Latest news with #MichiganDepartmentofHealthandHumanServices
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Officials warn residents to avoid coming into contact with mysterious foam in local waterways: 'Help protect you, your family and your pets'
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services recently issued a warning regarding foam on the surface of the state's bodies of water, from the Great Lakes to small streams. Contact with contaminated foam could prove harmful to human health. In many cases, foam on water surfaces contains per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS — synthetic "forever chemicals" found in many common household items that linger in the environment without breaking down. Unchecked, PFAS can lead to myriad health concerns, from fertility issues to liver damage. Rising levels of contamination in Michigan's waters have given authorities cause for concern. Especially as summer approaches and people flock to cool off in lakes and rivers, the MDHHS has cautioned individuals to avoid contact with foam and rinse off in the case of a foam encounter. Beyond skin exposure, swallowing PFAS is of particular concern. "Foam can appear white, off-white, or brown and may have an earthy or fishy scent," 9&10 News reported. Research on the potential health consequences of PFAS exposure is only growing in conjunction with the number of PFAS-related lawsuits. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, PFAS have been linked to reproductive, developmental, hormonal, and immune issues as well as cancer. Even more alarming is the fact that PFAS are more prevalent than we might care to observe. Used in nonstick cookware, waterproof clothing, stain-resistant furniture, and more, PFAS leach from discarded items into landfills and, from there, make their way into our water supplies, increasing the risk of contamination. If you suspect you've been exposed to PFAS in your local water supply, authorities urge you to rinse off or bathe at the earliest opportunity, minimizing the duration of your exposure. "You can accidentally swallow PFAS, as well as bacteria, algae, viruses and other chemicals, if you do not rinse off or bathe after touching foam," MDHHS chief medical executive Natasha Bagdasarian said. "Rinsing off or bathing after water activities will help protect you, your family and your pets from harmful substances that may be in foam or water." Meanwhile, scientists and innovators are developing various PFAS cleanup technologies to help rid our waters of these toxins. One team of researchers at the University of Oxford recently experimented with phosphate salts as a means of breaking down PFAS. For your part, you can invest in PFAS-free alternatives to standard household items to ensure your safety. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Participants in program for elderly to rally in Lansing against Medicaid cuts
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Potential Medicaid cuts in Congress could impact millions nationwide, including thousands in West Michigan. Advocates: Medicaid 'not a luxury,' lawmakers need plan for fallout At least 200 participants in the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly, or PACE, are visiting Lansing on Tuesday to urge state lawmakers to protect the program. PACE helps low-income seniors remain in their homes through care funded by Medicaid and Medicare. Sarah Milanowski, enrollment manager at LifeCircles PACE, said the issue affects both state and federal decision-makers. 'Medicaid is a state-administered program that has a portion of its funds from the federal government, and then the state matches funds,' she explained. 'So, as our local lawmakers are planning for their budget into the future, they are trying to hedge their bets about what might or might not be happening in Washington, D.C.' Republicans look for reset on Trump's 'big, beautiful bill' More than 2.6 million Michigan residents rely on Medicaid, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. That includes the 7,000 who use PACE services for medical care, transportation, prescriptions and more. PACE advocates are scheduled to meet with lawmakers starting at 9:30 a.m. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Preliminary data shows opioid deaths dropping big in Michigan
