public health

Pain Specialist Urges a New Dialogue

Acute pain, chronic pain need to be understood and managed differently
October 15, 2012 -- The problem with how we address pain doesn't just lie with the medical community, and the problem is not solely that prescription painkillers are overprescribed, said Dr. Alex Cahana, a pain specialist with the University of Washington who spoke at last week's pain management seminar in Portland. Read More >>

Advocates Want Legislature to Spend Tobacco Agreement Funds on Prevention

They’re also enlisting the support of coordinated care organizations to help them sway legislators next year
October 11, 2012 -- Tobacco use is the number one cause of preventable death in Oregon and comes with an expensive bill. The Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement, signed by Oregon and 45 other states in 1998, was supposed to help the state recover some of the states’ tobacco-related healthcare costs. According to the Oregon Partners for Tobacco Prevention, formerly known as the Tobacco Free Coalition of Oregon, the state has yet to use the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement funds as they were intended, something they hope will change when the legislature convenes next February. Read More >>

Physicians Focus on Curbing Opioid Abuse, Accidental Deaths

Oregon's high rate of prescription abuse and reports of accidental overdoses nationwide have spurred conferences and discussion groups to change treatment protocols
October 8, 2012 -- In the 1990s, prescribing opioid painkillers for any patients besides those in the last stages of a terminal illness was frowned upon and could even result in censure, said Betsy Boyd-Flynn, deputy executive vice president of the Oregon Medical Association. Read More >>

Activists Push for More Comprehensive Investigation on Health Impacts of Coal Trains

In addition to Multnomah County’s upcoming assessment, environmental and health groups are calling for an investigation of the regional impacts of coal dust
October 3, 2012 -- Activists from Oregon environmental groups, health organizations, Indian tribes and neighborhood associations have been questioning increased coal exports ever since they got word that energy companies were applying for permits with ports in the region. They asked the Oregon Health Authority to perform a comprehensive regional health impact assessment, as well as an environmental impact statement to research the effects of coal dust and diesel exhaust as trains and barges travel through the region. Read More >>

Tobacco Prevention Bolstered by Partnership

Trillium Community Health Plan and Lane County work together to achieve the triple aim
October 2, 2012 -- When it comes to reducing the incidence of smoking, Trillium Community Health Plan, has come up with a novel approach. As one of 13 coordinated care organizations around the state, Trillium is integrating physical and mental healthcare for people on Medicaid to improve outcomes and keep costs sustainable. Read More >>

Abortion, physician-assisted suicide dominate forum

Some are concerned over potential changes to Ashland Community Hospital under Dignity Health
Oct. 1, 2012 -- Physician-assisted suicide and abortion dominated audience questions during forums held Thursday and Friday on a possible partnership between Ashland Community Hospital and Dignity Health. Read More >>

Multnomah County to Assess Potential Impact of Coal Dust

County and city officials have asked for an assessment to investigate the health ramifications of transporting coal through the area
September 27, 2012 -- Following calls by neighborhood activists as well as members of the medical community, Multnomah County Health Department staff have been asked to conduct a health impact assessment investigating the likely health effects of coal trains traveling through the area on their way to ports of Portland and Seattle, from which they would then be shipped to China. Read More >>

Coordinated Care Organizations Could Advance Public Health Priorities

After doing some strategic planning, the state’s public health director, Dr. Mel Kohn, sets out his six top priorities
September 26, 2012 -- The new coordinated care organizations provide enormous opportunities to further the state’s public health agenda, but the new organizations are more likely to be successful in counties with strong existing public health departments, the state’s top public health officer told The Lund Report. Read More >>

Two Cities, Three Approaches to Rental Housing Inspections

Gresham, Portland and East Portland take different tacks when it comes to renters' health
September 24, 2012 -- Mold, lead paint dust, rodent infestations and inadequately placed smoke detectors can all adversely affect one's health. And for tenants whose landlords don't quickly respond to and fix those problems, the stress of a difficult, unsafe living situation only makes matters worse. Read More >>

Farm-to-School Program Seeks Proposals for Pilot Project

The pilot program, which stalled due to funding and personnel issues, is looking for schools to participate in a program that will serve locally-sourced meals in the cafeteria
September 19, 2012 -- A pilot program to Farm to School and School Garden programs in two districts has stalled in implementation – but is picking up steam this fall. Read More >>
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