Dr. Christine Hahn M.D., the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare’s Public Health Medical Director, recently reported to the State Health Care Task Force on development of an Idaho program to allow children with severe epileptic seizures to receive an experimental drug derived from the cannabis plant, called Epidiolex.

The newly expanded access program often is referred to as a “compassionate use” program. It is regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, which limits participation. Idaho is allowed up to 25 children for its program.

Dr. Hahn said Idaho does not track Idaho children with severe epileptic seizures so it is difficult to tell how many might be eligible to apply for the program. Continue reading “Explaining the numbers behind Idaho’s expanded access drug program for severe pediatric epilepsy” →

Idaho Department of Environmental Quality issued a statewide air quality advisory earlier this afternoon. This is the first statewide advisory the agency has issued this summer. Here are some tips to help reduce your exposure to smoke and protect your health.

Older adults, infants, children and people with medical conditions such as asthma, lung disease, and heart disease are more sensitive to poor air quality. People who use inhalers for asthma or other conditions should keep them close at hand. Everyone is advised to seek medical treatment for uncontrolled coughing, wheezing, choking, or if breathing difficulties continues after they move indoors.  Continue reading “DEQ: Air quality is deteriorating statewide” →

Newly released immunization data for school-age teens shows Idaho made steady improvement in overall vaccination rates, but experienced a decline in the vaccine that protects against pertussis, commonly referred to as whooping cough. With children preparing to go back to school, parents are urged to make medical appointments to protect them before the school year begins.

The 2014 National Immunization Survey (NIS) data for adolescents and teens shows Idaho continues to make steady improvement in the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) cancer vaccine, along with a big increase in teens protected against meningococcal infection. However, the rate of protection against pertussis slightly declined, drawing concern from public health officials with Idaho’s low rate.

Continue reading “New Teen Immunization Data: The Good and the Bad” →

We saw a social media post from a woman who was enjoying the waters of Payette Lake with her dog this week, when her pet became ill and subsequently died. We are very sorry for her loss, but also quite concerned. The post said her pet died from blue-green algae bloom, which can cause serious illness in people, and is often fatal to pets and livestock.

The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) was contacted, and we have been working with them, Central District Health and Idaho Parks and Recreation. DEQ is the lead agency and posted the following on their Facebook page that sums up their efforts so far. We will keep you updated as we learn more.  Continue reading “State Investigating Canine Death” →

The majority of adults support raising the minimum age of sale for all tobacco products to 21 years. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) conducted a survey that found 3 out of 4 adults – including 7 of 10 cigarette smokers—favor increasing the minimum age for tobacco sales. Delaying the legal age to purchase tobacco products would likely reduce the number of young adults becoming regular tobacco users.

The CDC cites an Institute of
Medicine report that found increasing the legal age for sale of tobacco products could Continue reading “CDC: Majority of Adults Support Raising Age Limit for Tobacco Sales” →