DOH recommends a yearly flu vaccine for everyone aged six months and older — With the joys of fall weather and events comes increased flu activity. Get your flu vaccine now to get your immune system ready for fall and winter. That way you, your loved ones, and your fall plans remain flu free. DOH recommends a yearly flu vaccine for everyone aged six…

Do you eat oysters raw? Lots of people do. — That’s why we work hard year-round making sure the water where Washington’s shellfish grow is as healthy as possible. “The Shellfish Growing Area team’s primary role is to ensure water quality is good enough to eat shellfish raw,” said Scott Berbells, manager of the Shellfish Growing Area Section. Whether you…

Make your plan to quit tobacco today! — Quitting tobacco is one of the most difficult things you can do. And like many habits, it’s not something that can be accomplished in one day. It’s a process. It takes time and a plan. Planning to quit tobacco can improve your success, even if it takes you a few…

¡Haz tu plan para dejar el tabaco hoy! — Dejar el tabaco es una de las cosas más difíciles que se pueden hacer. Y como muchos hábitos, no es algo que se consiga en un día. Es un proceso. Requiere tiempo y un plan. Planificar dejar del tabaco puede mejorar su éxito, incluso si tardas unos cuantos intentos en…

November Public Health Spotlight — Mission: The Public Health Spotlight promotes the work of community health leaders and researchers across the state of Washington. This month our Public Health Spotlight is JanMarie Ward (Chumash), a lineal descendant of the Santa Ynez and Barbareño California Mission Indians. JanMarie is a private consultant, principal of the Seven…

Safe and recommended for everyone over 6 months. — It’s time! An updated vaccine is here to help protect you against recent COVID-19 variants. Everyone 6 months and older should get the updated 2023–24 COVID-19 vaccine, according to recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Vaccination is the best way to keep you and your family…

Oficina del Ministerio de Salud. — Misión: La Misión Perfil Destacado de Salud pública (Public Health Spotlight), promueve el trabajo de líderes e investigadores en el campo de la salud comunitaria, en todo el estado de Washington. Este mes tenemos la suerte de destacar a la Dra. Kait Hirchak, profesora asistente en el Departamento de Salud…

Office of the Secretary of Health — Mission: The Public Health Spotlight promotes the work of community health leaders and researchers across the state of Washington. This month we’re lucky to be spotlighting Dr. Kait Hirchak, Assistant Professor in the Department of Community and Behavioral Health in the Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine at Washington State…

Join us this October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, in this 2-part series to learn and raise awareness about breast cancer October 13 is Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day (MBC). In 2009, House and Senate resolutions unanimously established October 13 as a day to recognize and bring awareness to metastatic breast…