Don't gamble with your health - get a flu shot soon

If you were playing poker, calculated the odds and knew you had a 60 percent chance of winning the pot, would you make the call or fold?

Americans face a similar decision each autumn: whether or not to get vaccinated for the flu, or fold and hope not to get sick. Unlike the common cold, influenza is a serious viral illness. This week, we learned a little more about the odds that a flu shot or flu mist will protect those who receive it from the influenza viruses currently circulating.

Based on a review of selected, previously published studies, authors of the recent The Lancet Infectious Diseases article reported the flu shot was 59 percent effective against flu in healthy adults. This finding may be a surprise to some. But effectiveness ranges widely from season to season and can also vary depending on the health and age of the person being vaccinated. 

This is why public health leaders, the federal government and industry are investing and supporting the development of new and improved influenza vaccines. Maximizing our protection against influenza also requires diligent attention to frequent hand washing and covering our mouths when we cough or sneeze. It’s all of these things to together that increase our odds of not getting influenza.

But the fact remains: vaccination is still the safest, most effective means for preventing transmission of the influenza virus and staying healthy. This is especially important for the very young, elderly and people with high-risk chronic health conditions. Scientific observational studies have demonstrated the value of influenza vaccines in this population time and again. And as this Time magazine piece notes, "59% is better than zero."

This flu season, don’t gamble with your health. Make the call and get protected from influenza by getting the flu shot or flu mist at your doctor’s office, local pharmacy, or dial 311 to find the nearest Health Department free clinic. 

Take Care, Baltimore

Baltimore City Health Department Releases First Latino Health Report

As the Health Department works to reduce disparities and improve the health of all Baltimoreans, it is important for us to have a solid understanding of the strengths and health challenges faced by particular groups. As the fastest growing segment of our city, Latino Baltimoreans are one population whose health status we must examine more closely. To this end, we have released the first ever examination of the health status and trends among Baltimore’s Latino residents.

In general, Baltimore’s Latino population is ethnically diverse and relatively young (median age is 27 years, compared to 35 for Baltimore overall). The report revealed some encouraging news about the status of this group, who were found to have lower overall mortality and infant mortality rates. It also revealed that fewer Latinos are smokers – 16 percent of adults, compared to 28 percent of all Baltimoreans.

However, Latinos in Baltimore still face a number of significant health challenges, including lack of health insurance and medical homes, high incidence of binge alcohol drinking, and death by accident - which is the third leading cause of death among this group.

The report was released yesterday during an event held at Baltimore Medical System’s Highlandtown Healthy Living Center, which sits in one of the largest Latino communities in Baltimore. BMS has served between 8,500 and 9,000 patients for whom English isn’t their first language. They employ bilingual physicians and other staff, many of whom also have multi-cultural backgrounds that help them understand the needs of patients from other countries. For Baltimore's growing refugee population, BMS also provides foreign language interpretation for initial health screenings and ongoing medical care.

As one of the largest providers of health care to the Latino community, Baltimore Medical System has long recognized the importance of providing culturally appropriate healthcare and language access services. President & CEO Jay Wolvovsky supports their mission to provide healthcare to all residents of the community – especially the underserved. Over the years, the demographics in Baltimore City have changed dramatically, and BMS has changed with them. Today, 25% of their staff is bilingual, and they offer many services that help patients overcome barriers to care.

I would like to thank Baltimore Medical Systems for their strong support of Latino healthcare in Baltimore and their partnership in the release of The Health of Latinos in Baltimore City.

For the first time, we see how Latinos living in Baltimore City compare to city residents as a whole, and Latinos statewide and nationwide. In bringing together data about Latino health, this report can serve as a tool for public health efforts to advance the health of the Baltimore City Latino community. It’s my hope that this report also will spark conversations about setting priorities for action and new ideas for change.

Check out the full report, available in English and Spanish, on our Website. And here are links to media coverage of the release in the Baltimore Sun newspaper and WJZ TV.

BCHD’s Healthy Homes Bureau receives $100,000 EPA Grant

In urban centers such as Baltimore, environmental conditions that can lead to poor health for our children are widespread. These include lead due to peeling paint, mold, pests and pesticides, carbon monoxide, and tobacco smoke.

Here in Baltimore, we understand that we must work collaboratively to build stronger, healthier neighborhoods and schools for our children—places where our children can learn and thrive. 

Today I joined Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Shawn Garvin, and Congressman John Sarbanes to celebrate Children’s Health Month and to accept a $100,000 grant to fund the Healthy Environments for City Kids Initiative. Healthy Environments for City Kids (HECK) will help us improve child health outcomes by addressing a wide variety of environmental risks in the places children spend most of their time – at home, in school, and in childcare.

