Sign Up for Public Health Weekly Newsletter
Dr. Sameer Vohra, director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, examines the third edition of the state’s maternal morbidity and mortality report; Dr. Umair Shah, secretary of health for the Washington State Department of Health, discusses...
Dr. Sameer Vohra, director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, examines the third edition of the state’s maternal morbidity and mortality report; Dr. Umair Shah, secretary of health for the Washington State Department of Health, discusses Washington State’s plan to prevent suicide and save lives; Massachusetts is working with communities to prevent suicide, overdose, and adverse childhood experiences; and an ASTHO blog article offers advice for members dealing with the rise of seasonal illness.
Illinois Department of Public Health Webpage: Maternal Mortality in Illinois
Seattle Times Opinion Article: Suicide prevention starts with each one of us
ASTHO Webpage: Closing the Distance in Massachusetts
ROBERT JOHNSON:
This is the award-winning Public Health Review Morning Edition for Thursday, December 7, 2023. I'm Robert Johnson. Now, today's news from the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials.
SAMEER VOHRA:
The report is saying that more work needs to be done, that continued disparities exist, and that increasingly now, substance use disorders are the leading cause of pregnancy related deaths in our state.
JOHNSON:
Illinois Health Department Director Dr. Sameer Vohra says the third edition of the state's maternal morbidity and mortality report found black women suffering most during and after pregnancy. He says they're two times more likely to die from a pregnancy related condition than white women.
VOHRA:
This report really is for all Illinois residents who care about improving maternal health outcomes. However, we specifically wrote the report in a way that could benefit medical and public health providers, as well as be a source for policy conversations for our general assembly and other policymakers across Illinois in an effort to improve maternal health outcomes for every pregnant or post-partum person throughout the state.
JOHNSON:
It seems to be working. Vohra says recommendations contained in the last report issued in April 2021 led to several policy changes.
VOHRA:
Those recommendations led to Medicaid innovations including, the extension of coverage for all mothers to one year post-partum, reimbursement of services provided by doulas and home visiting programs, and expansion of postpartum visits and services, including family planning coverage. Other accomplishments include training for birthing hospitals and emergency department staff, as well as expanding maternity care providers.
JOHNSON:
You can read the Illinois report and news release and download an infographic using the links in the show notes.
Washington state has a plan to prevent suicide and save lives. State health secretary Dr. Umair Shah says it begins with significant investment in the 988 hotline.
UMAIR SHAH:
The 988 crisis centers have answered 65,000 calls, have answered 12,000 texts, and over 13,000 chats in just one year of service. That's 80 some 1000 opportunities to prevent somebody from you know doing harm to themselves.
JOHNSON:
Shah says the state also has customized approaches for veterans and tribal communities.
SHAH:
If you're a tribal member, not just call this 988-crisis hotline, but you're able to actually reach somebody who knows about tribal issues, maybe a tribal member, and be able to really talk through some of the challenges you're having.
JOHNSON:
Ultimately, Shah says it's about doing whatever it takes to help people survive their challenges.
SHAH:
I think ultimately, what we have to remember is it's not just about the crisis. It's not just about the professionals, but it's about doing whatever we can to really recognize the importance of prevention and making sure that we approach this in a way that's going to really allow us to be successful.
JOHNSON:
Dr. Shah writes about suicide prevention in a guest column published by The Seattle Times, we have a link to the article in the show notes.
Also, today, Massachusetts is working with communities to prevent suicide, overdose, and adverse childhood experiences. Learn how by clicking the link in the show notes.
Finally, this morning, seasonal illness is on the rise. A new blog article offers advice to ask tow members O'Keyla Cooper has more.
O'KEYLA COOPER:
In a recent blog article, ASTHO's Chief Medical Officer Marcus Plescia highlights the shift in public health leaders’ focus to include influenza, and RSV, alongside COVID-19. A national workgroup provided early guidance to CDC and other federal agencies on respiratory disease strategies, emphasizing the importance of collaboration between national and local health organizations, and preventing the spread of respiratory illnesses. Read more in the full article linked in the show notes.
JOHNSON:
Before we go, we'd like to remind you to follow this newscast on your podcast player and ASTHO on social media. We're on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook. That'll do it for today.
We're back tomorrow morning with more ASTHO news and information. I'm Robert Johnson. You're listening to the award-winning Public Health Review Morning Edition. Have a great day.
