health news
search the archives
Initiative to Support Healthy Youth in Portland - Request for Applications (12/3/2008)
Two mini-grants now available from Healthy Portland for up to $1500.
More
Recall of Frozen Chicken Meals That May Contain Foreign Materials (11/17/2008)
Nestlé Prepared Foods Company is recalling approximately 879,565 pounds of frozen chicken meals that may contain foreign materials.
More
Hepatitis A in the Kennebunk Area (11/7/2008)
Hepatitis A is an uncommon disease in Maine. An average of 11 cases are identified in Maine each year.
More
Rubella on Cruise Ship (10/28/2008)
On October 18, 2008 a crew member of a cruise ship had onset of fever and rash. The illness was subsequently confirmed to be rubella. The ship visited Bar Harbor on October 15 and October 19.
More
Eastern Equine Encephalitis in Massachusetts (10/27/2008)
On October 22, 2008, the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) was notified of a Massachusetts resident who tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE).
More
Portland Prepares for Annual Fall Flu Prevention Clinics! (10/9/2008)
The City of Portland's Public Health Division will offer a series of eight influenza (flu) vaccination clinics throughout Portland between October 23 and November 18, 2008.
More
New Epidemiology Data Now Available (10/6/2008)
New epidemiology data now available for Cumberland and York Counties.
More
Mosquitoes in Arundel Test Positive for EEE (10/9/2008)
The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) within the Maine DHHS is reporting that a pool of mosquitoes, collected on September 30, 2008 from the town of Arundel in York County, has tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE).
More
Cumberland Farms Joins the “NO BUTS” Program (10/7/2008)
The program provides retailers with the materials they need to properly train employees to prevent underage tobacco sales, while stressing the underlying compelling health reasons for restricting sales of tobacco to teens.
More
Maine's Immunization Coalition Decries State's Immunization Rates (10/2/2008)
Maine falls from #1 in the country to the lowest ranking in the New England Region.
More
Smoke-free Ordinance for Outdoor Dining Goes into Effect Friday (10/2/2008)
Businesses, public health leaders and city officials join together in support of keeping air healthy.
More
Latest CDC Data Show More Americans Report Being Obese (7/17/2008)
The proportion of U.S. adults who self-report they are obese increased nearly 2 percent between 2005 and 2007, according to a report in today′s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR).
More
Help us help you! (6/3/2008)
Help the Public Health Division focus its efforts on the health problems in your community by participating in our Municipal Health Survey.
More
FoodBorne Illness UnderReported Nationwide (4/7/2008)
For every one case of salmoneliosis (a common foodborne illness) reported, there are an estimated 38 that go unreported.
More
Adults Lack Vaccination Awareness (3/20/2008)
Despite the proven effectiveness of vaccines and their potential to save thousands of U.S. lives every year, American adults are receiving needed immunizations at alarmingly low rates.
More
The Fiscal Year 2006-2007 Annual Report is now Available. (2/19/2008)
The Fiscal Year 2006-2007 Annual Report for the Portland Public Health Division is now available for public viewing.
More
Preparing for Winter
Winter in Maine is fast approaching and now is the time to
prepare for it. Below are resources we think will be helpful to you as you make
preparations for the coming season.
Resource Directory
211 Maine is a directory of resources that can help you with your heating
assistance questions and many other health and human service questions. Visit
their website or call them by dialing 211 on any phone.
New Page 1
Flu Vaccines
For available flu clinics in your area, call the city of Portland’s Flu
Clinic Hotline at (207) 874-8946. For flu clinics in throughout Cumberland
County, take a look at the schedule here:
http://www.portland-calendar.com/cgi-bin/calcium38.pl?Op=ShowIt&CalendarName=health
Heating Assistance
The Office of the Governor has compiled many resources to help Mainers cope
with winter heating bills. On the website below you will find a list resources
and tips about energy conservation for your homes.
http://www.maine.gov/governor/baldacci/policy/energy.shtml
Maine CDC has created a website with information on everything from the effects of wood burning and lung health to tips to prevent hypothermia, as well as space heater safety and other safety tips.
Keep ME Warm is a joint program between United Way of Greater Portland
and United Ways of Maine to help the people most affected by high heating costs
here in Maine. The program is funded by donation and is always looking for
people willing to help; their website has a donation page as well as energy
conservation tips.
Staying Healthy This Fall and Winter
Do you ever find yourself at a loss for fun and free activities in Portland
to do with your kids in the winter? Here is a list of various activities you
can do with your kids all over the city, they are all outdoors and did we
mention that they are all free?
http://www.portlandmaine.gov/hhs/winterrec.pdf
WinterKids is an organization dedicated to helping kids stay active during
the winter months. Visit their website for tips for healthy winter activity and
discounts to winter outdoor recreation areas near where you live.
Let’s Go! is dedicated to promoting healthy lifestyles with children and
families in 12 Greater Portland communities. Their website is loaded with
activities, tips and program listings. Check out their website, you will surely
find something healthy you and your kids can enjoy together.
If you know of any activities we missed that you think other families would
enjoy, email us with your suggestions!
phweb@portlandmaine.gov
Keep an eye on our
Health Calendar and the City of Portland’s
Event Calendar for activities happening all over Portland that you and your
family can enjoy.
