Behavioral Health Partnership Supports Quitline Sustainability

Author: Melissa Martin, Director, Well-Ahead Louisiana

Since 2014, the Louisiana Department of Health’s Well-Ahead Louisiana initiative and Office of Behavioral Health (OBH) have partnered to address tobacco use in the behavioral health population. The partnership has allowed for better data collection that shows a large percentage of callers to the Quitline also have a mental illness.

When should women start getting mammograms?

David J. Holcombe, M.D., M.S.A., Regional Medical Director, Region 6 (Alexandria Region)

Controversy continues to surround the optimal time for women to get their initial screening mammogram,  Diagnostic mammograms (unlike screening mammograms) can be started at any age since they are used to “diagnose” palpable masses (lumps) or other abnormal masses or lesions discovered on exam.  But true screening mammograms (in the absence of a visible or noticeable lump) continue to pose a particular dilemma.

The Flu Can be Dangerous for Children

Author: Dr. Frank Welch, Medical Director, Immunization Program

The flu, also known as influenza, is more dangerous than the common cold for children and poses a serious threat to the health and well-being of children and their families each year. Children commonly need medical care because of the flu, especially before they reach the age of five, and each year an average of 20,000 children under the age of five are hospitalized because of flu complications.

Responding to Disasters Far and Wide

David J. Holcombe, M.D., M.S.A., Regional Medical Director, Region 6 (Alexandria Region)

The Louisiana Department of Health’s communications team talked to Dr. David Holcombe about his recent deployment to Washington, DC as a member of a federal disaster medical assistance team, or DMAT. Holcombe is the regional medical director for LDH’s Office of Public Health in the Alexandria region. During his deployment, he served as the Chief Medical Officer in the Federal Medical Station that is housed in the Hubert H. Humphrey Building, headquarters for the Department of Health and Human Services.