April 2006 News

Wisdom Joins National Campaign To Prevent Teen Pregnancy Board Of Directors - April 26th

New Hudson Nurse Loses License - April 26th

Michigan Surgeon General Honors Schools For Having Healthy School Environment - April 26th

Senior Citizen Of The Year Nomination Forms Available - April 26th

TOP FEDERAL OFFICIALS JOIN STATE OFFICIALS AT MICHIGAN PANDEMIC PLANNING SUMMIT - April 25th

Consumer Guide To Medicaid Health Plans Available - April 19th

ACES Goes Island Hopping For A Fit Michigan - April 19th

Gatekeeper Of The Month Awarded - April 13th

Archer-Gift Named Acting Director Of Walter P. Reuther Psychiatric Hospital - April 10th

Public Health Week Promotes Healthy Communities And Healthy Kids - April 7th

Public Health Week Promotes Healthy Communities And Healthy Kids - April 6th

Public Health Week Promotes Healthy Communities And Healthy Kids - April 5th

Public Health Week Promotes Healthy Communities And Healthy Kids - April 4th

Surgeon General Launches Healthy Communities Website - April 3rd

Wisdom Joins National Campaign To Prevent Teen Pregnancy Board Of Directors

Michigan Surgeon General Dr. Kimberlydawn Wisdom was elected to the Board of Directors of the National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy today in Washington DC. Wisdom will also take over as chairperson for the Campaign’s State and Local Action Task Force.

“I’m honored to have been elected to serve in this capacity and represent our state in a national forum,” Wisdom said. “This is a great opportunity to highlight the innovative efforts that the Governor has launched as part of her commitment to reducing unintended pregnancy and also determine ways to better address teen pregnancies at state and local levels.”

In 2005, Governor Jennifer M. Granholm announced her Blueprint for Preventing Unintended Pregnancies – a three-point strategy designed to engage middle school parents in sex education efforts, increase access to family planning services, and significantly reduce the number of unintended pregnancies in Michigan. Wisdom has helped lead this initiative.

“We invited Dr. Wisdom to join the Campaign’s Board of Directors because we believe that we can learn much from her expertise as an important state leaders working on teen pregnancy and as a physician with a commitment to public health,” said Isabel V. Sawhill, Ph.D., Campaign President.

Michigan has enjoyed a steady decline in teen pregnancy and birth rates across all subsets of the teen population for more than a decade. While these declines indicate a significant level of success in the state’s efforts to reduce teen pregnancy, Michigan continues to have an alarming number of youth who experience the serious health, emotional and financial consequences of pregnancy, childbirth, and engagement in sexual activity and other risky behaviors.

2005 Michigan Youth Risk Behavior Survey data indicates that forty-two percent of Michigan’s high school aged youth (grades 9-12) have experienced sexual intercourse (a decrease from 44% reported on the 2003 YRBS). Seventy percent of all teen pregnancies are unintended.

The National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, founded in February 1996, is a nonprofit, nonpartisan initiative supported almost entirely by private donations. Its mission is to improve the well-being of children, youth, and families by reducing teen pregnancy.

The goal of the National Campaign is to reduce the teen pregnancy rate by one-third between 2006 and 2015. The work of the National Campaign is led by a dedicated Board of Directors, four Task Forces, two Congressional Advisory Panels, and a Youth Leadership Team. The State and Local Action Task Force is a small group of influential leaders who provide guidance and advice to the campaign on its work with states and communities.

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New Hudson Nurse Loses License

The Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) has summarily suspended the registered nurse license of Timothy Wayne Neff, R.N., based on his felony convictions in Oakland County.

On December 12, 2005, Neff was convicted of one felony count of Larceny in a Building and one felony count of Possession of Financial Transaction Device. As a result, Neff was sentenced to 56 days in jail, ordered to pay costs, restitution, and fees totaling $6,356, and was placed on probation for two years with terms.

On December 12, 2005, Neff was convicted of one felony count of Uttering and Publishing. As a result, Neff was sentenced to 56 days in jail, ordered to pay costs, restitution, and fees totaling $6,356, and placed on probation for two years with terms. Neff’s sentence runs concurrent with the previously described case.

On January 9, 2006, Neff was convicted of two felony counts of Financial Transaction Device-Stealing/Retaining without Consent. As a result, Neff was sentenced to 29 days in jail, ordered to pay cots, restitution, and fees totaling $10,563, and placed on probation for two years with terms.

On April 13, 2006, MDCH issued an order immediately suspending Neff’s nursing license pursuant to the Public Health Code, which provides for the mandatory summary suspension of a health professional’s license upon the conviction of a felony. An administrative hearing will be scheduled to address the status of Neff’s registered nurse license.

