The Division of Public Health (DPH) is announcing their youth-led #MyReasonWhyDE annual celebration. The public is cordially invited to attend this annual celebration on Thursday, September 28, 2023 at the Delaware Contemporary, located at 200 S. Madison St. in Wilmington. Doors open at 6 P.M.; event starts at 6:30 P.M. 

The #MyReasonWhy campaign is part of DPH’s long-term strategy to work with partner organizations in the community and state, such as school systems, to promote resilience and positive messaging. The campaign asks Delaware youth to make short Public Service Announcement (PSA) videos that promote the positive aspects of their lives that keep them happy, healthy and drug-free engaged citizens.

This red carpet event will include:

• A screening of dozens of Delaware youth-created PSAs 
• A chance to film your own #MyReasonWhyDE PSA in the video booth 
• Pictures on the red carpet 
• Special recognition for outstanding #MyReasonWhyDE partners 

Come out and enjoy an evening that promotes personal advocacy to make the world a safer place! There will be free food for the first 50 guests. Groups are welcome.​

#MyReasonWhy is a community collective PSA campaign, a prevention tool and a peer-to-peer messaging program all mixed into one. #MyReasonWhy participants are led to identify their own protective factors, balance those factors against the risk of substance abuse and then learn to activate their power of influence by creating peer-to-peer personal PSA videos, proclaiming their “Reason Why” they choose not to use drugs, that can then be shared to inspire others through social media. For more information, visit www.MyReasonWhyDE.com.

DOVER – Tuesday, leaders from the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) joined partner community agencies for a community response briefing to provide the latest information regarding the state’s efforts to address disparities in outcomes related to Substance Use Disorder and Opioid Use Disorder for minority and vulnerable populations.

Organized by the DHSS Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health (DSAMH), these quarterly briefings aim to inform the public about the State’s ongoing work to reduce overdoses and respond to the opioid epidemic.

The event was championed by Delaware Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long, Chair of the Behavioral Health Consortium, PhD, RN.

“As Delaware combats the opioid epidemic, we must do so through an equity and inclusion lens so no one is left behind. A behavioral health system that works for everyone prioritizes culturally competent treatment and services, accessible care that meets folks where they are, and holistic support that addresses the social determinants of health,” Lt. Governor Hall-Long said. “As part of the Behavioral Health Consortium, we’ve worked with countless community partners on the ground and I’m so appreciative of their tireless dedication to reaching residents at a critical time of need with services and support. This is difficult work, but it’s through these partnerships, in collaboration with state agency leaders, that we can truly stem the tide of this crisis.”

DSAMH Director Joanna Champney began the briefing and provided information on her office’s efforts to align its resources to support the communities that are increasingly affected by Substance Use Disorder after a 7% increase in drug deaths among Black and African Americans in Delaware last year. As part of the strategy to address the rising disparity, DSAMH announced awardees under a new health equity mini grant program. The grant program enables providers to develop strategies for engaging a more diverse consumer profile. Projects range from client outcome data analysis to conducting focus groups and adopting cultural and linguistic adjustments to behavioral health services.

Sequoia Rent, Bureau Chief, Bureau of Health Equity, Division of Public Health, highlighted the work of DPH’s mobile health units which help vulnerable and hard-to-reach communities access services. Several DPH offices, in partnership with community stakeholders, are also collaborating through a working group to create a statewide strategy to reduce overdose and drug-related harms. This harm reduction initiative is the support between prevention and treatment.

Sandra Baptiste, Executive Assistant Director, Love and Hope Rescue Mission, shared how her organization is conducting a community needs assessment to understand the Haitian Creole community’s specific needs and barriers to care to inform the development of culturally and linguistically appropriate programs and services. Love and Hope Rescue Mission is continuing its educational initiatives with focus group discussions, outreach efforts, and the distribution of essential resources like Narcan kits.

Dr. Keith Pettiford, New Castle County (DE) National Pan-Hellenic Council – President, shared that his organization has implemented and supported programs connecting with hundreds of community members of all ages. The Panhellenic Council is comprised of Black Fraternities and Sororities. Seminars, group sessions, community outreach and other activities by the Council brought forth significant opportunities to engage with individuals and families to understand their needs around substance use treatment and information on opioid use disorder.

