tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23340036357700122024-03-19T00:24:39.695-05:00LDH BlogThe LDH Blog provides valuable information on what the Louisiana Department of Health is doing to improve the health of Louisiana residents.Louisiana Department of Healthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10043097334770785722noreply@blogger.comBlogger198125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2334003635770012.post-60635464374846886702023-04-12T08:40:00.000-05:002023-04-12T08:40:02.968-05:00Get reacquainted with your local parish health unit!<p style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">As the new year rolled in, the Office of Public Health (OPH) regional teams prioritized reintroducing parish health units (PHUs) to the public in an effort to highlight new and established services, programming and building connections with the community. The outreach took the form of open house events that continue to be held across the state since launching in late January. Here is a look at some of the open houses that OPH has hosted so far. </span></p><p style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><h3 style="text-align: center;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>REGION 1: </b></span><b style="text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;">Greater New Orleans Area</b></h3><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgGGS2vW_SWxjvLougu0lvLCmTs_ghevixVom925r8xKt30Zg61gj0oMQGrXHKbdVxqi1sxZGfa7XGnWNlt-354wF8cPl_PCUmDF5qXbbDNapuN_Re-Gh_iesJ8bbtIU7mlDocDauAyCRDNw3ViKjPF46V3dniWM-ozB6za7Mm4zDhA9XvbCwJNDtA" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="550" data-original-width="639" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgGGS2vW_SWxjvLougu0lvLCmTs_ghevixVom925r8xKt30Zg61gj0oMQGrXHKbdVxqi1sxZGfa7XGnWNlt-354wF8cPl_PCUmDF5qXbbDNapuN_Re-Gh_iesJ8bbtIU7mlDocDauAyCRDNw3ViKjPF46V3dniWM-ozB6za7Mm4zDhA9XvbCwJNDtA=w414-h356" width="414" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div><span style="text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;">Metairie PHU team members celebrate St. Patrick’s Day and welcome attendees to the open house.</span></div></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">
<b>Delgado Personal Health Clinic, New Orleans</b></span><div><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Region 1 team members welcomed partners and patients to the Delgado open house with the St. Patrick’s Day theme of “We’re Lucky to Have You!” Guests met team members, took tours of the facility and learned about programs and services. These programs included opioid prevention and outreach, Community HealthWays, STI testing and treatment, tuberculosis services, Medicaid and the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program.<br /></span><p></p><p style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">------</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><h3 style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;">REGION 2: Capital Region</b></h3><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; white-space: pre-wrap;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjJ9tIWDnIuB_m9rj9_GehgGNShgo1Bp3auLLja6Z4yi_7d9VjGcko4xz3QBnz1PVSUmiwdo1wgyiyQifQ4ffez5oqMrE4Qd8ZnFaHwpqz9q4r7hjTdtAZNJG9l6Ga4dM7vaz96PBEBfNi9oDkDrGVZwHxN0uKlGnoe53-B-FdwpR2CPt3PkY2_iRc" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="619" data-original-width="975" height="349" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjJ9tIWDnIuB_m9rj9_GehgGNShgo1Bp3auLLja6Z4yi_7d9VjGcko4xz3QBnz1PVSUmiwdo1wgyiyQifQ4ffez5oqMrE4Qd8ZnFaHwpqz9q4r7hjTdtAZNJG9l6Ga4dM7vaz96PBEBfNi9oDkDrGVZwHxN0uKlGnoe53-B-FdwpR2CPt3PkY2_iRc=w549-h349" width="549" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Left to right: OPH Region 2 Nurse Manager Diane Lewis, Interim East Feliciana Parish Manager Yamesha Harris and OPH Bureau of Regional and Clinical Operations Director Colleen Arceneaux gather in front of East Feliciana Parish Health Unit during its open house. </span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjjYmkPfamL7GGauvO48DGAEsPZaoBXITX_AtChVUbNVuW5osRr_w2IQcdijZGWFG7LBrcir2Qd--b7JXltrux3zCj8nJ0cQfxxlBQOtiXadwoeIPalOquKg59-EI7aWZhnoM7ZEUd5EZ2jAn3z1zInUPrNcZOWT_cKF6YH7CSQGr_c_l77zoSIPoc" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="485" height="321" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjjYmkPfamL7GGauvO48DGAEsPZaoBXITX_AtChVUbNVuW5osRr_w2IQcdijZGWFG7LBrcir2Qd--b7JXltrux3zCj8nJ0cQfxxlBQOtiXadwoeIPalOquKg59-EI7aWZhnoM7ZEUd5EZ2jAn3z1zInUPrNcZOWT_cKF6YH7CSQGr_c_l77zoSIPoc=w450-h321" width="450" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start; white-space: pre-wrap;">Medicaid Assistant Regional Administrator Aaron Kean and Medicaid analyst LaShuntae Burrell help residents update Medicaid contact information and re-enroll.
</span></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgXXse3kKqHjPsvr_wICCEp3QDo_VaPEgEiGarTXkntknqK6_fVMCXRYD0Np3x4p4Irezd3TgPbptW6qYgSkkvanBez6fCvBYTEk8qDC-iFKlvN9lQrNHdN_aCFYnRUH7ns3VeRBennEKmrvTpUav85FcKnFe81AXNEH5KlWvP4hPqeyHkgzZvMGc0" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="345" data-original-width="460" height="347" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgXXse3kKqHjPsvr_wICCEp3QDo_VaPEgEiGarTXkntknqK6_fVMCXRYD0Np3x4p4Irezd3TgPbptW6qYgSkkvanBez6fCvBYTEk8qDC-iFKlvN9lQrNHdN_aCFYnRUH7ns3VeRBennEKmrvTpUav85FcKnFe81AXNEH5KlWvP4hPqeyHkgzZvMGc0=w461-h347" width="461" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Immunization Supervisor Cindy Aydell talks with community members about where to digitally access their vaccination records.<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></td></tr></tbody></table></div>
<b style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><div><span><b style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></b></span></div>East Feliciana PHU, Clinton</b></span><div><span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Residents had the opportunity to receive COVID-19 and flu vaccinations from Beta Land and enjoyed refreshments. Region 2 STD/HIV/Hepatitis Program (SHHP) staff provided HIV testing, referral information and resources.
Educational information was available on the health unit's different services and community partners in attendance, including the East Feliciana Drug and Alcohol Awareness Council and Quad Area Community Action Agency.
Medicaid navigators updated members’ contact information and helped with the re-enrollment process.
“We were pleased the community came out, so we accomplished our daily mission to help promote the health and wellness of all,” said Colleen Arceneaux, director of OPH’s Bureau of Regional and Clinical Operations.</span></span><div><span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">------</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div><h3 style="text-align: center;"><b style="white-space: pre-wrap;">REGION 3: South-Central Louisiana</b></h3><span><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjN92bUtD4Hz5RBl6vLpBDHlasVXjYt3qO9sfDQp7yvkGXqGBXH5H5wAaW3Xusa7YSl-gHzaMum0OBYZVHv9DOUxJWB7W-JU6xWXWtOwc95DJ-WELiwXX0cOhlrzNCgvjexC9DEWQhQLCIbwoh2Fu6LSbx0kLjrcbtvyVRoOgKgzhORL8t7iMlwEtM" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="731" data-original-width="975" height="355" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjN92bUtD4Hz5RBl6vLpBDHlasVXjYt3qO9sfDQp7yvkGXqGBXH5H5wAaW3Xusa7YSl-gHzaMum0OBYZVHv9DOUxJWB7W-JU6xWXWtOwc95DJ-WELiwXX0cOhlrzNCgvjexC9DEWQhQLCIbwoh2Fu6LSbx0kLjrcbtvyVRoOgKgzhORL8t7iMlwEtM=w473-h355" width="473" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Above: </b>Registered Nurse (RN) Tina Becnel checks blood pressure at the St. James PHU open house in Region 3.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Assumption PHU, Napoleonville; St. James PHU, Vacherie; St. Mary PHU, Morgan City; and Terrebonne PHU, Houma</b>
Services provided by Region 3 at open houses in Assumption, St. James, St. Mary and Terrebonne parishes included blood pressure checks, STI tests and vaccinations. Staff distributed hundreds of health information packets on heart health, vaccination and other subjects.
“Our health unit teams are doing a great job of making the open houses fun for parents and children while at the same time providing convenient health services,” said Regional Medical Director Dr. Eric Brooks.
<div style="text-align: center;">------</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">REGION 4: Acadiana</b></h3></span></span></div><div><span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; white-space: pre-wrap;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgUOsnW1JfD_gpO-_z7_bKsTK1f4Ab_e5G55VzdWN3CSLTLf9bD9_9vdPCCcGOHrjmrEEKy-tGoIr1x7j7yykYmhH0SmuvGO6peQOeo-6Dd-nhftXtI46R5OAa0zfB_KmkCRQwYvtH2X-fRLRgbv8g_ksQZYXGMiwVz2Td4eejpF40n8P8YuuBK2Qg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="731" data-original-width="975" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgUOsnW1JfD_gpO-_z7_bKsTK1f4Ab_e5G55VzdWN3CSLTLf9bD9_9vdPCCcGOHrjmrEEKy-tGoIr1x7j7yykYmhH0SmuvGO6peQOeo-6Dd-nhftXtI46R5OAa0zfB_KmkCRQwYvtH2X-fRLRgbv8g_ksQZYXGMiwVz2Td4eejpF40n8P8YuuBK2Qg=w559-h420" width="559" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start; white-space: pre-wrap;">Front row: RN Margaret Gaspard, Registered Dietitian Lauren Meyer, Parish Clerk Magdaline Savoy, Registered Nurse Candice Pommier, Community Heath Worker Supervisor Margaret Pitre as the Easter Bunny, breastfeeding peer counselor Jenna Conner, Registered Dietitian Alice Sheffield and Clerical Supervisor Dewanna Bourque. Back row: Nursing Assistant Charlotte Charlot, custodian Micah Gautreaux, Parish Clerk Angela Landry, health educator Sandy Tillar and community health worker Dorthea Wilson.
</span></td></tr></tbody></table>
<b style="white-space: pre-wrap;">
Acadia PHU, Crowley; Evangeline PHU, Ville Platte; Lafayette PHU, Lafayette; St. Landry PHU, Eunice; St. Martin PHU, St. Martinville; Vermilion PHU, Abbeville</b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">
Region 4 hosted seven open houses where the community could learn about the services offered in their local PHUs. Events included free blood pressure screenings, COVID-19 and flu vaccinations, HIV testing, free COVID-19 test kits and more. The PHUs also provided information about health resources and services including Medicaid and the health insurance marketplace.
</span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><div style="text-align: center;">------</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></span></div><h3 style="text-align: center;"><b style="white-space: pre-wrap;">REGION 6: Central Louisiana</b></h3><div><span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg4scTMutfyC-z63IY-vO7cMraT33a4FNpxDolOrNaqOu37GsMIbpSg9Aq_W7FJXOR87tAtfG8-weGJaE_9vw5Qbs-1HBhp3i3-ZN4sp-l8yo6RKA8d_15E4Pa9nubd75L6151VaVWf-jvHecblLyxZWk57hBLTCRBzjN8Ol4Fl2_PSu6l6461iIX8" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="769" data-original-width="984" height="439" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg4scTMutfyC-z63IY-vO7cMraT33a4FNpxDolOrNaqOu37GsMIbpSg9Aq_W7FJXOR87tAtfG8-weGJaE_9vw5Qbs-1HBhp3i3-ZN4sp-l8yo6RKA8d_15E4Pa9nubd75L6151VaVWf-jvHecblLyxZWk57hBLTCRBzjN8Ol4Fl2_PSu6l6461iIX8=w561-h439" width="561" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start; white-space: pre-wrap;">Community members listen to a presentation at the Grant PHU open house in Region 6.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span></span></div><div><span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhbZxMXobxG_H_gyJdy1a9CaF-z4zqGTvOfrauQHVX89u-5zq31NnIg1Mk6oxgrEPr9G7uJcZSIQd_VSjcjdtYb2QTnnBCHFvboPmURJtEYjp01AjaoRCtgeNu9tcpXvufZslJgSMspJ-bQ9s_wWPP_xLoVXRnTjk3iRhg__v3ocuQZ_obQzAK67O8" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="379" data-original-width="504" height="337" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhbZxMXobxG_H_gyJdy1a9CaF-z4zqGTvOfrauQHVX89u-5zq31NnIg1Mk6oxgrEPr9G7uJcZSIQd_VSjcjdtYb2QTnnBCHFvboPmURJtEYjp01AjaoRCtgeNu9tcpXvufZslJgSMspJ-bQ9s_wWPP_xLoVXRnTjk3iRhg__v3ocuQZ_obQzAK67O8=w448-h337" width="448" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start; white-space: pre-wrap;">COVID-19 Coordinator Theodora Martin (in pink) and Disease Intervention Specialists Jerra Johnson and Corey Boyd speak to community members about PHU services.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgK4WfEg9K9T8K6lfziw2e5EWmXmr_yW_VXGICJfmq6MJP9XfbmFC92ZwhhGYg7i16b2HvJ-irrJZsbbn6kyaduHPD2SlBNmk-1VlxdLD8bhOBcpaqrBGKw7_3fSAV66Lrz94CATy5BGZKLaakz5ehrdRycnjw15pLoztiLpuk-swYT4g4p8GWPY_U" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="386" data-original-width="452" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgK4WfEg9K9T8K6lfziw2e5EWmXmr_yW_VXGICJfmq6MJP9XfbmFC92ZwhhGYg7i16b2HvJ-irrJZsbbn6kyaduHPD2SlBNmk-1VlxdLD8bhOBcpaqrBGKw7_3fSAV66Lrz94CATy5BGZKLaakz5ehrdRycnjw15pLoztiLpuk-swYT4g4p8GWPY_U=w496-h424" width="496" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start; white-space: pre-wrap;">Regional Administrator Dr. Curtis Lewis, Winn Community Health Center Chief Operating Officer David Adams, Winn Parish Police Jury Secretary/Treasurer Karen Tyler, LA Eye and Laser Office Manager Kathy Johnson, Regional Medical Director Dr. David Holcombe, Winn Parish Police Juror Tammy Griffin and Winn Community Health Center CEO Deano Thornton.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_YqGs58XQbVZvSTTfWOq3jm260U51MXEbHF1U5EviVwEaByto_se2lv5oOijarwxy1-n2lahct9O80WsLA0RFSYn2R8KeThW__rxFnueMCQeGY6DLlrktC7nGOal4b-rOQOrHwn6ZG0Oo39fR2Qn6Ft19PHZIjrHPXFHeyX6gyqSrZp8NzGTyvBU/s476/6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="426" data-original-width="476" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_YqGs58XQbVZvSTTfWOq3jm260U51MXEbHF1U5EviVwEaByto_se2lv5oOijarwxy1-n2lahct9O80WsLA0RFSYn2R8KeThW__rxFnueMCQeGY6DLlrktC7nGOal4b-rOQOrHwn6ZG0Oo39fR2Qn6Ft19PHZIjrHPXFHeyX6gyqSrZp8NzGTyvBU/s320/6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Avoyelles Sleeves Up Program Manager Liz Leger, Avoyelles Parish Police Juror Jacob Coco,
Assistant Regional Administrator Julie Beene-Police, Regional Administrator Dr.
Curtis Lewis, RMD Dr. David Holcombe and Administrative Program Manager Yolanda
Crawford.
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdTJxGPYxFcriySiRXGxet2t8rBER9maoHmbBXlr4k9EupW3QIS2v-JO1sLQn4YZHYZFdohQXG-8zuo4SVMI1tjGmh371q9kN35FsP-l45UQDO7zMYr_a9Kb8wTBlzm7HQxBlPYWoB4kPOjFAsBMKziPVLJnN7fVQjBpcL6aAKXSaMHoSMlkAXhlQ/s2160/20230330_122831.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1848" data-original-width="2160" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdTJxGPYxFcriySiRXGxet2t8rBER9maoHmbBXlr4k9EupW3QIS2v-JO1sLQn4YZHYZFdohQXG-8zuo4SVMI1tjGmh371q9kN35FsP-l45UQDO7zMYr_a9Kb8wTBlzm7HQxBlPYWoB4kPOjFAsBMKziPVLJnN7fVQjBpcL6aAKXSaMHoSMlkAXhlQ/w350-h300/20230330_122831.jpg" width="350" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">RNs at the Avoyelles PHU open house included Region 6 Nursing Director Charlotte Amphion, Bridget Bordelon, supervisor Sonya Ryland and Tracy Dauzat.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>
</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKUOmsMqucd0IgxRDpuY_RjN0kqNde84N2nrdsf2Fj2zvv8fTT3MV-DmHcgEhZY1hCGbcvtC7EEvQAYrbO6lHXkyxhAjM94NiOwNjLd4-eCmzazuDJNvo4NN44R2PtFoxwrXd8X6PaKI7E_6gD5E5_UJz-zscjoR-KxaBLWBbKzd0ukmWWUu-r72U/s2395/20230330_131954.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1623" data-original-width="2395" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKUOmsMqucd0IgxRDpuY_RjN0kqNde84N2nrdsf2Fj2zvv8fTT3MV-DmHcgEhZY1hCGbcvtC7EEvQAYrbO6lHXkyxhAjM94NiOwNjLd4-eCmzazuDJNvo4NN44R2PtFoxwrXd8X6PaKI7E_6gD5E5_UJz-zscjoR-KxaBLWBbKzd0ukmWWUu-r72U/w401-h272/20230330_131954.jpg" width="401" /></a></div>Avoyelles PHU clerical team members Brittany Vasser, Joycelyn Payne, Latoya Smith, Amber
Courville, Brianna Deglandon and Kim Sellers.</td></tr></tbody></table><b>
Grant PHU, Colfax; Winn PHU, Winnfield; Avoyelles PHU, Marksville</b>
Community members including superintendents, police jury members, and local library and hospital staff heard about programs provided by Grant PHU. Department heads spoke on the services offered through their respective programs.
Community members also visited tables featuring information and interactive displays.
Local stakeholders, community partners and healthcare workers attended the Winn PHU open house in Winnfield. PHU staff shared information on the services they provide to the community, as well as fostering and maintaining connections with other healthcare entities.
