spacer
spacer
home button
spacerline
News Button
Spacer Line
Links Button
Michigan's Public Health Community
spacer
Horizontal Spacer
HealthLine Logo
Spacer Line
Public Services Button
Spacer Line
Member Services Button
Search for Web Links
HealthLine Logo
Type in Keywords, then Click go

July 2006 News

Michigan Launches Meth Awareness Website - July 31st
Grand Rapids Nurse Loses License - July 19th
MDCH Releases Consultation On Little Black Creek - July 17th
Governor's Talk Early And Talk Often Program Now A Model For Other States - July 17th
High Temperatures Prove Dangerous For Senior Citizens - July 14th
MDCH Announces Changes To MCIR Registry - July 11th
Detroit Nurse Has License Summarily Suspended - July 5th


Michigan Launches Meth Awareness Website

The Office of Drug Control Policy (ODCP), within the Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH), has launched a new website, www.michiganmethwatch.org, to help increase awareness on the dangers of methamphetamine (meth) and to promote community intervention through education.

“We are battling a very disturbing epidemic,” said Janet Olszewski, MDCH Director. “It is imperative that we take every step possible to educate the public on the devastating effects of meth.”

Meth is a very powerful and highly addictive illegal stimulant that can be made from common household products. It can be smoked, snorted, injected, and swallowed and its effects can last from 6 to 24 hours. Over time, the use of meth causes permanent brain damage, respiratory problems, irregular heartbeat, acute anorexia, and severe tooth decay also known as “meth mouth”.

Meth labs also produce toxic waste and are prone to explosions and fires, making them dangerous to surrounding areas. Those who come into contact with meth labs can suffer serious burns, collapsed lungs, negative long-term health effects, and even death.

“Methamphetamine has the capacity to impact and destroy not only households, but entire communities,” said Don Allen, ODCP Director. “It is important that people are aware of the signs and dangers of a meth lab, what to do if they find one, and how to ensure that their community unites against the detrimental effects of meth labs.”

The site includes information on what meth is, how to spot addiction, how to recognize if it is being created in your area, and who to contact if you suspect it is being manufactured. Personal stories of meth’s effects on friends and family members are also shared, with an opportunity for the visitor to include his or her own story.

In conjunction with the new site, the Michigan Department of Community Health and Office of Drug Control Policy continue to boost methamphetamine awareness through informative brochures and public service announcements.

Back to Top
Grand Rapids Nurse Loses License

The Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) has summarily suspended the registered nurse license of Jerome Ernest Thelen, R.N., based, in part, on his felony conviction in the 17th Judicial Circuit Court in Kent County.

On March 2, 2006, Thelen was convicted of one felony count of Criminal Sexual Conduct – Second Degree (Relationship). As a result, Thelen was sentenced to 12 months in jail with 11 days credit, placed on probation for a period of 60 months, and assessed court costs and fees in the amount of $3,120.

On June 30, 2006, MDCH issued an order immediately suspending Thelen's 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 Thelen'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.

Back to Top
MDCH Releases Consultation On Little Black Creek

The Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) has finalized the Public Health Consultation regarding sediments in Muskegon County’s Little Black Creek.

The Muskegon County Health Department requested assistance from MDCH in evaluating the public health implications of contaminated sediments in Little Black Creek. MDCH considered the likelihood of exposure and degree of chemical contamination.

Under current conditions, contact with the sediments in less frequented areas is not expected to occur with sufficient frequency to cause adverse health effects. Sediment concentrations in more public areas of the creek are below levels of public health concern.

Floodplain soils in high public-use areas have been sampled to determine if they pose a health risk. The results of that sampling will be available later this summer.

Copies of the Public Health Consultation are available at three branches of the Muskegon County library:

· Norton Shores branch, 705 Seminole, Muskegon

· Egleston Township branch, 5428 E. Apple Avenue, Muskegon

· Muskegon Heights branch, 2808 Sanford Street, Muskegon Heights

Copies are also available at the city offices for Norton Shores, Muskegon Heights, and Muskegon Charter Township. The document is available electronically at http://www.michigan.gov/mdch-toxics under “Health Assessments and Related Documents.”

The MDCH Division of Environmental and Occupational Epidemiology conducted the Public Health Consultation for the Little Black Creek sediments under a cooperative agreement with the federal Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). Information concerning the human health effects of exposure to environmental contaminants can be found on the ATSDR web page at http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxfaq.html.

Back to Top
Governor's Talk Early And Talk Often Program Now A Model For Other States

Governor Granholm's Talk Early & Talk Often parent education program will be featured as a model program in the July 27 "Adolescent Sexual Health: Engaging Parents in Teen Pregnancy Prevention" audio conference.

The conference will inform teachers and health care providers from six states about the role parents play in adolescent decision-making and behavior and will highlight programs that promote parental involvement in teen pregnancy prevention.

