Public Health Newsletter - July 2024Public Health Newsletter - July 2024
Marin County Public Health Newsletter - July 2024
In this Issue: Back to School Vaccines | Wildfire Smoke | Sidewalk CPR | Summer COVID-19 Surge | Gun Safety | UV Protection | Message from the Public Health Officer
A message to physicians and other health care providers from Marin County's Public Health Officers.
Back to School Vaccines
Last year, Marin County childhood vaccination rates were among the highest in the state. This reflects the successful partnership between local public health and healthcare providers, to reverse a history of preventable outbreaks and lower than state-average vaccination rates. California law requires students receive certain immunizations before attending school or childcare. Providers should continue support families to stay up to date on vaccines ahead of the new school year. Resources are available on the ShotsforSchool webpage. In addition to required vaccines, protection against other vaccine-preventable diseases is recommended. This includes human papillomavirus (HPV) a leading cause of preventable cancer.
Wildfire Smoke
Wildfire smoke in Northern California has been linked to premature deaths. A recent UCLA study estimated that wildfire smoke in California contributed to 52,000 premature deaths between 2008 and 2018. Additionally, a study found that wildfire smoke is linked to an increased risk of dementia. The Park Fire, about 180 miles north of Marin, continues to burn. While current local air quality is good, this can change as winds shift. Residents can track air quality at Air Now and should take protective measures if air quality worsens. On smoky days, for those who cannot avoid being outdoors, wearing a well-fitted N-95 type mask is one simple and effective measure.
Sidewalk CPR
Marin County Public Health, Emergency Medical Services, and the Marin Medical Reserve Corps are partnering in the annual sidewalk CPR event on Saturday August 17th from 10 am to 2 pm. The event is held at multiple locations throughout Marin simultaneously and offers the public free training on Hands-Only CPR, Stop the Bleed, how to use an AED, and Narcan administration. In last year’s event, over 1000 people were trained across 13 sites. Clinicians can post this flyer to invite patients, friends and family to this fun, free, potentially lifesaving training.
Summer COVID-19 Surge & Masking
On July 30, Marin County Public Health issued a Public Health Advisory signaling ongoing high rates of COVID-19 transmission and severe illness in our community. July has seen the highest number of COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths of any month in 2024. Marin Public Health recommends masking in high-risk settings, including hospitals and nursing homes, vaccinating residents aged 65 or older who have not received a vaccine in over six months, and treating older residents diagnosed with COVID-19.
Gun Violence and Public Health
Last month, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy declared gun violence a national public health crisis. Local physicians, including the San Francisco Marin Medical Society have advocated for gun safety research, supported physicians’ rights to discuss firearm safety, and promoted policies to reduce suicide by requiring safe storage of firearms. Gun safety and suicide prevention are strongly linked—in Marin County more people die from suicide involving a firearm than from homicides. The Marin County Suicide Prevention Collaborative has established Lethal Means Action Team. and welcomes physician participation and input.
UV Protection Especially Important in Marin
Marin County has among the highest rates of melanoma in California. This is consistent with other communities with active outdoor recreation, higher than average days of sunlight, and a high proportion of white residents of older age. Summer is in full swing and clinicians can support skin health by reminding patients of protective measures, as recommended by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.
Message from the Public Health Officer
We recognize that as clinicians your offices are flooded with guidance and recommendations for supporting patient health. Our goal is to provide you with the local angle on any given topic, to help you sift among competing priorities in your medical practice. For each topic, we try to provide Marin specific data for practical and actionable local guidance. Please do not hesitate to offer suggestions for topics for future newsletters.
Requests for disability accommodations may be made by phoning (415) 473-4381 (Voice), CA Relay 711 or by e-mail at DisabilityAccess@MarinCounty.org. Copies of documents are available in alternative formats, upon request.
Our mailing address is:
3240 Kerner Blvd
San Rafael, CA 94901
Last year, Marin County childhood vaccination rates were among the highest in the state. This reflects the successful partnership between local public health and healthcare providers, to reverse a history of preventable outbreaks and lower than state-average vaccination rates. California law requires students receive certain immunizations before attending school or childcare. Providers should continue support families to stay up to date on vaccines ahead of the new school year. Resources are available on the 
Marin County Public Health, Emergency Medical Services, and the 
We recognize that as clinicians your offices are flooded with guidance and recommendations for supporting patient health. Our goal is to provide you with the local angle on any given topic, to help you sift among competing priorities in your medical practice. For each topic, we try to provide Marin specific data for practical and actionable local guidance. Please do not hesitate to offer suggestions for topics for future newsletters.
