Additional activities for the week include:

Tuesday August 10, Mental Health /Project Strength Day at Vernon J. Harris Medical Center
Wednesday August 11, Dental Day at Glenwood Medical Center
Thursday August 12, Health and Wellness Day at Northside Medical Center
Friday August 13, Staff Picnic at 12:00pm

Free medical, oral and cancer screening will be available each day at Main Street Medical Center.

M. H. West & Co., Inc, CEO, Marilyn West: All of it doesn’t happen at one time. My advice to clients is not to act too quickly. A lot of the information that continues to come out there still requires a lot of interpretation as to what it means and what it does not mean. Take a careful look and scan what is happening to your organization internally, use findings and play that against what the health-care-reform requirements are once we figure out what everything really means.

“I think whether you agreed or disagreed with health-care reform, we needed something to help us get to another place. We have a law on the books now. We have to figure out a way to strategically respond to it. We have to look at the customers we serve.  What are your current capabilities in providing services to them. A lot of the emphasis is on wellness, too, so there’s a lot of education that needs to take place.”

Read the Entire Article here.

After Dr. Raia’s keynote speech, participants participated in self-selected breakout sessions.  WEST associates attended sessions on Cultural Competency: Person-Centeredness, which explored the need for cultural competency in organizations and how this knowledge can enhance overall operations and The ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act), Past, Present, and the Future!, which discussed future implementations of the landmark legislation.

Radcliffe noted that as the nation’s population continues to age, it is more important than ever to support organizations and laws that care for the elderly and their caregivers.

For ideas on how you can get involved and take action to help create healthier communities, please see the suggestions below:

Spread the Word, Inspire Others
Check out the new video titled A Healthier America. Building on the success of last year’s Generation Public Health video, this year’s video shows how small changes can lead to major improvements in public health and create healthier communities nationwide. Find out more at www.generationpublichealth.org.

Become a Health Champion
Health Champions advocate, organize, encourage, and inspire health improvements and an overall healthy lifestyle for themselves, their family, their communities and sometimes the entire nation. Health Champions lead by example. If we all work together, we can create a ripple effect of communities that are championing healthy living. Post a personal “Health Champions” commitment to your Facebook page, your blog or Twitter account and answer the question: How will you make a difference in your neighborhood or community to move toward creating a healthier America?

Take Action
Tell the Senate to Support Food Safety Reform.  Every year, millions of Americans are sickened from consuming contaminated food, hundreds of thousands are hospitalized, and thousands die. Continued outbreaks of foodborne illness over the last several years have demonstrated that these outbreaks are due to widespread problems with our broken food safety system. Please send a letter  urging your Senators to support the FDA Food Modernization Act.

By promoting good health in our communities, we can create a ripple effect from coast to coast!

M.H. West & Co., Inc.’s Health & Human Services Analyst, Erica Cage attended and came away impressed with many of the speakers. She also found it insightful that the speakers focused the dialogue on health care pertaining to Richmond in particular.

Meaghan was most impressed by the extent of information and research presented by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other health institutions regarding Virginia’s lack of access to care for minority groups and low-income communities. Each speaker not only addressed the bad effects of health inquity, but also pointed out practices and policies which would strengthen communities from political, economical and even transportation perspectives. Their view of health was not limited to medical problems; it included several socio-economic factors such as stress, salary, transportation, and education as well.

Flu is unpredictable, so it’s hard to say just how bad this fall will be with seasonal-flu and swine-flu strains circulating.

We asked experts to respond to questions we are hearing from readers. We also pulled information from federal Web sites, including transcripts of briefings, podcasts and Web meetings with clinicians, public health officials and the news media.

When will swine-flu vaccine be ready? Where will I be able to get it?

Federal officials estimate there will be 45 million to 52 million doses available by mid-October and up to 195 million doses total by the end of the year. Virginia Department of Health officials have amassed a list of more than 2,000 providers — including pharmacies, doctor’s offices, clinics and other places — interested in providing vaccinations.

Who will get the vaccine first?

The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and its vaccine advisory panel recommended that swine-flu vaccine priority be given to:

• pregnant women;

• people who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age;

• health-care and emergency medical services personnel;

• people ages 6 months to 24 years of age; and

• people ages 25 to 64 who are at higher risk for novel H1N1 because of chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems.

How will the vaccine be given?

People might need two doses — given 21 to 28 days apart — to develop immunity. Recent reports indicate a vaccine tested in China boosted immunity sufficiently in one dose. But that vaccine, U.S. experts say, contains an enhancer not in vaccine made for the U.S.

Will there be a nasal-spray version?

A nasal-spray version is in clinical trials. Since nasal flu vaccines typically contain live, weakened virus, it’s not recommended for some groups.

My child has asthma and will need to get seasonal and swine-flu vaccines. Can he get them on the same day?

