“Emotional and Connected”: The Role of Community Health Workers in Promoting Immunization
Submitted By: Leigh Wallis, MPH, Adult Immunization Health Educator, Washington State Department of Health
With 40 learning sessions and trainings at the conference, there were many opportunities to connect and learn from one another. Here’s a sneak peek into a learning session on the hot topic of immunizations and what it means for CHWs. Department of Health (DOH) Flu Health Educator Barry Iverson and 2018 Washington CDC Childhood Immunization Champion Dr. John Merrill-Steskal co-presented on the importance of flu vaccination. They shared general information, gave advice on how community health workers can talk to their clients, and answered lots of questions. Barry also spoke at the final day's plenary session along with Assistant Secretary of Health Lacy Fehrenbach about vaccine hesitancy and shared multilingual resources that support community health workers and their clients. Adult Immunizations Educational Manual One such resource is the second edition of the educational manual, The Importance of Adult Immunizations, available in both English (PDF) and Spanish (PDF). Find the manual on the DOH website. This manual can be used to educate in groups or individually about the importance of adult immunizations and the diseases they prevent. It’s colorful and easy to understand! It’s designed to be printed and used as a flipbook with clients. The Columba Fernandez, DOH Child Profile Health Educator, gave me a brief history of how the original Spanish version of the manual came about. The first edition (Spanish only) was released in 2012 and was a collaborative effort between DOH, the Washington Association for Community Health, health promoters/CHWs of Sea Mar Community and Family Health Centers of Okanogan County, and Health Center of Skagit County. The booklet proved to be very popular, garnering thousands of web views a year. So in 2018, I collaborated with Columba to create the new English version by request. The Spanish version was also updated at this time. We hope the manuals will help health promoters and CHWs educate the public and communities on the important health topic of adult immunizations. ‘Emotional and Connected’: Thoughts from the Conference Barry Iverson, a presenter and first-timer at the conference, shared his thoughts with me on attending the 2019 conference, what CHWs think about vaccine hesitancy, and why he thinks CHWs are important. What are your thoughts about this year’s conference? What was most meaningful to you? Barry: “This was my first time attending the CHW conference and I must say that I was blown away by how emotional and connected people were. I had a great time connecting with people and gaining a new perspective on just how passionate community health workers are about their work and their communities. It was a wonderful conference to experience.” What do CHWs think about vaccine hesitancy in general? Barry: “In general, CHWs were very receptive to the growing concern over vaccine hesitancy, mainly due to the recent measles outbreak. Many of them expressed a desire to learn more about successful approaches to the discussion, so it was great to hear their feedback that they are proactively looking for ways to overcome hesitancy.” What are your thoughts on the importance of CHWs and their role in promoting health and vaccines in the community? Barry: “CHWs are an essential resource for connecting with people and establishing trust within their communities. They are respected for what they do and I am hopeful to work more closely with them and continue efforts to educate and provide assistance.” CHWs Are Essential Community health workers are essential to improving the health of Washingtonians. They have a valuable role in helping to reduce barriers to ensure all people in Washington are able to get healthy and stay healthy. They are on the front lines of educating community members on health topics such as immunizations and of course many others. Resources that make it easier to educate about seemingly complex health topics are highly sought after by CHWs. The Importance of Adult Immunizations will help CHWs promote health and vaccines in their communities. If you haven’t been to a Community Health Worker Conference, don’t delay; it’s an opportunity and an experience you don’t want to miss. Like Barry, you will witness how passionate CHWs are about their work and will make connections that transform the way you approach your work. With the spirit of this year’s conference theme in mind, go and be EPIC: Equitable, Passionate, Invested & Collaborative! If you wish to adapt The Importance of Adult Immunizations for your organization, email [email protected]. If you have any questions or comments about the manual, email [email protected]. Past blogsPublic Health and Wikipedia: Your Patients Are Here, Why Aren't You? Submitted By: Ann Glusker, MPH, MLIS, Librarian, University of California, Berkeley (formerly librarian with the National Network of Libraries of Medicine/University of Washington, and epidemiologist with Public Health – Seattle & King County)