Dr. Aisha Lord Ryan, MSPT, DPT, CMTPT, Owner and Director, ALL Therapy, spoke about how her physical therapy practice is using the funds to promote strategies for management of opioid misuse for vulnerable populations. Strategies will be implemented with existing patients and through community outreach.

Marco Brown, DSAMH Workforce Development and Education Unit Coordinator, discussed training that the state will offer to providers on how to minimize disparities in underserved populations and communities throughout the State by reducing cultural and linguistic barriers. The training will include access to an organizational self-assessment to help providers identify areas for improvement within their organization.

Ericka Taylor-Daniel, MSN, APRN, PMHNP-BC, FNP-C, CARN-AP, A Peaceful Place Integrated Care, highlighted how her practice in Dover provides primary care, mental health care and substance use disorder treatment. Her office team is focused on creating a safe space for all patients, but particularly patients from racially diverse communities and patients who identify as LGTBQIA+, to receive medication for opiate use disorders.

DHSS Secretary Josette Manning closed the program with a call to action.

“We recognize it is critical that we come together, with as many partners at the table as possible, to address the opioid epidemic and the concerning spike in opioid use and opioid related drug poisonings among Black and African Americans in Delaware,” Secretary Manning said. “Through the mini grants that have been awarded by the Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health, DHSS is making a strong statement that we are seeking to diversify and expand our partnerships. DHSS looks forward to working with our health equity grantees to better understand how we can improve service delivery to communities of color.”

To help address behavioral health needs of Delawareans, DHSS has several ways for individuals or their family members to connect:

• Call the 24/7 Delaware Hope Line at 1-833-9-HOPEDE or 1-833-946-7333 – a single point of contact in which callers can connect to a variety of resources and information, including support from clinicians and peer specialists plus crisis assistance.

• Stop by one of DHSS’ Bridge Clinics for an in-person assessment.

• Visit TreatmentConnection.com to find out which treatment providers are located near you.

• Visit HelpIsHereDE.com, DHSS’ one-stop website where Delawareans can search for treatment services and resources in Delaware or nearby states.

• Call 988 if the individual is in crisis and needs immediate support.

• Call 911 if someone has overdosed and needs emergency medical attention.

• Learn where to find Narcan training, get the medication through the mail, and download the OpiRescueDE App here.

Broken bones, head injuries and temporary or permanent disabilities can result from falls. The Delaware Coalition for Injury Prevention’s Falls Prevention Team encourages Delawareans to prevent such mishaps.

Governor John Carney and Lieutenant Governor Bethany Hall-Long proclaimed September 18-22, 2023 as Falls Prevention Awareness Week in accordance with the nationally recognized observance.

“It’s important that we look out for our neighbors and create communities that are safe for Delawareans of all ages,” said Governor Carney. “We can take steps to reduce the risk of falling in public spaces by repairing sidewalks, installing curb cuts and ramp access, and removing hazards from walkways. I want to thank DHSS and the Delaware Coalition for Injury Prevention for their efforts to keep our seniors safe.”

Falls occur among persons of all ages, though young children and seniors are most at risk for fall-related traumatic brain injuries in the United States. Traumatic brain injuries lead to major life changes for individuals and their families. In the U.S., falls are the leading cause of trauma-related hospitalizations among adults aged 65 and older, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  Falls are the most common cause of traumatic brain injuries for older adults and young children and cause over 95% of hip fractures in the United States.

In Delaware in 2022, there were 2,954 falls among individuals aged 65 and older, and 568 of them resulted in a head injury, according to the Division of Public Health.

“A fall can change the course of someone’s life, impacting mobility, functionality and independence,” said Lt. Governor Hall-Long, PhD, RN. “But no matter your age, there are steps you can take to stay safe and healthy. As a nurse, I know that balance classes are a great resource to increase coordination, balance, strength and flexibility. Thank you to Delaware Coalition for Injury Prevention’s Falls Prevention Team for shedding light on this important topic and sharing the steps we all can take – businesses, organizations, churches and schools – to make our communities and ourselves safe.”