For more information on disciplinary actions taken by the health professional licensing boards within MDCH, please go to http://www.michigan.gov/mdch, and click on Health Systems and Licensing.

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Senior Citizen Of The Year Nomination Forms Available

The Michigan Commission on Services to the Aging and the Michigan Office of Services to the Aging are accepting nominations for the 2006 Senior Citizen of the Year Award.

“The Senior Citizen of the Year Award provides a tremendous opportunity to organizations and communities to recognize the valuable work of local seniors,” said Sharon L. Gire, Director of the Michigan Office of Services to the Aging. “This award allows us to honor two seniors while showcasing the contributions of all seniors to our daily civic and social life.”

The Award is given in two categories – leadership in the community and service provided to others. The Commission on Services to the Aging and the Office of Services to the Aging will join with the Michigan State Fair to honor the winners at an award ceremony at the Michigan State Fair Seniors’ Day on Monday, August 28, 2006.

Nominees must be age 60 or older at the time of nomination. Selections will be made with particular attention to the nominee’s service or leadership rendered in the past year.

Winners for 2005 were Evald Jorgensen of Oxford and Donald Mathews of Muskegon.

Nomination forms are available by contacting the Michigan Office of Services to the Aging at 517-373-8230 or by visiting www.miseniors.net. Only organizations can submit nominations and they must be postmarked by Friday, July 7, 2006.

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TOP FEDERAL OFFICIALS JOIN STATE OFFICIALS AT MICHIGAN PANDEMIC PLANNING SUMMIT

Acknowledging that pandemics happen and require a strong local response, Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm and Deputy Secretary Alex Azar of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services today addressed federal, state and local public health officials and business and community leaders about pandemic flu preparedness. Deputy Secretary Azar and Governor Granholm also signed a planning resolution committing the commonwealth and federal governments to planning efforts. Deputy Secretary Azar is in Michigan as part of a national tour of states, as the federal government prepares the country for a potential influenza pandemic.

“Pandemics are global in nature, but their effects are always local, so I am pleased that Governor Granholm is taking a leadership role to prepare Michigan for this threat,” Deputy Secretary Azar said. “Pandemic planning needs to address how schools, businesses, public agencies, faith-based organizations and others participate in pandemic preparedness. With this meeting, local officials can identify needs specific to Michigan communities and begin crucial coordination to assure readiness if a pandemic outbreak strikes.”

“A coordinated response to pandemic influenza will require cooperation at all levels – and we are pleased to have a federal acknowledgement of that shared commitment,” said Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm. “We want to ensure that the people of Michigan are protected and the Michigan Departments of Community Health, Agriculture, and Natural Resources are continuing their important work – begun in 2002 – to ensure the state is ready to respond to the challenge of pandemic influenza.”

Deputy Secretary Azar and MDCH Director Janet Olszewski – on behalf of Governor Granholm – signed a planning resolution during the summit, officially agreeing to prepare the state for the possibility of a pandemic influenza. In the planning resolution, HHS committed to provide guidance and technical assistance to Michigan in addition to an initial $2,951,805 of financial assistance for planning. HHS also agreed to review the state’s plans for use, storage and distribution of antivirals and notify it of its portion of the federal stockpile of pandemic influenza antiviral drugs. Michigan agreed to assure that its operational plan for pandemic influenza response is an integral element of the overall state and local emergency response plan and to establish a Pandemic Preparedness Coordinating Committee representing all relevant stakeholders. The state will also exercise its preparedness plan within six months of today’s summit.

HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt initially outlined a series of in-state summits to address pandemic preparedness on December 5. Invited guests included first responders, business leaders, educators, health care providers, faith-based organizations, volunteer agencies, policy makers and others.

According to Leavitt, the in-state summits will help the public health and emergency response community in each state inform and involve their political, economic and community leadership in this process. Secretary Leavitt and other top HHS officials will participate in the meetings over the next few months.

Pandemicflu.gov presents all federal avian and pandemic information in one consolidated website. The site, managed by HHS, features links to international and state and local government websites. Planning checklists are provided for the following:

· State and local government;

· Business;

· Individuals and families;

· Schools;

· Health care providers; and

· Community organizations, including faith-based organizations

Due to public interest in avian flu, the Michigan Department of Community Health included a panel of experts who discussed how state agencies work together to monitor and plan for the possibility of avian flu in Michigan.

More information on pandemic flu readiness is available at www.pandemicflu.gov.

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Consumer Guide To Medicaid Health Plans Available

The Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) today released its 2006 version of “A Guide to Michigan Medicaid Health Plans - Quality Check-Up” to provide information regarding quality of care in the state’s Medicaid program.