It’s expected to be OK to get both on the same day. However, the seasonal flu vaccine is available now, and officials advise getting it now if you can. Also, it is recommended that individuals who get the nasal flu vaccine not get injected vaccine at the same time.

If I get a seasonal flu shot now, will I be protected at the peak of flu season? Can I get a second seasonal flu shot later just to be safe?

“It hasn’t been shown that there is a lack of benefit by vaccinating too early or that giving more than one vaccine during a season even to individuals with weakened immune system has any benefit,” said Dr. Costi D. Sifri at the University of Virginia.

John Beckner, director of pharmacy and health services for Ukrop’s Super Markets Inc., said the No. 1 question from people getting shots at their store pharmacies is whether it’s too early.

“Everyone tells us the vaccine is good for up to a year, which will take them through the end of flu season,” Beckner said.

I had flu symptoms in June, so I might already have had it. Am I protected from getting it, and do I need to get a swine-flu shot?

There no readily available rapid test that can tell whether a person has had the novel H1N1 influenza in the past. Also, there are many different infections that can cause similar symptoms.

Unless a person had a laboratory test that detected the swine-flu virus, the CDC urges people in priority groups to get vaccinated. If you were tested, the CDC recommends you talk to your health-care provider to see if the tests definitively showed swine flu.

Health officials say there is no harm in being vaccinated if you had swine flu in the past.

Will there be a charge for swine-flu vaccine?

It depends on where you get it. Providers cannot charge for the government-provided vaccine and supplies, but they can charge for administering the shots. Efforts are being made to make sure free clinics and other places that serve an uninsured or underinsured populations get vaccine, too.

Some insurers already have said they will cover the swine-flu vaccine, and since many traditionally cover flu vaccine, this should not be any different.

Who shouldn’t get flu vaccines?

As with seasonal-flu vaccine, people allergic to the ingredients used to make flu vaccine should not get it. That includes people allergic to eggs, since the vaccine is grown in hen eggs. Also, if you ever have had a neurological condition called Guillain-Barré syndrome, you need to ask your doctor for advice.

People are advised to stay home if sick. But can’t you “shed” virus even before you have symptoms?

You can shed flu virus up to 24 hours before symptoms appear.

“Classically, flu has a very abrupt onset of illness,” said U.Va.’s Sifri. “While you may have a sore throat that occurs at the same time you develop fever and muscle aches, the day before when you may be shedding virus you may actually be feeling fairly well.

“That is one reason that we really emphasize good hygiene. You should wash your hands frequently, when you cough you should cough into [the crook of] your elbow or use a handkerchief, those types of things that generally reduce spread of respiratory viruses.”

Are antiviral drugs still effective?

Antivirals can reduce severity of flu, reducing the chance that infected people will develop pneumonia. They work best if given within 48 hours of symptom onset.

Tamiflu (oseltamivir) and Relenza (Zanamivir) still work against swine flu. Other antivirals, rimantadine and amantadine, don’t.

What can I do to protect my family and myself?

The public health messages are the same as for seasonal flu:

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.

• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. You also can use alcohol-based cleansers or hand sanitizers.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.

• Avoid close contact with sick people.

• If you are sick with flulike illness, stay home. Don’t go out until your fever has been gone for at least 24 hours.

• Stay away from others so you don’t make them sick.

Research suggests flu virus can remain on hard surfaces for 24 hours, but it survives about eight to 12 hours on cloth, tissues and paper.

Do face masks help?

For people not at risk of severe complications from flu, the CDC does not recommend wearing a face mask. For people at risk, there are some situations where you might want to wear one.

Where can I get my flu questions answered?

The Virginia Department of Health: (877) 275-8343.

View original article here.

“As students return to school in the coming weeks, Virginia is preparing for increased public awareness of the novel H1N1 virus–and a greater=2 0focus by concerned parents on protecting our children from the potential dangers of the virus,” Governor Kaine said. “Our Health Department has remained vigilant in following the impact of the virus and will continue to make information easily available.”

The novel H1N1 virus has differed significantly from the seasonal flu in its effect upon school children and young adults. This population has contracted the H1N1 virus in higher numbers than20usually is seen with the seasonal flu.

An important message for parents of school children as well as faculty and school staff is to stay home if they have novel H1N1 symptoms including fever, cough, sore throat or fatigue. A person with such influenza-like illness should stay home until they have been without a fever for at least 24 hour s without the use of fever-reducing medicine. Infected adults and children still can be contagious even after they begin to feel better. Commissioner Remley also urged families to have a n emergency care plan in the event a child is sent home from school due to illness while parents are at work.

The call center is part of a federally-funded program developed by the health department to prepare for and respond to the novel H1N1 virus. In addition to public education and outreach activities, other aspects of the state’s program involve disease surveillance and laboratory testing, community mitigation, antiviral distribution, vaccination (including expanded u se of the state’s immunization information system) and enhanced coordination of the state’s health care delivery capabilities.