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services says its latest data shows opioid deaths continue to drop across the state. Nitrous oxide abuse up more than 500% in Michigan Provisional data from MDHHS says overdose deaths likely dropped by 34% from 2023 to 2024 — approximately 1,000 fewer lives lost. The agency called it 'continued progress' thanks to investments to combat oversdoses, both financially and in effort. Since 2019, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel's office has worked to secure more than from several drug manufacturers and retailers, providing funds for state treatment, recovery and prevention programs. 'The progress we are seeing in combatting the opioid epidemic proves what is possible when real investments are made in treatment and prevention,' Nessel . 'My office will continue working to hold those responsible for this crisis accountable to ensure the health and well-being of residents are put ahead of corporate greed.' 'You can do it': Woman who beat addiction aims to inspire others According to MDHHS, more than 1.3 million naloxone kits have been purchased and distributed, and nearly 34,000 have reportedly been used to reverse overdoses and save lives. Michigan's , which is powered primarily by opioids, has steadily climbed from 2000 to 2021. The MDHHS notes a rise in opioid prescriptions starting in 2000, a rise in heroin use starting in 2010 and the emergence of fentanyl in 2013. In Michigan, overdose deaths took a sharp rise in 2013, from 1,300 to 1,535. By 2017, the number was up to 2,686. Numbers dropped before another surge sparked in 2019, going from 2,354 to 3,096 in 2021. Since then, deaths have trended down. The state recorded 2,998 in 2022 and 2,931. The preliminary data recorded just 1,045 deaths from January through June of 2024, on track for roughly 2,100 for the year. Sign up for the News 8 daily newsletter Lauren Rousseau, the president of the Northwest Wayne County Chapter of Face Addiction Now, says there is still a lot of work to do. 'White overdose deaths have declined significantly, due in part to the increased accessibility of Narcan, nonfatal overdoses remain high,' Rousseau said in a statement. 'Sustained funding, community engagement and a continued focus on reducing stigma are essential to turning the tide on the opioid crisis for good.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
What fish are safe to eat in St. Clair County? Here's what Michigan health department says
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has released a guide on what fish are safe to eat, if you should limit servings and what fish to keep off your plate. The 2025 Eat Safe Fish Guide provides Michigan residents with safety information for fish in popular fishing locations. Each year, MDHHS tests fish to determine what chemicals are present in those fish, including polyfluoroalkyl substances, also known as "forever chemicals." "Using the ESF Guide and following the MI Serving suggestions will keep you from getting too many chemicals in your body at once," the guide states in its FAQ section. "Scientists set the limits in the ESF Guide so that you are protected from possible health problems from the chemicals, no matter how long they stay in your body." The guide includes sections on each county, including St. Clair County, a popular fishing destination. The guide breaks the portions of fish down by species and what body of water it comes from. Summer fun: The coolest places to beat the heat in the Blue Water Area More: Is it too cold to swim in Lake Huron? What to know if you want to dip your toes in the water Type of Fish Chemicals of Concern Size of Fish (inches) MI Servings per Month Blue Gill PFOS Any 2 Rock Bass PFOS/PFOS and Mercury Under 7 inches/over 7 inches 2 (regardless of size) Sunfish PFOS Any 2 Yellow Perch PFOS Any 2 Type of Fish Chemicals of Concern Size of Fish (inches) MI Servings per Month Bluegill PFOS Any Do not eat Largemouth Bass PFOS Any Do not eat Rock Bass PFOS Any 6 per year Smallmouth Bass PFOS Any Do not eat Suckers PFOS Any 1 Sunfish PFOS Any Do not eat Yellow Perch PFOS Any 2 Type of Fish Chemicals of Concern Size of Fish (inches) MI Servings per Month Rock Bass PFOS Any Do not eat Type of Fish Chemicals of Concern Size of Fish (inches) MI Servings per Month Bluegill PFOS Any Do not eat Sunfish PFOS Any Do not eat Type of Fish Chemicals of Concern Size of Fish (inches) MI Servings per Month Bluegill PFOS Any 4 Sunfish PFOS Any 4 Type of Fish Chemicals of Concern Size of Fish (inches) MI Servings per Month Rock Bass PFOS Any Do not eat Type of Fish Chemicals of Concern Size of Fish (inches) MI