Latest news with #WellnessonWheels
Yahoo
08-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Mobile clinics aim to boost rural health care measles vaccinations amid outbreak
The "Wellness on Wheels" program launched in spring of 2024. (Courtesy of South Dakota Department of Health) The South Dakota Department of Health plans to send its fledgling mobile clinics to underserved and undervaccinated areas of the state in response to the nationwide measles outbreak making its way to the state. Last year, South Dakota reported its first measles case in nine years. The state Department of Health recently reported the state's first case this year in Meade County in western South Dakota. Last week, on Friday, a second case was reported in Rapid City. People who visited Sam's Club in that city on June 1, or Dakota Premier Medical Center the following day were urged by the department to monitor themselves for symptoms for 21 days. Measles is a highly contagious viral disease that spreads through the air. Those who lack immunity from vaccination or past infection are highly likely to catch it from an infected person. As surrounding states report more cases, Health Department Secretary Melissa Magstadt said the state's 'Wellness on Wheels' clinics can help encourage vaccinations. 'I question it myself': South Dakota vaccination rates fall amid mistrust and misinformation The fleet boasts five vehicles equipped to provide immunizations, test for sexually transmitted diseases such as syphilis, as well as provide screenings, prenatal care and other support. The effort fills in gaps to public health care access across the state, especially in rural and tribal communities, Magstadt said. 'It's about how we can actively use these tools to reach underserved populations,' Magstadt said. 'It's not something I would have thought about looking to leverage for something like measles vaccinations before.' The department hasn't decided where to send their fleet. Counties with the fewest kindergarteners vaccinated per capita for measles, mumps and rubella include Faulk, Jones and Hutchinson, state data shows. South Dakota counties that share tribal land and rural counties in south-central areas of the state rank the worst for clinical care use and access in the state, according to the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute's 2023 report. Federal COVID relief funds paid for Wellness on Wheels. 'Because of the pandemic, public health infrastructure was found to be wanting,' Magstadt said. That infrastructure missed 'critical pieces' that hadn't been invested in, she said, such as health care access in rural areas. More than a hundred rural hospitals in the U.S. have closed in the last decade. The program, launched in April of last year, cost about $800,000 in federal funding. The state's public health COVID funding was also used to support a community health worker program, update emergency medical service equipment and telemedicine access, analyze the state of emergency medical services in South Dakota, and build a Public Health Lab and department training center. Magstadt said staff working with the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program requested the mobile units. WIC is a federal-state program that provides healthy food, nutrition education and health care referrals to low-income women and their young children. So far, Wellness on Wheels staff have mainly driven to events. Magstadt said the department has focused on increasing awareness of the program and building trust in communities and among tribal leaders. She plans to have staff drive the buses to rural communities more regularly to increase exposure and encourage use. 'Being consistently at a facility or place every other week will help people find it,' Magstadt said. 'We talk about the importance of STI testing, for example, but if you don't know where to get tested then that's another barrier.' Magstadt plans to have the department park one of the vehicles at a homeless shelter in Rapid City this summer as well to encourage underserved urban communities to seek services. 'We like people to be connected to primary care services, but there are unique situations where it's harder to get to health care facilities,' Magstadt said. She compared the mobile clinics as a return to home visits by doctors. That practice largely ceased in the 1960s due to cost efficiencies. 'It's a part of this menu of health care access and options no longer requiring people to come to a clinic or health care system,' Magstadt said, 'but health care being taken to patients and families who need it.' Mobile health care clinics are available in every state. They range from public entities like South Dakota's Wellness on Wheels, to specialized, private care. Other mobile clinics operating in South Dakota, according to Mobile Health Map, include: Delta Dental Mobile Program Horizon Health on Wheels Midwest Street Medicine Mobile Women's Health Unit VA Mobile Counseling Program
Daily Express
03-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Express
UMS study on student lifestyle habits
Published on: Saturday, May 03, 2025 Published on: Sat, May 03, 2025 Text Size: Dr Kasim (third from left in the Wellness on Wheels vehicle) joins students for the launch of the FSSK x ANMS Healthy Lifestyle campaign. – Photo courtesy of the Sabah Health Promotion Branch. Kota Kinabalu: The Universiti Malaysia Sabah's Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities (FSSK) healthy lifestyle campaign aimed at encouraging positive health behaviour among undergraduates is underway. Over the next six months, students will take part in activities aimed at encouraging them to do moderate exercise for at least 150 minutes per week, take five servings of vegetables and fruits a day, and eat a balanced meal based on the Malaysian Healthy Plate recommendation. A preliminary study in March revealed that students lack sufficient exercise, and a majority don't follow healthy living and eating recommendations. UMS Vice-Chancellor, Professor Datuk Dr Kasim Mansur who launched the campaign said a healthy lifestyle is important in reducing absenteeism among staff and students, and in keeping productivity levels up. He commended the Sabah Health Department through the Health Promotion Branch for the collaboration, which he described as strategic in improving health outcomes and which could later be extended to the whole campus, and to UMS branches in Labuan and Sandakan. 