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The Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) has confirmed the first influenza cases of the season in Gallatin and Flathead Counties. Both counties are reporting two cases each. Public health officials say that these first cases are a great reminder for the public to get vaccinated against influenza as soon as possible. State, tribal and local public health authorities indicate vaccine is widely available and recommend taking advantage of the vaccine. “Even if you received the vaccine last year, you should still get vaccinated t...
The Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) and Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies (HMHB) are partnering to raise awareness about text4baby, a free health text messaging service for pregnant women and new moms. Montana First Lady Lisa Bullock, a mother of three, says this service provides invaluable information and urges all Montana women to sign up. “I know from personal experience that the more knowledge I have at every stage of my kids’ lives, the better equipped I am as a mother to ensure they are healthy and happy,” she said....
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. In Montana, more than 700 women develop breast cancer every year. Treatment for breast cancer is most effective if the cancer is caught at an early stage, so it is important for women to talk to their doctors about breast cancer screenings. To ensure Montana women have every tool available, the Montana Cancer Control Programs (MCCP) will spend the month of October educating women about getting regular breast cancer screenings, the current national recommendations for breast cancer screening, and about...
The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, in collaboration with the Treasure County Health Department and RiverStone Health, have confirmed two West Nile Virus (WNV) human deaths in Montana over the past week. There have been 15 confirmed WNV cases this year. The deceased, a Treasure County male in his eighties and a Yellowstone County male in his seventies, died of severe complications related to West Nile Virus infection. The individuals had no history of travel outside the state within the past month. “These deaths are a...
The Montana Collegiate Tobacco Initiative (MCTPI) received the Through With Chew Policy Award at the recent National Smokeless and Spit Tobacco Summit held on the University of Montana campus, Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) officials have announced. The Through with Chew Policy award is presented to an individual or organization showing exceptional achievement in policy change specific to smokeless tobacco. The MCTPI, coordinated by The BACCHUS Network and sponsored by the DPHHS Tobacco Use Prevention Program, is a...
Montana state and local public health officials are working with national health agencies to respond to an outbreak of Hepatitis A linked to a frozen fruit blend sold by Costco stores, including all of those in Montana. To date, no cases of illness have been confirmed in Montana and the product has been pulled from stores. Costco is notifying customers of the recall and instructing anyone who has consumed the product within the last two weeks to contact their health care provider. The recalled product is Townsend Farms Organic Antioxidant Blend...
The Western Montana Heart Gallery photo display located in the Southgate Mall in Missoula continues to feature area foster children hoping to successfully be placed into permanent ‘forever homes’, Department of Public Health and Human Services officials said this week. “Children who have been featured in the Western Montana Heart Gallery are often placed with a forever family,” said DPHHS Director Richard Opper. “Every child deserves to live in a stable and supportive environment, and now many of these children will have that chance....
Montana state and local public health officials are working with national health agencies to respond to an outbreak of Hepatitis A linked to a frozen fruit blend sold by Costco stores, including all of those in Montana. To date, no cases of illness have been confirmed in Montana and the product has been pulled from stores. Costco is notifying customers of the recall and instructing anyone who has consumed the product within the last two weeks to contact their health care provider. The recalled product is Townsend Farms Organic Antioxidant Blend...
Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) officials are urging Montanans age 50 and older to be screened for colorectal cancer. Every year, 500 Montanans are diagnosed with colorectal cancer, and of those about 90 percent are over 50 years old. If everyone who is 50 years old or older were screened regularly, as many as 60% of deaths from colorectal cancer could be avoided, said DPHHS Director Richard Opper. About 180 Montanans die of the disease annually. “Colorectal cancer screening saves lives,” Opper said. “Several tests are av...
Knowing the warning signs of a transient ischemic attack (TIA), also known as a mini-stroke, is one thing; acting on them is quite another. Cliff Christian, Director of Government Affairs for the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association, found this out the hard way when he suffered his first TIA in 2010. Christian had his first TIA while driving to work. He felt some confusion, slight vision problems and weakness for a brief period of time. Christian pulled over and once the symptoms passed, continued on to work. It wasn’t u...
The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services has confirmed the first case of Hantavirus infection in a Montana resident in 2013. The individual is expected to make a full recovery. The resident of Deer Lodge County is believed to have come into contact with the virus while cleaning an area that had been contaminated by rodents. This case is one of 36 Hantavirus infection cases reported in Montana since 1993. Montana typically sees one to two cases a year, making Montana second only to New Mexico in the number of cases per 100,000...
The Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) is encouraging Montanans to become vigilant about learning the signs and symptoms of heart attack and stroke during national Heart Health Month in February. DPHHS officials say that taking steps to learn about cardiovascular disease and the need to take immediate action by calling 9-11 can save lives. According to DPHHS Director Richard Opper, cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in Montana. “Chances are you know someone who has been affected by cardiovascular d...
This is the 30th anniversary of Montanans participation in the BRFSS. According to DPHHS health officials, the survey takes about 20 minutes and topics include safety issues such as seatbelt use, health care access and insurance coverage, and health knowledge and beliefs. According to DPHHS Director Richard Opper, the information collected helps the state set health priorities and develop strategic plans for health improvement and disease prevention for Montana’s citizens. “We really appreciate the public’s participation in the surve...
Don “Babe” Weinberger and his wife Eloise wish they had known then what they know now: how to recognize a stroke. Eleven years ago a stroke changed Don’s life. He is a former truck driver and mechanic who raised three sons and a daughter on the Fort Peck Reservation. For Don, and for many survivors of stroke, recovery continues for the rest of his life. Half of the people who suffer a stroke are moderately to severely impaired, according to the National Stroke Association. “Still have a tough time with my right side,” Don says. But Don’s main f...
Local and state public health officials are reporting an increase in influenza activity and reminding all Montanans that it is not too late to vaccinate – get your influenza vaccine today! “Influenza season typically peaks in February and can last as late as May,” says Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services Director Anna Whiting Sorrell. “We are encouraging people who have not yet been vaccinated to get vaccinated now.” Each year, millions of people are infected with influenza, more than 200,000 people are hospitali...
Local and state public health officials are reporting an increase in influenza activity and reminding all Montanans that it is not too late to vaccinate – get your influenza vaccine today! “Influenza season typically peaks in February and can last as late as May,” says Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services Director Anna Whiting Sorrell. “We are encouraging people who have not yet been vaccinated to get vaccinated now.” Each year, millions of people are infected with influenza, more than 200,000 people are hospitali...
Diabetes affects nearly 26 million Americans and an estimated 79 million adults are at risk for developing the disease. In Montana, diabetes affects more than 62,000 adults. It is estimated that 270,000 adult Montanans have pre-diabetes, which is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes can be prevented or onset delayed by lifestyle changes. The Montana Diabetes Project and National Diabetes Education Program (NDEP) are Changing the Way Diabetes is Treated by working together to help people better understand how to make the necessary...