“I am pleased that we can offer this guide in support of quality care in Michigan,” said Janet Olszewski, MDCH Director. “This guide also supports MDCH’s initiatives to provide consumers, policymakers, and other stakeholders with information about the quality of care and service provided to Medicaid managed care enrollees.”

The guide was developed by MDCH in collaboration with Health Services Advisory Group (HSAG), a national quality improvement organization. Data from 15 contracted health plans was used, including five major categories of comparative information and accreditation.

The categories included are:

Doctor Communication and Service-Adult and child survey scores on how well doctors communicate, the help and services offered by office staff, and the ratings of personal doctors and medical specialists.

Getting Care-This ranking was based on ability to get needed care, receiving care quickly, and access to the primary care physician.

Keeping Kids Healthy-Includes child and adolescent immunization status and well child visits.

Taking Care of Women-Includes five female-specific clinical measures, such as prenatal care and breast cancer screening.

Living with Illness-This ranking demonstrates care provided to people with chronic illnesses, such as high blood pressure, asthma, and diabetes.

This comparison Guide of all Medicaid health plans can be used by beneficiaries to help them choose a health plan in their county that will best meet their needs.

As in previous years, county-specific information based on the guide is distributed to new Medicaid enrollees by MI Enrolls.

The guide is available for viewing on the MDCH website by going to www.michigan.gov./mdch, clicking on Health Care Coverage, then Medicaid, and then scrolling down to 2006 Health Plans Quality Check-Up.

For more information, please call Michigan ENROLLS at 1-888-ENROLLS (1-888-367-6557).

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ACES Goes Island Hopping For A Fit Michigan

For the first time ever, children from both of Michigan’s peninsulas, all 83 counties and five surrounding islands, will experience the joys of exercise concurrently with millions of children worldwide.

ACES: All Children Exercising Simultaneously is an international celebration recognizing the importance of physical activity for youth. Held at 10 a.m. on the first Wednesday of May each year, children in every U.S. state and in more than 50 countries worldwide get out of their seats and get moving to experience the joy of exercise. Michigan’s participation in ACES has grown nearly every year and this year representation covers the entire state.

“Poor diet and lack of physical activity are second only to smoking as causes of preventable death,” said Janet Olszewski, Director of the Michigan Department of Community Health. “Without some immediate intervention, this is the first generation of young Americans who are expected to have a shorter life span than their parents or grandparents. ACES helps raise awareness in Michigan about the need for healthy lifestyles and lifelong fitness.”

From the suburban schools of Lansing to the Island communities of Grosse Isle, Boise Blanc, Beaver, Drummond and Mackinac Islands, ACES will motivate students and communities around the state. The students of Grosse Isle Middle School will kick off ACES day with a pedometer-based program tracking every student’s steps for one week with prizes for the most active people. Students from Bois Blanc Island Pines Elementary will also be participating in a community bike ride around the islands non-paved seasonal roads. Other island residents are invited to join them.

Michigan’s efforts are coordinated by the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness, Health and Sports and sponsored by Farm Bureau Insurance.

Last year, Michigan set the record for the most participants from a single state when 994 schools and their 450,000 plus students participated in ACES. ACES launches both National Fitness Month and the Active Michigan Summer campaign, an effort to encourage citizens to use the warm months of May through September to become or stay active.

For more information or to register your school for A.C.E.S., please visit www.michiganfitness.org.

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Gatekeeper Of The Month Awarded

In cooperation with Consumers Energy, the Michigan Office of Services to the Aging has selected Christopher Harbert of Muskegon as the Gatekeeper of the Month.

Working as a Customer Service Representative out of the Grand Rapids branch of Consumer Energy, Mr. Harbert expressed concern about the health and safety of an older adult customer. Because of his referral to the local area agency on aging, it was determined that the older adult was eligible for a number of services. She is now receiving home delivered meals, transportation to appointments, and visits from home health care providers. Most importantly, the customer is now connected to the local aging network, which will continue to monitor her situation.

“Mr. Harbert’s efforts to protect local seniors have helped connect seniors in need to the services of the aging network,” said Sharon L. Gire, Director of the Michigan Office of Services to the Aging. “The Gatekeeper program shows the potential in all of us to look out for our elderly family and neighbors.”

Consumers Energy initiated the Gatekeeper program in Michigan in 1987 as a way to identify elderly community members in need of assistance. Gatekeepers serve as an extra set of “eyes and ears” in looking out for local seniors. Each month, employees of Consumers Energy are nominated for identifying and assisting an at-risk elder who is age 60 and older and in need of assistance. The Michigan Office of Services to the Aging honors one employee each month and a Gatekeeper of the Year is then selected from the monthly winners.