<div style="text-align: center;">------</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></span></div><h3 style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;">REGION 7: Northwest Louisiana</b></h3><div><span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiDkt40UIbH7aPcRFeeiMA5bjkeWOxpja7KrA-ADqae2DX7NJ_Noo0JKxPHgTPkqmBomCh-pLGvS08H8fs3U8yQaFQMxEvtP3j4p7AEfYoh6ShmBKhBLMKf9cFBFSHH7DWhYrn0bSwLryfyZVZZk3UPc5m1RD7bGxsVq_hdLCt3ZDzolHcnA2eegRc" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="559" data-original-width="593" height="489" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiDkt40UIbH7aPcRFeeiMA5bjkeWOxpja7KrA-ADqae2DX7NJ_Noo0JKxPHgTPkqmBomCh-pLGvS08H8fs3U8yQaFQMxEvtP3j4p7AEfYoh6ShmBKhBLMKf9cFBFSHH7DWhYrn0bSwLryfyZVZZk3UPc5m1RD7bGxsVq_hdLCt3ZDzolHcnA2eegRc=w519-h489" width="519" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start; white-space: pre-wrap;">RN Erin White, Administrative Coordinator Meshell Cooper, Sanitarian Mindy Martin and RN Toshia Williams gather outside at the Fuel for the Future open house.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><b>
Claiborne PHU, Homer</b>
To celebrate National Nutrition Month in March, Claiborne Parish Health Unit in Region 7 hosted a Fuel for the Future open house, during which Homer Mayor Xanthe Seals proclaimed March as National Nutrition Month. Attendees learned about maintaining a healthy diet, consuming nutritious foods to fuel their mind and body, and purchasing and eating foods that are good for themselves and the environment.
The event included recognition of school coloring contest winners, WIC-approved nutritious snacks, door prizes, Medicaid navigators and analysts, and bags of promotional items and information on COVID 19, the region, the PHU and its services, Medicaid and other public health topics.
<div style="text-align: center;">------</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></span></div><h3 style="text-align: center;"><span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><b style="text-align: left;">REGION 8: Northeast Louisiana</b></span></span></h3><div><span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh20yfzxv22q2pzr2IyZKrR95FpUmdN4YZEJXOjvuaCYA8tONbTv6uziYYsBslFx-H8K_cRNF8yIVelaqpz8IXuONQdCbX7X1c8fWacgUTLFt1yJHbrOY9NtCSKfGbDuMbjRBOvN2ZJI4Ol011Y0FpsILpwG4AZ0oEAJDMyTkLEUmUJmFcqC5-rX6c" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="730" data-original-width="986" height="395" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh20yfzxv22q2pzr2IyZKrR95FpUmdN4YZEJXOjvuaCYA8tONbTv6uziYYsBslFx-H8K_cRNF8yIVelaqpz8IXuONQdCbX7X1c8fWacgUTLFt1yJHbrOY9NtCSKfGbDuMbjRBOvN2ZJI4Ol011Y0FpsILpwG4AZ0oEAJDMyTkLEUmUJmFcqC5-rX6c=w533-h395" width="533" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start; white-space: pre-wrap;">CHW Vera Matthews, Region 8 CHW Supervisor Kiara Bradford and Community HealthWays Tri-manager</span> hand out promotional items and information at the Lincoln PHU open house in Region 8. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgemNl5xPP9XpL0G4G2tYrhTWEOg0OlPgXeBWu2VkCGx0kYaV2biUOnrq-_13T-Exx3j6re5qcJVp2LK-5570CsSn6UHJwRTYKU_sj3w1F-t9NT9qJ6pxohfCInyz1YES49gqNoXL3bq2AFTVXnPhc7Vl11kLN-7arTDMEnYHWAiUSClNtzRWYpXwQ" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="529" data-original-width="447" height="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgemNl5xPP9XpL0G4G2tYrhTWEOg0OlPgXeBWu2VkCGx0kYaV2biUOnrq-_13T-Exx3j6re5qcJVp2LK-5570CsSn6UHJwRTYKU_sj3w1F-t9NT9qJ6pxohfCInyz1YES49gqNoXL3bq2AFTVXnPhc7Vl11kLN-7arTDMEnYHWAiUSClNtzRWYpXwQ=w431-h510" width="431" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start; white-space: pre-wrap;">Region 8 social worker Sabrina Cole and RN Alison Campbell share information on Children’s Special Health Services. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhUG2z_tqgY99hgJ8LcScDCNmhK5dlHFYuZbkbUCW7zUDrHgOCtKGX7mbeflW146hVUeiD9pTDalvOYXkZRqcIVZFm2zbPabRAmI504ula045-CGAfWKtSe4Nc817kw5WwygiaHBc8OV6VYNuONQEi1JcG4HUaiN6LVDuEVYsiUGriMA3W6vu5TL94" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="530" data-original-width="447" height="495" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhUG2z_tqgY99hgJ8LcScDCNmhK5dlHFYuZbkbUCW7zUDrHgOCtKGX7mbeflW146hVUeiD9pTDalvOYXkZRqcIVZFm2zbPabRAmI504ula045-CGAfWKtSe4Nc817kw5WwygiaHBc8OV6VYNuONQEi1JcG4HUaiN6LVDuEVYsiUGriMA3W6vu5TL94=w425-h495" width="425" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start; white-space: pre-wrap;">Region 8 health disparities social worker Shirah Tolliver and COVID-19 Coordinator Jeanette White share information on COVID-19.</span></td></tr></tbody></table></span></span></div><div><span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>
Lincoln PHU, Ruston; Franklin, Winnsboro</b>
Visitors had the opportunity to meet with Region 8 staff and other partners on Community HealthWays, WIC, Children’s Special Health Services, coping skills, ways to reduce stress, sharing information and recent changes on Medicaid, signing up for Medicaid and accessing personal immunization records.
Region 8 educated community members on COVID-19 and handed out COVID home test kits and information bags. Pafford EMS provided COVID vaccines and boosters, as well as flu vaccines.
To educate community members on the dangers of opioids, Region 8 passed out Narcan nasal sprays, fentanyl test strips, information on testing medications for fentanyl and other opioid information.</span></span></div></div></div><div><span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span><span><div style="white-space: normal;"><span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><div style="text-align: center;">------</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></span></div><h3 style="text-align: center; white-space: normal;"><span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><b style="text-align: left;">REGION 9: Northshore Area</b></span></span></h3><div><span><span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; white-space: pre-wrap;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixnLGHvDnJ9dIujBgrPy288RNETGiO-LfpSPnGrDbuiKDwNVAwgMz1D85iaIhndULEW5TBE9wPjFT1s-RXRz3UDXO7e9AQtYqBo-l2VIE3cOpXVYplrzjBLtBHSHIC6N93vFIu1tpKPIuNGk_HKn_tVZ4jkGLpWmfYmnr-BQLX5hxKiT1GcWcPS9w/s2862/Regional%20Medical%20Director%20Gina%20Lagarde%20and%20staff,%20OPH%20Region%209.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2107" data-original-width="2862" height="335" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixnLGHvDnJ9dIujBgrPy288RNETGiO-LfpSPnGrDbuiKDwNVAwgMz1D85iaIhndULEW5TBE9wPjFT1s-RXRz3UDXO7e9AQtYqBo-l2VIE3cOpXVYplrzjBLtBHSHIC6N93vFIu1tpKPIuNGk_HKn_tVZ4jkGLpWmfYmnr-BQLX5hxKiT1GcWcPS9w/w454-h335/Regional%20Medical%20Director%20Gina%20Lagarde%20and%20staff,%20OPH%20Region%209.jpg" width="454" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Washington PHU team members wait for community members to join the open house.<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div style="text-align: left; white-space: normal;"><span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg_xLYX-XOP644vXC3_lxwnCQVOFPoZTBT1rrDC1_CLWDv_CDQ2Pye5K8hozQkAjSmmOYT_KG6OZ3K6taWONZr3zourDSIXRW-1Wx_4m7aBV71aZ82G-9oJ91hlWWpjPtk3dJu9KamRyMEcxBG2VBRfFrCv50jBLZpIgG7lmqNIpCHfr35Xrd16Zo/s2799/Frontline%20public%20health%20workers%20are%20eager%20to%20assist%20the%20community%20with%20health%20related%20social%20needs.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2799" data-original-width="2490" height="441" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg_xLYX-XOP644vXC3_lxwnCQVOFPoZTBT1rrDC1_CLWDv_CDQ2Pye5K8hozQkAjSmmOYT_KG6OZ3K6taWONZr3zourDSIXRW-1Wx_4m7aBV71aZ82G-9oJ91hlWWpjPtk3dJu9KamRyMEcxBG2VBRfFrCv50jBLZpIgG7lmqNIpCHfr35Xrd16Zo/w393-h441/Frontline%20public%20health%20workers%20are%20eager%20to%20assist%20the%20community%20with%20health%20related%20social%20needs.jpg" width="393" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Frontline public health workers wait to assist community members with health-related social needs.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOvc3EZhWK-wwOiMTik7gBlMpbL7Q1u4Go1mBekMraBpEAz9-PF6aHzRJP-q3zTAllb457hWjo7lPWK7H9lxKveX6VdldPaXYnm7_1z15Chz5mg21_FBvQ1qgZpjhCxDKmh643QWnsxAmrs_zjJvdVynQo_jHtNmiUUhbkzC7KYvhe8Q2Ocb193cM/s2048/IMG_20230406_131701.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOvc3EZhWK-wwOiMTik7gBlMpbL7Q1u4Go1mBekMraBpEAz9-PF6aHzRJP-q3zTAllb457hWjo7lPWK7H9lxKveX6VdldPaXYnm7_1z15Chz5mg21_FBvQ1qgZpjhCxDKmh643QWnsxAmrs_zjJvdVynQo_jHtNmiUUhbkzC7KYvhe8Q2Ocb193cM/w400-h300/IMG_20230406_131701.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-a9fb6e99-7fff-68d6-1d31-57b916d94933"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #212121; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Region 9 nursing staff come together for the South Tangipahoa Parish Health Unit open house.</span></span></p><div><span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #212121; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span></div></td></tr></tbody></table></span></div></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; white-space: pre-wrap;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu-qt_svNC86RyCXQv7L_vvWCgUCICP5lWdjUdrpTbF0RQlHkHdhNay0j7zltB9Cn0U3hHnyAgLnWAiZ3ZrwNirgvoPa5UdFHEqd01j1XCY2uOapOb_LqTxW4kUPURSGCZXTfhaS4c3UIR5Tw1Sbqily7Wbw4hMRfQeIJjyjV8AltXN4XSfMUx92M/s871/IMG_20230406_131641.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="824" data-original-width="871" height="343" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu-qt_svNC86RyCXQv7L_vvWCgUCICP5lWdjUdrpTbF0RQlHkHdhNay0j7zltB9Cn0U3hHnyAgLnWAiZ3ZrwNirgvoPa5UdFHEqd01j1XCY2uOapOb_LqTxW4kUPURSGCZXTfhaS4c3UIR5Tw1Sbqily7Wbw4hMRfQeIJjyjV8AltXN4XSfMUx92M/w362-h343/IMG_20230406_131641.jpg" width="362" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #212121; font-size: 14.6667px; text-align: start; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Region 9 Medical Director Dr. Gina Lagarde talks with a Hammond-area father about safe sleep for babies.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-2f5c5465-7fff-d354-2195-0913cacacbb8"></span></span></div><p></p></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></td></tr></tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-031327bf-7fff-68b2-b996-973e18f3e48c"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Washington PHU, Franklinton; Tangipahoa PHU, Amite; South Tangipahoa PHU, Hammond</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Region 9 hosted several open houses to give community members the opportunity to learn more about the public health services available to them, such as nurse in-home visitation, Community HealthWays and WIC. Attendees also learned more about reproductive health, STI and tuberculosis testing and treatment, infectious disease epidemiology, opioid prevention and emergency preparedness.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Region 9 team members offered blood pressure screenings, COVID-19 and flu vaccinations, HIV testing, COVID-19 test kits, free colon cancer screening kits, health and wellness educational flyers, and infant safe sleep demonstrations. Medicaid specialists were available to assist Medicaid members with updating their contact information to ensure they maintain health insurance coverage. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">“The open house was a successful event, and we were proud to showcase what we do on a daily basis in the health unit to keep Northshore residents healthy,” said Region 9 Medical Director Dr. Gina Lagarde.</span></p></span></span></div></div></span></span></div></span></span></div>Louisiana Department of Healthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10043097334770785722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2334003635770012.post-74788152149582351022022-12-14T14:44:00.000-06:002022-12-14T14:44:05.819-06:00Lottery Tickets and Mobile Sports Betting Are Not Meant for Children<p><span lang="EN" style="color: #063a4e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">The Louisiana Department of Health Office of Behavioral
Health (OBH) would like to remind</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> </span><span lang="EN" style="color: #063a4e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">parents that lottery
tickets and other gambling-related activities like mobile sports betting are
not meant for children. Many parents see these gifts and activities as fun and
convenient, and while they might be a quick and easy gift, gambling is not
intended for children and is age-restricted for a reason. These gifts and
activities could put children at future risk for developing gambling
issues.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #063a4e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Two of the biggest
indicators of a future potential gambling problem are winning a large sum of
money early and early exposure to gambling as a youth. Many problem gamblers
report that early exposure to gambling contributed to their gambling issues
later in life. Since the legalization of mobile sports betting in Louisiana,
parents should be especially aware that any form of gambling is age restricted
for a reason.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #063a4e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">According to the 2020 Louisiana Caring Communities Youth
Survey, 33% of youths in Louisiana (grades 6, 8, 10 and 12) have reported
gambling in the past year. In Louisiana, 13.7% of 6th graders, 15.3% of 8th
graders, 12.1% of 10th graders and 9.3% of 12th graders have reported playing
the lottery or scratch-off tickets in 2020, the last time the survey was
issued. In addition, 13.2% of 6th graders, 14.6% of 8th graders, 12% of 10th
graders and 9.9% of 12th graders have reported betting on sporting events in
2020, two years before mobile sports betting became popular in Louisiana.
