Category: public health

Public Health: Are We Too Slow?

Meat thermometer and raw chicken breast

  One of the many roles of public health is to protect consumers from threats like foodborne outbreaks. Much of this hinges on quickly getting out clear messages to the public that provide simple steps to help stem the spread of disease. This is something public health professionals have been doing for over a hundred Read More >

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Disaster Recovery – An Emotional Response

woman and man looking out over flooded houses and road

The effects of a disaster are not always physical. Houses and roads can be rebuilt and physical wounds will heal, but the emotional scars from a disaster can often be harder to fix. In 2008 Cedar Rapids, Iowa experienced extreme flooding that wiped out businesses and homes, disrupting daily life and displacing residents. While other Read More >

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Money Well Spent: Public Health Dollars Save Lives

piggy bank on top of bill notes

  By Jean O’Connor, JD, DrPH, Deputy State Public Health Director, Oregon About a week and a half ago, the Oregon Public Health Division learned about a child with hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS), this sounds complicated but it’s essentially kidney failure brought on by an infection of the digestive system. In an otherwise healthy child, E. Read More >

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HANDI – A Handy App for Public Health

By Melissa McClung, MSPH Denver Public Health The next person in line hands me their driver’s license.  I scan it with a device docked with my iPod touch, ask some questions, print a barcoded sticker, and direct them to where they need to go.  Are we at the airport?  Car rental?  Sports venue?  None of Read More >

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Don’t Feed the Animals

When you think of rabies you probably think of stray dogs, bats, or raccoons. CDC staff stationed in Kenya recently learned that when it comes to rabies, it’s not always the usual suspects you have to worry about. This August they were hit with an unusual case of rabies in a baby zebra who had Read More >

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