Public Health Matters Blog

In Case You Missed It: Top 10 Posts From 2017

In honor of the New Year, we are rounding up the blogs that were most viewed by you, our readers, in 2017. America’s Hidden Health Crisis: Hope for Those Who Suffer from ME/CFS Public Health Matters recognized the 25th anniversary of International Awareness Day for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) and Fibromyalgia. Between 825,000 Read More >

January 8, 2018 by Blog Administrator2 Comments

Flu, Foodborne, Injury, Natural Disasters, Preparedness, Prevention/Vaccination, Public Health, Waterborne

chronic disease, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, college, contact lens, COPEWELL, diarrhea, disease detective, drug overdose, epidemiology, flu, healthy and safe swimming week, Heart disease, John Snow, kit, Norovirus, opioid, pets, preparedness, swimming

Beware of Snail Mail: 10 Signs of a Suspicious Package

Cardboard boxes on a conveyor belt in a warehouse.

If you are anything like me, you love getting mail. There is something about opening the mailbox to find a postcard from a loved one or a care-package with homemade cookies that can make your day. But not all packages are filled with love. Sometimes people send items and materials through the mail that are Read More >

December 14, 2017 by Jerzell Black, Operation Coordinator, CDC Office of Safety, Security, and Asset Management2 Comments

Preparedness, Response

mail, package, preparedness, safety, suspicious package

Norovirus Illness is Messy – Clean Up Right Away

Hand in pink protective glove wiping tiles with rag in the bathroom.

When norovirus strikes in your own home, you can be prepared by having the supplies you need to immediately clean up after a loved one vomits or has diarrhea. Norovirus is a tiny germ that spreads quickly and easily. It causes vomiting and diarrhea that come on suddenly. A very small amount of norovirus can make Read More >

December 4, 2017 by Blog Administrator3 Comments

Disease Outbreak, Prevention/Vaccination

diarrhea, food safety, handwashing, Norovirus, vomit

Rural America in Crisis: The Changing Opioid Overdose Epidemic

An aerial view of Poconos, Monroe County, Pennsylvania, USA.

In America, 15 out of 100 people live in a rural area. I loved growing up in a rural community, where there were actually no stop lights, everyone knew their neighbors, and doors were always open. But, my years of working in public health has taught me rural areas are not that different from urban Read More >

November 28, 2017 by Rita Noonan, PhD4 Comments

Injury, Prevention/Vaccination, Public Health

drug overdose, fentanyl, heroin, opioid, opioid overdose, overdose, prescription opioids, rural, unintentional injury

ABCs of Viral Hepatitis

Children playing chess with grandparents

Viral hepatitis is the term that describes inflammation of the liver that is caused by a virus. There are actually five types of hepatitis viruses; each one is named after a letter in the alphabet: A, B, C, D and E. The most common types of viral hepatitis are A, B and C. These three Read More >

November 20, 2017 by Blog AdministratorLeave a comment

Prevention/Vaccination, Public Health

Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Liver Cancer, Liver Disease, Liver Failure, Viral Hepatitis

Preparing to quit: 10 tips to help you quit smoking

Each year, on the third Thursday of November, the American Cancer Society encourages smokers to quit during the Great American Smokeout. Most people who smoke want to quit, but they also know quitting is hard…it can take several attempts to succeed. Here are some tips to help you quit for good: Find Your Reason to Read More >

November 13, 2017 by Crystal Bruce, MPH2 Comments

Public Health

cessation, cigarettes, Great American Smokeout, quitting, smoking, tobacco

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