Parents need to be mindful about gambling because even though it has become a social
norm, we still need to protect young people from being exposed through direct
involvement.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #063a4e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">According to a recent study by the Imperial College
London, published in 2017, gambling addiction triggers the same brain areas as
drug and alcohol cravings, and activates the same brain pathways as drug and
alcohol cravings.</span><a href="file:///C:/Users/EMelillo/Downloads/FY23%20Problem%20Gambling%20Christmas%20Holiday%20Release%20EM%20KL%20RH.docx#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN" style="color: #063a4e; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;">[1]</span></span></span></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #063a4e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">“Parents should to talk to their children about the
potential risks that gambling can cause. Gambling is marketed as being fun and
easy and has become extremely popular,” said OBH Deputy Assistant Secretary
Quinetta Womack. “We need to let everyone know that there can be potential
harms, as well.</span><span style="color: #063a4e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> </span><span style="color: #063a4e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">The lines are getting
blurred between a fun game and an age restricted form of entertainment.”</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #063a4e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">If you have any questions or want more information about
problem gambling, please contact the Louisiana Problem Gamblers Helpline at
1-877-770-STOP (7867). The helpline is a confidential referral line that
assists individuals in the state of Louisiana who are affected by gambling
problems. Louisiana provides free outpatient and residential problem gambling treatment
to Louisiana residents and has facilities throughout Louisiana.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #063a4e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">The Louisiana Problem Gamblers Helpline is available 24 hours
a day, seven days a week to potential gamblers and/or family. Help is also
available online at</span><span lang="EN" style="color: #063a4e;"> </span><a href="http://www.ldh.la.gov/index.cfm/page/1545"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">ldh.la.gov/index.cfm/page/1545</span></a><span style="color: #2288bb; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> </span><span style="color: #063a4e; font-size: 10pt;"> </span><span lang="EN" style="color: #063a4e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">and</span><span lang="EN" style="color: #063a4e;"> </span><a href="http://www.helpforgambling.org/"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">helpforgambling.org</span></a><span style="color: #063a4e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">.</span><span style="color: #063a4e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> <span lang="EN">Problem gambling
is a hidden addiction that often goes undetected. Learn the signs before it is
too late.</span></span></p>
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<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/EMelillo/Downloads/FY23%20Problem%20Gambling%20Christmas%20Holiday%20Release%20EM%20KL%20RH.docx#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a> <a href="https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/01/170103101751.htm">https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/01/170103101751.htm</a><o:p></o:p></p>
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</div>Louisiana Department of Healthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10043097334770785722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2334003635770012.post-61728450683517793482022-09-21T14:22:00.000-05:002022-09-21T14:22:06.135-05:00LDH sets sickle cell disease support, care and awareness goals in coming year<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></span></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibyTkD8vmnKI-XHzJ72PLSi-Crps-EBXGeCeXBRNxxFn1oVqRx87u87OoeWJQ7b5jpOy75QXSK9-wigz8BsFKIu8MANw8cN-damK6R5-tDvSlwiAG1lvlBQBtQFjJjx8sux2917h_YZF4r5YelEqexDbJ0yvv9ZnADvfDUcBiRVGhNNHSYIRKliGA/s2500/rsz_h-3207_-_awareness_month_toolkit_-_4_rectangle_300ppi.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1309" data-original-width="2500" height="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibyTkD8vmnKI-XHzJ72PLSi-Crps-EBXGeCeXBRNxxFn1oVqRx87u87OoeWJQ7b5jpOy75QXSK9-wigz8BsFKIu8MANw8cN-damK6R5-tDvSlwiAG1lvlBQBtQFjJjx8sux2917h_YZF4r5YelEqexDbJ0yvv9ZnADvfDUcBiRVGhNNHSYIRKliGA/w634-h332/rsz_h-3207_-_awareness_month_toolkit_-_4_rectangle_300ppi.jpg" width="634" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: white; color: #403f42; font-family: verdana;">September is National Sickle Cell Awareness Month. Sickle cell disease (SCD) affects the lives of at least 3,300 Louisianans — our families, neighbors and friends. Despite the prevalence of SCD, many people remain unaware of the complexities and risks associated with this inherited blood disorder.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: white; color: #403f42; font-family: verdana;">That is why the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) plans to spotlight SCD not only this month, but throughout the coming year as part of our FY23 Business Plan. </span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #403f42; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">As you may know, SCD affects the shape of the red blood cells, which carry oxygen to every part of the body. These cells are typically round and flexible, allowing them to move through the body with relative ease. However, the sickle-shaped cells that give SCD its name can block blood flow and cause serious damage. Potential complications include damage to the lungs, brain and other vital organs, stroke and severe pain, among other health issues.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #403f42; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #403f42; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Severe pain episodes, also known as sickle cell crisis, often strike without warning, disrupting lives. In 2020 alone, over 1,400 Louisianans with SCD were hospitalized. On average, those hospitalized had 4 to 5 hospitalizations throughout the year, spending about 30 days total in the hospital. </span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #403f42; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #403f42; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">In the U.S., SCD most commonly affects people of African, Mediterranean and Middle Eastern descent. Data shows 1 in 13 Black or African-American babies is born with the sickle cell trait (meaning they carry the gene that causes SCD, but do not have SCD) and SCD occurs in 1 in 365 Black or African-American births.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #403f42; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #403f42; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Due to disparities, this condition has lacked the necessary attention, funding and resources. People living with SCD continue to experience barriers with access to and retention of specialized care.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #403f42; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #403f42; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Department of Health wants to change that in Louisiana, providing families, friends, neighbors and colleagues effective care and support so they can live to the fullest, and so that Louisiana as a whole can function at its best.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #403f42; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #403f42; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">To make substantive improvements, LDH needs a firm foundation of knowledge. The Department aims to begin developing a patient registry, needed to make the kind of data-driven decisions that will improve quality of life.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #403f42; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #403f42; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">LDH also plans to develop and implement a statewide SCD public information campaign to further support those living with SCD. While there is information available on SCD, this campaign will provide a deeper understanding of SCD to teachers, medical staff and others who play key roles in the lives of those with SCD.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #403f42; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #403f42; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Department also hopes this campaign will empower those living with SCD to advocate for their needs.</span></p>Louisiana Department of Healthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10043097334770785722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2334003635770012.post-25513798658920118432022-08-24T10:13:00.002-05:002022-08-24T10:20:36.936-05:00Vaccines represent one of the greatest advances in protecting people from diseases<p></p><p class="MsoNormal">By: Joseph Bocchini, MD<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Throughout my career as a pediatrician, I have witnessed the
number of vaccine preventable diseases disappear after the introduction of a
vaccine. These discoveries have proven to be some of the most important public
health advancements in both the 20<sup>th</sup> and 21<sup>st</sup> centuries,
and have helped protect against many severe infections that cause significant illnesses
and fatalities in both children and adults. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">During the COVID-19 lockdown, many people fell behind on receiving
their routine immunizations and now there is an increased need for both
children and adults to catch up and, going forward, to vaccinate on schedule to
protect our families as early as possible and prevent outbreaks. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">This is important because many of the organisms responsible for
vaccine preventable diseases continue to be present in our communities and
being unvaccinated leaves a person susceptible to infection. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="background: white; color: #202124; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Some diseases are making a comeback<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #202124; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Recently, we have seen a rise in
the number of measles related outbreaks among children and adults who were
unvaccinated. Even more recently, there has been a </span><a href="https://www.cdc.gov/polio/what-is-polio/polio-us.html"><span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">reported polio case</span></a><span style="background: white; color: #202124; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> in an
unvaccinated adult. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">Immunizations throughout adolescence are important. Of <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/hcp/imz/child-adolescent.html">vaccines
recommended for 11–12-year-olds</a>, the <span style="background: white; color: #202124;">Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine has the lowest percentage
of doses administered. HPV causes almost all cervical cancers, most cancers of
the genital area, and is responsible for 70% of throat cancers. Researchers
expect the HPV vaccine to prevent up to 90% of the 40,000 new cancers
associated with the </span><a href="https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C1GCEB_enUS999US999&sxsrf=ALiCzsYqKPKwLLot90TGxUqm0_1SyCMwNw:1659981521840&q=Human+papillomavirus&stick=H4sIAAAAAAAAAONgVuLUz9U3MLQsrqxYxCriUZqbmKdQkFiQmZOTn5tYlllUWgwAmiEh8iQAAAA&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjV4MSH6bf5AhWqj2oFHWrXAT8QmxMoAHoECGAQAg"><span style="color: #202124; text-decoration-line: none;">Human Papillomavirus</span></a><span style="color: #202124; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">,
which occur in the US each year<span style="background: white;">. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #202124; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">It is important that everyone –
especially parents – understand the importance of vaccines. I urge individuals
of all ages to stay aware of their immunizations and continue to stay on
schedule for their vaccinations.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #202124; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">_______________________________________</span></p><p class="MsoNormal">
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #202124; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">About Dr. </span>Joseph Bocchini
– Pediatrician and Pediatric Infectious Disease Specialist who has practiced
medicine for more than 45 years. He currently serves as the Director of
Children’s Health Services for the <span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Willis-Knighton Health System</span><span style="background: white; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span>in
Shreveport, Louisiana. <o:p></o:p></p><p></p>Louisiana Department of Healthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10043097334770785722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2334003635770012.post-41118993050346400562022-08-17T16:20:00.000-05:002022-08-17T16:20:13.712-05:00Farewell and thank you to LDH's first Executive Internship Cohort<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-1182f09a-7fff-79cb-0bf1-cb5a06055aa4"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs92nlPld-P-tpgtYHu8qKZVDlGzfIAQJcHY1dJ8UlkTHE88KhBUZXEhVy6Ahse3Ld7449SAH1htnvf4oQneEWiNyDPgme01HFlAPBJkcq1zD6LglmdNyNn19yY_gC9HcXzA7sk61Tr7i_WKF7iShmT4Ke4U2vHglB6N7-0jgeuvuw6dmAmurhCKk/s2825/interns.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2186" data-original-width="2825" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs92nlPld-P-tpgtYHu8qKZVDlGzfIAQJcHY1dJ8UlkTHE88KhBUZXEhVy6Ahse3Ld7449SAH1htnvf4oQneEWiNyDPgme01HFlAPBJkcq1zD6LglmdNyNn19yY_gC9HcXzA7sk61Tr7i_WKF7iShmT4Ke4U2vHglB6N7-0jgeuvuw6dmAmurhCKk/w645-h500/interns.jpg" width="645" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;">Pictured, from left to right are, Undersecretary Ruth Johnson, interns Sarah Lehman, Matthew Foster, Jekila Dockery, Anna Crifasi, Isabel Zebrick and Joseph Patterson, and Tonya Joiner with the Office of the Secretary.</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="background-color: white; color: #241f21; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) recently said farewell and thank you to its first Executive Internship Cohort. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures;"><span style="color: #241f21; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">“What we do here is so important as it touches everyone from our children to our grandchildren to our neighbors. We hope we imparted that to you and that your experiences will continue to increase your interest in public health,” said Tonya Joiner with the Office of the Secretary.</span></span></span></p><div><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #241f21; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Beginning June 6, the 11 participants each joined a different department or program office where they learned what it means to be a public servant. Throughout their time at LDH, the interns learned about the inner workings of LDH, visited the Capitol and met with different legislators.</span></p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures;"><p dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-variant-ligatures: normal; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #241f21; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The program ended August 12. </span></p><div><span style="color: #241f21; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div></span></span></span></div>“You all set the bar. You were our first cohort. Thank you for the time you spent with us. We hope you will come back and work with us in the future," said </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Undersecretary </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures;">Ruth Johnson.</span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #241f21; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I don’t have the words to explain how awesome the internship was. I learned a lot and I’m very grateful for this opportunity,” said intern Anna Crifasi. </span></p><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #241f21; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #241f21; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We wish our 2022 Executive Internship Cohort all the best!</span></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnUs12yelKwXVzBbSYa9ss-wy3gd0eWLW4GrODOHDxmVhCHdeZVdHre5XUjpOg1AzORqbkkYLE-4EmGXbmVPzF_xCN8f07gVq5gCBpXTf31tnuwo6-u0Y2UIj-21-ZjLAzX5wqHhHctHDgU0gOFTbG_2EJ18ByNwfuZdjcbEnioWc4ng1Irn985Kc/s1920/Intern%20Offboarding%20Presentation%20(1).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnUs12yelKwXVzBbSYa9ss-wy3gd0eWLW4GrODOHDxmVhCHdeZVdHre5XUjpOg1AzORqbkkYLE-4EmGXbmVPzF_xCN8f07gVq5gCBpXTf31tnuwo6-u0Y2UIj-21-ZjLAzX5wqHhHctHDgU0gOFTbG_2EJ18ByNwfuZdjcbEnioWc4ng1Irn985Kc/w586-h330/Intern%20Offboarding%20Presentation%20(1).png" width="586" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGehEQTd4OgndGWMQg8wxthKpSGmCzoJeBoD3WboK1Ef7yvGSlqEwfzjx6zYdcfMFihgt3KCMIT_HaBgf1nV6vraz6tycREMrNxEo2fnXwM_T-My2gMJ55-nBvtZwSG-z54fZKEWc087-siPlsx2vxzpyUfcVyNCk2Cu16RCp506tY8AesM-n-uL0/s1920/Intern%20Offboarding%20Presentation%20(2).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGehEQTd4OgndGWMQg8wxthKpSGmCzoJeBoD3WboK1Ef7yvGSlqEwfzjx6zYdcfMFihgt3KCMIT_HaBgf1nV6vraz6tycREMrNxEo2fnXwM_T-My2gMJ55-nBvtZwSG-z54fZKEWc087-siPlsx2vxzpyUfcVyNCk2Cu16RCp506tY8AesM-n-uL0/w592-h332/Intern%20Offboarding%20Presentation%20(2).png" width="592" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx4wUj4LKCF878ZEcSlkSgl-D4kGyc1hrC-xBg-mKwyF9mLgD-Xaa9uK31BB2jxviz6v9jZIOLBscI3HL88m2sFdg2VB3xJ_r4pdYVQ1lByHhNXSiSHiP9nlcmer88m6r3NPEASSz4C3KrZIGTCxIx397yXcZv4oXCTc1sFSyUBqHddtT60Xx3i1o/s1920/Intern%20Offboarding%20Presentation%20(3).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx4wUj4LKCF878ZEcSlkSgl-D4kGyc1hrC-xBg-mKwyF9mLgD-Xaa9uK31BB2jxviz6v9jZIOLBscI3HL88m2sFdg2VB3xJ_r4pdYVQ1lByHhNXSiSHiP9nlcmer88m6r3NPEASSz4C3KrZIGTCxIx397yXcZv4oXCTc1sFSyUBqHddtT60Xx3i1o/w587-h330/Intern%20Offboarding%20Presentation%20(3).png" width="587" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKzW0AFNLUFr7ls2402yxaVT5r7ef4yvc5DL6vEf28Zv5V4hY1IEj4YCxe84U3wZFF5cAC2QQ4RmtS4urfnpxG_foekrh1RtNB9jWakrmNdJwOt4D4w4B2L9vW1Vp3q8yO4EJG1CopLAQZnR5trF5_SM5CqAJFCDa51p4blEidJSkRZAVLFEscFUM/s1920/Intern%20Offboarding%20Presentation%20(4).png" style="margin-left: 1em; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="341" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW8eTMuon0qNC_xZiKLtjO9ZqOUZpWmCnD6b-d25fO_UH61V9WMeWL6k6OnkAmFl7rm9vWjT7JcGjZzP7WG5QZxgP_WYw0r22ZbEzeypTwCOYUWBhpDBogwc7ZIBzKIUiPfVVG2L06uLbHGpSsw2AQu47ZoeZrqQ7o8I_EQ8QxXveU_G6gLFY6aPc/w607-h341/Intern%20Offboarding%20Presentation%20(11).png" width="607" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7cd0GEHevhOf9huhtk06jzaStBuqFkAthjPLRTJPouyESVKJN28a5Y1X0GygDvozop67bXRpAyqvd0y-kS2ztYhe3SdG1C1salo4x_u73BF15tJP6_my9VsQfX0-_byTYhBjaDS38r_oVfu_L5LalGh22C0wPpzb-d5X79hDzQVSLStUZ44u2p8E/s1920/Intern%20Offboarding%20Presentation%20(7).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7cd0GEHevhOf9huhtk06jzaStBuqFkAthjPLRTJPouyESVKJN28a5Y1X0GygDvozop67bXRpAyqvd0y-kS2ztYhe3SdG1C1salo4x_u73BF15tJP6_my9VsQfX0-_byTYhBjaDS38r_oVfu_L5LalGh22C0wPpzb-d5X79hDzQVSLStUZ44u2p8E/w601-h338/Intern%20Offboarding%20Presentation%20(7).png" width="601" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9g9bp2emk-ZVey2Y2gYKZIuE7OlkzpMggSn32IXjQCdioVRhIP_lMO1sikK2oY7wk4mHdh5tdqdSm--n69bo1m--dDEPBMoxeacLv3sWIt4_zPFjeegYNFBrfawVZv462fNrVJGBa-8XEphdYutbZBCfg7c2BauXMfBo3RyJZrCztJfLnXxjQlRg/s1920/Intern%20Offboarding%20Presentation%20(8).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9g9bp2emk-ZVey2Y2gYKZIuE7OlkzpMggSn32IXjQCdioVRhIP_lMO1sikK2oY7wk4mHdh5tdqdSm--n69bo1m--dDEPBMoxeacLv3sWIt4_zPFjeegYNFBrfawVZv462fNrVJGBa-8XEphdYutbZBCfg7c2BauXMfBo3RyJZrCztJfLnXxjQlRg/w601-h338/Intern%20Offboarding%20Presentation%20(8).png" width="601" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhioWrXcBUFbfsBwkdtdPg_fY5NdTpfy9nXm6b1advE_cim--yhiJFUPNv3rWJC0KVRDXVcXXHZP7ie_JppXrvaN5KTSUwCyGwAcT5PK7txjUGD6PpMaaVilY95Tn15NBRVmFbGqbDgTGtgFvUyi8Gwfb69VIwF4EMqj2ZYoRiXrX7X_HbWYdPLrGo/s1920/Intern%20Offboarding%20Presentation%20(9).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="337" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhioWrXcBUFbfsBwkdtdPg_fY5NdTpfy9nXm6b1advE_cim--yhiJFUPNv3rWJC0KVRDXVcXXHZP7ie_JppXrvaN5KTSUwCyGwAcT5PK7txjUGD6PpMaaVilY95Tn15NBRVmFbGqbDgTGtgFvUyi8Gwfb69VIwF4EMqj2ZYoRiXrX7X_HbWYdPLrGo/w601-h337/Intern%20Offboarding%20Presentation%20(9).png" width="601" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeQN2udIB0gZV0-YACe5C0PT1ph8TQkO8_5NIDY4VKitl9AmebXQPH_6igZ_kz3B18TpbxiqLkFrF66oYb4nAYrGh_YuGNH7532J6PMU9JuFlEysr1wFJQYfx4kz7DvdywIICvGtzmLQTsLSyeOkYhyH6H6MQD6KHjDIvgxVcazgCsUEX_SwA8Y64/s1920/Intern%20Offboarding%20Presentation%20(10).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeQN2udIB0gZV0-YACe5C0PT1ph8TQkO8_5NIDY4VKitl9AmebXQPH_6igZ_kz3B18TpbxiqLkFrF66oYb4nAYrGh_YuGNH7532J6PMU9JuFlEysr1wFJQYfx4kz7DvdywIICvGtzmLQTsLSyeOkYhyH6H6MQD6KHjDIvgxVcazgCsUEX_SwA8Y64/w596-h336/Intern%20Offboarding%20Presentation%20(10).png" width="596" /></a></div></div><br />Louisiana Department of Healthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10043097334770785722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2334003635770012.post-25808500121690793842022-08-17T15:31:00.000-05:002022-08-17T15:31:48.455-05:00Central, Northwest Offices of Public Health help children get safe start to new school year<p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">To celebrate students returning to school, the Louisiana Department of Health's (LDH) regional Offices of Public Health (OPH) have been participating in back-to-school events to help families become prepared and protected against COVID-19. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>OPH Region 6 (Central Louisiana)</b></span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-98b59577-7fff-6f84-7bb0-d91920080a3d"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div style="font-size: 12pt;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL1qTtj67J7j3HIfsB-wGklxwcch6L7C5OC9W3w_B2CAkRY6Ujb_89W2kZdFNx4ob6Gpq2bxKbC53Ia4LqNmuSBMUavfomUVpCg2gV1tkcRWdgRu4LprPzkzWF0UjTW35EeJOqUk4iSP74yCj09G7GSaxeE0ATrupHM-Ebso2j96xpaFJ3B4Y97-s/s1641/group.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="908" data-original-width="1641" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL1qTtj67J7j3HIfsB-wGklxwcch6L7C5OC9W3w_B2CAkRY6Ujb_89W2kZdFNx4ob6Gpq2bxKbC53Ia4LqNmuSBMUavfomUVpCg2gV1tkcRWdgRu4LprPzkzWF0UjTW35EeJOqUk4iSP74yCj09G7GSaxeE0ATrupHM-Ebso2j96xpaFJ3B4Y97-s/w440-h243/group.jpg" width="440" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">OPH Region 6 staff, representatives from Punto de Conexion and Pafford recently worked together on a backpack giveaway in Alexandria.</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Region 6 partnered with Pastor Juan-Jose Romero and the recently-founded Hispanic church Punto de Conexion in Alexandria to host a backpack giveaway at the Kent Plantation House. LDH gave the first 200 school-aged children free backpacks. </span></span><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 4pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib5fHAjK_T84qkjFPUDlO1VcNUl3c2XrB0wU93fwd-zXazpZO-bXom1JoBvyxs50CqxRNfYTbsIFNpGLN7xajKKCndOBOw6KUKXWoGPCmAlCKFpf7-do5vF81phAvvKuFOpNsSCxsZU-LpVfL5OlOhzZM_9QhnOe5u2MZPq_5l6vw9QFvPoeMSfKQ/s1495/vax.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1454" data-original-width="1495" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib5fHAjK_T84qkjFPUDlO1VcNUl3c2XrB0wU93fwd-zXazpZO-bXom1JoBvyxs50CqxRNfYTbsIFNpGLN7xajKKCndOBOw6KUKXWoGPCmAlCKFpf7-do5vF81phAvvKuFOpNsSCxsZU-LpVfL5OlOhzZM_9QhnOe5u2MZPq_5l6vw9QFvPoeMSfKQ/w370-h360/vax.jpg" width="370" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Children and parents receive free school supplies and resources during a backpack giveaway at Kent Plantation House in Alexandria.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span><div><span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">LDH team members distributed free school supplies and provided fun crafts and activities to more than 450 children. Parents received informational materials and resources from various departments including WIC and Immunizations. Pafford, OPH’s regional contracted vaccination team, administered COVID-19 and routine back-to-school vaccines.</span><div><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Region 6 also participated in a back-to-school event at the Alexandria Mall, handing out informational brochures and LDH swag materials. Families received text codes for a chance to win prizes and gift cards for school shopping. OPH Region 6 nurses and immunization staff administered both routine and COVID-19 vaccines.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>OPH Region 7 (Northwest)</b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Region 7 participated in a Back to School Bash, </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">hosted by Essentials 4 Families Diaper Bank,</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> at Caddo Middle Career and Technology School in Shreveport. LDH team members handed out bags filled with COVID-19 informational brochures, home test kits, COVID-19 protection kits, coloring books, LDH promotional items and other COVID-19 informational papers. The COVID-19 protection kits included a N95 mask, a tissue packet, two pairs of gloves, two disposable thermometers, a bottle of hand sanitizer and some antimicrobial towelettes.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTiS-v9nITEGx3mlXxEt3WGT2hZdeeH5B9ubiRdAU0_oUgSoSzfDAx-5bXRvGytBJlGrN5lVAA-ihNZ0MKaQMvuC-N5dXns7mOHV7VCxg-rZ-p1fBT7K63RkVZdKB4nYM0DT5W_rRCrajN8kl_6gyaVdh5ZNLfGIcmvKik6nU85v3w36WFeThsvVw/s2794/LDH%20Back%20to%20School%20event%20on%208.1.22.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2068" data-original-width="2794" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTiS-v9nITEGx3mlXxEt3WGT2hZdeeH5B9ubiRdAU0_oUgSoSzfDAx-5bXRvGytBJlGrN5lVAA-ihNZ0MKaQMvuC-N5dXns7mOHV7VCxg-rZ-p1fBT7K63RkVZdKB4nYM0DT5W_rRCrajN8kl_6gyaVdh5ZNLfGIcmvKik6nU85v3w36WFeThsvVw/w443-h328/LDH%20Back%20to%20School%20event%20on%208.1.22.jpg" width="443" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #323338; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Community Health Worker Michelle Thompson, Health Disparities Strategist Ariel Washington and Communications Coordinator Ana VanEaton, from left to right, helped attendees learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine.</span></td></tr></tbody></table></span></div></span></div>Louisiana Department of Healthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10043097334770785722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2334003635770012.post-81949028938818782872022-05-24T11:24:00.001-05:002022-07-28T16:20:21.330-05:00Vax Matters podcast explores facts, myths, misconceptions around vaccines<p>Vax Matters, a new podcast series from the Louisiana Department of
Health’s (LDH) Immunization Program, has released the first three episodes in a
planned 36-podcast series over the coming year.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The podcast, with a new episode being released every two weeks,
will take a deep dive and explore the history and future of vaccines, as well
as address facts, misconceptions and myths on a variety of immunization topics.
