Latest news with #IllinoisDepartmentofPublicHealth
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
South Holland health center pushes for mobile clinic to target maternal health disparities
With Black women more than three times more likely to die from pregnancy than white women, South Holland's The Link and Option Center is pushing for a mobile health clinic to provide culturally sensitive care for women where they're at. 'It's crucial that we, as a community, work closely with our government agencies to address the fact that a significant percentage of pregnancy related deaths in Illinois are considered potentially preventable,' said Twin Green, president and CEO of The Link and Option Center. 'This fact should ignite a sense of urgency and responsibility in all of us.' Variation in quality health care and chronic underlying conditions are among the reasons for racial disparities in maternal health, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In Illinois, an average of 88 women die per year during pregnancy or within a year of giving birth, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health. Green called this a red flag that needs to be addressed by public officials. Green said at a news conference Monday that she founded The Link and Option Center in 1995 to educate and provide support to young adults, especially in regards to mental health care. She said mobile clinic is crucial to the health center's mission to uplift Black communities by encouraging positive health outcomes. On Chicago's South Side and in the south suburbs, transportation is a major barrier for women to receive the care needed for healthy pregnancies, which the mobile clinic would address, Green said. 'The mobile maternal care clinic is the option that Illinois must take to save lives and build healthier communities that will save our state billions of dollars in the future,' Green said. The mobile clinic has received support from state Rep. La Shawn K. Ford, who said he is pushing for state funding. The Link and Option Center seeks about $700,000 to purchase and implement the clinic, which would provide prenatal and postnatal screenings, mental health referrals, crisis intervention, chronic illness management and teen pregnancy support. Akua Mason attended the news conference with her 4-month-old son, Noah. She said working with a doula who provided dedicated support throughout her pregnancy was game changing as a Black woman living in Matteson. 'She's a Black woman as well, so she was able to connect on that level,' Mason said. 'Those services are super important, because a lot of times moms don't have the language to communicate with providers or even know what's wrong.' Mason said she's hopeful about a mobile health center in the south suburbs, believing it would help many women who struggle with getting to appointments ahead of birth. 'They may not be able to get there because of transportation,' Mason said. 'So this would eliminate that barrier.' ostevens@
Chicago Tribune
5 days ago
- Health
- Chicago Tribune
South Holland health center pushes for mobile clinic to target maternal health disparities
With Black women more than three times more likely to die from pregnancy than white women, South Holland's The Link and Option Center is pushing for a mobile health clinic to provide culturally sensitive care for women where they're at. 'It's crucial that we, as a community, work closely with our government agencies to address the fact that a significant percentage of pregnancy related deaths in Illinois are considered potentially preventable,' said Twin Green, president and CEO of The Link and Option Center. 'This fact should ignite a sense of urgency and responsibility in all of us.'Variation in quality health care and chronic underlying conditions are among the reasons for racial disparities in maternal health, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In Illinois, an average of 88 women die per year during pregnancy or within a year of giving birth, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health. Green called this a red flag that needs to be addressed by public officials. Green said at a news conference Monday that she founded The Link and Option Center in 1995 to educate and provide support to young adults, especially in regards to mental health care. She said mobile clinic is crucial to the health center's mission to uplift Black communities by encouraging positive health outcomes. On Chicago's South Side and in the south suburbs, transportation is a major barrier for women to receive the care needed for healthy pregnancies, which the mobile clinic would address, Green said. 'The mobile maternal care clinic is the option that Illinois must take to save lives and build healthier communities that will save our state billions of dollars in the future,' Green said. The mobile clinic has received support from state Rep. La Shawn K. Ford, who said he is pushing for state funding. The Link and Option Center seeks about $700,000 to purchase and implement the clinic, which would provide prenatal and postnatal screenings, mental health referrals, crisis intervention, chronic illness management and teen pregnancy support. Akua Mason attended the news conference with her 4-month-old son, Noah. She said working with a doula who provided dedicated support throughout her pregnancy was game changing as a Black woman living in Matteson. 'She's a Black woman as well, so she was able to connect on that level,' Mason said. 'Those services are super important, because a lot of times moms don't have the language to communicate with providers or even know what's wrong.' Mason said she's hopeful about a mobile health center in the south suburbs, believing it would help many women who struggle with getting to appointments ahead of birth. 'They may not be able to get there because of transportation,' Mason said. 'So this would eliminate that barrier.'