"After a very successful pilot, the Governor and I are confident that the Talk Early & Talk Often program truly does empower parents to talk frankly with their children about abstinence and sexuality," said Dr. Kimberlydawn Wisdom, Michigan Surgeon General. "We are thrilled to have an opportunity to share this program with other states."

Talk Early & Talk Often - a component of the Governor's Blueprint for Preventing Unintended Pregnancies - was piloted in 60 communities statewide in 2005. More than 800 parents of middle school youth participated in these free, 90-minute workshops. "Parents like that they have the chance to talk with other concerned parents and get ideas on how to approach their child on this subject," said Barbara Flis, Talk Early & Talk Often Coordinator.

"Parents also like that the program doesn't tell them what to believe but affirms the importance of teaching their values."

Flis will represent the State of Michigan during the audio conference.

Evaluation results showed that at the end of the workshop, 74% of parents said they were very likely to initiate discussion about sexuality with their middle schoolers(s) and 78% said they felt very confident to talk with their middle schooler(s) about this topic. Ninety-nine percent of parents said they would recommend the workshop to other parents.

The audio conference will be hosted by Health Care Education and Training, Inc., a nonprofit agency that provides comprehensive education, training, and program development, primarily to enhance reproductive and women's health care. Other featured speakers will include Kristen Tertzakian of the National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy and Brigid Riley of the Minnesota Organization on Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention and Parenting (MOAPPP).

Health care providers and teachers from Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio may register for the conference at www.hcet.org/events/2IN4thur06.htm. The registration deadline is July 17, 2006. For more information about Talk Early & Talk Often, visit www.michigan.gov/miparentresources.

Back to Top
High Temperatures Prove Dangerous For Senior Citizens

As temperatures reach record highs, the Michigan Office of Services to the Aging urges people to look out for their elderly family, friends, and neighbors.

Older adults are at a higher risk of experiencing heat-related illness. Existing health conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity can heighten their vulnerability. Certain prescription and over-the-counter medications can also place a person at increased risk.

High temperatures can place abnormal stress on a person's body. When body temperatures rise even just a few degrees, individuals may experience muscle cramps, dizziness, confusion, and lethargy. This can result in dehydration, heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and the most severe - heat stroke. Heat stroke can be life threatening and immediate emergency medical attention is vital.

Seniors who live alone and in older homes without air-conditioning are among those most at risk. Check on your elderly neighbors and family members to ensure they are staying hydrated and cool. Offer to take them to an air-conditioned building such as a local designated cooling center, shopping center, library or senior center.

Symptoms of heat related illness could develop over several days or strike during a single burst of strenuous activity. To prevent symptoms of heat stress, people of all ages should:

· Drink plenty of water, even when you may not be thirsty.

· Avoid alcoholic and caffeinated drinks as they cause dehydration.

· Wear clothing that allows good air circulation.

· Limit vigorous activity.

· Try to plan your daily activities prior to 10 a.m. or after 2 p.m.

· If you are outside, seek the shelter of shade.

· Use air-conditioning whenever possible.

The best defense is prevention. To ensure the safety of loved ones, please assist them in taking preventative measures. If illness does occur, please seek immediate medical attention.

Back to Top
MDCH Announces Changes To MCIR Registry

The Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) announced that the Michigan Childhood Immunization Registry will now be known as the Michigan Care Improvement Registry (MCIR).

The original registry was limited to children's immunization records and has now been expanded to extend records into adulthood for individuals, born on or after January 1, 1994, that choose to participate.

"This enhancement will greatly benefit all citizens throughout the State of Michigan," said Janet Olszewski, Director of the Michigan Department of Community Health. "By extending the life of the records, we reduce the risk of over or under immunizing Michigan citizens."

MCIR is now a birth to death registry in which individuals will no longer be deleted from the registry at 20 years of age. Individuals are able to opt out of the registry.

MCIR benefits health care organizations, schools and licensed child care programs, but most importantly, Michigan's citizens by consolidating immunization information from multiple providers which prevents over-vaccinating, and allows providers to see up to date immunization histories on their patients.

MCIR will also assist with pandemic flu preparedness activities and will track vaccines and medications during a public health emergency.

Back to Top
Detroit Nurse Has License Summarily Suspended

The Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) has summarily suspended the licensed practical nurse license of Yolanda Marie Moore, L.P.N., based on her felony convictions in the 16th Judicial Circuit Court, in Macomb County. Moore failed to report her convictions to MDCH as required by the Public Health Code.

On June 21, 2001, Moore was convicted of one count of Motor Vehicles – Buying or Receiving Vehicle/Part Knowing Identification Number was Removed or Altered, a felony and of Stolen Property – Receiving and Concealing - $1,000 or More but Less Than $20,000. As a result, Moore was sentenced to 18 months probation with terms and ordered to pay a fine, supervision fees, court costs and crime victim’s rights funds for a total amount of $2,180.

On June 19, 2006, MDCH issued an order immediately suspending Moore's 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 Moore's licensed practical 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.

Back to Top