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In each episode, host Diane Deaton, a former TV personality and
weathercaster for WAFB 9News in Baton Rouge, along with a guest host, will
speak with medical and infectious disease experts from Louisiana, as well as
across the country, to address that episode’s topic.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In a two-part episode just released, Deaton and guest host Deon
Guillory speak with Dr. Frank Welch, a leading national expert on immunizations
and former medical director for Emergency Preparedness at LDH, on the history
of vaccines. During the episodes, Dr. Welch walks listeners through the origin
of modern vaccines beginning with smallpox through the polio epidemic. Welch explains
why some vaccines are grouped and how it is decided which flu strain will be used
each year for the vaccine.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Dr. Welch also discusses how vaccines are developed today and the
progress we have seen in the last few years and the medical research and tests
that are conducted before a vaccine is ever approved. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“I think it's important in society that we recognize the
difference between an opinion and scientific research and scientific fact,” Dr.
Welch concluded.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In another of the episodes released, Deaton and Guillory speak
with Dr. Joseph Kanter, the state health officer at LDH, to discuss the COVID
vaccine and recount the past two years of living during the current pandemic.
Dr. Kanter will take us behind the scenes as LDH and hospitals responded to the
outbreak over the past two years, how the pandemic has impacted our lives and
the role vaccines have played during that time.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“To have a vaccine developed from start to finish with full safety
and efficacy testing in less than a year from the time that this virus entered
this country is nothing short of miraculous,” Dr. Kanter said in Episode 1 of
Vax Matters. “I think these companies deserve a lot of credit for helping save
lives. We would (have) lost thousands and thousands of more lives in the second
year of this pandemic if we had to deal with it without the tool of these
vaccines.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Dr. Kanter also talks about the importance of the vaccine and
other FDA-approved tools that are available or will become available in the
coming months to fight COVID.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Future topics will look at vaccine mistrust among minorities,
vaccines and fertility, how outbreaks happen, and more detailed looks at our
most common and well-known vaccines.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In the trailer for the Vax Matters podcast, Deaton introduces the
podcast by saying, “For decades, vaccines were something most of us probably
didn’t give much thought to. Then COVID happened and suddenly vaccines were all
we thought about. Today, facts about vaccines matter more than ever.” <o:p></o:p></p>
<span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 105%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Vax
Matters can be found and downloaded on all the top podcast platforms including </span><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 105%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/vax-matters/id1621383395" target="_blank">Apple</a>, <a href="https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5idXp6c3Byb3V0LmNvbS8xOTY4MDgzLnJzcw?sa=X&ved=0CAcQrrcFahcKEwj46MrF0Lz4AhUAAAAAHQAAAAAQKA" target="_blank">Google Podcast</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/6HJZAtnzNqL2g38jJVLZoA?si=9184c19e8d844fb0" target="_blank">Spotify</a>, <a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Vax-Matters-Podcast/B09YZZ6W56?ref=a_pd_Vax-Ma_c1_podcast-show-details&pf_rd_p=df6bf89c-ab0c-4323-993a-2a046c7399f9&pf_rd_r=Q7T7EHHBK1725C6RAYNW" target="_blank">Audible</a> and
<a href="https://www.stitcher.com/s?fid=701558" target="_blank">Stitcher</a>.</span>Louisiana Department of Healthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10043097334770785722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2334003635770012.post-28823088145237279742022-05-18T13:02:00.001-05:002022-05-18T13:02:55.367-05:00When should I get a second COVID-19 booster shot?<p><b>By DR. MARTHA WHYTE | OPH Region 7
Medical Director</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvbQQtbTN3NQWiNXw07hzlDMfFPU9BVLdiaVLS-C8Ny8DOsvm4gHzGZyRhKZGKfPlxFCq42FLZqKuYJK283cZBvDlpJ6i9tjOnN7ducITeMyT5oRSxtTA8RvU9NGw19Kqt3Bl3IktiBXtiwycaj4pwoRsWrAi57aBFUO1pcu3bqXGJX-sWoxtOLC4/s1920/MarthaWhyte.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1254" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvbQQtbTN3NQWiNXw07hzlDMfFPU9BVLdiaVLS-C8Ny8DOsvm4gHzGZyRhKZGKfPlxFCq42FLZqKuYJK283cZBvDlpJ6i9tjOnN7ducITeMyT5oRSxtTA8RvU9NGw19Kqt3Bl3IktiBXtiwycaj4pwoRsWrAi57aBFUO1pcu3bqXGJX-sWoxtOLC4/w172-h265/MarthaWhyte.jpg" width="172" /></a></div><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Since
COVID-19 vaccines first became available in December 2020, we have seen
occasional changes in the vaccination guidelines provided by the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Following the availability of and
recommendation for the first series of vaccinations, boosters have been
recommended for those who are eligible. Now, there is a general push for a second
Pfizer-BioNTech (Comirnaty) or Moderna (Spikevax) booster shot.</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">With
the second booster shot, many Americans are currently asking when to get it,
who should get it and how beneficial it is.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">When
to get it?</span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">For
most individuals to be considered fully vaccinated, they must have received
their initial round of primary vaccines and their first booster shot. CDC says
guidelines remain relatively the same for most Americans, but recommendations
have changed, based on age, immune status and type of original vaccine received.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Timing
is important for second boosters — at least four months after the first booster
shot was administered. Those who received the J&J vaccine must wait at
least four months from receiving their primary dose and booster.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Who
should get it?</span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Health
officials are now recommending the second coronavirus booster shot for:</span></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Those who are age 50 or older</li><li>Individuals ages 12 and up who are moderately or severely immunocompromised (Pfizer only for ages 12-17)</li><li>Those with two doses (one primary and one booster) of Johnson & Johnson’s (J&J) Janssen vaccine.</li></ul>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">How beneficial is it?</span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Recent
research shows that during the Omicron surge, those who were boosted were 7
times less likely to be hospitalized and 21 times less likely to die from COVID-19
as compared to unvaccinated individuals.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
average American desires to remain healthy and help keep their loved ones
healthy as well. Factors that may affect the choice of a second booster shot include
the greater risk for severe disease from COVID-19, the concern over giving
COVID-19 to someone close who is immunocompromised, or greater risk of exposure
to COVID-19.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Second
boosters are meant to prevent hospitalizations. However, as with any vaccine, the
second booster shot has a relative effective time in the body. It is not an
end-all to complete protection against COVID-19. The series of vaccines and the
second booster help to build immunity against infection and protect the
individual for the life of the vaccine.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
choice of whether to receive a second booster shot, ultimately, is left up to
the individual and their medical professional.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Future
important life events and recent COVID-19 diagnoses are just two reasons that
some individuals may choose to wait to receiving a second dose. Other factors
include daily schedule constraints and the general thought of overall health
being good and already adequately vaccinated.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">If
you are in a group listed above that is eligible for the second booster, or you
know of someone who is, talk to your doctor. To book your free second booster
or schedule an in-home vaccination, call 1-855-453-0774 or visit vaccines.gov. Find
pertinent information around the second booster shot and other COVID-19 updates
at </span><a href="http://www.cdc.gov/"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">www.cdc.gov</span></a><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Louisiana Department of Healthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10043097334770785722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2334003635770012.post-91814835265136462172022-04-07T14:19:00.000-05:002022-04-07T14:19:13.200-05:00LDH highlights work of regional public health offices during National Public Health Week<p></p>The Louisiana Department of Health is celebrating National Public Health Week April 4-10, highlighting the importance of community health and the vital role public health professionals serve in making communities healthier. <div><br />Led by Assistant Secretary Kim Hood, the LDH Office of Public Health (OPH) manages the network of <a href="https://ldh.la.gov/page/394">public health units</a> in nine regions throughout the state. Local officials and non-profit organizations partner with OPH to make sure the most vulnerable populations have access to the care and support they need. <br /><br />Studies show poverty and poor health outcomes are closely linked. When faced with financial hardship, people must decide between their daily living expenses versus their health needs. As a result, they are more likely to go without necessary care such as consulting with a doctor or getting a prescription. <br /><br />These issues are made even worse during a health crisis such as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, as well as major storms which have hit so many Louisiana parishes. In public health, we know in a disaster that vulnerable people are vulnerable.<br /><br />LDH's public health teams work closely with parish and local partners to overcome impediments to healthier lives. The Office of Public Health provides free vaccines for COVID-19, flu and other diseases. OPH is also on the frontlines in the preparation and response to natural disasters such as hurricanes and other emergencies. Dedicated public health workers also help keep the food supply safe, ensure the quality of drinking water, provide parents and kids with nutritious foods, and work behind the scenes in many ways to improve and protect health.<br /><br /> Here are some of the ways your Office of Public Health works to keep you safe and healthy.<br /><br /><b><i>Regional services<br /></i></b><br /><b>Greater New Orleans (Region 1)</b> is focusing on the totality of health — addressing the social determinants of health and health justice. Region 1 OPH’s efforts utilize community health workers and social workers as conduits between the State and safety-net institutions to shore up hepatitis C, hepatitis B and HIV prevention and treatment. Region 1 also working closely with Metropolitan Human Services District and other behavioral health entities to provide competent and comprehensive care to all patients or clients who have experienced toxic stress and healthcare inaccessibility.<br /><br />Throughout the state, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) provides healthy foods and other support for women who are pregnant, breastfeeding or postpartum and infants and children up to age five. Other WIC services include breastfeeding support via live video with lactation consultants who are available 24/7, nutrition education and referrals to other social services. In the <b>Greater Baton Rouge area (Region 2)</b>, WIC is now providing additional money to buy fruits and vegetables through September 2022. Region 2’s 11 WIC clinics serve more than 12,000 participants per month. <br /><br />Many residents in <b>river and coastal parishes (Region 3)</b> continue to strive to overcome the devastation of Hurricane Ida, especially in lower Lafourche and Terrebonne parishes. Families remain displaced, and the public health unit serving South Lafourche was significantly damaged. The town of Golden Meadow has generously been providing temporary space for public health services. In addition, Region 3 is implementing the Community Healthways program which provides additional assistance for basic needs including rent and utilities for families coping with hardships, such as those caused by Hurricane Ida.<br /><br />LDH staff and partners remain active in <b>Acadiana (Region 4) </b>hosting many events and health fairs encouraging COVID-19 testing and vaccinations. Region 4 staff will be working with physicians and nurses in the region to educate moms about the importance of Safe Sleep involving babies with the goal of lowering the instance of sudden unexpected infant death (SUID). With summer approaching, staff will work to educate the community on drowning prevention.<br /><br />In the <b>Southwest (Region 5)</b>, the Office of Public Health is committed to improving the lives of residents still dealing with the devastation of Hurricane Laura on top of ongoing issues like food insecurity and financial hardship. Region 5 Community Health Workers are stationed in parish health units, ready to listen to residents’ concerns and help direct them to helpful resources.<br /><br />In <b>Central Louisiana (Region 6)</b>, OPH staff continue to work to provide communities access to vital healthcare resources. Since 2020, Region 6 teams have tested more than 65,000 people for COVID-19 and have provided immunizations to 55,000 people. Most recently, Region 6 OPH partnered with Sleeves Up Avoyelles to host the Central Louisiana Rural Health Summit, addressing health disparities that disproportionately affect rural communities and provide solutions and resources to target these issues. <br /><br />In <b>Northwest Louisiana (Region 7)</b>, the staff has teamed up with the Women’s Council of Shreveport/Bossier on identifying ways to assist with meeting the health needs of birthing persons and children to cope with pressing issues including mental health, safe sleep and gun violence. <br /><br />In the <b>Northeast (Region 8)</b>, a newly formed health disparities team’s main goal is to develop programs that promote equitable health outcomes for those who are most vulnerable. Another key focus in Region 8 is fighting the opioid crisis, including partnering with other state and community partners to create the first Opioid Substance Use Recovery Coalition to help communities that are especially impacted. <br /><br />In the <b>Florida and Northshore parishes (Region 9)</b>, LDH teams are focused on serving women, infants and children in Livingston, St. Helena, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa and Washington parishes through the WIC Program. Parish health units in Livingston, Amite, Hammond, Bogalusa, Franklinton and Slidell provide assistance to breastfeeding mothers with prenatal breastfeeding education support, breastfeeding education, healthy WIC food packages, peer counseling, breast pump support (free hospital grade pumps and personal electric pumps), consultations with certified lactation consultants and lactation rooms at most WIC sites. <br /> <br /></div>Louisiana Department of Healthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10043097334770785722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2334003635770012.post-17773407005119108502022-03-28T10:32:00.007-05:002022-03-29T10:29:29.449-05:00LDH's Omar Khalid shares his experience on TV's 'Jeopardy!'<p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i>(Omar Khalid, senior advisor to Office of Public Health Assistant Secretary Kim Hood, <a href="https://thejeopardyfan.com/2022/03/final-jeopardy-3-24-2022.html">appeared on “Jeopardy!” on March 24</a>, where he finished in second place against Tim McCaigue, an app developer from California, and Ciara Donegan, an undergraduate student from Maryland who won first place.)</i></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXfOxur8-NwS_XZ95y2TRqu1jkhnAj4iMGljR33DC6EDe40K72GZe9Dw0tB3F9HORSK0kTHO1tzgwv3KqYqkU98IE3T3Mu67wyNXz47XIIE8wt-0Zbk6H0E7E_S3WUH0niF7L6L_x7e-aGQry5lvUUez8QrIHmf8ZdDoHh3aPBybZCtoWWn4sfo7s/s1200/Ken%20Jennings%20and%20Omar%20Khalid.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1200" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXfOxur8-NwS_XZ95y2TRqu1jkhnAj4iMGljR33DC6EDe40K72GZe9Dw0tB3F9HORSK0kTHO1tzgwv3KqYqkU98IE3T3Mu67wyNXz47XIIE8wt-0Zbk6H0E7E_S3WUH0niF7L6L_x7e-aGQry5lvUUez8QrIHmf8ZdDoHh3aPBybZCtoWWn4sfo7s/w641-h360/Ken%20Jennings%20and%20Omar%20Khalid.png" width="641" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Louisiana Department of Health's Omar Khalid, right, appeared on "Jeopardy!" on March 24 with Ken Jennings as host.</td></tr></tbody></table><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><br /></i></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>By OMAR KHALID |
Chief of Staff, LDH Office of Public Health</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I’ve been a “Jeopardy!” viewer for most of my life and have
taken the contestant test at least 10 times over the years. Normally, you take
the 50-question test, with 10 seconds to type in a response for each question,
and never hear back. This time, I found an email in my inbox’s spam folder
inviting me to take a follow-up test! I was actually sick with COVID and there were
no available slots left, and I was devastated that I may have missed my one
shot. Luckily, I got a follow-up email about a month later and scheduled
another test. It was identical to the first test, but you take it on Zoom
so they can see it’s really you. Again, there was no response on how I did. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">About two months later, I got yet another email inviting me
to play a mock game of “Jeopardy!” on Zoom. We used clicking pens as buzzers,
played a few clues in a game setting against other would-be contestants, and
gave a short interview to test out how we would perform on TV. Passing that
step put us into a pool of contestants eligible to tape an episode of “Jeopardy!”