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
West Nile virus found in mosquito in Rockford, raises health concerns
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — The Illinois Department of Public Health has announced the first detection of West Nile Virus in Winnebago County in 2025. A mosquito collected in Rockford tested positive for the virus on Monday. Public health officials remind residents to protect themselves against mosquito bites by using the 'three R's': Reduce, Repel, and Report. The majority of people infected with West Nile Virus will not have any symptoms, but it can be deadly, especially in older adults or those with a compromised immune system. Last year, nearly 70 cases were recorded in Illinois, 13 of which were fatal. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
IDPH reports first West Nile positive mosquito pool in 2025
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WMBD) — The Illinois Department of Public Health announced its first mosquito pool to test positive for the West Nile virus in the state on Tuesday. The virus is transmitted through mosquito bites, and symptoms include fever, nausea, headache and muscle aches, which can last from a few days to a few weeks. Most infected with the West Nile virus will not show any symptoms, but severe cases can lead to death. The sample was taken from Rockford on Friday and tested positive on Monday, according to an IDPH news release. 'The news of the first batch of mosquitoes carrying West Nile virus is a reminder for Illinois residents to begin protecting themselves from diseases caused by mosquito and tick bites,' said IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra. Bird tests positive for West Nile virus in Tazewell County In 2024, IDPH reported 69 human cases of the West Nile Virus in Illinois, which led to 13 deaths. Last year, there were 3,108 positive mosquito batches and 54 positive birds. The state health department encourages everyone to practice the three 'R's' to prevent the spread of the virus: REDUCE- make sure doors and windows have tight-fitting screens. Repair or replace screens that have tears or other openings. Try to keep doors and windows or refresh each week, all sources of standing water where mosquitoes can breed, including water in bird baths, ponds, flowerpots, wading pools, old tires, and any other containers. REPEL- when outdoors, wear shoes and socks, long pants and a light-colored, long-sleeved shirt, and apply an EPA-registered insect repellent that contains DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, IR 3535, para-menthane-diol (PMD), or 2-undecanone according to label instructions. Consult a physician before using repellents on infants. REPORT – report locations where you see water sitting stagnant for more than a week such as roadside ditches, flooded yards, and similar locations that may produce mosquitoes. The local health department or city government may be able to add larvicide to the water, which will kill any mosquito larvae. More information on the West Nile Virus is available here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
‘Fight the Bite' of Tick Season
Peoria, Ill. (WMBD) – Tick season is here! The Illinois Department of Public Health wants people to learn how to protect themselves, children and pets from the potential of tickborne illnesses. That's because ticks are, 'among the most efficient carriers of disease,' according to the health department's publication on the subject. Most often that's Lyme disease. It's suggested to check for the arachnids after spending time outdoors and best to remove them within the first 24 hours to reduce the risk of disease transmission. 'Lyme Disease is the most common vector-borne illness in the United States affecting more than 500,000 people nationally each year,' said IDPH Director Sameer Vohra. As the summer approaches, I encourage our residents to learn to 'Fight the Bite' and protect yourself and your loved ones from tickborne illnesses.' But in any case, 'if you have been in wooded or high grassy areas and are experiencing symptoms – fever, fatigue, headache and a circular rash – see your health care provider immediately,' Vohra said. To help 'Fight the Bite,' the IDPH website includes a tick surveillance map and a place to learn more about tick removal and symptom awareness. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