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Archer-Gift Named Acting Director Of Walter P. Reuther Psychiatric Hospital

Dr. Cynthia Archer-Gift, a 10-year veteran of the Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH), has been named acting director of the Walter P. Reuther Psychiatric Hospital, MDCH Director Janet Olszewski announced today.

“We are extremely fortunate to have someone of Cynthia’s caliber lead one of our critical psychiatric care facilities,” Olszewski said. “Her experience and understanding of nursing and mental health issues is vital as we work to ensure that Walter P. Reuther Psychiatric Hospital continues to deliver the best in mental health services to the people of Michigan.”

Dr. Gift is the first Caribbean-American woman to run the hospital in its history, Olszewski said.

Archer-Gift holds a Ph.D in Higher Education/Psychiatric Nursing Administration and a Specialists Degree in Education Administration and Supervision from Wayne State University and both masters and bachelors degrees in nursing from the University of Detroit-Mercy.

Born on the island of Trinidad and Tobago, Archer-Gift was first educated in England and Scotland, and is also a graduate of the West Herts Hospital School of Nursing in Hertfordshire, England, and William Smellie Maternity Hospital in Lanarkshire, Scotland.

“Despite working in a climate of limited resources, it is an exciting time to work in this field and at Walter Reuther,” Archer-Gift said. “We have a dedicated group of staff who are absolutely committed to providing high quality, safe care to consumers in Wayne County, and making our facility a center of excellence.”

Dr. Gift is a recognized professional in the field of nursing. She is a participant and presenter, on behalf of MDCH, in a bi-annual conference held on different Caribbean islands. She also has presented on the initiatives taken in Michigan regarding violence in the workplace.

In 2003, she presented on initiatives taken towards the philosophy of person-centered planning. In 2003, she represented psychiatric nurses, through the Michigan Nurses Association, to the American Nurses Association to the House of Delegates in Washington, D.C.

While in England, she worked as a nurse-midwife for approximately a year before moving to the United States in 1968. In 1973, she became an American citizen.

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Public Health Week Promotes Healthy Communities And Healthy Kids

As part of National Public Health Week, the Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) is promoting awareness of a different public health issue each day this week. Clean Air Day highlights the importance of smoke-free air and reducing indoor and outdoor pollution as critical solutions toward building healthier communities and raising healthier children.

Exposure to secondhand smoke is the second leading cause of preventable death in Michigan and results in approximately 2,500 deaths in Michigan each year. Smoking-related illnesses in adults include heart disease, cancer, stroke, chronic lower respiratory illnesses, and diabetes. Children and adolescents exposed to secondhand smoke can develop asthma, ear infections, colds and pneumonia.

Smoke-free environments can play a critical role in the prevention of smoking-related illnesses, especially among children. In addition, smoke-free environments can prevent youth from starting to smoke and can encourage smokers to quit.

“Michigan has made great strides in protecting the health of Michigan families from the harmful effects of secondhand smoke. Involvement from all Michigan communities to reduce exposure to secondhand smoke and increase access to smoking cessation services can greatly improve the health of all Michigan residents,” said Janet Olszewski, MDCH Director.

Several Michigan communities have been involved in significant efforts to protect youth and families from the harmful effects of secondhand smoke and reduce youth tobacco use. For example, in 2005, the City of Vassar in Tuscola County adopted a smoke-free parks and recreational areas policy, protecting families from the harmful effects of secondhand smoke while they are active and at play.

“Communities can play a significant role in decreasing tobacco use and secondhand smoke exposure among Michigan residents by increasing smoke-free environments where most adults work and play, such as at work sites, schools, parks and recreational areas and other public places,” said Dr. Kimberlydawn Wisdom, Michigan Surgeon General.

For more information about secondhand smoke and smoke-free environments, please visit www.michigan.gov/tobacco or contact the MDCH Tobacco Section at (517) 335-8376.

Asthma is a serious chronic disease of the lungs that is caused by swelling (inflammation) in the airways. Air pollution can make it harder to breath and can cause other symptoms, like coughing, wheezing, chest discomfort, and a burning feeling in the lungs. However, steps can be taken to protect your health from air pollution. See the Asthma Initiative of Michigan (AIM) web site for more information at http://www.getasthmahelp.org/outdoor_pollution.asp.

Citizens can find out how clean the outside air is by looking at the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Air Quality Index, or AQI. It is a simple tool that provides a color-coded “picture” of current air pollution levels and health effects. The AQI fact sheet is found at: http://www.deq.state.mi.us/documents/DEQ-AQD-AQIFACTS.PDF, or you can call the DEQ Environmental Assistance Center during office hours at 1-800-662-9278. Ask that your call be forwarded to the Air Quality Division.