— but we were told only about a third of those in the pool would get the call
to tape an episode. I was quite surprised when I did get a call about a week
later inviting me to fly to L.A. to be on the show.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2AmpwNQFkbwTDhEsxpDR6GfEflg6YoFgeX9VqKR4aL4ZnAue8LrPvhjJlJIAYBJVb_kCRJ0msNVoA0Se59zvAUa47Nsmfl8ot4SCRhmRHktMWDGYuRsKxLPNTINk-5HR3dIh8_DH9_3KtmmNCG2Ly6vuS5S0Z1oETvbLoOvGnLyPS2l9BGEX53BU/s1200/Omar%20Khalid.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1200" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2AmpwNQFkbwTDhEsxpDR6GfEflg6YoFgeX9VqKR4aL4ZnAue8LrPvhjJlJIAYBJVb_kCRJ0msNVoA0Se59zvAUa47Nsmfl8ot4SCRhmRHktMWDGYuRsKxLPNTINk-5HR3dIh8_DH9_3KtmmNCG2Ly6vuS5S0Z1oETvbLoOvGnLyPS2l9BGEX53BU/w493-h278/Omar%20Khalid.png" width="493" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">The production itself was extremely professional, and as a
public health employee I was pleased to see how incredibly safe they were with
COVID-19 precautions. Because my taping was nearly at the height of the Omicron peak, we were required to submit a PCR test before our flight and tested again 12
hours before our taping. The set itself had a COVID safety coordinator and
everyone was masked for the entirety of the day. When you see me on TV, those
were the only moments I spent without my mask on from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. There
was no studio audience, but the other contestants sat physically distanced in
the audience seating and watched each other’s games, as an entire week’s episodes
were recorded in one day.</p><o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Since longtime host Alex Trebek lost his battle with pancreatic cancer,
there has been no permanent host on the show. We found out 74-game champion Ken
Jennings would be our host on the day of taping. He was very warm and funny — and
a bit taller in person — and I personally would like to see him become the new
permanent host.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">As for my game, I’ve been getting a lot of kudos for being a car expert since I answered four out of five questions in the “Classic Cars”
category (and a $2,000 clue on the Le Mans race), but I definitely feel this is
unwarranted. They were just bits of trivia I had stored in my head from 40
years on Earth. There were a number of clues that were quite easy, but I have
to say our "Final Jeopardy!" was one of the easiest I’ve seen in a long time. I
had little chance to overcome the leader in the game but at least I got to go out
on a correct response! <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I was also surprised to learn that I did not have any
incorrect responses, not an unheard-of feat on the show. It happened most
recently a few days before my episode, but it felt good to bat 1.000.
Unfortunately, it was not enough to win the day against two very strong
opponents, but as the process for even appearing on the show proved, there is
definitely an element of luck involved at every step. I have no regrets about
how I played and have been supremely overwhelmed at all of the love and support
I’ve received in the days since my episode aired.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I recommend the experience to anyone. The <a href="https://www.jeopardy.com/be-on-j/anytime-test">Jeopardy! Anytime Test</a>
is free to take online at any time. Your results are held for one year, and then
you can take it again. Even if you don’t think you’d do great on the show, I
encourage you to take it just for fun!</p><p></p>Louisiana Department of Healthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10043097334770785722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2334003635770012.post-51717673263992181282022-02-03T10:02:00.001-06:002022-02-03T10:02:50.096-06:00Adult Protective Services investigated 1,662 exploitation cases in 2021<p><b style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN">By ELI MELILLO | Public Information Officer, LDH Bureau of Media and
Communications</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN">In 2021, Adult Protective Services investigated
1,662 cases of abuse (emotional, physical, sexual or financial), neglect,
exploitation or extortion of disabled adults between the ages of 18-59.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN">As part of the Louisiana Department of
Health's Office of Aging and Adult Services, Adult Protective Services is
responsible for investigating reports of abuse and arranging for services to
protect these vulnerable adults. The impact of victimization of vulnerable
adults is often detrimental to their long-term safety and stability and
physical and mental health.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN">"It's a lasting effect that is seen
throughout the community," said Adult Protection Specialist Supervisor
Anona Bowie.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN">Human traffickers target potential victims
throughout our communities, particularly those individuals residing in
shelters, participating in out-patient treatment programs, interacting online
with persons unknown to them, and other circumstances wherein the traffickers
gain knowledge of the vulnerabilities of the victims. Human traffickers
identify and target individuals with little or no familial involvement and lack
of social interaction. The traffickers prey on vulnerable adults to gain access
to their monthly financial benefits and sometimes to coerce or force the
vulnerable adults into situations involving labor or sex trafficking. Human
traffickers gain access and control of the victims' financial benefits but fail
to provide the victim with basic needs other than housing. Often, even the
housing provided by traffickers is inadequate to meet the needs of the victims.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt;"><span lang="EN">Human trafficking
victims with vulnerabilities or disabilities may exhibit limited mental
capacity to make decisions, advocate for themselves or complete even the most
basic activities of daily living independently. "Let's say the victim
requires specific medical therapies … When the trafficker takes control, the
individual may no longer have access to essential medical treatments or care —
and money and other benefits intended for the individual are diverted to the
trafficker. Consequently, the vulnerable adult goes without necessities such as
access to medicine, healthy foods, and medical care," said Bowie.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt;"><span lang="EN">Adult Protective
Services Assistant Program Director Shannon Ioannou urges people to be vigilant
and aware of peculiar changes within their neighborhoods and communities.
Typically, multiple victims are housed in the same residence together and are
frequently relocated by the traffickers to avoid suspicion by neighbors or
other community members. Community members may notice these vulnerable adults
publicly soliciting individuals for food and money or observe the victims being
required to fulfill roles of manual labor or other tasks that appear to pose
immediate risk of harm to adults. Victims may exhibit other behaviors such as
trespassing, vagrancy and shoplifting, which are often actions indicative of
possible human trafficking and exploitation of these vulnerable adults.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt;"><span lang="EN">If you suspect abuse,
neglect, exploitation or extortion of a vulnerable or disabled adult age 18-59,
contact Adult Protective Services at our 24-hour hotline, 1-800-898-4910.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt;"><span lang="EN">If you suspect abuse,
neglect, exploitation, or extortion of adults age 60 or older, please contact
Elderly Protective Services at 1-833-577-6532 or 225-342-0144.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Please contact 911 immediately for situations posing
an imminent risk of harm to vulnerable adults.</span>Louisiana Department of Healthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10043097334770785722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2334003635770012.post-26955647177115556802022-01-18T16:30:00.001-06:002022-01-18T16:31:28.635-06:00Thanks for all you do, Region 1 staff!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhLFAUtmfsomWk3MQpfkQaJNeStxvFv84wh59tAViwLA6jK0X_Ij10aEeDcM31D_93nUwCAd0ftO7PuIGHEN7TdjxC2dz-R8zDU3--UgHk80qv2uWGIoMGV6DZBpV-DkbFNlPi3M7WkN8uknNKnVnZyGmuOpehJx9LYOzzCP6Vx4qommMxD3XXtv3I=s2016" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="431" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhLFAUtmfsomWk3MQpfkQaJNeStxvFv84wh59tAViwLA6jK0X_Ij10aEeDcM31D_93nUwCAd0ftO7PuIGHEN7TdjxC2dz-R8zDU3--UgHk80qv2uWGIoMGV6DZBpV-DkbFNlPi3M7WkN8uknNKnVnZyGmuOpehJx9LYOzzCP6Vx4qommMxD3XXtv3I=w573-h431" width="573" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">Ahead of the Christmas holiday Dr. Shantel Hebert-Magee, medical director for the Greater New Orleans region, held an awards ceremony to recognize her staff for all of their accomplishments
in 2021. Dr. Hebert-Magee's staff has taken the many demands of the COVID-19
crisis in stride, especially around immunizations. Here's a look at some of her
staff awards and what they were recognized for.<b> </b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><br /></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgsfM7ke3PYYud7GCxNTEPhavwfnJh3aLhIz6WUSRhT4fm3TI8A4SWK8k1RoaFnt3rfIXblrwNNo8bjzrXItQsvs8mMiUH4Up9DhtlskmaoCau7loyZn55-DTzjK0q7YLdLDsgJrC8QbwE9RGqWUv9_fsMs5SMO-wtVFVDrID4RSUFhJFjy3VW_g3Y=s2000" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1088" data-original-width="2000" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgsfM7ke3PYYud7GCxNTEPhavwfnJh3aLhIz6WUSRhT4fm3TI8A4SWK8k1RoaFnt3rfIXblrwNNo8bjzrXItQsvs8mMiUH4Up9DhtlskmaoCau7loyZn55-DTzjK0q7YLdLDsgJrC8QbwE9RGqWUv9_fsMs5SMO-wtVFVDrID4RSUFhJFjy3VW_g3Y=w386-h210" width="386" /></a></div><p></p><b>Rha'Keisha Wyre, Assistant Regional Administrator: </b>As Dr. Hebert-Magee's
No. 2, Rha'Keisha embodies all of the values you find in a public servant,
as well as a leader. Rha'Keisha's main goal is to highlight the importance
of community engagement in the area that includes Jefferson, St. Bernard,
Plaquemines and Orleans Parish — home to some of the most populous and
diverse communities in the state. Rha'Keisha uses her people-centric
skills to to keep up morale, bring on new talent, expand Region 1's
operations and coordinate with all of the region's public partnerships.
She did all this with empathy during the most challenging of
circumstances.<p></p><p><b>Janila Bailey, Delgado Administrative Coordinator: </b>As a recipient of one of
Dr. Hebert-Magee's clerical awards, Janila was recognized for stepping up
in the Delgado public health unit (PHU) to help cover vacancies and staff
changes. Her approach to customer service is excellent and Dr. Hebert-Magee
said Janila is someone that can always being counted on during times of
uncertainty and when difficult tasks come up.</p><p><b>Van Coulon, Clerical Supervisor: </b>Van got a promotion in
2020, moving up from Public Health Unit Clerk. In addition to Van's positive
attitude and professionalism, Dr. Hebert-Magee recognized Van's
willingness to "go the extra mile." He literally went the extra
mile this summer: When evacuating after Hurricane Ida due to lack of power
and water, Van was activated while en route to Texas and turned around
without hesitation to assist with shelter operations and credentialing
emergency medical staff.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhi0gZSoX7jIjY4_jI-4IV4prZduXIAUHEhQht2RrR68VM4LpRsowIOCKYshdKx44t7psBKZUPfzMrW-bSgstr7TVDEBsJHPBQMnQYYm1MLHQKCrEB9EI0DkSgdciiKGCk_PFZKxExOc7TK_55jtwb_tmF50wMokkHDN7QduK7a-BGPZebl05kTGkE=s2000" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1088" data-original-width="2000" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhi0gZSoX7jIjY4_jI-4IV4prZduXIAUHEhQht2RrR68VM4LpRsowIOCKYshdKx44t7psBKZUPfzMrW-bSgstr7TVDEBsJHPBQMnQYYm1MLHQKCrEB9EI0DkSgdciiKGCk_PFZKxExOc7TK_55jtwb_tmF50wMokkHDN7QduK7a-BGPZebl05kTGkE=w406-h221" width="406" /></a></div><p><b>Amanda Melancon and Jeanne Marie Baudouin: </b>Amanda and Jeanne
received Dr. Hebert-Magee's immunization award for "troubleshooting
vaccine shortages, minimizing waste, and ensuring access to our most
vulnerable populations." Their efforts helped Region 1 administer
more than a 500,000 vaccinations.</p><p><b>Blanche Lott, Regional Office Manager: </b>Dr. Hebert wrote of
Blanche: "<span style="color: #1d1d1d;">Though shy and humble, through
her organizational skills, she has delivered greater strategic value to
the region and is at the core of our daily operations, maintaining a
can-do outlook throughout the pandemic."</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjdI8QwOBFr3tWek0DpvMZ8NkOgRcK8BQKZb4KTVzOBWOZ8cWFuo_OZ0yE5cpNO364y2nRdc8UwTaBVAJiXOMWnZzb5S1FHkC7_s5plEiynGlkYVIlJnXT-uWGSloot_5RE-_TsWWgMOA16SMoH9iD9v-PdEHUuvwDsclMZHvzxHni9Qy8Js3Ae5hI=s2000" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1094" data-original-width="2000" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjdI8QwOBFr3tWek0DpvMZ8NkOgRcK8BQKZb4KTVzOBWOZ8cWFuo_OZ0yE5cpNO364y2nRdc8UwTaBVAJiXOMWnZzb5S1FHkC7_s5plEiynGlkYVIlJnXT-uWGSloot_5RE-_TsWWgMOA16SMoH9iD9v-PdEHUuvwDsclMZHvzxHni9Qy8Js3Ae5hI=w400-h219" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p><b>Mary Vu, Health Educator, WIC: </b>Using her Vietnamese
language skills, Mary is crucial to outreach in Region 1's sizable
Vietnamese community, assisting in translations both verbal and written to
get WIC information out to this population. Mary took the lead in setting
up WIC services for Hurricane Laura refugees, allowing Region 1 to begin
servicing WIC families within hours.</p><p><b>Kyler Forte, Health Educator, WIC: </b>Dr. Hebert-Magee wrote
that Kyler "has been instrumental in providing WIC services during
the COVID-19 pandemic, Hurricane Laura and Hurricane Ida." In
addition to providing curbside services at the PHU, Kyler assisted without
hesitation in servicing WIC participants during Hurricane Ida state office
closure while her own home was damaged and without electricity. </p><p><b>Dana Washington, Regional Nutritionist: </b>Dr. Hebert-Magee wrote
that Dana worked creatively during the COVID-19 crisis to set up curbside
and drive-through pick-ups for the WIC population, and traveled to the
region daily after Hurricane Ida from Mississippi to assist with incident
command operations for shelter operations.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiFQtvAJcnQBBrnyNkFCvVoHuMowpvbLuFrpUcReiiNF8uUg6_v5G0TdtieHz94hGNhXu48A0O-yllvRPIMG8mj06wv08OhB4RVV2JozkGBO4CD_YOCXTcumUiF6dIctbdruzFs6SgYJRhGIlKWNPQkOR5ADIVV6S823Rm6qsXVtBX3vfPXP1VWUD4=s2000" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1094" data-original-width="2000" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiFQtvAJcnQBBrnyNkFCvVoHuMowpvbLuFrpUcReiiNF8uUg6_v5G0TdtieHz94hGNhXu48A0O-yllvRPIMG8mj06wv08OhB4RVV2JozkGBO4CD_YOCXTcumUiF6dIctbdruzFs6SgYJRhGIlKWNPQkOR5ADIVV6S823Rm6qsXVtBX3vfPXP1VWUD4=w394-h216" width="394" /></a></div><p><b>Veronica Attaway, Registered Nurse, Region 1 PHUs: </b>An 18-year LDH veteran,
Veronica approaches her job as a calling, Dr. Hebert-Magee wrote.
"Veronica goes wherever she is needed in the community,<span style="color: #1f497d;"> </span>even at short notice, after hours, or in an unfamiliar
part of town."</p><p><b>Megan Hill, Registered Nurse, Region 1 PHUs: </b>Megan is known for her
compassion and willingness to help, working "tirelessly through our
emergency response" despite being relatively new to LDH, Dr.
Hebert-Magee wrote.</p><p><b>Vanessa Hargrove, Disease Intervention Specialist
Supervisor: </b>Dr.
Hebert-Magee wrote: "Vanessa served as a resource for the emergency
response staff in the medical operations credentialing section as well
with the Command Staff. She began her response efforts working as a
resource member on the medical operations section but she quickly became
the Medical Resource Section Lead after a few adjustments in our Incident
Command Structure."</p><p><b>Jenny Bagert, Strategic Partner, Together Louisiana: </b>Dr. Hebert-Magee wrote:
"Jenny has been instrumental to our community outreach and vaccine
uptake in our most vulnerable neighborhoods. Using creativity and
ingenuity she has improved medical literacy, healthcare engagement and
LDH visibility."</p>Louisiana Department of Healthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10043097334770785722noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2334003635770012.post-48897088103252081862021-12-16T15:34:00.003-06:002021-12-16T17:29:25.793-06:00Pinecrest Supports and Services Center celebrates 100 years of service to Louisiana<b>By SHANNON THORN | CEO, Pinecrest Supports and Services Center</b><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjeQOFE566J-gu77urKO9_rEWjdvDBup5g-8mVlwQVQypIShHcDb7qVrSSZRdDnv6RjHI6P7hdWSHXNHETBV3cwU6BVpeXba1PYCEEaCmvrYbgVIQk1O7dBe4-y2u8wMf7CTMJ1RGxg0piDXKKB4UO2IZ52lHjEayqjGxkLm_vIzQ1puEvLlcIBQVY=s2000" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="748" data-original-width="2000" height="321" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjeQOFE566J-gu77urKO9_rEWjdvDBup5g-8mVlwQVQypIShHcDb7qVrSSZRdDnv6RjHI6P7hdWSHXNHETBV3cwU6BVpeXba1PYCEEaCmvrYbgVIQk1O7dBe4-y2u8wMf7CTMJ1RGxg0piDXKKB4UO2IZ52lHjEayqjGxkLm_vIzQ1puEvLlcIBQVY=w855-h321" width="855" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pinecrest State School opened in 1921 as a facility for individuals with intellectual disabilities. One hundred years later, it remains in operation as Pinecrest Supports and Services Center, specializing in the treatment of people with comorbid intellectual and developmental disabilities, and complex medical, behavioral and psychiatric support needs.</td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal">In 1884, 129 patients were admitted to East Louisiana
Hospital from the New Orleans Asylum. These individuals would now be what we
refer to as individuals with an intellectual disability. In 1914, the
Superintendent of East Louisiana Hospital recommended the establishment of a
specialized facility for these patients, as the mental health hospital was not
the best place to meet their unique needs. Subsequently, legal authorization
from Legislative Act. No. 141 of 1918 created Pinecrest.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In 1921, 1,000 acres of land was purchased from the
Beauregard Development Company utilizing portions of Camp Beauregard that were
employed during World War I. On December 21, 1921, Pinecrest officially opened
with a total of 37 patients. The total annual budget for 1921 was $50,000.