First, consider this piece by Dr. James Heilman and others. Titled Wikipedia: A Key Tool for Global Public Health Promotion, it gives information about WikiProject Medicine and talks about Wikipedia’s potential, and how healthcare providers and others can work to improve it. Heilman is a Canadian physician and prolific Wikipedia editor and advocate; he has collaborated widely and creatively, including spearheading the “Wikipedia in a Box” project, which provides communities in developing countries with devices loaded with Wikipedia medical topics in their language, no internet or computer required. Read More
Addressing the Unique Needs of the LGBTQ Community Submitted By: End AIDS Washington Team, Washington State Department of Health
In support of the community, the End AIDS Washington team wants to highlight some of the work around the state to foster and build systems that allow everyone to have fair access and opportunity to be safe, healthy, and free from discrimination. LGBTQ Commission and Reproductive Health Access for All Act Thanks to Washington’s LGBTQ Caucus, the legislature recently passed two bills to advance equity and health. Senate Bill 5356 creates an LGBTQ Commission, seated in the Governor’s office, to work with state agencies to develop and implement policies to address the unique needs of the LGBTQ community. The Reproductive Health Access for All Act continues to strengthen the foundation for equity-driven policy and health care. Senate Bill 5602 advances equity by removing barriers to reproductive health care, by prohibiting health care discrimination on the basis of immigration status or gender identity and improving coverage and access to healthcare that meets the unique needs of LGBTQ persons. Read More
Public Health: What is Happening in Olympia By: Anne Burkland, MPA
House Bill 1074: Last week the Legislature approved prohibiting the sale of cigarettes, tobacco products and vapor products to people under the age of 21. The Governor is expected to sign the bill, and the law will take effect on January 1, 2020.
How You Can Help Create the Healthiest Washington During National Public Health Week By: Heather Thomas, MPA, Public and Government Affairs Manager, Snohomish Health District  National Public Health Week will be celebrated April 1-7, and we want you to join us in recognizing the work of public health all week long. The American Public Health Association (APHA) makes it easy for all of us to participate by developing an annual theme and daily topics. The 2019 theme is “For science. For action. For health.” Come meet with us for networking and discussion on April 3rd before starting your workday for Public Health over Bagels and Coffee from 8:00 – 9:00 at 705 second ave, 6th floor meeting room, Seattle WA. Start giving some thought now for how you—and hopefully your organization—can take part. APHA has created a communications toolkit online, with logos, social media content and fact sheets that you can use. Better yet, look at their framework and see how you can share information, resources or photos of your work around these daily topics... Read page
Investing in the Future of Our Public Health System By: Ian Corbridge, Director of Quality and Performance, Washington State Hospital Association
This said, pivotal moments or crises in our lives often help us reprioritize what is important. My daughter was diagnosed with a serious medical condition after her first birthday. As new parents we were devastated, and we immediately began treatment. Once her care began, we started thinking about her long-term needs. What would she need to be successful? What would happen to our daughter if we, her parents, were no longer around? Faced with mounting challenges, we made the critical decision to invest in our daughter’s future to ensure she has a vibrant and happy life. Read page
Public Health in the New Year By: Ginny Weir, Director, Dr. Robert Bree Collaborative Live Well San Diego By: Nick Macchione, MS, FACHE, Agency Director 
When asked, what is Live Well San Diego? I say it’s all about improving lives. Live Well San Diego is a regional vision that we have adopted, which outlines what we are doing collectively to build better health, live safely and thrive. In County government, it’s our north star that helps guide the provision of housing, health and human services and resources. It’s how we do business and improve the lives of one in three or approximately 1.3 million San Diegans. It all started in 2008. I was the newly promoted director of the County’s Health and Human Services Agency. I was tasked with answering one question: “How do we help over 3 million San Diego residents lead healthier lives?” Seeking solutions was no simple or straightforward task. Complex problems require complex solutions, and in order to create sustainable improvements across a diverse and geographically vast region, we had to seek input representing a range of diverse perspectives in the brainstorming process. Read more.
