DCHA and member hospitals are heartbroken for all of the victims and families of gun violence - at hospitals, community centers, schools and places of worship. We know that behavioral health plays a role in mass shootings and gun violence, but the unprecedented ease and access to weapons must be recognized and addressed immediately. Our health care workers experience first-hand the tragic impact of gun violence in their emergency rooms and unfortunately are experiencing workplace violence at the same time they are caring for patients.

According to the Centers for Disease and Control (CDC), firearms were involved in 79% of all homicides and 53% of all suicides in 2020. Against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a historic increase of 35% in the firearm homicide rate, resulting in the highest firearm homicide rate in more than 25 years.

DCHA joins the American Hospital Association and other state hospital and health care associations across the country for the immediate need to stop these tragic events. Legislators are working on a bipartisan effort to address gun violence, and we urge them to act quickly.

Related Content

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• AHA Statement on Tulsa Shooting
• Mass Violence is a Public Health Crisis

On June 4, the DC Public Health Lab confirmed the first positive Orthopox case in a District resident who reported recent travel to Europe. The collected samples have been sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for further testing and confirmation of the Monkeypox virus. Monkeypox is in the Orthopox family of viruses. The patient is currently isolating and does not pose a risk to the public. DC Health is identifying and monitoring close contacts, however, at this time no additional cases have been identified in the District.

Monkeypox is a rare but potentially serious viral illness that can be transmitted from person to person through direct contact with body fluid or monkeypox lesions. Less commonly, transmission can occur through respiratory droplets from prolonged face-to-face contact and from contaminated materials such as bedding or clothing. Symptoms of monkeypox include a headache, muscle aches, fever or flu-like symptoms followed by a rash or lesions.

Related Content

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• DC Health Notice on Monkeypox Virus Infection
• Monkeypox Can Look Different Than What Doctors Thought
• Disease Experts Call on WHO, Governments for More Action on Monkeypox 
• Monkeypox Information for Health Care Professionals from the CDC

CDC Seeks Articles on Strategies for Reducing Health Disparities

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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is accepting submissions for a special supplement to Public Health Reports on strategies for reducing health disparities and accelerating progress toward health equity. Abstracts are due June 21 by 11:59 p.m. ET; full manuscripts are due September 21.

The realities of our health care system are driving many health workers to burnout. They are at an increased risk for mental health challenges and choosing to leave the health workforce early. They work in distressing environments that strain their physical, emotional, and psychological well-being. This will make it harder for patients to get care when they need it.

The Department of Health and Human Services announced it is establishing an Office of Environmental Justice (OEJ). The OEJ will sit within the Office of Climate Change and Health Equity and act “to better protect the health of disadvantaged communities and vulnerable populations on the frontlines of pollution and other environmental health issues.” The OEJ is tasked with leading initiatives that integrate environmental justice into the HHS mission to improve health in disadvantaged communities and vulnerable populations across the nation.

There’s nothing as important to families as the health and safety of their babies, and the formula shortage has left many people feeling anxious about how they’ll feed them. Some young children, teens, and adults with medical needs also rely on formula for their nutrition. They may be impacted by the shortage, too. We know it’s not easy to change your baby’s diet. However, if you can’t find formula in stock, there are some tips for finding safe substitutes. The Department of Health and Human Services has a dedicated webpage, which helps health care providers and families locate infant formula during the current national shortage.

HHI Cooking Competition Winners

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The winners of the annual Health Hospital Initiative (HHI) Cooking Competition were revealed on May 26. The HHI is a partnership between the DCHA Program Services Company, Inc. and DC Health to reduce the availability and consumption of sugar sweetened beverages, and to promote healthier choices in district hospitals. This competition highlights the incredible talent of hospitals chefs and their commitment to serving healthy, delicious food to patients, staff, visitors, and the community. And the winners are:

Overall Winner: Psychiatric Institute of Washington
Best Side Dish: Savoy Cabbage Blueberry Slaw, Psychiatric Institute of Washington
Best Entrée: Seared Chilean Sea Bass with Butternut Squash, Spinach Risotto and Blueberry Sauce, The George Washington University Hospital
Best Beverage/Dessert: No Sugar Added Blueberry Pie Bars, MedStar National Rehabilitation Hospital