During these times, the facility was completely self-sufficient with a working
vegetable farm, dairy farm operation, and livestock such as chickens, hogs and
cattle. This was during a time when the only way the facility could operate was
through self-sufficiency due to budget constraints. Years later, additional
funding was given to the agency so they could begin to purchase instead of
produce.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Now known as Pinecrest Supports and Services Center, the facility consists of 947 total acres with 163
acres leased to the Ward 9 recreational facility, giving Pinecrest 784 acres
to care for and operate on. There are 335 total buildings on campus with 158
heated and cooled buildings. There is an on-grounds bakery, greenhouse, canteen, medical observation unit, fully functional dental clinic, park, baseball field, an equine therapy
program, a barn with various animals for pet therapy, swimming pool, gymnasium, and school operated by the Department of Education
which is open year round focusing on the
specific curricula needs for the individuals supported. The Pinecrest school also has a
GED program.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiBxjLr5A7llob7OzpHCxN3Wp4kdbvHxLb_5asHoTnNFpTg0WjD6ol7QNWBDMdPaF95cNrhKqqoyJhbALpAic97bvCVdA-4qm45RzVFkFnbPlRJgTngZ5Wxz_gVy2d61F0yqTaEyy-fnmrdU20C8fTwZBus6NL3dWNfUydkdNnUoE6HL4Rve8uoqHE=s4032" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiBxjLr5A7llob7OzpHCxN3Wp4kdbvHxLb_5asHoTnNFpTg0WjD6ol7QNWBDMdPaF95cNrhKqqoyJhbALpAic97bvCVdA-4qm45RzVFkFnbPlRJgTngZ5Wxz_gVy2d61F0yqTaEyy-fnmrdU20C8fTwZBus6NL3dWNfUydkdNnUoE6HL4Rve8uoqHE=w471-h354" width="471" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This shadowbox displays the original knobs from the A Building in the 1920s, as well as a fire house nozzle that was an original piece of equipment from the 1920s Pinecrest Fire Department.</td></tr></tbody></table>
<p class="MsoNormal">On campus, 40 buildings are currently used as residential
homes. There are 12 day service buildings used for skill acquisition training activities,
active treatment and training, and vocational learning opportunities. Pinecrest
has various work training options including the on-campus canteen, bakery, on-grounds
delivery services, food service skills through the kitchen, landscaping and lawn
care through the greenhouse, contracts with community-based agencies, and many
more job opportunities.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In December 1921, Pinecrest had 37 residents and during the
1970s the facility had more than 2,100 residents. In 2021, Pinecrest supported
430 residents with intellectual disabilities who have significant medical,
behavioral and psychiatric challenges. It also has well over 100 individuals
with autism who receive specialized programs and training for their unique
needs. The facility also has a specialized geriatric
program for individuals with an intellectual disability and their unique issues
associated with aging and dementia. Additionally, it offers a wide array of
clinical services such as psychology, occupation therapy, physical therapy,
speech therapy, medical services, nursing, recreation services, psychiatry and
neurology, among other specialized clinical services needed by the individuals
supported by Pinecrest.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">From 37 patients with limited services and a budget of
$50,000, to a complex treatment-based organization, Pinecrest has for 100 years continuously supported individuals with
intellectual and developmental disabilities that many others cannot serve or
refuse to serve <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>over the years. Now, its current focus is on specialized programming
and individualized treatment and skills acquisition training focused on
independence, autonomy, self-advocacy and skills development to increase each
resident’s ability to live independently.</p><p></p></div>Louisiana Department of Healthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10043097334770785722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2334003635770012.post-30273138907943313032021-12-09T11:14:00.003-06:002021-12-09T11:14:57.006-06:00OBH warns parents not to purchase lottery tickets and scratch-offs for children<p><span style="background-color: white; color: #063a4e;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The Louisiana Department of Health’s Office of Behavioral
Health would like to remind parents that lottery tickets and scratch-offs are
not suitable gifts for children. Often, we are looking for simple gifts and
stocking stuffers to serve as quick and easy gifts around the holidays. Lottery
tickets and scratch-offs are not a good idea because of the potential harm these
gifts might cause for some children.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: arial;">Many problem gamblers report early exposure to gambling,
as youths. Often, parents and children participate in gambling behaviors that
appear to be harmless — however, research shows that this early exposure can trigger
the start of a very serious gambling addiction.</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #063a4e;">A 2017 </span><a href="https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/01/170103101751.htm"><span lang="EN">study by the
Imperial College London</span></a><span lang="EN" style="color: #063a4e;"> says gambling addiction triggers the same
brain areas as drug and alcohol cravings. “Giving a lottery ticket or
scratch-off to a child may seem like a cheap, fun and harmless gift, but such
gifts can increase risk factors for an addiction problem further down the road.
That’s why we discourage the giving of such presents to children,” said Kenneth
Saucier, Program Manager, Office of Behavioral Health. “These games are meant
for adults and are age restricted for a reason.</span><span style="color: #063a4e;">”</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #063a4e;">“Disordered gambling among youths is frequently linked
with … greater gambling expenditures, academic difficulties, poor or disrupted
family relationships, both concurrent and later alcohol and substance abuse
problems,” Renee St-Pierre and Jeffrey Derevensky report in </span><a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/301539930_Youth_Gambling_Behavior_Novel_Approaches_to_Prevention_and_Intervention"><span lang="EN">Youth Gambling
Behavior: Novel Approaches to Prevention and Intervention</span></a><span lang="EN" style="color: #063a4e;">.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #063a4e;">According to the 2020 Louisiana Caring Communities Youth
Survey, 33% of youths (grades 6, 8, 10 and 12) in Louisiana have reported
gambling in the past year, down from 40% in 2018. In Louisiana, 13.7% of 6th
graders, 15.3% of 8th graders, 12.1% of 10th graders and 9.3% of 12 graders
have reported playing the lottery or scratch-off tickets in the past year, as
well as other forms of gambling.</span><span style="color: #063a4e;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #063a4e;">Louisiana provides problem gambling resources at no cost
to residents. If you or someone you love would like more information on problem
gambling or to talk to someone about a gambling problem, please call the
Louisiana Problem Gamblers Helpline at 1-877-770-STOP (7867). The helpline provides
confidential support and is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to
potential gamblers and/or family. Help is also available online at</span><span lang="EN" style="color: #063a4e;"> </span><a href="http://www.ldh.la.gov/index.cfm/page/1545">ldh.la.gov/index.cfm/page/1545</a><span style="color: #2288bb;">
</span><span style="color: #063a4e;">and </span><a href="http://www.helpforgambling.org/">helpforgambling.org</a><span style="color: #063a4e;">.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #063a4e;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Problem gambling is a hidden addiction that goes
undetected. Know the signs and the things to look for, before it is too late.</span></span></p>Louisiana Department of Healthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10043097334770785722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2334003635770012.post-51898980533283835332021-09-20T11:00:00.001-05:002021-09-20T11:00:00.220-05:00Join us in celebrating Louisiana's amazing addiction professionalsSeptember 20, 2021 is National Addiction Professionals Day, and the Louisiana Department of Health’s <a href="https://ldh.la.gov/index.cfm/subhome/10" target="_blank">Office of Behavioral Health (OBH)</a> is joining the movement and celebrating the vital players of the health system and continuum of care: addiction professionals.<br /><br />Now, more than ever, it is vital to take a moment to recognize the importance of the addiction profession and the efforts addiction professionals make to support their community and the country. National Addiction Professionals Day was established by NAADAC, the Association of Addiction Professionals, in 1992 to celebrate and commemorate all of the hard work that addiction professionals do on a daily basis.<br /><br /><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8E3tn7RBgUgjMmTdy4GEx5a0CHDMabcJpVxbw85nWfaeFZ1MxAwy1zr6i0ZRtGbOgCU0CeDn_-w_otMbJdOiX5AznJvgWRG_KeaqR50jqrtkRwHkOkXUatUIzTwvhE68oreEDaLKnGQ/s940/addiction+professionals+day.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8E3tn7RBgUgjMmTdy4GEx5a0CHDMabcJpVxbw85nWfaeFZ1MxAwy1zr6i0ZRtGbOgCU0CeDn_-w_otMbJdOiX5AznJvgWRG_KeaqR50jqrtkRwHkOkXUatUIzTwvhE68oreEDaLKnGQ/s320/addiction+professionals+day.png" width="320" /></a></div></div></div><div><br /></div><div>This annual day of recognition is held in September as a part of National Recovery Month. National Recovery Month aims to increase awareness and understanding of mental health and substance use disorders and celebrate people in recovery. For more information on Recovery Month, please visit <a href="http://www.rm.facesandvoicesofrecovery.org/">www.rm.facesandvoicesofrecovery.org.</a> </div><div><br /></div><div>Join us and NAADAC, the largest membership organization for addiction-focused healthcare professionals representing the professional interests of more than 100,000 addiction counselors, educators and other addiction-focused healthcare professionals in the United States, Canada and abroad, in celebrating Addiction Professionals Day and recognizing how amazing addiction professionals are! For more information, please visit <a href="http://www.naadac.org/national-addiction-professionals-day">www.naadac.org/national-addiction-professionals-day.</a></div><br />Louisiana Department of Healthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10043097334770785722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2334003635770012.post-76228951050220060992021-07-13T09:00:00.002-05:002021-07-13T09:28:57.373-05:00LDH’s Environmental Public Health Tracking Program teams up with its partners to create tools to improve the health of Louisiana’s communities <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQVUweHbBuYBYE6IMNLxMGih_XizWdMEJ3FOHvh_uC-gd_b990Kk1e3R2fROgTujDF1eqJS6BTcRVHFuAd6Q-WlEuq0vyAnlyzbLUdH4qYuVatTj5UTn2Dnyn6oZyOTjXzwAiKF2qEtQ/s1230/LDH_Logos_EnvrnmtlTrckng.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="236" data-original-width="1230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQVUweHbBuYBYE6IMNLxMGih_XizWdMEJ3FOHvh_uC-gd_b990Kk1e3R2fROgTujDF1eqJS6BTcRVHFuAd6Q-WlEuq0vyAnlyzbLUdH4qYuVatTj5UTn2Dnyn6oZyOTjXzwAiKF2qEtQ/s320/LDH_Logos_EnvrnmtlTrckng.png" width="320" /></a></div><br />The Louisiana Department of Health’s <a href="https://ldh.la.gov/index.cfm/subhome/50">Environmental Public Health
Tracking Program</a>, or Tracking, is committed to providing all Louisianans
with better health data. For the past 10 years, the Tracking team has
collaborated with LDH’s <a href="https://ldh.la.gov/index.cfm/subhome/46">Bureau
of Health Informatics </a>and other partners to develop, launch and enhance the
Department’s <a href="https://healthdata.ldh.la.gov/">Health Data Portal</a>
(Data Explorer). The Data Explorer is a web-based tool that makes
environmental, health outcomes, population and exposure data and information
accessible to municipalities, college students and researchers, community-based
organizations, policy makers and other end users. Data and information from the
online data and mapping tool can be used to support funding, policies, programs
and other public health actions to improve the communities’ health.<p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Funding from the<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/tracking/">
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention</a> has made the Tracking Program
possible. Since the program’s inception in 2009, the staff have worked with
their federal, state and local partners to collect and evaluate data on
important environmental health issues affecting Louisiana’s communities. Within
the past six years, over 25 organizations have requested data and information
from LDH Tracking’s team to inform local and state decision-makers and
community members, to identify and address local public health issues, and to
support funding to understand the connections between the environment and health.
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Recently, LDH Tracking and its partners upgraded the
Department’s Data Explorer, which included many datasets and updates, a major accomplishment
following the agency response to COVID-19 2020-21. Now the tool includes childhood
blood lead data, sub-parish cancer data and more current occupational health
data. Because climate change is a concern in Louisiana, the team has also added
new temperature, drought and rainfall data to the Data Explorer. Stay tuned — more
updates and site enhancements are on the way! <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This summer, LDH’s Tracking team will be collaborating with
the CDC and its partners to celebrate Tracking Awareness Week. The theme of
this year’s event, which will be observed from July 12-16, is “Powered by
Tracking.” Because Tracking is more than a data warehouse, the staff will be
highlighting the program’s successes that go beyond data hosted on the Data
Explorer on the Department’s <a href="https://www.facebook.com/LaDeptHealth/?ref=ts">Facebook</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/LADeptHealth">Twitter</a> channels.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The program would like to wish everyone a Happy Tracking
Awareness Week. LDH Tracking has been successful because of its hard-working
and dedicated staff and loyal partners. The Tracking team wants to engage
additional partners in the program. Email LDH Tracking at <a href="mailto:tracking@la.gov">tracking@la.gov</a> to learn more the program and
to discuss collaborating with the team.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">To subscribe to updates to the LDH Blog, <a href="https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/TELEyfr/LDHBlog" target="_blank">click here</a>.</p>Louisiana Department of Healthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10043097334770785722noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2334003635770012.post-78407809106493004212021-05-12T11:00:00.001-05:002021-05-12T11:00:00.233-05:00Just breathe: It's Mental Health Month<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;">By ASHA MURPHY, MA, LPC-S, NCC | Office of Behavioral Health Staffer</span></b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipjXwfh4nJ7Xu-JEeSITgOTfYxlZyCB_KdXrPNLFXDyrTldmScLO7TGmmb-ohkl9gCIiS4os5T5IRwoe88Rylqi-e3m71gcCy4fx_RS_BamSknM4bzYGq3rZAX8VCAlLL6K02pxUTqQg/s2048/prophsee-journals-AYQG4SjWTys-unsplash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="519" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipjXwfh4nJ7Xu-JEeSITgOTfYxlZyCB_KdXrPNLFXDyrTldmScLO7TGmmb-ohkl9gCIiS4os5T5IRwoe88Rylqi-e3m71gcCy4fx_RS_BamSknM4bzYGq3rZAX8VCAlLL6K02pxUTqQg/w414-h519/prophsee-journals-AYQG4SjWTys-unsplash.jpg" width="414" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white;">It's
May, and May is Mental Health Month! As a mental health professional, I often
experience Mental Health Month as both validating </span><i style="background-color: white;">and </i><span style="background-color: white;">daunting. Thoughts
pop up like, "Am I taking care of my own mental health enough?" "Am I more
stressed than my clients seem to be?" "Am I self-caring </span><i style="background-color: white;">enough</i><span style="background-color: white;">?" </span></span><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Then, I
pause, just breathe and ask myself if there is some audience I’m trying to win
over. The answer is almost always, "Well, no." After this fundamental
realization, I remind myself that sometimes hairstylists have bad hair
days, professional athletes get injured, some of the best authors get writer's
block and farmers lose the occasional crop. Having expertise and/or receiving
a paycheck for a job does not imply we are superhuman. Rather, it's simple: we cannot
evade failure and that's OK. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white;">Brene' Brown says in her "</span><span style="background-color: white;">The Gifts of
Imperfection</span><i style="background-color: white;">":</i><span style="background-color: white;"> "Healthy striving is self-focused: 'How can I improve?'
Perfectionism is other-focused: 'What will they think?'" </span><span style="background-color: white;">I believe we cannot fully support our clients, patients, spouses, children and friends without thoughtful insight into our own thoughts, feelings and lives. </span><span style="background-color: white;">Here's to living this
month with thoughts and actions related to self-fulfillment, giving ourselves
grace and filling ourselves up.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Here
are some helpful journal or thought prompts to help you care for your mental
wellbeing (from Port St. Lucie hospital's page):<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"></p><p style="height: 0px;"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: arial; text-indent: -0.25in;">Talk about your day.</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Identify things you're grateful for.</span></span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Write a list of your coping mechanisms.</span></span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: transparent; text-indent: -0.25in;">Describe a goal.</span></span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Write about how different you were five years ago.</span></span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Write a letter to your body.</span></span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: arial;">List and describe your emotions.</span></span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: transparent; text-indent: -0.25in;">Write about how you'd describe yourself to a stranger.</span></span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Describe the best compliment you've ever received.</span></span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Write a message for yourself on bad days.</span></span></li></ul><p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt 1in; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<u1:p></u1:p>Louisiana Department of Healthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10043097334770785722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2334003635770012.post-64592442226884044292021-02-26T07:44:00.003-06:002021-03-01T07:45:31.465-06:00Louisiana Department of Health celebrates Black History Month<p> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
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mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:8.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:107%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
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</p><p class="MsoNormal">Each year during Black History Month, the Louisiana
Department of Health reflects on the contributions of Black pioneers in
medicine and the impact they have left on the industry and the country as a
whole. Their work has been instrumental to advancing the well-being and
improving the lives of many people.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Here are just a handful of the Black healthcare heroes who
have left an indelible mark on the health of Louisianians.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Vivien Thomas</b><br />
<b><br />
</b>The life of Vivien Thomas is an inspiring story of an African-American
pioneer who overcame the barriers imposed by a segregated society. With no
formal medical training, he developed techniques and tools that would lead to
today's modern heart surgery. In operating rooms all over the world, great
surgeons who received their training from Vivien Thomas are performing
life-saving surgical procedures.<br />
<br />
Read more <a href="https://www.msm.edu/Prospective_Students/admissions/PipelinePrograms/VivienThomas/commhealth_trainingprograms_vivien_bio.php" target="_blank">here</a> (Source: Morehouse School of Medicine).<br />
<br />
<b>Dr. Sandra L. Robinson</b><br />
<b><br />
</b>Dr. Sandra L. Robinson served as the secretary and state public health
officer of the Louisiana Department of Health, then known as the Louisiana
Department of Health and Human Resources, from 1984 to 1988. Appointed by
Governor Edwin W. Edwards, she was one of the first two Black women to serve as
a Cabinet secretary in Louisiana.<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Glennis Gray</b><br />
<br />
Glennis Gray currently serves as the Department’s emergency operations
incidence commander, operations program manager and strategic national
stockpile coordinator for the state. In these roles, she leads the state in all
chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive events, and
coordinates and facilitates stockpile planning for all of its components.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">She has been a registered nurse for over 26 years, with more
than 26 years of experience in emergency nursing and 25 years in case
management, education and nursing administration. She’s also a part-time
emergency department nurse at Baton Rouge General Hospital.<br />
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Nikki Honore</b><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">’<br />
<br />
Nikki Honore’ currently serves as the Department’s statewide nurse consultant
for emergency preparedness. In this role, she provides programmatic supervision
and training for healthcare professionals across the state of Louisiana who
deliver medical support for multiple state-run medical operations. In addition,
she develops strategies and identifies training opportunities to build capacity
and resiliency in Louisiana communities during disasters.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">She is a board
certified family nurse practitioner with over 12 years of experience as a
clinical practitioner, educator, consultant and nurse leader. She is also a
pediatric clinical adjunct instructor at Southern University’s School of Nursing.<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Dr. Mark Colomb <br />
<br />
</b><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">As director of Jackson State
University, Lafayette-born Dr. Mark Colomb cultivated the development of the
Mississippi Urban Research Center (MURC) where he served as project
director/principal investigator for 13 federally- and state-funded projects
from 1999 to 2003. He secured more than $9 million in grant funding, establishing
Jackson State as a premier HIV/AIDS prevention training agency while serving as
the lead entity for four regional organizations providing HIV/AIDS prevention
training to African American community-based organizations throughout the U.S.
