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A statistical review by the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals and the Louisiana Tumor Registry shows some cancer rates in the Cow Island area to be higher and some to be lower when compared to similar cancer rates in Vermilion Parish and throughout the state.
Department of Health and Hospitals Secretary Dr. Fred Cerise, along with officials from the federal Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), will attend the grand opening of a new Louisiana community health center in the city of Zachary.
Dr. Fred Cerise, secretary of the Department of Health and Hospitals said today the federal budget released earlier this week by the Bush Administration may result in further reductions in federal funds to Louisiana.
Studies conducted by the Department of Health and Hospitals show that certain communities in central Louisiana have a larger percentage of families with children who are qualified for, but not enrolled in, the Louisiana Children’s Health Insurance Program. LaCHIP is a free health insurance program designed for the children (up to age 19) of Louisiana’s working families who earn more than allowed in traditional Medicaid. For example, a family of four can earn approximately $38,000 a year and still qualify for LaCHIP.
Last week, the Department of Health and Hospitals sent notices to all health care providers participating in the EarlySteps (Part C) system that reimbursement rates would be reduced by 25 percent beginning Feb. 1. The rate reduction is a first step to control costs in this entitlement program, which provides early intervention services to children up to age three with developmental delays and disabilities.
The Department of Health and Hospitals today revoked restrictions on flu vaccines, meaning available doses no longer are limited to certain groups. However, health officials noted there still is limited vaccine supply in the state.Anyone who wants a flu shot and previously did not receive one is encouraged to call his or her primary care physician or their local health unit to ask if vaccine is available.
Louisiana’s efforts to reduce the number of children living without health insurance have received a significant boost from the United States Department of Health and Human Services. The department’s Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services awarded an additional $10.7 million to the Louisiana Children’s Health Insurance Program, which provides no-cost health care coverage for low-income children under the age of 19.
Under an oyster relaying program, Louisiana oyster harvesters can now be permitted to move oysters from the public oyster seed grounds located southwest of Point Au Fer, Atchafalaya Bay and transplant them to private leases for later harvest. This program is part of an initiative by both the Department of Health and Hospitals and the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.
According to national health experts, the popularity of low-carbohydrate diets has increased the risk that many people may not be getting the essential vitamins and minerals necessary for health and well-being such as folic acid. This is because carbohydrates such as fortified grains are a valuable source of vitamins and minerals.
The statistics are sobering. According to the Centers for Disease Control, one in five children nationwide between the ages of six to 17 are overweight. This is double the number reported just 30 years ago. To help combat this problem, the La. Department of Health and Hospitals will be starting a four-month program aimed at getting kids off the couch and burning calories.
State health officials today released a final West Nile virus case count for 2004. There were 114 human cases and seven deaths in 2004.
Obesity has emerged as a top health threat for the United States and for Louisiana. The Louisiana Council on Obesity Prevention and Management, along with the Department of Health and Hospitals and other education and health professional organizations, has created a supplement to the Journal of the Louisiana State Medical Society. The supplement will be available to all members in early January. It will provide continuing education credits for Louisiana Medical Society members and appeal to all health care providers as front-line fighters in the state’s battle against obesity.