Rhode Island Department of Health News
Public Health News from the Rhode Island Department of Health
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- Health Department Presents Community Partnership Award To Bert Yaffe, Leader of NECON
NECON, a not-for-profit, non-partisan organization, was established in 1984 with working groups and health-examining task forces whose members represented multiple disciplines from all six New England states. Today, NECON is a coalition of the New England state health departments, the region's schools of public health, and federal health agencies led by Region I of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, as well as medical societies, legislators, and representatives from industry, labor, and voluntary associations. Its mission is to serve as an instrument for the development and enhancement of disease prevention and health promotion public policies in New England.
Tue, 15 Jan 2008 20:13:59 GMT - Health Department Presents Community Partnership Award To URI Cooperative Extension Coastal Resources Institute
Alyson McCann and Holly Burdett have worked with the Office of Drinking Water Quality for five years to develop a program of public assistance and education for private well owners. Private well workshops are held during the evening in selected towns eight times per year. Alyson and Holly provide attendees with educational materials and opportunities to discuss specific water quality problems. They promote the importance of water quality testing and working with licensed professionals to solve private well problems. With a limited budget, they developed poster boards that are placed at town halls and libraries, and an educational video that airs on the Cox Communications local bulletin board channel. They also offer continuing education for realtors whose purchase or sale contracts involve a private well as a source of water.
Tue, 15 Jan 2008 20:13:14 GMT - Health Department Presents Community Partnership Award To Leah Holmes, Director of Project Bridge
Project Bridge, which is affiliated with the Miriam Hospital, is a nationally recognized program for HIV-positive ex-offendors. A significant concern related to disenfranchised populations with HIV is access to, and maintenance of, care. Funded by HEALTH’s Office of HIV/AIDS & Viral Hepatitis, Project Bridge implements an 18-month intervention that focuses on retaining clients in health care and linking them with additional services needed to build a life outside incarceration. The program provides medical care, housing referrals, and HIV education and prevention services, focusing heavily on substance abuse and mental health disorders.
Tue, 15 Jan 2008 20:12:22 GMT - Department of Health Responds to Single TB Case at Central Falls High School
On January 3, the Rhode Island Department of Health (HEALTH) was notified of a case of active tuberculosis (TB) in a student at Central Falls High School. In consultation with the CDC, HEALTH will be conducting a TB skin test for students and staff who were identified as having had close contact with the student and out of an abundance of caution all juniors and seniors as well. The students and staff will be re-tested in 10 weeks because a person recently exposed with TB may not test positive for several weeks.
Tue, 08 Jan 2008 13:52:51 GMT - DRINKING WATER PROBLEM CORRECTED; Boiling Water No Longer Required; Normal Water Use Restored in East Woonsocket Area
East Woonsocket customers of the Diamond Hill water system no longer have to boil water. HEALTH’s Drinking Water Quality are pleased to report that the problem has been corrected and that it is no longer necessary to boil water.
HEALTH’s Drinking Water Quality (DWQ) has just received the results of the coliform testing from the Diamond Hill Road area of Woonsocket, taken on December 27, 2007, after water service was restored. All the results are negative. DWQ has informed Woonsocket Water that they may rescind their precautionary boil water advisory. HEALTH appreciates the rapid response and resolution of the situation by the Woonsocket Water Department.
Fri, 28 Dec 2007 17:00:31 GMT - January is National Radon Action Month
The Rhode Island Department of Health (HEALTH) announced today that January is National Radon Action Month. HEALTH is working with the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in a nationwide campaign to educate Americans about the dangers of radon exposure and encourage them to take action to protect their homes and families through testing and remediation.
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that you can't see, smell or taste and breathing it over prolonged periods can present a significant health risk. A recent report from the U. S. Surgeon General estimates that more than 20,000 lung cancer deaths each year in the United States are attributable to radon, making radon the second leading cause of lung cancer in this country. People who smoke and live in a home with high radon have an especially high risk of lung cancer
Fri, 28 Dec 2007 14:20:46 GMT - Attorney General and Director of Health Release Merger Application to Lifespan and Care New England
Following Monday’s announcement of the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) ruling on the proposed merger of Lifespan and Care New England, the Department of the Attorney General (AG) and the Department of Health (HEALTH) announced today that they have released the application form to Lifespan and Care New England to use when they apply for their merger. The AG and HEALTH have been working to develop an application and review process that will ensure the collection of information necessary to assist the AG and the Director of Health to review the application in a thorough manner. Both Departments are fully prepared to review an application when it is submitted.
Fri, 21 Dec 2007 19:03:37 GMT