Servings per Month Black Crappie Mercury Under 9 inches/over 9 8 servings/ 4 servings Bluegill PFOS Any 6 per year Carp PCBs Any Limited* Catfish Dioxins Any Limited Freshwater Drum Mercury, PFBs Any 2 Largemouth Bass PFOS Any 6 per year Muskellunge Mercury Any Do not eat Northern Pike Mercury Any 2 Rock Bass PCBs Any 1 Smallmouth Bass PFOS Any 6 per year Sturgeon PCBs Any Limited Sunfish PFOS Any 6 per year Walleye Dioxins, PCBs, PFOS Any 6 per year White (Silver) Bass PCBs Any Limited White Crappie Mercury Under 9 inches/ over 9 8 servings/ 4 servings Yellow Perch Mercury Any 4 Type of Fish Chemicals of Concern Size of Fish (inches) MI Servings per Month Black Crappie PFOS Any Do not eat Bluegill PFOS Any Do not eat Carp PFOS Any Do not eat Rock Bass PFOS Any Do not eat Sunfish PFOS Any Do not eat White Crappie PFOS Any Do not eat Other Species PFOS Any Do not eat Type of Fish Chemicals of Concern Size of Fish (inches) MI Servings per Month Carp PCBs Any Limited Freshwater Drum Mercury, PCBs Any 2 Largemouth Bass Mercury, PFOS/Mercury Under 18/over 18 2 servings/ 1 serving Rock Bass PFOS Any 2 Smallmouth Bass Mercury, PFOS / Mercury Under 18/over 18 2 servings/1 serving Sturgeon PCBs Any 2 Walleye Dioxins, PCBs, PFOS Any Limited White Bass PCBs Any 6 per year Yellow Perch PFOS Any 4 Type of Fish Chemicals of Concern Size of Fish (inches) MI Servings per Month Bluegill PFOS Any Do not eat Sunfish PFOS Any Do not eat Other species PFOS Any Do not eat Type of Fish Chemicals of Concern Size of Fish (inches) MI Servings per Month Atlantic Salmon Dioxins Any 2 Brown Trout PCBs Any 6 per year Carp Dioxins, PCBs Any Do not eat Catfish Dioxins Any Limited Chinook Salmon PCBs Any 6 per year Coho Salmon PCBs Any 6 per year Freshwater Drum Mercury Any 1 Lake Herring PFOS Any 2 Lake Trout Dioxins, PCBs Under 20/20-24/0ver 24 1 serving/6 per year/Limited Lake Whitefish Dioxins Any 6 per year Northern Pike PCBs Any 1 Rainbow Trout PFOS Any 1 Smelt PFOS Any 2 Steelhead PFOS Any 1 Suckers PCBs Any 2 Walleye Dioxins Any 6 per year White (Silver) Bass Dioxins, PCBs Any Limited White Perch PCBs Any 6 per year Yellow Perch Dioxins Any 2 More outdoor news: No license needed. How to fish for free in Michigan this weekend Fish recommended for limited servings are recommended to not be eaten by children under 15, anyone with health problems, or people who are pregnant or plan to have kids. The department notes in its guide that its serving are only suggestions, and that eating more than the recommended amount does not guarantee the fish will make a person sick. For anyone else the guide recommends only one or two servings per year. More information, including how each concerning chemical can affect those who eat fish and what fish are safe in each Great Lake are safe to eat are available in the guide on the department's website. Contact Johnathan Hogan at jhogan@ This article originally appeared on Port Huron Times Herald: Michigan Dept Health Human Services releases guide on safe fish eating
CBS News
04-06-2025
- General
- CBS News
Marquette County reporting two confirmed cases of measles in the past week
With the addition of two newly confirmed cases in Marquette County, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is counting 10 measles cases in the state so far this year. The official list now is: Ingham – 1 case Kent – 1 case. Macomb – 1 case. Marquette – 2 cases. Montcalm – 4 cases. This number is considered an outbreak Oakland – 1 case. The Marquette County cases, which are the newest ones, were reported May 29 and June 2 by the local health department. A previously reported measles case in Ingham County has been pulled from the 2025 count because additional testing indicated a false alarm, according to state officials. That individual recently had received one dose of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine, which triggered the first laboratory test; and medical personnel later determined the respiratory symptoms were not from measles. Measles is considered a highly contagious disease; but two doses of the MMR vacine are 97% effective in preventing measles. Over 1,000 cases have been confirmed in the United States so far this year, resulting in 133 hospitalizations and three deaths, according to the latest reports from the Centers for Disease Control. Symptoms of measures can include high fever, cough, runny nose, white spots inside the mouth, and a red rash on the skin. The above video originally aired on April 16.