A Matter of Balance^© classes are held in communities throughout the state. Call Volunteer Delaware 50+ at 302-515-3020 or Bayhealth at 302-744-7135 for a schedule. ChristianaCare offers BingoCize, an evidence-based fall prevention program integrating Bingo and exercise, and the ThinkFirst to Prevent Falls^© program, which addresses home modifications, medications, balance, healthy eating and other strategies to prevent falls. These classes are available in person and virtually at no cost. To schedule these programs and obtain more information, contact injuryprevention@christianacare.org.

On September 21 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., the Falls Prevention Team will join the University of Delaware Physical Therapy Department at the Mid-County Center Health Fair. They will conduct fall prevention screenings and wheelchair, cane, and rolling walker checks, and share falls prevention awareness resources. The center is located at First Regiment Rd., Sherwood Park II, Wilmington Delaware, 19808.  For more information about the health fair, visit https://midcountyseniorcenter.org/ or write to info@midcountyseniorcenter.org.

Adults of all ages should visit their health care provider annually to review medications and physical activity levels, and to get a falls risk assessment.  Adults, especially seniors and those using wheelchairs and walkers, should have annual vision and hearing exams to reduce their risk of falling.  If canes and walkers are currently used, the provider can ensure their proper fit.

Adopting healthy behaviors is especially important. Eating nutritious foods and beverages, staying hydrated, exercising regularly and getting appropriate sleep all contribute to maintaining a healthy body and reducing falls risk. In addition, wear shoes in good condition with proper fit, tread and support to aid in ambulation. Individuals at risk of falls should wear shoes that fit around their feet with no open backs to avoid falling out of them.

At home, keep homes, yards, and public areas clutter-free to reduce tripping hazards. Install grab bars in key areas such as stairs and bathrooms. Use motion-activated night lights and keep walkways and parking areas well lit. Do not let pets get underfoot; teach them basic commands like “sit” and “stay.”

Businesses, organizations, churches and schools can reduce falls with these steps:

• Maintain walkways to ensure a smooth surface without crumbling or splintered surfaces.  Remove snow, ice, rain, wet moss, leaves, oil, and other slippery conditions.
• Have walkways include curb cuts, ramps, and slopes that meet state and local safety codes and the guidelines provided by the Americans with Disabilities Act.  Curb cuts, tactile surface pavers, slopes, contrasting colors, and other universal design elements benefit everyone, especially individuals with disabilities who use walkers and wheelchairs, those pushing strollers, and those who cannot see well or easily lift their feet onto the curb.

• • Provide designated parking for people with mobility challenges.
• Install handrails, ramps, and automatic doors and keep them free of hazards.
• Use entrance mats with flat and secured edges that do not curl up.  Absorbent floor mats catch rain and snow at entrances and spilled drinks at food establishments.

To learn more about falls and falls prevention, refer to the CDC’s Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths and Injuries (STEADI) rogram at https://www.cdc.gov/steadi/index.html and the National Council on Aging at https://www.ncoa.org/page/falls-prevention-awareness-week-toolkit. 

For falls data, visit the Delaware Trauma System Registry at https://dhss.delaware.gov/dph/ems/trauma.html.

The updated COVID-19 vaccines will soon be available at pharmacies, health care providers, state public health clinics, federally qualified health centers, and other facilities. Vaccination will be available free for everyone through one of three methods. Those covered under most private or government insurance plans can receive the vaccine at various pharmacies or providers throughout the state with the cost fully covered by insurance. For those who are uninsured or underinsured, vaccinations will be available at federally qualified health centers (FQHCs), public health clinics, local pharmacies, and certain providers via the State of Delaware’s Immunization Program and at Walgreens, CVS and pharmacies affiliated with the ETrueNorth pharmacy network through the federal government’s Bridge Access Program.  Additionally, children who currently participate in the CDC’s Vaccines for Children Program will also be able to receive free COVID-19 updated vaccines where they receive their routine vaccinations.  A full listing of vaccine locations will be posted on www.vaccines.gov as they become available.  

