Enterovirus D68 Parent and Guardian Update FINAL
Showing posts with label Department of Health. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Department of Health. Show all posts
Sunday, September 21, 2014
Basics on Enterovirus D68 for parents/caregivers
On September 18, DOH Director Dr. Joxel Garcia sent a letter to public school parents about preventing the spread of Enterovirus D68.
The letter is also below. DOH has also shared an easy-to-read and -understand graphic. See below.
Wednesday, August 20, 2014
See the new #ShowOff vid Aug. 23 at RFK!
The Department of Health will premiere the new youth social marketing campaign #ShowOff at the Trillectro Music Festival Saturday, August 23 at Noon at RFK Stadium (2400 East Capitol St NE).
#ShowOff is a youth empowerment campaign that encourages DC youth to show off their talents, interests, and the positive things they do in their homes, schools, and communities through social media and peer-to-peer engagement.
The music video titled, "DC Made Me (ShowOff)" reflects the positive message of being proud of who you are and being young in DC. #ShowOff selected 17 year-old Jason Goolsby a.k.a Kid Kwesi (@IAMJKIDD97) and 15 year-old Demi Stratmon a.k.a Demi the Dancer to record a song and film a music video with a local producer and management company.
Follow #ShowOff on Twitter: @DC_ShowOff.Wednesday, July 2, 2014
Teenage Pregnancy: Does Geography Equal Destiny?
The forum was a result of efforts that started fifteen years ago when a group of local foundations and DC Campaign sponsored a study of teen pregnancy in the District. Since this study was published, the rate of teen pregnancy in DC has sharply decreased. In wards 1 through 6, the total number of teen births dropped by nearly half—from 710 in 1997 to 364 in 2011. In wards 7 and 8, however, the number rose over that period, from 473 to 508. In 2011, data from the Department of Health indicated that Ward 7 had 215 teen births and Ward 8 had 293 births.
Panelists at the forum offered insightful perspectives and comments on the fact that wards 7 and 8 continue to struggle with high teen birth rates. Panelists indicated how a "sexually charged" environment surrounds teenagers from everything from music lyrics to the conversation of their peers. Additionally, a lack of activities plagues the teens in wards 7 and 8. As one pregnant high school student said earlier this year, "Uptown . . . they have . . . activities they can focus their mind more off of sex. I mean, everybody is going to think about sex. But I feel like they can focus their mind on something else."
Additionally, there are gaps in knowledge regarding contraception as well as differing perceptions of risk in wards 7 and 8. Panelists encouraged mothers to talk about love and relationships with their children and to overcome any "awkwardness" that may be a part of the conversation.
To lower teen birth rates in wards 7 and 8, the most recent study conducted in DC suggests the solution is to solve broader, persistent problems, such as broken families, unemployment,and especially the lack of education and various social services. The panelists agreed and recommended a holistic approach that includes female empowerment as a focus. As one panelist stated, "There are some beautiful things and beautiful people east of the river." Helping one another recognize their assets and boost their self-esteem is essential to not only lowering teen birth rates but for also raising morale in DC.
To read more, check out the DC Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy online.Wednesday, June 18, 2014
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)