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ODICR July Quiz
This July, we remember the 31st Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, celebrate Disability Pride Month, and acknowledge all of the work that is left to be done to ensure our community is inclusive and universally accessible.
This month you can test your knowledge on the ADA and Disability Rights, research and read up on information that is new to you, and share this quiz with others! Take the quiz here: https://www.brooklinema.gov/1514/Community-Quiz
Your name will be entered to win a Raffle prize at the end of the year if you score a 10/10!
If you would like to learn more about the Brookline Commission on Disability and current projects you can visit: https://www.brooklinema.gov/512/Brookline-Commission-on-Disability
FRIENDS OF BROOKLINE PUBLIC HEALTH
Public Health in Brookline is much more than a one-week celebration. Support local public health, get involved - join the Friends of Brookline Public Health.
If you are interested in becoming a member, fill out an application today!
More information: Lynne Karsten: lkarsten@brooklinema.gov
Past Public Health Forums
Get the Facts/Get the Vax: Vaccine Hesitancy & Myths | April 7, 2021
Adult Mental Health in the time of COVID-19 | March 24, 2021
BAT SEASON
We are approaching bat season in Brookline. If you have captured a bat in your home, rabies testing is available. The Brookline Department of Public Health is collecting bats which will be submitted to the state laboratory for analysis. Our staff will notify you with the results; results are reported as soon as possible but could be delayed during ongoing response to COVID-19. Instructions to submit a bat for testing (PDF)
More About Marijuana” Campaign Highlights Risks of Consuming Illicit Vaping Products
HEALTH ALERT: MARIJUANA, VAPING & COVID-19
With Phase 1 of Massachusetts’ reopening of businesses and services, recreational marijuana stores are being allowed to open. This could mean greater access for teens, who may not realize that even occasional marijuana smoking and vaping can compromise lungs and increase susceptibility and complications from COVID. Vaping has been especially problematic during the closure, which has caused an upswing in black market cartridges, which can be especially dangerous due to unregulated chemicals. At least one Brookline teen has gone to the hospital with a very severe reaction from vaping.
CNN has done a recent informative piece - https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/10/health/smoking-weed-coronavirus-wellness/index.html
PLEASE VISIT BROOKLINECOVID19.COM
Population Health
Greetings!
I’ve been asked many times what population health is. Wikipedia defines it as “the health outcomes of a group of individuals, including the distribution of such outcomes within the group." It is in essence, a strategic plan to improve the health of the entire population.
Health is a dynamic state of complete physical, mental, spiritual, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. (WHO, 1998) Public Health is “What we, as a society, do collectively to assure the conditions in which people can be healthy." (IOM 1988).
Public Health
- Prevents epidemics and the spread of disease
- Prevents injuries
- Promotes and encourages healthy behavior
- Responds to disasters
- Assures the quality and accessibility of Health Services
“Population health is public health”
- A medical model saves lives one person at a time
- Public Health saves lives millions at a time.
Through public health achievements life expectancy in the United States has increased from 47.3 years in 1900 to 78.1 years in 1996. That’s a 25+ years of life improvement.
Additional Information
Dr. Swannie Jett, Health Commissioner of Public Health, asks that you contact the Brookline Health Department at 617-730-2300 with any questions or requests for additional information.