and its territories. Dr. Colomb was also founder of National Black HIV/AIDS
Awareness Day.<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Dr. Colomb played an
integral role in shaping state and national HIV/AIDS policy legislation,
particularly on behalf of African Americans, by working with a variety of
constituents from grassroots advocacy groups to national legislative bodies.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
Louisiana Department of Healthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10043097334770785722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2334003635770012.post-22290716874475471502021-01-19T15:04:00.001-06:002021-01-19T15:04:23.162-06:00Let the good times roll (safely)!<p>Last year, Mardi Gras turned into a superspreader event for COVID-19. </p><p>This year, <a href="https://www.mardigrasneworleans.com/news/mardi-gras-parades-latest-victim-of-covid-19" target="_blank">there won't be any parades</a> or the big public events that we love and cherish, but that doesn't mean we can't still let the good times roll! </p><p>From king cakes and costumes to decorations and documentaries, there are still plenty of ways to celebrate the spirit of Carnival.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_t2sDaisNsxde2mhsttUEeNgP7AEddBDIhyvV6NdriWRrNSsk9JLM5RkVvKoKmqwdhaPW-TXwyUGDG4XL3nJcBvhMj9q-VWZ_X1hapVPlaCzgowWQOWxcvD3p3nZ9hEcgtrYsiRfhkA/s2048/Safe+Mardi+Gras+2+FB.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_t2sDaisNsxde2mhsttUEeNgP7AEddBDIhyvV6NdriWRrNSsk9JLM5RkVvKoKmqwdhaPW-TXwyUGDG4XL3nJcBvhMj9q-VWZ_X1hapVPlaCzgowWQOWxcvD3p3nZ9hEcgtrYsiRfhkA/w640-h360/Safe+Mardi+Gras+2+FB.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgValJIT7nHLbK2XlMYA2ZnFg9WZSufW8Ju9DPa-zmJC0KR942eyL0GKk5esNWVc40sBdaSKUznwf5AQ3qnH5VaWDrAfNWlwpB9AbEVq2f5iRsGYb4RKa4hMGzP5SgMykVayexrfoIdHw/s2048/Safe+Mardi+Gras+3+FB.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgValJIT7nHLbK2XlMYA2ZnFg9WZSufW8Ju9DPa-zmJC0KR942eyL0GKk5esNWVc40sBdaSKUznwf5AQ3qnH5VaWDrAfNWlwpB9AbEVq2f5iRsGYb4RKa4hMGzP5SgMykVayexrfoIdHw/w640-h360/Safe+Mardi+Gras+3+FB.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqzveKVw2kx0KwF0gAGCIS7XnJFuvym8vQWLynP4AIswZzTkr5f5jq8BKgpjuhfEH8fs1xZtRx3fO3A4EceCfPUxFyELZyP-_z7x0jxl7JjQCHLT8pQRLcmDNwuRb5A17DHBb9Bbh8iA/s2048/Safe+Mardi+Gras+4+FB.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqzveKVw2kx0KwF0gAGCIS7XnJFuvym8vQWLynP4AIswZzTkr5f5jq8BKgpjuhfEH8fs1xZtRx3fO3A4EceCfPUxFyELZyP-_z7x0jxl7JjQCHLT8pQRLcmDNwuRb5A17DHBb9Bbh8iA/w640-h360/Safe+Mardi+Gras+4+FB.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqgfKkcnj5lHjRXRmNz-RIJYHoCFmX-EihOqxemTi22HROR-9ZWxQ_n6gBGTX1Y71GqMHTUdWN47JBcThqiZiQG8_UK_KSlw9LJ5B3TbcVAPtQrHko3rKGstxekJCTuG4LyZ7RFmXNEQ/s2048/Safe+Mardi+Gras+5+FB.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqgfKkcnj5lHjRXRmNz-RIJYHoCFmX-EihOqxemTi22HROR-9ZWxQ_n6gBGTX1Y71GqMHTUdWN47JBcThqiZiQG8_UK_KSlw9LJ5B3TbcVAPtQrHko3rKGstxekJCTuG4LyZ7RFmXNEQ/w640-h360/Safe+Mardi+Gras+5+FB.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt35QTXiCD3ik2fYsZVQDXIpco9eF3EESVLaNf7qsaq4g7K1D0_ht9Bn_GJfAxpl86T5xoLoxiQ3X9Mytg35NeViyNKmVEiRmKIM0SZ4cLDmiYRLf2_XSDzeUzPk48eMO2xUJHMqlctg/s2048/Safe+Mardi+Gras+6+FB.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt35QTXiCD3ik2fYsZVQDXIpco9eF3EESVLaNf7qsaq4g7K1D0_ht9Bn_GJfAxpl86T5xoLoxiQ3X9Mytg35NeViyNKmVEiRmKIM0SZ4cLDmiYRLf2_XSDzeUzPk48eMO2xUJHMqlctg/w640-h360/Safe+Mardi+Gras+6+FB.png" width="640" /></a></div><p></p>Louisiana Department of Healthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10043097334770785722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2334003635770012.post-14274484088262902692020-12-15T08:16:00.002-06:002020-12-15T13:35:09.152-06:00Share the flavors of the holidays with your loved ones<p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8qWk0IHSABZ5FD3Q54bKVsuXksH7C-RCNlBxBLieK1EKUfkuX393ot1B1Yff-X9ckyT6WaPdimp8kgk99ynl-nCbA47SQDaLSc67jkEYX6xGNVH9BUQZUf7eR7rvldNPUf032JSr7Sg/s890/baked+apples+pears.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="501" data-original-width="890" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8qWk0IHSABZ5FD3Q54bKVsuXksH7C-RCNlBxBLieK1EKUfkuX393ot1B1Yff-X9ckyT6WaPdimp8kgk99ynl-nCbA47SQDaLSc67jkEYX6xGNVH9BUQZUf7eR7rvldNPUf032JSr7Sg/w640-h360/baked+apples+pears.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baked Apples and Pears with Almonds (Source: American Heart Association)</td></tr></tbody></table></p><p><b>By MINDY FACIANE |
Public Information Officer, Bureau of Media and Communications</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">COVID-19 has brought many changes to our lives this year,
and the holidays have certainly been no exception. Governor John Bel Edwards and
the Department of Health strongly encourage families to host small celebrations
at home with their own households and to consider reaching out to extended
family through video platforms like Zoom or Facebook Rooms.</p><p class="MsoNormal">We know how hard it is to be apart from those we love during
the most joyous season of the year. We’ll miss the friends and family who can’t
be with us, but the best way to show them how much we care is to reduce the
likelihood of giving them COVID-19. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">So, while we can’t be together this holiday season, we can
still find ways to create shared experiences together across the miles, whether
they be few or many. This can be as simple as a dinner over video chat with
the same scented candle burning in every household, a shared holiday music
playlist and everyone making the same delicious dish as part of their spread. <a href="http://wellaheadla.com/">Well-Ahead Louisiana</a> is providing <a href="https://www.canva.com/design/DAEPGULoFtY/QEHIm7BUS-ltVYLG5Wuilg/view?utm_content=DAEPGULoFtY&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link&utm_source=publishsharelink" target="_blank">these healthy recipes</a> for you to share with your loved ones so everyone can settle on
the same one to prepare in time for the big (distanced) meal.<o:p></o:p></p>Louisiana Department of Healthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10043097334770785722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2334003635770012.post-92127942770739606562020-12-01T10:00:00.004-06:002020-12-01T10:00:06.848-06:00Scratch-offs don't belong in Christmas stockings<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD1iVDS8r5qZEcJZBZhOEzKqiw-m35l-xTmBwAv3BuRKYaCCyetROwYDQSh_zWD6KPUGYxK1grNcc5pKJu3eryn-pGGGm_gkHJpkeMh3zNy3GBJyotfguemYZUROQKNocX1Kok6fQeng/s2000/Depositphotos_221306590_l-2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1335" data-original-width="2000" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD1iVDS8r5qZEcJZBZhOEzKqiw-m35l-xTmBwAv3BuRKYaCCyetROwYDQSh_zWD6KPUGYxK1grNcc5pKJu3eryn-pGGGm_gkHJpkeMh3zNy3GBJyotfguemYZUROQKNocX1Kok6fQeng/w400-h268/Depositphotos_221306590_l-2015.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="background-color: white; color: #063a4e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><i>(Note: This blog post was originally published in December 2018. We are sharing it again as Louisianans consider gifts for their loved ones for the holidays.)</i></span><p></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #063a4e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Christmas is a time when the eyes of children are fixated
firmly on what’s beneath the Christmas tree and in their stockings. While it
may be tempting to gift them with something like a lottery ticket, the
Louisiana Department of Health’s Office of Behavioral Health recommends against
such gifts.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #063a4e; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It is not too unusual for parents and relatives to gift
children and youth with lottery tickets, scratch-offs and other gambling games.
Such gifts are given with good intentions – they provide a little hope and fun,
as well as dreams of winning something amazing. However, the odds of winning
are small, especially when compared to the odds of developing a gambling
addiction. Gambling games like these are meant for adults and are age
restricted for a reason.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #063a4e; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Office of Behavioral Health released a report titled,
</span><a href="https://picardcenter.louisiana.edu/research-areas/quality-life/caring-communities-youth-survey-ccys"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2018 Louisiana Caring Communities Youth Survey</span></i></a><span lang="EN" style="color: #063a4e; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">, that detailed 2018 gambling
statistics among students in grades 6, 8 10 and 12. The survey revealed that over
40% of students reported gambling in the past year. The highest incidences of
gambling were reported amongst 18% of 10<sup>th</sup> graders who reported
betting on sporting events, and 16.8% of 8<sup>th</sup> graders surveyed reported
that they had played the lottery or lottery scratch-off tickets.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #063a4e; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Studies of adults with gambling problems have shown that
the earlier a person begins to gamble, the more likely they are to develop a
gambling problem, especially when scoring a big win at a young age. An </span><a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/301539930_Youth_Gambling_Behavior_Novel_Approaches_to_Prevention_and_Intervention" target="_blank"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.5pt;">article by Renee St-Pierre
and Jeffrey Derevensky</span></a><span lang="EN" style="color: #063a4e; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> noted, “Disordered gambling among youths
is frequently linked with…greater gambling expenditure, academic difficulties,
poor or disrupted family relationships, both concurrent and later alcohol and
substance abuse problems.”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #063a4e; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Giving a lottery ticket or scratch-off to a child may
seem like a cheap, fun and harmless gift, but such gifts can increase risk
factors for an addiction problem further down the road. That’s why we
discourage the giving of such presents to children,” said Kenneth Saucier, Program
Manager with the Office of Behavioral Health.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #063a4e; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Louisiana provides problem gambling resources at no cost
to residents. For more information on problem gambling or to set up an
appointment to address a problem or concern, call the Louisiana Problem
Gamblers Helpline at 1-877-770-STOP (7867). The helpline provides confidential
support and is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Help is also
available online through the <a href="https://ldh.la.gov/index.cfm/page/1545" target="_blank">Office of Behavioral Health</a> and the <a href="http://www.helpforgambling.org/" target="_blank">Louisiana Association for Compulsive Gambling</a>.</span></p>Louisiana Department of Healthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10043097334770785722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2334003635770012.post-76436155386152999652020-10-09T15:08:00.001-05:002020-10-09T15:08:32.460-05:00Hurricane season: Emotional and psychological disaster preparedness<p><span style="color: #333333;"><i>(Note: This blog post was originally published in July 2019 as Hurricane Barry approached Louisiana. With 2020’s especially active hurricane season, we are sharing it again with updated resources and information on COVID-19 and flu season.)</i></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333;"><b>By DR. JAMES E. HUSSEY | Medical Director, LDH Office of Behavioral Health</b></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333;">Tropical weather in the Gulf this week has us on our toes, ready to spring into action if things get nasty. While here in Louisiana we’re always ready for the possibility of high winds and torrential rains, we usually look to the practical side of things: Did we stock up on food and water? Is the generator ready to go?</span></p><p><span style="color: #333333;">Those things are undeniably important, but it’s also a good idea to be prepared mentally and emotionally. Natural events such as a storm can unfold in minutes to hours, yet the feelings and emotions they evoke can linger for weeks, months and even years after.</span></p><p><span style="color: #333333;">Psychological preparedness can help you think logically and wisely during and after disasters, helping to keep you physically safe while also weathering the emotional storm.</span></p><p><span style="color: #333333;">Disaster-related stress can affect anyone, but some people may be more vulnerable than others. They may include those with disabilities, existing mental health issues, children, the elderly and those who have been previously impacted by floods, hurricanes and other disasters.</span></p><p><span style="color: #333333;"><b>Recognizing disaster-related stress</b></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333;">FEMA has some online resources aimed at coping with disaster. First, it is important to be able to recognize signs and symptoms of disaster-related stress, and to seek counseling or assistance. According to FEMA, some symptoms may include:</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #333333;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq0mgcBom6G3mkwjmdGoTOqUApLGNRHCCtFutognRcXn1xt4JXntzptvieg3gYqsYVsGh32Q5lkjYxAyc3bJC_7_HG8HjctNKpwwosQWzgCFQFmBMyW9yU1BoOAd5_M8meQNnFL7Zc3g/s2048/kettlebellgirl+black.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1298" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq0mgcBom6G3mkwjmdGoTOqUApLGNRHCCtFutognRcXn1xt4JXntzptvieg3gYqsYVsGh32Q5lkjYxAyc3bJC_7_HG8HjctNKpwwosQWzgCFQFmBMyW9yU1BoOAd5_M8meQNnFL7Zc3g/w236-h372/kettlebellgirl+black.jpg" width="236" /></a></span></div><p></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="color: #333333;">Difficulty communicating thoughts</span></li><li><span style="color: #333333;">Difficulty sleeping</span></li><li><span style="color: #333333;">Difficulty maintaining balance in their lives</span></li><li><span style="color: #333333;">Low threshold of frustration</span></li><li><span style="color: #333333;">Increased use of drugs/alcohol</span></li><li><span style="color: #333333;">Limited attention span</span></li><li><span style="color: #333333;">Poor work performance</span></li><li><span style="color: #333333;">Headaches/stomach problems</span></li><li><span style="color: #333333;">Tunnel vision/muffled hearing</span></li><li><span style="color: #333333;">Colds or flu-like symptoms</span></li><li><span style="color: #333333;">Disorientation or confusion</span></li><li><span style="color: #333333;">Difficulty concentrating</span></li><li><span style="color: #333333;">Reluctance to leave home</span></li><li><span style="color: #333333;">Depression, sadness</span></li><li><span style="color: #333333;">Feelings of hopelessness</span></li><li><span style="color: #333333;">Mood swings and easy bouts of crying</span></li><li><span style="color: #333333;">Overwhelming guilt and self-doubt</span></li></ul><p></p><p><span style="color: #333333;"><b>It’s OK to seek help</b></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333;">If disaster-related stress starts wearing you down, it’s perfectly normal and OK to ask for help. Here are some helpful resources:</span></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="color: #333333;">The <b>Keep Calm hotline</b>, 1-866-310-7977, will connect you to trained, compassionate counselors who can offer support and who can direct you to mental health and substance abuse counseling services.</span></li><li><span style="color: #333333;">The <b>Behavioral Health Recovery Outreach Line</b>, 1-833-333-1132, offers 24/7/365 support for healthcare professionals and recovery support for those with substance use, mental health, mental illness or co-occurring disorders. Qualified support providers will connect you to trained specialists and clinicians in multiple languages.</span></li><li><span style="color: #333333;">The <b>Disaster Distress Helpline</b>, 1-800-985-5990, is a 24/7, 365-day-a-year national hotline dedicated to providing immediate crisis counseling for those in emotional distress related to any natural or human-caused disaster.</span></li><li><span style="color: #333333;">The <b><a href="http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/" target="_blank">National Suicide Prevention Lifeline</a></b>: 1-800-273-TALK.</span></li><li><span style="color: #333333;">For non-emergencies, check the <b><a href="http://ldh.la.gov/assets/docs/OrgCharts/LDH_OBH_RgnlDistrictMap.pdf" target="_blank">Office of Behavioral Health directory</a></b> for local community behavioral health services in Louisiana.</span></li><li><span style="color: #333333;">The <b>Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)</b> has a <a href="https://store.samhsa.gov/product/samhsas-disaster-kit/sma11-disaster?referer=from_search_result">Disaster Kit</a> for recovery workers, which includes wallet cards, guides for parents, caregivers, teachers and others. There is also a <a href="https://store.samhsa.gov/product/samhsa-disaster" target="_blank">SAMHSA Disaster App</a>.</span></li></ul><p></p><p><span style="color: #333333;">Contact your primary care doctor and/or your insurance plan for referrals to behavioral health specialists.</span></p><p><span style="color: #333333;"><b>Physical and emotional health</b></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333;">Hurricane season arrives amid the ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the oncoming flu season. It is just as critical to take care of your physical health as it is your emotional health. </span></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="color: #333333;">Flu and COVID-19 are respiratory diseases that share the same preventive measures: </span></li><li><span style="color: #333333;">Wear a cloth mask or face covering, </span></li><li><span style="color: #333333;">Wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds,</span></li><li><span style="color: #333333;">Use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are unavailable, </span></li><li><span style="color: #333333;">Cover coughs and sneezes, </span></li><li><span style="color: #333333;">Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unclean hands,</span></li><li><span style="color: #333333;">Clean and disinfect objects and surfaces regularly,</span></li><li><span style="color: #333333;">Don’t go out unless necessary,</span></li><li><span style="color: #333333;">Keep a distance of at least 6 feet between yourself and others, and</span></li><li><span style="color: #333333;">Stay home if you are sick.</span></li></ul><p></p><p><span style="color: #333333;">This year, it is more important than ever that you get your flu shot. An individual whose body is already weakened by the flu is likely to be more susceptible to COVID-19. The flu shot lessens the burden of flu illnesses, hospitalizations and deaths, so vaccinating as many people as possible decreases the likelihood of our healthcare system being overwhelmed by both flu and COVID patients.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipA_0MsMz5YwmAMzWIXmtjBl13oE8b78c-YjVDKqhBKDfJuDCZnxxLg8G73s5eIY4GcvxDbZ9aAm22bqedfaRURDckl7UOgqpliCD5u8UXuvGWlogUCHC2RtzC_WaC7BTN94er5Raf9Q/s2048/breathing+man.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1553" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipA_0MsMz5YwmAMzWIXmtjBl13oE8b78c-YjVDKqhBKDfJuDCZnxxLg8G73s5eIY4GcvxDbZ9aAm22bqedfaRURDckl7UOgqpliCD5u8UXuvGWlogUCHC2RtzC_WaC7BTN94er5Raf9Q/s320/breathing+man.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="color: #333333;">Flu shots are available at your local clinic, your healthcare provider, most pharmacies or at one of the Department of Health’s upcoming vaccination clinics. </span><p></p><p><span style="color: #333333;">If you believe you have been exposed to COVID-19, isolate yourself from other people and call your healthcare provider. </span></p><p><span style="color: #333333;">The Louisiana Department of Health’s <a href="https://ldh.la.gov/index.cfm/subhome/8" target="_blank">Fight the Flu website</a> and <a href="https://ldh.la.gov/coronavirus/" target="_blank">COVID-19 webpage</a> offer a wealth of guidance, resources and more information.<br /></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333;">FEMA also recommends that you take steps to promote your own physical and emotional health and </span><span style="color: #333333;">healing by healthy eating, rest, exercise, relaxation and perhaps even meditation. It is important to maintain a normal family routine as much as possible and to lean on your existing support groups of family, friends and religious institutions.</span></p><p><span style="color: #333333;"><b>Be prepared</b></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333;">For many people, having a disaster supply kit stocked and a family disaster plan ready is a great comfort. When the storm comes, you’ll be ready to go. For more information, <a href="https://www.getagameplan.org/" target="_blank">click here</a>.</span></p>Louisiana Department of Healthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10043097334770785722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2334003635770012.post-52691574430114760592020-09-28T14:59:00.003-05:002020-09-28T14:59:40.065-05:00Recovery Month 2020: No longer 'loitering with the intent to recover'<p><b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">By DANIEL FREEDMAN | Counselor in Training, St.
