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11/21-MFPA Conference Call
11/28- Thanksgiving Holiday |
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Quote of the Week
Families are the compass that guide us. They are the inspiration to reach great heights, and our comfort when we occasionally falter.
~ Brad Henry |
| New PREP Coordinator | |  Women's and Men's Health Section WMHS is pleased to announce that Kara Hughes has accepted the PREP Coordinator position within the Women's and Men's Health Section. Kara graduated from MSU Billings in May 2013 with a degree in Health and Human Performance. As an intern she worked with the Boys and Girls Club in Billings to implement a health curriculum in the after school setting. She recently worked with the Department of Environmental Quality. Kara may be contacted through email khughes3@mt.gov or phone 406.444.3628. Welcome Kara! |
| Free Influenza Vaccination | |  Walgreens/HHS Co-sponsorship Agreement for Free Influenza Vaccination
The Walgreens/HHS Co-sponsorship Agreement was first established for the 2010-2011 influenza season. The Agreement's primary purpose was to assist uninsured and underinsured racial and ethnic minorities to obtain an annual influenza vaccination. Under this initiative, Walgreens has committed over ten million dollars of donated vaccines to ensure that this country's most vulnerable populations can receive and benefit from the preventive service of a seasonal influenza vaccination.
Individuals can access the influenza vaccination by obtaining an influenza voucher that entitles them to one free intramuscular vaccination at any of the participating Walgreens, Duane Reade Pharmacies, or Healthcare Clinics nationwide and within select U.S. territories. Organizations that work with large uninsured populations can also elect to host an immunization clinic where a Walgreens pharmacist will come on-site to administer the vaccinations. In either case, uninsured individuals will not be charged for their influenza vaccinations.
If your organization is interested in hosting an immunization clinic, please read the attached Influenza Initiative Guidance for more information. The federal and Walgreen's contacts mentioned in the guidance are identified specifically and their contact information listed in the HHS/RHAs MHCs and Walgreens MPD attachment. Please contact the individuals listed for your city or state. The regional federal contacts can answer questions you may have regarding this agreement
Where there is not a regional Walgreens contact listed on the attachment, local Walgreens may not be aware of the agreement. Therefore, if your specific city or state is not listed, Tracy Branch at the Office of Minority Health at HHS has offered to help connect Title X providers with the appropriate Walgreens' contact. Please contact her at Tracy.Branch@ and let her know you are a Title X provider who is interested in hosting an immunization clinic under the Walgreens/HHS agreement. hhs.gov
We encourage you to take advantage of this agreement in order to provide influenza immunization to your eligible patients. |
| CDC: More U.S. Teens are Turning to E-cigarettes | | CDC: More U.S. teens are turning to e-cigarettes, other tobacco products
In an analysis of data from the National Youth Tobacco Survey, CDC researchers found that tobacco use was about one percentage point lower among middle- and high-school students in 2012 than in 2011. However, the use of other tobacco products, such as cigars, electronic cigarettes and hookahs rose among youths, possible because of reduced prices and greater marketing and availability, the agency said. "Cigars and hookah tobacco are smoked tobacco - addictive and deadly. We need effective action to protect our kids from addiction to nicotine," CDC Director Tom Frieden said |
| Factors that Affect Efficacy of EC | |  Emergency Contraception: Timing, Weight, and Efficacy
Are emergency contraception (EC) pills less effective for overweight patients? Unfortunately, the answer is yes - and the degree of this effect depends on the patient's body mass index (BMI) and the type of EC.
Levonorgestrel EC (such as Plan B, One-Step and Next Choice) becomes less effective over time following unprotected intercourse. Levonorgestrel EC's efficacy decreases with high BMI as well. For women with a BMI over 26, levonorgestrel EC is no better than placebo.
Ulipristal Acetate (ella®) EC retains full efficacy up to five days after sexual intercourse. Ulipristal EC has lower efficacy among obese women. Compared with levonorgestrel, ulipristal has a higher BMI threshold. Ulipristal retains its efficacy for women with BMI up to 35.
The copper IUD can be inserted up to five days after unprotected intercourse, reducing the risk of pregnancy by 99%. It retains full efficacy over time and with obesity. Best of all, it provides ongoing contraception for up to 12 years.
When advising your patient on the best type of EC, consider the factors that affect efficacy: time since unprotected intercourse, patient's BMI, and availability/acceptance of the copper IUD.
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| Urine Tests Have Limited Ability to Detect UTI | | Urine tests have limited ability to detect UTI, study finds
A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine showed urine tests may not always be effective in detecting urinary tract infections. Researchers analyzed the urine samples of 226 women and found no evidence of bacteria in the midstream urine or in the bladder urine of almost 25% of women who showed signs of UTI. "Our findings are further confirmation that collection of urine has limited usefulness. You don't get the results back for two days, and just practically speaking, it's an added cost because we know E. coli causes most UTIs," lead author Thomas Hooton said. HealthDay News |
| Guidelines Focus on Statins, Lifestyle to Reduce CVD Risk | | |
Guidelines focus on statins, lifestyle to reduce CVD risk
Guidelines from the American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology advise clinicians to be more liberal in determining cardiovascular risk and prescribing statin medications to control cholesterol. The guidelines, developed over four years of study, also emphasize the role clinicians play in helping patients make dietary and lifestyle changes that reduce the chance of developing heart disease or having a stroke, including limiting sodium intake. HealthDay News |
| Teen Bullying Tied to Risky Sexual Behavior | |  Teen bullying tied to risky sexual behavior
In a poll of nearly 9,000 high-school students across 24 U.S. schools, researchers found that those who were bullies or both bullies and victims had a greater likelihood of reporting casual sex or sex while under the influence of alcohol or drugs compared with their peers. The link between teenage bullying and risky sexual behaviors was more pronounced among heterosexual teens compared with gay and lesbian teens, according to the report published in the journal Pediatrics. Reuters |
| FDA Approves Fertility-Friendly Personal Lubricant | |
FDA Approves Fertility-Friendly Personal Lubricant
The FDA has approved Conceive Plus Fertility Personal Lubricant (Sasmar), a sperm-friendly lubricant, that may help couples that are trying to conceive. Conceive Plus has also been approved to be used in fertility interventions to facilitate entry of diagnostic and therapeutic devices into the vaginal cavity.
Conceive Plus Fertility Personal Lubricant is a lubricant that is pH balanced to mimic fertile fluids and semen. It contains magnesium and calcium ions, which are already found naturally in the human body and essential to fertilization.
Currently available lubricants such as K-Y, Durex, Astroglide, and Replens, have been found to hinder the fertilization process and chances of conception by limiting sperm motility and sperm chromatin integrity. Conceive Plus serves to supplement the body's natural lubrication without harming the process of fertilization.
Conceive Plus is available as 30mL and 75mL (applicators) multi-use tubes, or as 3- or 8-count prefilled applicators.
For more information visit ConceivePlus.com. |
| Life is Short - Smile! | | |
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