“Every Virginian has a role to play in protecting our population and containing the spread and impact of this disease,” Commissioner Remley said. As schools begin open ing across the Commonwealth, the Commissioner urged parents to:

• Teach children good cough and hand hygiene etiquette. This includes covering coughs and sneezes with tissues, coughing and sneezing into the inside of the elbow and properly discarding used tissues. Hands should be washed frequently with soap and water and hand washing should last for at least 20 seconds. Be sure to set a good example by doing this yourself. If hands are not visibly soiled, hand sanitizers containing at least 60 percent alcohol are also effective.

• Vaccinate children and yourself for seasonal flu early and be sure to also vaccinate you and your child against novel H1N1 once a separate novel H1N1 flu vaccine becomes available.

• Monitor yourself and your child for flu-like symptoms which include fever (over 100 deg rees Fahrenheit), feverishness, cough, or sore throat. Some people also experience vomiting or diarrhea with novel H1N1 flu.

• If you suspect that you or your child is getting the flu, stay home from work and school and avoid contact with others so the virus does not spread.

• Plan now for your children’s care if you or they should become ill with the novel H1N1 virus. If this happens, you or your child might be asked to stay home from work or school for at least 24 hours after resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medicines. People who work in a healthcare setting may be asked to stay home a full week after symptoms start. Talk to other family members, friends or neighbors about helping with child care or possibly sharing care in such a situation. Consider now who might be able to pitch in and help you. Be sure to have a family plan that includes having adequate food and supplies on hand to decrease your need to be out in public should someone get sick.

• If symptoms worsen or cause concern, contact your doctor’s office by telephone for advice before arriving there in person.

• Stay informed. We encourage you to monitor the CDC Web site (http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/) and that of the Virginia Department of Health (http://www.vdh.virginia.gov) and Virginia Department of Education (http://www.doe.virginia.gov) for additional resources and the most current recommendations.

Richmond added about 8,000 jobs in health care and education since last year.

Bill Mezger, chief economist for the Virginia Employment Commission, said Richmond is well positioned for growth in both industries.

“Richmond is fortunate to have institutions in both of those fields located here,” Mezger said. “Most have been here for a long time and have continued to grow with national demand for health care and education.”

According to VEC’s numbers, the region added 5,200 health and education jobs between April 2008 and April 2009, a 6.4 percent increase.

The region’s No. 1 employer is the VCU Health System with 7,399 employees as of Jan. 1, up more than 300. HCA, which operates more than 30 clinics and hospitals in the area, is the third largest employer in the area. Bon Secours Richmond Health System is the sixth largest employer. Those numbers are according to the Richmond Times-Dispatch’s list of top employers.

The demand is evident on Craigslist, which has had more than 350 classifieds posted in the past 30 days under the health care category. More than 150 were listed under education. (Compare that with about 25 postings for manufacturing jobs.)

Mezger said Richmond has long been a health-care center for the Upper South and is home to the largest state university as well as several other private and public schools.

He said both industries continued to grow during previous recessions as well. The two are grouped together because of the amount of training in those fields, as well as the public sector component.

Demand for education labor is up because more out of work people are going back to school, Mezger said. He added that while many state schools could face budget pressure from falling tax revenue, most have raised tuition in anticipation of possible cuts.

In health care, on the other hand, demand for jobs is being driven in part by technological advances.

“It used to be you had something wrong you went to the doctor and got a prescription,” Mezger said. “Now quite often you go to the doctor for an ailment and you are being sent to a couple specialists before you are through and maybe a therapist.”

Also, many health-care costs are covered by Medicaid and private insurance, which isn’t affected by declines in consumer spending.

In the Business First analysis, Richmond is sixth in terms of number of health-care and education jobs created in the last year. New York tops the list with 34,200, followed by Dallas/Fort Worth with 21,400.

Richmond is preceded by Atlanta with 8,900 jobs, and followed by Indianapolis with 7,500 jobs.

Barbara Brown, head of workforce development for the Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association, said the demand for health-care professionals will continue to grow.

“We are coming into a time when there are a lot of retirements happening,” she said.

The VEC projects a 34 percent increase in health-care jobs between 2006 and 2016. Estimated employment in 2006 was 58,037 jobs.

Brown said the average age for nurses is 48 and that the average doctor is 55 years old. She many of them have only about 10 to 15 years left before they retire, which is creating demand now for nurse practitioners and physician assistants to fill their shoes when the time comes.

Also in high demand are pharmacists and physical therapists, said Brown.

Original article may be viewed here.

The 2009 NMA Annual Convention and Scientific Assembly (held in Las Vegas from July 25th through July 29th), offered an exciting venue to interact with the largest spectrum of African American physicians, academicians and scientists in the country as well as other allied health professionals. Scientific presentations highlighted state-of the art research, new technologies, and practice management issues across twenty-five medical specialties.