BCHD was one of 13 organizations selected from 263 applicants across the country to receive a grant from EPA’s Office of Children’s Health Protection to reduce children’s exposures to environmental hazards.  The Health Department will receive funds over 18 months to promote and support healthy childcare and school environments - places where our children learn and play – to make them safer and healthier.

This grant will enable us to build the capacity of community-based partners – our home visitors, school staff, and childcare providers – to recognize and address environmental hazards. We will engage city residents through innovative strategies such as community-based Healthy Homes meetings, where they will obtain the knowledge and tools needed to reduce environmental health risks in their own homes. By doing so, we are empowering Baltimore city families to take control of their own health, and the health of their communities.

The work neatly dovetails with our Healthy Baltimore 2015 goals to promote children’s health, and create healthy and growing neighborhoods. We know that healthy children learn better, so it makes sense to ensure that the environments in which children live support their health. We are grateful for the support of the EPA and excited to join their efforts to promote healthy environments for our children.

Baltimore's Seniors Strutt Their Stuff For Healthy City Days

What a week it's been! On Monday Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake and I kicked off Healthy City Days with a walk from City Hall to the Inner Harbor. This week has been jam-packed with health fairs, exercise activities and health screenings, all aimed at encouraging people of all ages to step out and get active, to get screened for serious health concerns, get a flu shot, and get educated about individual health.

All week I've been looking forward to today's signature event: Baltimore's Seniors Rock the City. More than 300 seniors from across the city descended upon the Roosevelt Park Recreation Center in Hampden for a day full of activities. The highlight was the large group circle dance led by former Ravens cheerleader and fitness enthusiast Molly Shattuck of Vibrant Living.

The seniors I talked to really enjoyed getting out in the beautiful weather and, in the words of one of our speakers, "shaking what God gave you." Many received flu shots and were screened for high cholesterol. We are fortunate in Baltimore City to have 16 vibrant senior centers where our elder population can go to socialize, engage in group exercise and other fun activities.

It's important that seniors stay active is by engaging in a variety of activities such as walking, dancing, low or moderate aerobics, swimming, _ even shopping. Half an hour of moderate physical activity every day is a good goal to have. You can start at your own pace and slowly increase your activity until you are able to do 30 minutes of physical activity five days a week; which is 150 minutes of physical activity.

Tomorrow we wrap up Healthy City Days at Mondawmin Mall from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. with a free health fair and health screenings. Please tell your family and friends so that they too can participate in health education and screenings. I hope this week you were inspired to think about how you can live a healthy life. I know I'm already looking forward to Healthy City Days 2012. What ideas do you have for activities we can incorporate into next year's agenda?

BCHD Unveils “Just Hold Off” Campaign to Protect Pregnant Women, Infants From Second-Hand Smoke

Last night at the National Aquarium, as the sun was setting over the Inner Harbor, I joined our B’more for Healthy Babies partners in celebrating Baltimore’s infants and remembering the babies who died before their first birthday.  We also unveiled the second phase of our campaign aimed at improving the health of pregnant women. The first leg of this multi-pronged approach will focus on tobacco use, helping pregnant women quit smoking and reducing their exposure to second-hand smoke.

Medical research here is clear: Cigarette smoke is associated with higher rates of Sudden Infant Death. Babies born to mothers who smoke are more likely to be born underweight and premature, two of the leading risk factors for infant mortality.

We want to ensure that pregnant women do not smoke and that pregnant moms and babies live smoke-free in all environments, including in the home, in the car, and everywhere in our communities. This phase is a natural extension of our previous message: Every baby should sleep Alone, on their Back, and in a Crib, and in a tobacco free environment. Our message has also been adopted by the State in its efforts to reduce sleep-related deaths.  Recently we expanded the messaging to include fathers, who play a critical role in protecting their babies from unsafe sleep conditions. 

As I have mentioned here before, Baltimore’s infant mortality rate declined in 2010. Safe Sleep deaths in particular saw a marked decrease. We are cautiously optimistic the systems and policy changes we’ve supported through B’more for Healthy Babies are having an impact. 

One way we are attacking this problem is by improving the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors that increase women’s risk of poor birth and infant health outcomes. Through community-based activities and mass media messages, we are promoting a safe sleep environment for infants and educating residents on the use of tobacco and exposure to second-hand smoke, particularly among pregnant women, women who have recently given birth and infants.

I hope the message is delivered loud and clear: Baltimore is determined to do everything it can to reduce – and eliminate – infant deaths. In our new advertising campaign, we are asking people to commit to “Just Hold Off” from smoking if they are around pregnant women and infants. Starting this week, our new ads will be displayed on buses, in bus stops and subway stations, and on billboards all over town.

