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Stay safe during snow storms! ❄️

Shoveling snow in cold weather can put extra strain on your heart. Taking it slow, pushing snow instead of lifting, and taking frequent breaks can help make shoveling safer. If you feel any signs of a heart attack, stop and call 911 immediately.

Older individuals with pre-existing conditions (especially heart) should use caution or refrain from shoveling. Check in with your family members or neighbors to see if they need help with snow removal! See more tips on safe shoveling here.

If you're in Ann Arbor, check out this great program: A2 Snow Match pairs residents with nearby neighbors who volunteer to assist them with snow removal on their sidewalks. Recipients of the volunteer services can be individuals with disabilities or seniors (55+) who do not have resources (financial or family/friends nearby) to assist with snow removal. Register: https://bit.ly/3UJvPgo or email a2snowmatch@a2gov.org.
We are so excited to share that we are starting our newest Community Health Assessment (or “CHA” for short)!

During the CHA, we gather information on health in our county to inform the work we do for the next five years. This process is important in helping us make sure our activities and programs meet the needs of our community members. Our CHA helps us work towards making Washtenaw healthy together!

Stay tuned for updates on what we’re learning and how you can get involved. Learn more about CHAs in the video above! (Español)
Become smokefree in 2023! You can get free coaching, educational materials, and more when you contact the Michigan Tobacco Quitlink. Call 1-800-784-8669 or visit https://michigan.quitlogix.org/en-US/.
Jimena Loveluck, Washtenaw County Health Officer, has been appointed to the Trinity Health Ann Arbor and Livingston Board of Directors.

“Jimena brings with her a deep understanding of the communities we serve and a familiarity with the needs of local residents who use our medical services,” said Alonzo Lewis, president of Trinity Health Ann Arbor and Trinity Health Livingston.

“She is a smart and dedicated public servant and we are fortunate to have her on our team. We will look to her experience and leadership in the coming years as we work to advance our mission of being a transforming, healing presence for patients and their families.”

See the full release here.

Radon is a radioactive gas you cannot see or smell - but it can be dangerous. Radon is the 2nd leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. Any home could have a radon problem. New and old homes, well-sealed and drafty homes, and homes with or without basements could all have radon.

Testing is the only way to know if your home may have high radon levels. The good news is that testing is easy and affordable.

We have radon test kits available for only $5 this month! Pick up locations in Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti Township, and Manchester/Sharon Township. Testing details and more info on radon here

We know that social and economic factors like housing, food, income, and transportation plan an important role when it comes to health.

One example of this: nearly 14% of people in Washtenaw live below the poverty level. This means they are at higher risk for worse health outcomes and lower life expectancy.

When working towards health equity, it's important to look at all the conditions in which community members are born, grow, reside, work, play, learn and age. See a full dashboard of data around social determinants of health (SDOH) in Washtenaw County here
Michigan is one of the states with the worst policies to prevent and reduce tobacco use, according to a new report by the American Lung Association.

Tobacco use remains the leading cause of preventable death and disease in America and takes the lives of 16,170 Michigan residents each year. Harmful tobacco products include cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and cigars.

The report recommends evidence-based policies to improve health, including ending the sale of all flavored tobacco products. Learn more about how menthol and flavored products impact health locally.

See the full Lung Association report here.

We're hiring for multiple positions!

Maternal Infant Health Program (MIHP) Social Worker (apply by 2/7):
  • MIHP is a home visiting program for pregnant women and infants up to 12 months old who have Medicaid insurance. Social workers, nurses, and dietitians work together to provide supportive services to these individuals.
  • Position is full time.
Prescription for Health Public Health Assistant (apply by 1/31)
  • This paid position will support Prescription for Health, an innovative program that connects low-income patients at risk for a chronic disease to the farmers markets. This program aims to increase fruit and vegetable consumption among participants and encourage healthy behavior change.
  • This position is part time and temporary (ideally from May through Nov/Dec). Up to 600 total hours are available for this position. The majority of hours will be worked during the summer from May-August. Combination of in-person and remote work. 
Temporary, part time interpreters/translators (apply by 1/31):
  • Come join our team and help make health education and resources more accessible to our community members! We’re looking for people who speak English and a second language (Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, French, and more).
  • Responsibilities may include interpreting during clinical appointments, assisting with the translation of health materials, and supporting community health promotion efforts.
COVID-19

Washtenaw at low COVID-19 community level

Washtenaw County is at a "low" COVID-19 community level. CDC guidance at this level doesn't include broad masking recommendations. At all levels, people can wear a mask based on preference or risk. People with symptoms, a positive test, or exposure to someone with COVID-19 should wear a mask.

Please continue to use available, effective strategies to prevent and reduce the spread of illness in our community, including:

✔️ Get vaccinated and stay up-to-date on your COVID-19 vaccines - including your updated booster! (https://vaccinefinder.org).

✔️ Seek testing if feeling ill or if you have been exposed. Stay away from others if you are feeling ill or recently exposed, waiting for test results, or have tested positive (www.washtenaw.org/covid19whattodo). If you test positive, talk to your doctor right away about treatment options to prevent severe illness.

✔️ Avoid contact with people who have suspected or confirmed COVID-19. If you’re exposed to someone with COVID, wear a mask around others, monitor symptoms, and test 5 days after exposure (www.washtenaw.org/covid19whattodo).

✔️ Maintain improved ventilation throughout indoor spaces when possible.

Use increased precautions if you are at higher risk of serious illness or if you live with or are frequently around someone who is high risk.

See more info on prevention steps to take at this community level: https://bit.ly/WCC19LVL

Local COVID-19 Data

See this weekly summary as a PDF here.
See this two-week snapshot as a PDF here.
See more COVID-19 case data
Tests
  • Every US household can order 4 free at-home COVID-⁠19 tests from https://www.covid.gov/tests
  • Order your January tests! Households in every Michigan zip code can order free test kits through Project ACT. If you already ordered tests from Project ACT last month, you can now request more on a monthly basis until February.
  • If you have health insurance, most insurance plans will cover the cost of over-the-counter, at-home tests.
  • See more on local testing sites and how to get free at-home tests here.
Masks
  • Free KN95 masks are still available for pick-up during business hours at the Health Department. We also have kid-sized masks! (ages 5-12)
Treatment
  • If you test positive for COVID-19, different treatment options may be available to you. Treatments can reduce the risk of becoming seriously ill or hospitalized due to COVID-19. 
  • If you test positive for COVID-19, talk to your primary care provider or an urgent care provider right away to see if you qualify for treatment. This is especially important for those who are high risk and/or are not up-to-date on their COVID-19 vaccines. You must have a referral from a health care provider to access these treatments.  
  • Learn about COVID Plan4Health, a Health Department program that connects Washtenaw residents who don't have insurance or a doctor with treatment. 

Vaccines

  • Find COVID-19 vaccines & boosters near you! Search online using https://vaccines.gov
  • Not sure if you're due for another shot? Use the "find out when you can get your booster" tool here.
  • Learn more or schedule an appointment at a Health Department clinic.

Local COVID-19 Vaccine Data

WCHD COVID-19 Website
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