| Public Health Initiatives |
| Home Page for Public Health Projects & Programs |
The Public Health Initiatives department provides family medicine representation in statewide public health efforts and provides members with even more high-quality (and in many cases free) CME through the PAFP Foundation.
NEWS
- IMMUNIZATION
- SKIN CANCER
- YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH
- DRUG/ALCOHOL TX
>> IMMUNIZATION
VFC Providers: Return Unused Prevnar 7!
The deadline to return Prevnar 7 to the PA VFC Program has passed. However, practices that still have it in their inventory may call the PA VFC Program at 1-888-646-6864 to request a return shipping label. Once practices receive the label, the unused vaccine can be packed and returned to McKesson marked as wasted vaccine.
PAFP Foundation Survey on Adult Immunization: Please Take Survey Now
The PA DOH is intently focused on improving immunization rates for adults. In order to guide upcoming education and potential policy changes, the PAFP Foundation is working with DOH to assess adult immunization practices in family medicine practices. Please take a few minutes to answer some questions. We’ll ask about the types of vaccine you offer, office systems, documentation and collaborative agreements with pharmacists. Please take the survey before June 10 - http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/adult_imm_primary_care - thank you!
Video Features Immunization Stories of Four PA Families
A new video from the Pennsylvania Immunization Coalition reminds adults of the importance of immunization for themselves, their spouses and their parents through the stories of four Pennsylvania families: a couple adopting children from India, a high school graduate about to go to college, an adult who becomes the caretaker for an elderly relative, and a man who has cancer and must rely on the community to be immunized to protect his health. You can watch the video and order DVDs of the video at www.immunizepa.org/news/article/adult_immunization_psa/.
Editor’s note: The adoption story is of my family, and if you stop by the PAFP Foundation public health exhibit at the next PAFP Foundation CME conference, I’ll show you photos of my kids! - Angie
Immunization Conference: June 24 in Hershey
The Pennsylvania Immunization Coalition also sponsors an annual conference to which you and your practice staff are invited. Register at www.pennstatehershey.org/web/ce/home/programs/immunization.
>> SKIN CANCER
Melanoma Monday
Every Monday is May is “Melanoma Monday” and a great reminder to encourage patients to perform regular skin self-examinations to detect suspicious moles that could be cancerous. Alert patients that research shows involving a partner in the process can improve early detection of skin cancer.
More than 1 million new cases of skin cancer will be diagnosed in the United States this year. Send patients to www.melanomamonday.org for tools and techniques that make skin self-examinations effective.
Fear Of Wrinkles Lessens The Appeal of Indoor Tanning For Young Women
The Monday, May 24 tip of the day from the Melanoma Monday website addresses indoor tanning. Consider warning young adult female patients about how indoor tanning causes wrinkles. Research published in the May 2010 Archives of Dermatology indicates that appearance-based skin cancer prevention can reduce indoor tanning among young women.
>> YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH
NEW! CME Webinar Aug. 18 Noon-1pm: Using MI To Help Adolescents with Mental Health Disorders
Register today!
Suicide is the third leading cause of death among 15 to 24 year olds, and for every suicide death in this age group, an estimated 100 to 200 teens attempt suicide. But how do you address young patients who challenge your recommendation for treatment and counseling? A new CME webinar from the PAFP Foundation introduces motivational interviewing – for specific use with adolescents – as a powerful tool to guide patients to get the help they need.
This one hour webinar will review strategies to enhance your ability to establish rapport and promote healthy behaviors with adolescents in the office setting. Learn how to effectively use MI to motivate adolescents with depression, anxiety and other mental health diagnoses to follow through on mental health referrals and to facilitate adherence to taking medications for the treatment of mental health disorders.
Register today!
>> DRUG/ALCOHOL TX
Free Services for Patients Who Need Addiction Tx
ACCESS Family Advocacy for Addiction Treatment provides free advocacy services for individuals and family members experiencing difficulties accessing chemical dependency treatment. The program addresses barriers such as cost and insurance.
Simply stated, ACCESS helps to connect Pennsylvanians in need of D&A treatment with resources necessary to access appropriate treatment in their own county or region. Learn more at www.access-treatment.org.
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