Hold off at home. Hold off in the car or at the bus stop.  This simple act of courtesy, repeated a hundred or thousand times over, can have a huge impact on preventing sudden infant death.

We all share a responsibility to protect our city’s pregnant women and infants. As the B’more for Healthy Baby tag line states, “Every baby counts on you.” Today I hope you’ll ask yourself: What can I do to help the next generation of Baltimore babies be born healthy, to a healthy mother in a healthy environment?

Remember, just hold off, and take care, B’more.

Should Maryland Be The First State To Ban Crib Bumper Pads?

Yesterday morning I was pleased to join Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) Secretary Dr. Joshua Sharfstein and other key public health leaders as he announced a proposal to ban the sale of crib bumper pads starting in January 2013. If approved following a public comment period, Maryland would become the first state to ban the sale of crib bumper pads.

A 2010 report by the Consumer Product Safety Commission found 28 baby deaths involving bumper pads. These are highly preventable deaths.

As the Secretary noted, this action is not happening in a vacuum. The proposed ban is part of a broader effort to promote safe sleep for infants by encouraging the ABCs: Babies should sleep Alone, on their Backs, and in a Crib.

The proposal is the end result of a thoughtful study by an expert advisory panel.  After conducting several public meetings, hearing from product manufacturers and reviewing the available safety evidence, the panel concluded “infant bumper pads posed a rare, real risk to infants.”

I applaud Dr. Sharfstein for his leadership on this issue, which establishes Maryland as a trailblazer for infant health and safety. In the last year, Maryland and Baltimore City have made tremendous gains in reducing the rate of infant mortality. We don’t yet fully understand the reason for the improvements we are seeing. But I believe the systems and policy changes we’ve supported through the B’more for Healthy Babies campaign are having a significant impact.

This public awareness campaign has educated countless individuals about how to put babies to sleep safely – Alone, on their Backs, in a Crib, no exceptions. The first component – Alone – means just that. We discourage parents from sleeping with their babies. And cribs should be free of all pillows, toys or blankets and bumper padding.

As part of our basic message to parents and caretakers, our home visiting nurses look for _ and routinely discourage _ the use of crib bumpers. We’ve reinforced this message in our print materials and in our educational video, where babies are pictured sleeping Alone, on their Backs and in Cribs with no extra padding.

Baltimore City's current and last two health commissioners.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission is conducting a similar review. The manufacturing of infant cribs is highly regulated to prevent children from strangling. Because their bodies can slip through openings but their heads cannot, parts such as slats, spindles, corner posts and rods cannot be more than 2 and 3/8 inches apart at any point, according to its Website.

The risk of putting babies to sleep in a crib where they could potentially suffocate against or get entrapped in a bumper far outweighs the purported safety benefits. For these reasons, I support Maryland’s efforts to ban crib bumper pads, and I encourage you to educate others about the potential dangers these products can pose.

Healthy City Days To Start Sept. 30th

The Health Department, in partnership with the Mayor’s Office, is focused on making Baltimore a healthier city. One major way we are working toward that goal is through the implementation of Healthy Baltimore 2015. Another way we are making Baltimore a healthier city is through initiatives like Healthy City Days.

Photos by Kevin Kane, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield

Today at the Zeta Center for Healthy and Active Aging, I joined representatives from CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield and the University of Maryland Medical Center, Baltimore Ravens fullback Vonta Leach, Molly Shattuck and others to announce that beginning September 30^th, we will kickoff Baltimore’s 2^nd annual Healthy City Days. Healthy City Days encompasses eight days of events all over town. The purpose is to get people eating better, exercising more often and focused on prevention and overall wellness.

There will be health fairs with free screenings at University of Maryland, City Hall and several Enoch Pratt library locations. There will also be free screenings at Mondawmin Mall, Department of Social Services locations and many other locations. We’ll even have great family events over the weekend at Port Discovery and other Inner Harbor events.

And during the week there are some great events planned that will get people up and moving. Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake and I will be walking from City Hall to the Inner Harbor on October 3rd and working out downtown with Monte Sanders on October 4^th. She and I would love for people to step out of their offices for a few minutes and join us at both of these events.

Vonta and Molly led seniors in a dance and stretch routine.

Personally, I am really looking forward to joining Molly Shattuck and Baltimore’s lively seniors in Hampden on October 6^th for a rockin’ dance party.

All you need to do is visit the Healthy City Days Website to see a listing of all these events and more and find one close to you.

It’s my sincere hope that this interactive initiative will engage Baltimore City residents and workers to focus on healthy lifestyle choices and preventive care.

Which Healthy City Days events do you plan to attend?