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Public Health Newsletter - Vol. 1 Issue 4 - Apr. 2013
Volume 1 - Issue 4 - April 2013
In this Issue: Message from the Public Health Officer | National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day, April 27, 2013 | Update on Influenza Activity | Tuberculosis Screening Guidelines and the National Shortage of TB Skin Test Reagents | Affordable Care Act Projections for Marin County
A message to physicians and other health care providers
from Marin County's Public Health Officer.

A Message from the Public Health Officer


Matthew Willis Marin County PHO HeadshotLast month, Marin was rated the healthiest county in California by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation County Health Rankings, with top scores in clinical care. Despite these successes, significant challenges remain.  This month's newsletter addresses the ongoing public health problem of prescription drug abuse in Marin, a remote but concerning novel strain of influenza, new challenges to tuberculosis control, and local projections of those who may remain uninsured after the implementation of the Affordable Care Act. Our goal is to support you in providing outstanding health care, and I welcome suggestions for topics for future newsletters. 
     Warm Regards,
       Matt Willis 

National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day, April 27, 2013


In 2012, 28 deaths in Marin County were caused by prescription drug overdose. According to the DEA, most high school students who abuse prescription medications acquire them through friends and relatives. On April 27, 2013 from 10 AM to 2 PM, as part of National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day, police stations in most Marin cities will be offering collection sites for disposal of unused pharmaceuticals.  For more information click here

Update on Influenza Activity


The CDC has recently downgraded influenza activity in California from “local” to “sporadic, " and Marin County surveillance data suggests resolution of the local influenza season.  Providers should, however, remain vigilant for influenza-like illness in patients with travel history to China and possible exposure to avian influenza A H7N9. As of April 22, Chinese public health officials have reported to WHO 104 confirmed cases of H7N9 infection, including 21 deaths. For a full update and guidelines for influenza H7N9 click here

Tuberculosis Screening Guidelines and the National Shortage of TB Skin Test Reagents
 

Tuberculosis (TB) is a preventable disease. In 2012, there were 15 reported TB cases in Marin County. Detection and treatment of infection in its earliest, latent stage is the most effective means to prevent TB disease. In order to promote vigilance around screening for TB in Marin despite national shortages in skin test reagents, the following guidelines are recommended… click here

Affordable Care Act Projections for Marin County  


Marin County Health and Human Services (HHS) is preparing for implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) which takes effect in January 2014.  Projections from the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research indicate that while reform will bring insurance coverage to many previously uninsured Marin residents, nearly 17,000 residents may remain uninsured after the implementation of ACA. For more information including more detailed projections click here
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Last Modified on April 24, 2013

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