Public Health Newsletter - February 2019Public Health Newsletter - February 2019
Marin County Public Health Newsletter Volume 7 - Issue 2 - February 2019
In this Issue: Measles | Celebrating Diversity | Shelter | Pertussis | Child Health | Message from the Deputy Public Health Officer
A message to physicians and other health care providers from Marin County's Public Health Officer.
Measles
Measles continues to circulate in much of the world. Airport travel can pose a risk for exposure to measles. While recent measles outbreaks in other states have sparked concern, Californians are not at significant risk for measles unless they travel to Clark County. While providers should consider measles in patients with fever and a descending rash, measles is unlikely in the absence of contact with a confirmed case of measles or a history of travel or exposure to travelers. The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has issued new guidance for measles testing.
All for One & Fun for All!
This year, the Marin County Fair was recognized nationally by the Western Fairs Association (WFA) for celebrating the diverse cultures of our county. The Global Stage showcased community performers' artistic interpretations and expressions of the "All for One & Fun for All!" theme. The fair also hosted an International Festival of Short Film and Video, culinary contests, including a Recetas Latinas Contest for Latino foods, and an Out at the Fair day for Marin County's LGBTQ+ community.
Severe Weather Emergency Shelter Plan Update
Marin Health & Human Services (HHS) is the primary funder of 165 of Marin's 190 year-round emergency shelter beds. After a decade, the Rotating Emergency Shelter Team (REST), which provided 60 additional winter emergency shelter beds, ended in April 2018. This season, HHS developed a Severe Weather Emergency Shelter (SWES) plan to open emergency shelter beds when cold-weather conditions increase the risk of hypothermia-related morbidity and mortality for residents who are unsheltered. This winter season, we have activated the SWES plan four times and provided seven nights of shelter at the Health & Wellness Campus. Watch this video to see what we are doing about Homelessness. Visit this website to read what we are doing about Homelessness.
Pertussis Update
Since 2018, there has been an outbreak of pertussis (aka whooping cough) in Marin County. Outbreaks commonly occur every 3 to 5 years. Compared to 44 cases of pertussis in 2017, Marin County had 249 reported cases in 2018. As of January 2019, there were 18 confirmed cases of pertussis in Marin County. Visit Marin HHS' Communicable Disease Prevention and Control's Pertussis Update for more information.
Public Health Program Spotlight: Child Health & Disability Prevention Program
The Child Health & Disability Prevention (CHDP) program is a preventive program that delivers periodic health assessments and services to low-income children and youth in California. In 2016, the CHDP adopted the American Academy of Pediatrics' (AAP) Bright Futures recommendations for pediatric preventive healthcare. CHDP providers are now required to provide developmental screenings at 9 month, 18 month, and 24 or 30 month well-child exams. Health promotion and anticipatory guidance, disease prevention, and early detection of disease contribute to a lifetime of positive health outcomes.
Message from the Deputy Public Health Officer
Last year, HHS released our new Strategic Plan to Achieve Health & Wellness Equity. In partnership with the community, HHS will be amplifying its work, addressing key conditions that help drive, maintain, or worsen racial inequities. One indication of success on this front will be decreased exposure to trauma and increased resilience. By incorporating trauma-informed approaches to care, health care providers can more effectively care for patients and improve health. The first step of trauma-informed practice is recognizing how common trauma is and asking, "What happened to you?" rather than "What's wrong with you?" (which is not necessarily natural for professionals who start documentation with the "chief complaint"). Learn more about Trauma-Informed Care by visiting the Trauma-Informed Care Implementation Resource Center.
o measles. While recent measles outbreaks in other states have sparked concern, Californians are not at significant risk for measles unless they travel to Clark County. While providers should consider measles in patients with fever and a descending rash, measles is unlikely in the absence of contact with a confirmed case of measles or a history of travel or exposure to travelers. The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has issued 
Association (WFA) for celebrating the diverse cultures of our county. The Global Stage showcased community performers' artistic interpretations and expressions of the "All for One & Fun for All!" theme. The fair also hosted an International Festival of Short Film and Video, culinary contests, including a Recetas Latinas Contest for Latino foods, and an Out at the Fair day for Marin County's LGBTQ+ community.
ergency shelter beds. After a decade, the Rotating Emergency Shelter Team (REST), which provided 60 additional winter emergency shelter beds, ended in April 2018. This season, HHS developed a Severe Weather Emergency Shelter (SWES) plan to open emergency shelter beds when cold-weather conditions increase the risk of hypothermia-related morbidity and mortality for residents who are unsheltered. This winter season, we have activated the SWES plan four times and provided seven nights of shelter at the Health & Wellness Campus. 
018, there has been an outbreak of pertussis (aka whooping cough) in Marin County. Outbreaks commonly occur every 3 to 5 years. Compared to 44 cases of pertussis in 2017, Marin County had 249 reported cases in 2018. As of January 2019, there were 18 confirmed cases of pertussis in Marin County. Visit Marin HHS' 
essments and services to low-income children and youth in California. In 2016, the CHDP adopted the American Academy of Pediatrics' (AAP) 
Last year, HHS released our new 