Christopher’s Addiction Wellness Center of Baton Rouge</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">My name is Daniel Freedman, I
am 28 years old and I am from Baton Rouge. I am a recovered drug addict and
alcoholic, and by the grace of God and the program of Alcoholics Anonymous I
have been sober since October 15, 2016.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Before that date, I spent
several years in and out of recovery with varying degrees of success. As a friend
said to me once, I was simply “loitering with the intent to recover” in the
rooms of AA. So, what was different about the sobriety that began October 15,
2016 compared to all of the other times I tried to get sober? To get there, I
have to tell you a little about how I became addicted.</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">I had a normal childhood by
all accounts, and I can say without hesitation that my parents did the absolute
best they could for me and my older brother. My father is an alcoholic, but he remained
sober for the majority of my life. He worked a normal job, had normal hobbies
like gardening, and we did normal things like watch LSU football games and yell
at the television. My mother is not an alcoholic or addict, and I believe she
is as close to a saint as one can be. My brother is a substance abuser, but as
he was six years older than me, I didn’t truly see this until I became older.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;"><b>Alcohol, painkillers and more</b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">My first experience with
substances was marijuana at age 13, followed close behind by alcohol,
painkillers, benzodiazepines and, honestly, whatever else I could get my hands
on. I dealt with anxiety and depression as a kid, and I always had a feeling
that I was somehow different from my peers. I justified this feeling as being
the only Jewish boy in my school or some other perceived reason I was
different. The reality is I was a young boy who had all of the early signs of
alcoholism — I have often heard this referred to as the “ism.”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">I was irritable and restless,
and when I was first introduced to marijuana, all of those issues went away. At
16, I was introduced to Oxycontin, and I distinctly remember where I was that
day because I recall lying on a bed after ingesting the pill and thinking,
“This is it. I have arrived.” I wanted to feel that way forever. I knew that from
that moment on, I would do anything in my power to obtain that feeling.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">I can assure you the next six
years were anything but fun. I slowly drank and drugged my way out of one high
school and into another. I partied my way out of LSU as a freshman and
continued to watch opportunities evaporate before my eyes. I was not concerned.
I had one moment of insanity which resulted in me living in the Middle East for
a year, thinking that Baton Rouge was my problem and I would be fine if I took
a “geographical cure.” I was mistaken. I was the problem. I am the problem.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><b>Journey to sobriety</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">When I got sober for the
first time at age 22, I was introduced to AA and actually felt a sense of
belonging for the first time in my life. Although I did not remain sober then,
I never forgot that feeling and I always knew where to turn if I wanted help.
When I became sober this time, the first thing I did was reach out to my AA
community. They were just about the only human beings left who were answering
my phone calls, and they did not hesitate to help. I was not in a position to
enter addiction treatment, instead detoxing on my friend’s sofa in New Orleans.
I walked into the rooms of AA still shaking from withdrawals and have not found
the need to leave since.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">The biggest difference in my
life today is that I became desperate enough to actually work the 12 steps of
AA and continue working them on a daily basis. I immersed myself in the program
and found myself working with others, or practicing the 12th step, very early
on in my sobriety. My sponsor at the time was hard on me, saying that if I
didn’t want to die I needed to hurry up and help people. He was right.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">I found a spiritual
relationship with a higher power and I am comfortable calling it God, although
I can’t draw you a picture and it’s likely very different than your conception.
I pray on a daily basis, meditate most mornings, take daily inventory and try
to be mindful of where I have been dishonest, selfish, resentful and afraid. I
have made most of my amends but would be lying if I said they were all
complete. I work with others as frequently as I can because I still believe
that the best way for me to stay sober and alive is for me to give this away.</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">In 2017, I was hired by the
treatment center that I went through as a recovery advocate. In 2018, I became
an addiction counselor in training and was afforded the opportunity to work
with addicts and alcoholics in the same building where I was a patient. I have
since moved on to another treatment center and I am currently a sophomore at
Southeastern Louisiana State University where I am pursuing a degree in social work.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">In my addiction, if you would
have told me that I would be here today I would not have believed a word of it.
If you would have asked me what I wanted out of life at that point, I think I
would have sold myself short because the life I am afforded today was not one I
could dream of. I have real relationships with people today who I can rely on,
and they can genuinely rely on me. I have real opportunities and a genuine
desire to help others.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">This life is all a result of
working the 12 steps of AA to the best of my ability and finding a relationship
with a God of my understanding. I wouldn’t trade it for the world.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Louisiana Department of Healthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10043097334770785722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2334003635770012.post-82268868733764126972020-09-22T13:41:00.000-05:002020-09-22T13:41:52.165-05:00Recovery Month 2020: But for His grace<p><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">By LORI STONE | Peer Support Specialist, Louisiana Department of Corrections</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">On August 10,
1992 the courts made a decision that changed the course of my life forever. I was
ordered to stop drinking and taking drugs if I ever wanted to get my three
children back from state custody. Honestly, because alcohol and drugs were all
I had left in my life, I was pretty reluctant.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">When reality
set in on that day, I asked myself, “How did I get here?” I had lost my children
and my family. I was homeless, embarrassed and spiritually bankrupt. This
wasn’t the way my life was supposed to end up.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Growing up, I
had everything a child could dream of. I was blessed with a loving, supportive
family and I lacked for nothing. I was an honor roll student who was very
athletic and had a bright future ahead of me. I had choices.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;"><b>Any means of escape</b></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">When I was 14
years old, I found out I was adopted as a newborn. Instead of being thankful
for what I had gained, I became hateful for what I felt had been taken from me.
My thoughts, feelings and behaviors changed dramatically. I felt betrayed,
confused, angry and unloved, for some strange reason. The hurt was almost
unbearable, and I began looking for ways to escape that pain.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">At that
moment, I began to break the 10 Commandments and our Family’s Golden Rules. In
our family you knew what to do, how to do it, why to do it and were taught to just
do it because it was said to be done, with no questions asked. There were “do’s”
and “don’ts” based on right versus wrong. I began to live life acting out the “don’ts.”
Even knowing I was doing wrong, I wouldn’t find out the importance of these
basic rules of life until later.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I started
hanging around the wrong individuals and the wrong places, and doing things I
had no business doing. Those decisions led me to dropping out of school early and,
eventually, starting to have children at a young age. My family stuck by me
throughout everything, but with their tough love, I knew I wasn’t making the
choices they wanted for me.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">By the age of
25, I had been raped, discarded into a canal and left for dead. I had been
incarcerated, was living on the streets and had almost lost my life during an
overdose. I had to bury one of my children because of my addiction and an abusive
relationship I was in. I had lost all of my self-respect and dignity as a
person. I drank alcohol and did drugs to escape and survive my reality. It was
the only way I knew how to cope with my life, which had become unmanageable by
the time I stood in that courtroom. I realized I had finally hit bottom and began
to ponder how to change. How could I turn my life around?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><b>Learning to be a mother</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I decided
that I was going to get my kids back first. I didn’t know how to be a mother or
a parent, because my adopted mother had raised my children. I realized I had
been following the pattern of my biological mother, and I wanted to break the
cycle. I hated her for not loving me. I just didn’t understand.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">And, I didn’t
want my kids to go through what I had gone through.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Under the
direction of the courts and the Office of Community Services, I was given provisions,
requirements and conditions to help turn my life around. I began to adhere. I
was fortunate to get into an amazing halfway house, and I completed the program
they set before me. I had to attend AA meetings, parenting classes and
counseling for myself and my family. I was drug tested at their discretion and
lived by their rules.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">As I sobered
up and began to feel again, I struggled with the emotions I had numbed for so
long. However, I had also been numb and out of tune with the beauty of life and
what it had to offer. I still wasn’t thoroughly convinced that I wanted to live
a clean and sober life. I was fighting a process that I now realize had already
begun.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I completed
every class and met every goal that was put before me. Good things started to
happen in my life, finally. Most importantly, I got custody of my children back.
Eventually, I had a home, a family and a host of new friends. One day I looked
into the mirror, and I saw Lori Ann Stone for the first time in a long time. I
told her that I loved her and truly meant it.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><b>Living by grace</b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">From that
point on, I allowed my wings to spread and I soared by living life on life’s
terms. That was the point in my life that I fell in love with Jesus, and that
was the best thing to ever happen to me.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I was given
an opportunity to be a parent from scratch again, and I now have four wonderful
children. I am a very proud grandmother of nine healthy, beautiful children. Today,
I’m buying a new house and car. Currently, I’m a peer support specialist who
loves to assist and empower others. I also work as a program coordinator who
assists persons with disabilities and the disadvantaged in achieving their goals
of being self-sufficient.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I’m a
survivor — only but for the grace of God — who is taking it one day at a time.
Every day, I continue “letting go and letting God.” Just for today, I will
strive for progress rather than perfection in all my ways.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I grieve for
the many addicts before and after me who didn’t make it, and I try to help
everyone I can. I will share my experience, strength and hope, which is my
greatest treasure, hoping that my past mistakes don’t become someone else’s
future. </span><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>Louisiana Department of Healthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10043097334770785722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2334003635770012.post-80851124113616172112020-09-14T11:09:00.001-05:002020-09-14T11:09:55.601-05:00Recovery Month 2020: Recovery isn’t just possible — it’s transformational<p><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">By KATHERINE PENTON | Certified Peer Support
Specialist, Florida Parishes Human Services Authority</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I thought I
was going to die with a needle in my arm, all alone and empty inside. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I had fully
accepted this as my fate because I had tried to quit shooting heroin so many
times before and nothing ever seemed to work. When in those dark and hopeless
moments of despair, I would often wonder how I got there. In those moments, I
could never put my finger on what led me to that place, and it seemed like I
was destined to stay there.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Abstinence alone did not work for me. I almost did not make it through my addiction to be able to sit here and tell this to others. If my story can help one suffering addict or change one person’s mind about Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT), then my pain will all be worth it.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b>Empty and broken</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I remember a
time when I was 9 years old and living in the middle of nowhere in Mississippi.
I was outside, behind the trailer we had just moved into. I was looking up at
the moon, feeling very empty and like something was terribly broken inside. I
remember wondering if all other 9-year-olds felt the same. Now, looking back, I
realize that the emptiness I would struggle to fill for most of my life started
from a very early age. That 9-year-old girl had no idea what the next 25 years
of life would bring, or that one day she would be taking any and every
substance to try to stop that empty feeling.<o:p></o:p></span></p><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5w_SyNHxgtG2f8YyuF-hoDxdA26YmnVwMiXFlPjKo8E7zgok4w0MjxnuMtk6TOKHK4SYIsF7DKhUuOKprpLdT7C-Th0AF-5CWUzj8ZSLv_dnbqY_jVu5aWiMBQr92sIW87p4_rPlMsw/s960/Katherine+Penton+Then.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="540" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5w_SyNHxgtG2f8YyuF-hoDxdA26YmnVwMiXFlPjKo8E7zgok4w0MjxnuMtk6TOKHK4SYIsF7DKhUuOKprpLdT7C-Th0AF-5CWUzj8ZSLv_dnbqY_jVu5aWiMBQr92sIW87p4_rPlMsw/s320/Katherine+Penton+Then.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A selfie of Katherine<br />Penton from the years<br />she was abusing substances<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></span>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">My story of the
challenges I faced with addiction is not dissimilar from most other addicts. I
was in and out of detox facilities and short-term treatment centers. I even had
a few visits to various psychiatric units. I was miserable, hopeless and
defeated by the time I was 30 years old. I somehow managed to obtain two
college degrees during this time, but my goal of going to graduate school was
soon forgotten. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">It was
difficult for my family and loved ones to understand what was happening to me. I
was on the honor roll every year of high school and made straight As my first
few years of college. Then, my substance abuse began. I dropped out of graduate
school. I isolated myself from everyone I knew and loved. I began living on the
streets. I did whatever it took to keep myself numb.</span></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I was
miserable and slowly killing myself, physically and spiritually. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Depression
and anxiety are a big part of my story. Every time I would decide I was done
using and either quit on my own or go to a treatment facility to get clean,
once I would get through all of the physical symptoms from detoxification, my
mental health challenges would rise up to meet me with a vengeance. The pain
and emptiness I felt would bring me to a place of contemplating, and sometimes
attempting, suicide. It became a regular occurrence and I knew to expect this
every time I would quit using. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I began to
associate getting clean with wanting to die, and this became torture to my
soul. I was done with using and terrified of what I would become if I continued.
But at the same time, I was petrified of what life would be like when I no
longer had a substance to put into my body to make my mind stop racing or to
make me feel normal. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">My only
experience with recovery was a time I managed to not use for a few months. I could
not leave my house and sometimes even my room. I was overwhelmed with my
emotions, and I was having constant cravings and obsessing over using.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b>True recovery</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">March 10,
2018 was the day that my recovery began. I did not know at that time that I
would be sitting here today, almost 2½ years later, still clean and writing
this in the hope that it might help another addict like myself. I could not
have predicted that my life would be worth living and that those feelings of
being empty and broken would rarely ever occur. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I found out
that I was pregnant in January of that year and still could not stop using. I
went to the emergency room one night after being in horrible withdrawal and
reading that withdrawal could kill a fetus. The ER referred me to an outpatient
clinic that had a program for pregnant women who were addicted to opiates. I
was placed into the program and prescribed Suboxone as part of the MAT program. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYhKdBGFVI7ksn0s9a0_DXrMAYarL7-DpmdfWfmv-zzNXTbaO-39_3bbGNk0wb9X2uUm0DuIUhcK3mIH7oQmgOrGdjPBVA_VeTypAufNq-e91W4cyH1diblg7prqZQu0ZNbXRgSbsvlg/s2048/Katherine+Penton+Now.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1535" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYhKdBGFVI7ksn0s9a0_DXrMAYarL7-DpmdfWfmv-zzNXTbaO-39_3bbGNk0wb9X2uUm0DuIUhcK3mIH7oQmgOrGdjPBVA_VeTypAufNq-e91W4cyH1diblg7prqZQu0ZNbXRgSbsvlg/s320/Katherine+Penton+Now.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Katherine Penton, in recovery, with her family<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I still
struggled in the beginning and had to go to treatment for 28 days but when I
came out, something was different. I could go about my day without obsessing
about using. I could talk about my trauma without being overwhelmed by the need
to escape. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I realized
that I felt normal for the first time ever as an adult. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I did not
want to die, and I did not want to use. I no longer felt that there was a huge
hole inside me that needed to be filled with something. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I began to
actively participate in my recovery, going to meetings and doing individual
therapy. I was able to focus on moving forward and healing from my past
traumas. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Of course, MAT did not fix everything overnight or make all my
depression and anxiety go away instantly, but what it did do was allow me to
feel relief and to feel balanced. I was able gain some tools and get some recovery
under my belt for the first time ever. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I no longer feel like I want to die.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I now have hope for my future. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><i>(Katherine Penton now works with people going through the same kinds of challenges she once tried to face alone, and she still can't stop pursuing even more education. Using medication to support her recovery changed the game for her, and has helped her to rebuild her life into something wonderful.)</i></span></p>Louisiana Department of Healthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10043097334770785722noreply@blogger.com0