoning in the State. 

Snow Hill, Md. (Nov. 2, 2011) -- The local health agencies of Somerset, Wicomico and Worcester counties are pleased to announce several newly certified healthcare emergency professionals (CHEPs). 

The  last two rabies vaccination clinics for 2011 are scheduled on Wednesday, November 2 and Wednesday, November 16. Both will be from 5:30-7 p.m. at the Worcester County Animal Control on Timmons Road in Snow Hill.

Baltimore, MD (October 18, 2011) - The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) announced that emergency regulations taking effect today ban the sale of synthetic drugs known as "bath salts" in Maryland by adding five substances, generically known as "bath salts" to the Schedule 1 Controlled Dangerous Substances list. 

 Snow Hill, Md. (October 19, 2011) – The Worcester County Health Department in collaboration with the Maryland State Highway Administration is pleased to announce that work is beginning this week to build and replace sidewalks, cross-walks, signage, and adding ADA ramps in order to improve the accessibility and safety of students and parents in getting to and from the schools in Berlin and Snow Hill.  

 Hyattsville, MD (October 4, 2011)- Maryland's Health Workforce: Promoting Diversity and Strengthening the Pipeline was the theme for today's Eighth Annual Maryland Health Disparities Conference, sponsored by the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH), Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities (MHHD). The conference was co-sponsored by the University of Maryland School of Public Health and the Hopkins Center for Health Disparities Solutions. To read the full release, click here. 

 FREDERICK, MARYLAND (October 3, 2011) -- The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) and Frederick County Health Department presented a summary of their investigation into cancer concerns in Frederick County at a community meeting in Frederick.  The investigation, which has been underway for more than a year, was prompted by community concerns about cancer in the area of Fort Detrick. To read the full release, click here. 

 HYATTSVILLE, MD (October 3, 2011) --The Eighth Annual Maryland Minority Health Disparities Conference, Maryland's Health Workforce: Promoting Diversity and Strengthening the Pipeline, sponsored by the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities (MHHD) and co-sponsored by the University of Maryland School of Public Health and the Hopkins Center for Health Disparities Solutions will take place on Tuesday, October 4, 2011 at The Marriott Inn & Conference Center, University of Maryland University College from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.   

 Baltimore (October 3, 2011) -- Beginning today, Maryland medical providers and hospitals who adopt, implement, upgrade or demonstrate meaningful use of Electronic Health Record (EHR) technology will be able to register to receive funds through the federal Medicaid Electronic Health Record Incentive Program, the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) announced. To read the full release click here.

Baltimore (September 27, 2011) The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) will receive $1.9 million in federal funding to support efforts to prevent chronic diseases, according to an announcement made today by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).  The newly awarded Community Transformation Grant is aimed at reducing diabetes, heart disease and stroke across the state.  The grant will also support new efforts to promote healthier lifestyles, reduce health disparities, and control health care spending in Maryland.  To read the full release, click here.

Baltimore, MD (September 27, 2011) -- The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene today announced that it will publish for public comment a proposal to ban the sale of crib bumper pads for infants starting in January 2013.  The Department also released a document summarizing the evidence and providing the basis for its action. The proposed ban is part of a broader effort to promote safe sleep for infants by encouraging the ABCs: Babies should sleep Alone, on their Backs, and in a Crib.  To read full release, click here.

BALTIMORE, MD (September 26, 2011) - September 28th is the fifth annual World Rabies Day, a worldwide event to raise awareness about the impact of rabies in humans and animals, according to the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH).  Rabies in humans is one hundred percent preventable through prompt appropriate medical care. Still, more than 55,000 people die of the disease each year, mostly in areas of the world that still have the "dog-to-dog" type of rabies transmission. 

BALTIMORE, MD (September 23, 2011) - On September 27, 2011 the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH), Infectious Disease and Environmental Health Administration (IDEHA) will observe National Gay Men's HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NGMHAAD). The observance was initiated in 2008 by the National Association for People with AIDS (NAPWA) and is supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Baltimore, September 20, 2011 -- Maryland's Health Benefit Exchange Board held its fifth regular meeting today as new data highlighted the importance of state efforts to increase access, control costs, and improve outcomes.

Baltimore, MD (September 20, 2011) - Governor Martin O'Malley announced today that the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) has earned high marks in public health emergency preparedness during the annual Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Centers (CDC) review and evaluation process.

BALTIMORE, MD (September 8, 2011) --Officials from the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) joined leaders from other state and federal agencies, directors of treatment programs and community advocates to kick off National Recovery Month during an event at the Arbutus Recreational Center.