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Needham health staff warn of sharp drops in flu and COVID vaccination rates Town of Needham public‑health staff reported substantial declines in local vaccination coverage, saying influenza uptake fell from about 60% to 39% and COVID vaccine coverage is around 13%, and urged outreach and verification of state reporting data.

Needham's vaccination rates have plummeted, with flu shots dropping from 60% to 39% and COVID coverage crashing to just 13%—a wake-up call for community health!

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#TownofNeedhamNorfolkCounty #MA #CitizenPortal #NeedhamPublicHealth #VaccinationUptake #HealthOutreach

Health drive distributes 6 000 condoms in Oshana  Justicia Shipena A total of 6 000 condoms were distributed during a recent sexual and reproductive health outreach in the Oshana region.  The initiative reached close to 950 students and community members. The outreach was organised by the #BeFree Cares Clinic in partnership with the ministry of health and social services, Ongwediva MediPark Hospital, Walvis Bay Corridor Group, the University of Namibia (Unam), the International University of Management (IUM), Valombola Vocational Training Centre, and the Society for Family Health.  Services were offered at five tertiary institutions, including Unam Oshakati, Hifikepunye Pohamba, Jose Eduardo Dos Santos campuses, IUM Ongwediva, and Valombola Vocational Training Centre. A total of 772 people underwent HIV testing and counselling, with no positive cases recorded.  The demand for Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) was high. Family planning was the second most requested service after HIV testing, with oral contraceptive pills being the most sought-after method.  A 4.4% sexually transmitted infection rate was detected during the campaign. The director of health and wellness at the #BeFree Movement, Veronica Theron, said young people at tertiary institutions continue to face challenges such as transactional relationships, peer pressure, sexual assault, and mental health stressors.  She urged students to make informed choices, practise safe sex and set up #BeFree societies to create supportive environments on campuses. The programme also partnered with IUM Ongwediva Campus to host its Annual Women Talk Event, attended by more than 200 students under the theme “Standing in Strength, Vision & Victory”. Despite positive outcomes, the outreach found limited knowledge and uptake of long-acting reversible contraceptives.  Local healthcare workers cited challenges in implant insertion, with many clients travelling from outside Oshana due to long waiting lists at nearby facilities. Awareness of gender-based violence also remained low, with students hesitant to seek help from counsellors.  Only seven people accessed psychosocial services during the outreach. The #BeFree Movement said the initiative highlights the importance of accessible reproductive health services and continued awareness to address teenage pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections, and mental health barriers in higher education.

#HealthOutreach #CondomDistribution #SexualHealth #ReproductiveHealth #HIVAwareness

Health Outreach in Okahandja Park Reaches Over 500 Residents [Namibia Economist] Over 500 individuals benefited from a large-scale community health outreach event held on Saturday at Okahandja Park's Akaduku Soccer Field.

#HealthOutreach #OkahandjaPark #CommunityHealth #Namibia #WellnessEvent

Mayor appoints Laura Vlasic as Malden's new Director of Public Health and Human Services Laura Vlasic returns to Malden to improve public health and human services systems.

A new era in public health is here as Laura Vlasic takes the reins in Malden, promising to enhance services and engage the diverse community like never before.

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#MaldenCityMiddlesexCounty #MA #CommunityHealth #HealthOutreach #PublicSafety #CitizenPortal

Oshikoto governor leads aerial health and livestock outreach Niël Terblanché A proactive approach, particularly in regions susceptible to climate-induced adversities, has once again pointed out the importance of coordinated efforts in addressing both human and animal health challenges. In this regard, Governor Sacky Kathindi, accompanied by a multidisciplinary team of medical, veterinary, and security personnel, embarked on an aerial survey across the Oshikoto Region this week. The mission aimed to assess the impact of recent flooding and to address ongoing health and livestock concerns in the area. Utilising a Namibian Police helicopter, the delegation conducted flyovers of flood-affected communities within the Cuvelai Basin catchment area. On the ground, veterinary teams vaccinated approximately 200 cattle against lumpy skin disease (LSD) and identified 10 animals exhibiting severe symptoms of the viral infection. “We are committed to supporting our farmers during this challenging time,” Kathindi said in a social media post. “The aerial survey allowed us to reach remote areas swiftly and provide necessary interventions,” he added. Medical personnel attended to 29 community members during the outreach, addressing various health concerns. “Fortunately, no malaria cases were diagnosed during this mission,” he said while adding that the absence of the disease offered a momentary reprieve amid a broader regional outbreak. Senior officers of the Namibian Police engaged with residents, discussing prevalent crimes and reinforcing community policing efforts. The outreach continued on Thursday, with visits to communities in the Omuntele Constituency, including the government stock pens at Onashuulu Omanga Yepangelo. Here, cattle farmers were reminded to present their livestock promptly for LSD vaccinations. Lumpy skin disease remains a pressing concern in Namibia. Since November, the Oshikoto Region has reported 196 cases and 43 cattle deaths attributed to LSD. The Directorate of Veterinary Services has implemented stringent measures, including mandatory vaccinations for cattle intended for export, to curb the spread of the disease. Northern Namibia is also currently grappling with a malaria outbreak. As of March 9, the Ministry of Health and Social Services reported over 20 000 cases nationwide, with 44 fatalities. The most affected districts include Katima Mulilo, Andara, Nkurenkuru, Outapi, Engela, Eenhana, Okongo, and Nyangana.

#Oshikoto #Namibia #HealthOutreach #LivestockHealth #ClimateChange

San Francisco expands street outreach teams to combat rising health crisis in Tenderloin Department triples outreach staff, enhancing street care and treatment engagement in San Francisco neighborhoods.

San Francisco is tripling its street outreach teams to tackle the escalating health crisis in the Tenderloin, ensuring vital services reach those in need.

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#SanFranciscoCity #SanFranciscoPublicHealth #CitizenPortal #CivicAccountability #HealthOutreach #SubstanceUseTreatment