The FDA has outlined the following brief guidelines for the updated COVID-19 vaccines to simplify the questions regarding whom should receive the vaccine and when:

• Individuals 5 years of age and older regardless of previous vaccination are eligible to receive a single dose of an updated mRNA COVID-19 vaccine at least 2 months since the last dose of any COVID-19 vaccine.
• Individuals 6 months through 4 years of age who have previously been vaccinated against COVID-19 are eligible to receive one or two doses of an updated mRNA COVID-19 vaccine (timing and number of doses to administer depends on the previous COVID-19 vaccine received).
• Unvaccinated individuals 6 months through 4 years of age are eligible to receive three doses of the updated authorized Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine or two doses of the updated authorized Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine.

As we approach the fall and winter seasons, the Division of Public Health (DPH) reminds everyone to take the appropriate measures to protect themselves and those around them from all respiratory illnesses including RSV and flu. To learn more about all available vaccines for your age group and health conditions and the appropriate timing and recommendations, please consult your healthcare provider or visit a public health clinic.  

The four general guidelines for staying safe this fall and winter include:

1. Get vaccinated when eligible for any and all illnesses where available and recommended by a provider.
2. Stay home if sick with any illness.  Get tested if you have COVID-19 symptoms or were exposed to someone with COVID-19.
3. Inquire about treatment for COVID-19 or other illnesses if you are sick.
4. Consider wearing a mask in crowded indoor places, as cases rise, or if you or a family member are at higher risk for serious illness.

To learn more, visit de.gov/coronavirus and de.gov/covidvaccine.

The Delaware Public Health Laboratory (DPHL) has identified this year’s first human cases of West Nile Virus (WNV) in three men 50 years of age and older, all of whom reside in New Castle County. All three individuals who contracted WNV were hospitalized due to infection from the mosquito-borne illness. At this time, it appears that each WNV victim is likely to have contracted the disease locally, but a public health investigation is ongoing, the Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) announced today.  

In response to the human WNV cases discovered this month, the DPH and Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) will increase mosquito population surveillance efforts in the vicinity of the infected individuals’ residences. Dependent on further findings, DNREC’s Mosquito Control Section in partnership with DPH may also conduct local control operations to try and prevent further WNV human transmissions. The agencies also note that the occurrence of the state’s three human cases coincides with an increase in WNV activity in the Mosquito Control Section’s sentinel chicken monitoring program, with the uptick in infected chickens typical for this time of year.

WNV is a mosquito-borne illness that can cause serious health problems. WNV is transmitted by mosquitoes, generally in summer and fall, with a peak period for disease transmissions from mid-August to mid-October. Nearly 80 percent or four in five people infected with WNV will not become ill. While only a little less than 20 percent of those infected with the virus will develop West Nile fever with mild symptoms (fever, headache, body aches, a skin rash on the chest or back and swollen lymph glands), one in 150 people infected will develop severe infection (West Nile encephalitis or meningitis).   

Symptoms of severe WNV infection include headache, high fever, stiff neck, and/or tremors and muscle weakness. The elderly and those with weakened immune systems are most at risk. Anyone who experiences any of these severe symptoms should seek medical help immediately. Symptoms may progress to stupor, disorientation, coma, convulsions, paralysis and possibly death.  

The mosquitoes that cause WNV bite primarily from dusk (evening) to dawn (morning). However, other mosquitoes that transmit diseases such as chikungunya, dengue fever and Zika can bite during the day. Applying insect repellent for personal protection is important whenever going outdoors. Wearing light-colored, long-sleeved shirts and pants is also recommended as a deterrent against mosquito bites. DPH and the DNREC Mosquito Control Section also advise reducing outdoor activities that can cause heavy breathing or excessive perspiration, not wearing perfumes or colognes, and using mosquito repellents that may contain the ingredients DEET or Picaridin in accordance with product label instructions. Additionally, Delaware residents and landowners should eliminate an unneeded standing water on their property that might exist for four or more consecutive days and that acts as mosquito breeding habitat.

To report suspected cases of human WNV, call the Division of Public Health Office of Infectious Disease Epidemiology toll-free at 888-295-5156.   

For information on mosquito control operations in Delaware, including contact information to request residential control service for biting mosquitoes, visit https://dnrec.alpha.delaware.gov/fish-wildlife/mosquito-control/. 

For more information on West Nile Virus, visit https://dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dph/epi/wnv.html. 

For more information on what you can do to prevent West Nile Virus, visit the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention’s website, www.cdc.gov/westnile/prevention/index.html.