Heartland Family Service’s Post

A2: Tackling lead exposure is not only a public health matter, but also one of equity and justice. Lead exposure disproportionately impacts low-income and marginalized communities. A proactive approach to combating this would be to allocate more resources for lead abatement programs and ensure that each home that is eligible for home repair assistance also qualifies for lead remediation. Combining these efforts help to create a lasting, safe environment for families. #NLPPWchat #NLPPW2024

Genuine question to those of you who work/believe in suicide prevention programs, and also support MAiD (Medical Aid in Dying, aka assisted suicide, aka euthanasia): How do you reconcile those two things in a non-hypocritical way?

Released today: our study examining the intersection between long COVID and intimate partner violence. Thank you to the 28 victim-survivors who shared their experience with us. In this study victim-survivors describe losing control of their health and then losing control of their safety within their relationship. Improved responses to the intersections of chronic illness, ableism and gender-based violence are critically needed. Read our report here: https://lnkd.in/eJUTk4dz

🌍💔 Today marks International Overdose Awareness Day, a time to remember those we've lost and to raise awareness about the ongoing crisis of substance use. Let's come together to honor lives affected by overdose, support those in recovery, and advocate for compassionate policies that prioritize health and safety. Every life is valuable, and every story matters. 💜 If you or someone you know is struggling, know that help is available. We can break the stigma and create a community of support. Together, we can save lives. #InternationalOverdoseAwarenessDay #EndTheStigma #SupportRecovery #SaveLives

Kudos to Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, who, in a new advisory report, has declared firearm violence a public health emergency for the United States. In addition to the uniquely American tragedy of our rate of firearm-related homicides and mass shootings, firearms are the nation's leading cause of death for America's children and adolescents, we have seen a 20% rise in firearm-related suicide deaths nationwide since 2012, and it contributes to what the Surgeon General describes as a "cascading harm across society" (see graphic below). Why should we view these concerns through a public health lens? As the report states, a public health approach "is designed to prevent and reduce harm by changing the conditions and circumstances that contribute to risk of firearm violence as measured by deaths, injuries, as well as the reverberating mental health and emotional impacts." You can view the full report and recommendations at the Surgeon General's Firearm Violence in America website: https://lnkd.in/dKshSJMw

Doctors for America Commends Surgeon General’s Advisory on Firearm Violence Doctors for America (DFA) commends the Surgeon General’s Advisory declaring firearm violence, a public health crisis. Today, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy (former Doctors for America founder) brought attention to the health toll that gun violence has had on Americans, detailing the size and scope of the crisis while laying out a plan of research, community risk reduction, evidence-based policy options, and mental health measures to decrease the prevalence of firearm violence. https://lnkd.in/gd9d9Kgc

June is Informed Consent Month in our District – where we share information about informed consent, how you can get involved in discussions about your care, and where to find out more – such as on our website here: https://ow.ly/pUW750S6smW. This year, we’re focusing on Substitute Decision Making. ‘Person Responsible’ is a legal term for the person who can make a health care decision for you when you’re not able to make it yourself. ‘Next of Kin’ commonly refers to a person’s immediate or close family members. The term is not recognised in legal decision-making for healthcare or medical treatment. Next of Kin is a legal term used when a patient has died in hospital. Separately to those terms, a carer is an unpaid family or friend who supports a person who has ongoing needs. This could be a person with a disability, chronic illness, mental health condition or who is frail aged. The carer may or may not be someone’s ‘person responsible’. This factsheet explains more about who is a ‘person responsible’: https://ow.ly/HQW550S6sn0

Trauma-informed care is essential for today’s group homes. Be prepared to understand and render this vital support. www.grouphomeceususa.com, www.michiganafcceus.com - #grouphomeceus #assistedlivingceus

Need time off for medical care, a family member's illness, domestic abuse or public emergency? All employees can use their #EarnedSickAndSafeTime for these and other reasons. Don't be afraid to use this vital benefit! Learn more at dli.mn.gov/sick-leave.

Did you know that Guardian Pharmacy provides resource guides written for assisted living communities? Topics include disaster readiness, reducing polypharmacy, substance use disorder in seniors, and more. Download the guides at https://loom.ly/g3_qTdE. #assistedliving #medicationeducation