'The Higher Education Ministry also promotes walking 10,000 steps a day. At UMS, we have the walk and talk programme on Wednesday evenings which provides an opportunity for lecturers, staff and students to discuss matters while walking and I hope we can continue with this. 'UMS offers trails for walks, and we just opened one more recently. UMS is a safe space for physical activities,' he said, adding that he walks up six floors to his office at the Chancellory Building to stay fit. Kasim said to bring down the escalating medical costs at UMS, staff and students need to practice a healthy lifestyle and should do recreational activities for at least an hour a day. The campaign which is championing the Ministry of Health's Agenda Nasional Malaysia Sihat (ANMS), is a collaboration between the UMS-UNICEF Communication for Development (C4D) Research Unit which is based at the faculty, and the Health Promotion Branch of the Sabah Health Department. The campaign was mooted by the Health Promotion Branch which approached the UMS-UNICEF C4D Research Unit. The Research Unit focuses on the use of evidence-based research and communication interventions to change behaviours. The campaign officially known as FSSK x ANMS, with FSSK referring to acronym for the faculty, has adopted #MoveMunchBalance as its tagline for all communication messages and materials. UMS-UNICEF C4D Research Unit head Dr Latif Lai explained 'Move' refers to the need to have at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week, 'Munch' to eating five servings of vegetables and fruits a day and to make this a lifelong habit, and 'Balance' refers to following the Malaysian Healthy Plate recommendation that promotes half a portion of vegetables and fruits and a quarter portion each of carbohydrates and protein. Some 200 students took part in the launch at the faculty today, which also saw the Vice Chancellor joining them in an exercise routine, before flagging them off for a 10,000 steps walk. Also present were Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities Dean, Professor Dr. Asmady Idris, Health Promotion Branch head Nor Saadah Omar, Sabah Health Department Nutrition Branch head Shahrulnaz Norhazli Nazri and student leader Mohamad Hafiezan Fiezal Haron. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Hi Dubai
22-04-2025
- Health
- Hi Dubai
Al Jalila Foundation Joins Forces with UAE Charities to Expand Healthcare Support
In a significant step toward strengthening healthcare philanthropy, Al Jalila Foundation signed strategic agreements with five UAE-based charitable organisations during its annual donor recognition ceremony. The event was held under the patronage and in the presence of H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Health Board of Directors. The memoranda of understanding, signed by Dr. Amer Al Zarooni, CEO of Al Jalila Foundation, mark a unified effort to deliver medical services to vulnerable communities and support medical education and research. The agreements were formalised with leaders from Easa Saleh Al Gurg Charity Foundation, Dar Al Ber Society, Dubai Charity Association, Tarahum Charity Foundation, and Beit Al Khair Society. 'These partnerships ensure life-saving medical care reaches those most in need,' said Dr. Al Zarooni. 'Together, we strengthen our healthcare ecosystem and reinforce Dubai's global standing in philanthropic leadership.' Abdullah Al Falasi, CEO of Dar Al Ber Society, emphasised the alignment with the UAE's socially responsible vision, while Dubai Charity Association's Ahmed Al Suwaidi noted the collaboration supports the Dubai Charity Strategy. Dr. Ahmed Tahlek of Tarahum Charity Foundation highlighted the role of community-based initiatives, and Abdeen Al Awadhi of Beit Al Khair Society said the agreement reflects the UAE's commitment to compassion and public health. The partnerships will fund key initiatives such as A'awen, The Child Fund, and community programmes like Wellness on Wheels, Ta'alouf, and Majlis Al Amal, consolidating efforts to improve healthcare access and outcomes across the UAE. News Source: Emirates News Agency
Zawya
22-04-2025
- Health
- Zawya
Al Jalila Foundation signs five strategic partnerships to advance healthcare through philanthropy
Under the patronage and in the presence of H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Health Board of Directors, Al Jalila Foundation signed strategic agreements with five UAE-based charitable organisations during its annual donor recognition ceremony. The partnerships aim to strengthen collaborative philanthropy in the UAE by delivering healthcare services to vulnerable communities and supporting medical education and scientific research. The memoranda of understanding were signed by Dr. Amer Al Zarooni, CEO of Al Jalila Foundation, with: Dr. Raja Easa Al Gurg, Chairperson of Easa Saleh Al Gurg Charity Foundation; Abdullah Ali bin Zayed Al Falasi, CEO and Managing Director of Dar Al Ber Society; Ahmed Ibrahim Al Suwaidi, Executive Director of Dubai Charity Association; Dr. Ahmed Tahlek, General Director of Tarahum Charity Foundation; Abdeen Taher Al Awadhi, Director General of Beit Al Khair Society. Dr. Al Zarooni stated, 'By joining forces with these mission-driven organisations, we ensure life-saving medical care reaches those most in need. These partnerships strengthen our healthcare ecosystem and reinforce Dubai's role as a global centre for philanthropic leadership.' Abdullah Al Falasi highlighted that the partnership supports advanced medical care and reflects the UAE's socially responsible vision, while H.E. Ahmed Al Suwaidi said the collaboration aligns with the Dubai Charity Strategy to enhance humanitarian work and deliver lasting impact. Dr. Ahmed Tahlek noted the agreement supports the development of community-based health initiatives, particularly for families facing critical illnesses. Abdeen Al Awadhi added that the partnership embodies the UAE's vision of prioritising public health and compassion. The strategic agreements will fund key initiatives including A'awen, The Child Fund, and community programmes such as Wellness on Wheels, Ta'alouf, and Majlis Al Amal, pooling resources to improve lives across the UAE.