EnviroFlash is a service that automatically delivers air quality forecasts directly to the public via email or cell phone, so people can adjust their daily activities when poor air conditions are expected. Enroll in EnviroFlash via DEQ’s website at http://www.michigan.gov/deqair and click on the EnviroFlash icon.

Radon comes from the natural (radioactive) breakdown of uranium in soil, rock, and water and gets into the air you breathe. Radon can be found all over the U.S. and can get into any type of building - homes, offices, and schools - and result in a high indoor radon level. However, families are most likely to be exposed to radon in the home, where they spend most of their time. The Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Surgeon General have strongly recommended that all residences (except those above the second floor in multi-level buildings) be tested for radon.

Radon detection kits are inexpensive and easy to use. Kits can be purchased at local health departments, or from some hardware stores or other retail outlets. If you are not sure how to contact your local health department, call the DEQ Indoor Radon Program at 1-800-RADON GAS (1- 800-723-6642) for assistance.

Lead poisoning can cause health and behavior problems in young children and can make them less able to learn when they get to school. Children should be tested for lead poisoning at one and two years of age or more often depending on their contact with sources of lead.

Mercury is a very toxic or poisonous substance that people can be exposed to in several ways. If swallowed, such as from a broken thermometer, it mostly passes through your body and very little is absorbed. If you touch it, a small amount may pass through your skin, but not usually enough to harm you. Mercury is most harmful when you breathe in the vapors that are released when a container is open or a spill occurs. Pregnant women, infants and young children are particularly sensitive to the harmful effects of mercury.

To learn more about Public Health Week and events taking place across the state this week, visit www.apha.org/nphw.

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Surgeon General Launches Healthy Communities Website

Dr. Kimberlydawn Wisdom, Michigan Surgeon General, visited Ypsilanti today to launch a new program designed to help communities implement policies and create healthy environments as part of the Michigan Steps Up Healthy Lifestyles campaign. Wisdom recognized several collaborative efforts within Washtenaw County that exemplify the idea behind this new program.

“If every community in our state made it easier for residents to be physically active, eat healthfully and live tobacco-free lifestyles, Michigan would be a healthier place to live,” Wisdom said.

During her visit, Wisdom called for collaboration within communities and involvement from community leaders to make policy and environmental changes that support physical activity and healthy eating and reduce tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke. She urged communities to utilize the new free resources available on the Michigan Steps Up Healthy Communities website at www.michiganstepsup.org.

True to the mission of Michigan Steps Up, communities within Washtenaw County have been successful in creating policy and environmental changes that help residents to be physically active, eat healthy, and live a tobacco-free lifestyle. Wisdom commended Washtenaw County Public Health officials for their leadership in these efforts.

“Community residents that are a part of the Washtenaw Steps Up projects are very excited to see visible results of their efforts,” said Ellen Clement, Director of Washtenaw County Public Health. “Environmental improvements ranging from urban trails, to bike racks, to walking maps are signs that real community change is under way that will support residents in leading healthier lives. Washtenaw County Public Health is proud to collaborate with the Washtenaw Steps Up Coalitions in making this happen.”

Wisdom joined county and city officials in a ribbon-cutting ceremony for new bike racks installed near Depot Town businesses and visited the Growing Hope youth garden and Riverside Park, which recently received funding to improve walkability in the park for all visitors.

Wisdom also recognized several other programs within Washtenaw County that work tirelessly to protect and promote the health of the county’s youngest citizens, including Safe Kids-Washtenaw County; the Corner Teen Health Center; the Washtenaw Asthma Coalition; and the Washtenaw County Human Services Agency, Tobacco Reduction Coalition, and Board of Commissioners collaboration for a smoke-free community.

Although Washtenaw County was the focus of the day, many other counties throughout the state are working on policy and environmental change aimed at creating healthier environments for residents. Newaygo, Kalkaska, Missaukee, Washtenaw, Kalamazoo, Genesee, Ingham, Marquette, Ottawa, Delta and Menominee Counties are involved with projects protecting the health of youth, employees, and all community members through smoke-free work site and public places regulations and 24//7 tobacco-free school policies, school-based nutritional programs, Safe Routes to School audits, projects to increase awareness and consumption of fruits and vegetables, worksite wellness programs, and other programs that promote the benefits of a healthy lifestyle.

To learn more about the Michigan Steps Up Healthy Communities initiative, visit www.michiganstepsup.org and click on the Healthy Communities icon on the homepage.

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