Let's Talk Immunization By: Mackenzie Melton and Izzy BrandstetterWithinReach Immunization Experts  August 1, 2018Since August is National Immunization Awareness Month, we felt it’s only appropriate to highlight why the rush and overwhelm to immunize, in the summer months especially, are so crucial to maintaining health and wellness among our families and throughout our communities.With children spending the majority of the day together in a classroom during the year, it’s also the optimal breeding ground for many bacteria and viruses that can cause serious illness. Fortunately, a large portion of these illnesses can be prevented through routine immunizations. And for those with pre-existing health conditions that hinder them from being immunized themselves, we vaccinate so that they can be protected from illness, and benefit from community immunity. Read More. Rethinking Our Approach for Urban Indian Studies By Adrian Dominguez, MS and Rose James, PhDUrban Indian Health Institute, Seattle Indian Health Board
Summer Break with or without Hunger
Adverse Childhood Experiences and Public Health
Celebrating National Public Health WeekBy Ginny Weir, MPH, Director, Bree Collaborative  April 1, 2018 Public health is essential to building a healthier Washington and stands on foundational public health services like chronic disease and injury prevention, maternal and child family health, access to clinical care, environmental public health, vital records, and communicable disease control. Although Public health week has already passed, there are still plenty of ways to get involved and advocate for a healthy community. Read more. Legislative Education Day: What Comes Next?By Heather Thomas, MPA, Public & Government Affairs Manager, Snohomish Health District  March 1, 2018On February 7, more than 150 public health ambassadors from around the state gathered in Olympia for our annual WSPHA Legislative Education Day. The morning session kicked off with a welcome from WSPHA president David Reyes, followed by remarks from Secretary of Health John Wiesman. Secretary Wiesman shared his perspectives on a variety of public health issues at the state and federal level. Read more
Legislative Education DayBy Anne Burkland, Government Relations Specialist, Public Health Seattle and King County 
February 1, 2018
Join public health officials from across the state and have your voice heard at our annual legislative education day on February 7, 2018.Your day will begin with Secretary of Health John Wiesman. You’ll also hear from state lawmakers and your colleagues who are leading the charge for more funding dedicated to public health. You’ll be provided talking points and an opportunity to develop and practice the key messages you want your representatives to hear. Read more The Opioid Epidemic in WashingtonBy Ginny Weir, Program Director, Dr. Robert Bree Collaborative  January 1, 2018The opioid epidemic has impacted every community in Washington State. Across the country, opioid overdose is now the leading cause of accidental death. But some counties are hit harder than others and disparities exist between how racial and ethnic groups are burdened with the epidemic. Solutions must be both based in local communities and supported across the state. Our Washington state opioid response plan calls on all of us, state government agencies, local health departments, professional groups, community organizations, health care systems, and others to work together on priority areas. Read more.
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The fifth annual 
We’re all used to thinking of Wikipedia as among the more unreliable of resources—anyone can edit it, right? However, librarians like me and many public health professionals and healthcare providers are starting to have a more nuanced understanding of this widely-used tool. For starters, there is a strong culture of fact-checking, and the use of references means that it’s easy to check out where people are getting their information from; in fact, the quality of medical content is often better, for these two reasons. The title of this post is taken from an article entitled “A Perspective on Wikipedia: Your Students Are Here, Why Aren’t You?” (by Meghan Dowell and Laurie Bridges) and this post hopefully will convince you to at least take a new look at the ubiquitous online encyclopedia.
LGBTQ pride is a celebration of confidence, self-respect, and solidarity as expressed by LGBTQ communities and associated with openness regarding sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. It honors the resilience and strength of LGBTQ communities in the face of historical and systemic oppression.
With just under a month left in the 2019 legislative session, we’ve seen great advances in public health priorities. Below is a sampling of 
Like most Americans, investing and thinking about the future is not easy for me. Investing money now for when I’m 70 is a lot less appealing in the moment than buying a new carbon fiber mountain bike.
’d argue that nearly everything we do falls under the umbrella of public health. From responding to natural disasters to city planning, every sidewalk (or lack thereof), drop of (treated) water, and medical procedure has an effect on our health. Bill Foege, a past Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said this more poetically, “There is no human endeavor that is outside the realm of public health.” This is powerful and inspiring – but also makes telling the story of public health more difficult. How do we talk about public health if everything we do is in fact public health? Who can speak for public health if public health is part of all that we do? 
APHA is the national voice of public health and champions the health of all people and all communities. It is the only organization that combines a nearly 150-year perspective, a broad-based member community and the ability to influence federal policy to improve the public’s health. Learn more at www.apha.org.