What is Narcan???

The opioid epidemic in the United States has been slowly climbing the last few years. The CDC reported that there was a 10% increase in unintentional overdose deaths from 2016 to 2017 alone. Ohio had one of the highest death tolls. This epidemic is alarming because it is happening all over the country and affecting more and more families every day. 

Knowing what an opioid overdose looks like is important. If someone is exhibiting the following behavior, they may have taken more medication than needed:


-slow or shallow breathing, slow heartbeat
-falling asleep or unconscious
-pale, blue or cold skin
-exhibiting choking sounds
-the body has gone limp

Many times, as bystanders, we ask ourselves how can we help with this epidemic? One answer would be to become trained in using Narcan. Narcan is a nasal spray that can be used on someone who is suspected of having an opioid overdose. This nasal spray is designed to be easy to use without medical training. Although using Narcan might help to reverse the effects of an overdose, it is still important that you call 911 and seek immediate medical attention because Narcan is a short-acting agent. The active ingredient in Narcan that helps reverse an overdose is Naloxone. 

Here in Columbus, OH, a few different organizations offer Naloxone (Narcan) and Narcan trainings. Click here to learn more. For more information about where to find these trainings in your area, go to your local public health website for more information. 

Helpful Links:
Knowing the Signs of an Overdose
What is Narcan?
Overdose Deaths in Ohio
CMO Webinar Recording: OPIATE Project, A helpline for health center clinicians

Brush and Clean in Between to Build a Healthy Smile!

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month 

Did you know that the number ONE unmet health care need among Ohio children is proper access to dental care? In fact, twenty-three percent (23%) of Ohio Pre-Schoolers have already experienced at least one cavity. 
(Source: 2016-17 Survey of Preschool-Age Children Ohio Department of Health)
Health Centers across the state are committed to comprehensive, whole-person care, including comprehensive oral health care. Axesspointe Community Health Centers in Portage and Summit Counties joined many of Community Health Centers in hosting “Give Kids a Smile” events.    

Give Kids A Smile (GKAS) is a year-round children’s access to care and oral health education program. Dentists and dental professionals volunteer their time to provide screenings, treatments and oral health education to Ohio children. In 16 years of GKAS, Ohio dental volunteers have provided nearly $14.5 million of dental care to over 270,000 underserved children.  More than $942,000 in care was provided at no cost to 19,700 children in Ohio in 2018!  

Children’s oral health has been a priority of Ohio’s Community Health Centers for more than a decade. The ECOH Initiative enables access and integrates oral health screenings as a standard of care during well-child checks for children nine to thirty-six months of age within community health centers in Ohio. Learn more about the ECHO Initiative.

Healthier mouths mean healthier people. Healthier people mean stronger communities. During this year’s National Children’s Dental Health Month, let’s all “Brush and Clean in Between to Build a Healthy Smile!”

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Children's Oral Health

Keeping your child's teeth clean and healthy from an early age is very important. How your child takes care of their teeth now, can impact them for the rest of their lives. One in five children, from ages 5 to 11 years old, have at least one untreated decayed tooth and 1 in 7 kids, ages 12 to 19, do as well. 

Tooth decay is preventable if you and your child take the correct steps to have a healthier mouth. Flouride will do wonders for both your teeth and your child's. Children can get fluoride varnish and dental sealants on their teeth to help keep them safe.  Also, brushing and rinsing with fluoride will help give them extra protection. If you can't make it to the dentist, fluoride can be found in tap water as well as in over the counter mouth rinses and washes! 

As we Celebrate National Children's Dental Health Month, make sure you are taking daily steps to keep your kids' mouth clean, healthy and happy!

For more information, visit:
Oral Health Resources for Children
Children's Dental Health Month
How to Take Care of your Child's Teeth
2min2x.org

Ohio's Hepatitis A Outbreak - what you need to know!

The Ohio Department of Health and local public health agencies have been investigating and monitoring the current statewide hepatitis A outbreak. Hepatitis A is a very contagious liver infection that causes inflammation and can affect your liver's ability to function properly. This infection can be spread by: eating food that has been handled by someone who has not properly washed their hands drinking contaminated water eating food that has not been cooked or cleaned being in close contact with someone who has the hepatitis A virus sexual contact with someone that has the virus This particular situation is determined to be an outbreak due to the number of cases that have been reported just this year. As of January 28th, 2018 there have been: Number of cases: 1531 Illness onset range: 01/05/2018 – 01/21/2019 Age range: 2-81 years Gender: 60% male Number of hospitalizations: 957 (63%) Number of deaths: 5 The best way to stay protected against hepatitis A is to get a vaccination. The ODH Immunization Program will make available federally funded 317 adult hepatitis A vaccine to all Vaccines for Children (VFC) enrolled FQHCs for free.  FQHCs who are interested in obtaining adult hepatitis A vaccine for this outbreak must complete the Outbreak Response Immunization Agreement form. Please review the following guidance on hepatitis A vaccine eligibility and frequently asked questions (FAQs) prior to completing and submitting the agreement. Vaccine orders can be placed online via the ImpactSIIS Vaccine Ordering Management System (VOMS). A separate outbreak control order set has been created for FQHCs and RHCs. For accountability purposes, all administered doses must be submitted to ImpactSIIS. Helpful Links: ODH's response to the hepatitis A outbreak FQHCs Role in Ohio's Hepatitis A Outbreak Webinar FREE continuing education (CE) activity CDC hepatitis A outbreak website Hepatitis A Statewide Community Outbreak Hepatitis A Questions and Answers for Health Professionals For more information, please call the Ohio Department of Health Bureau of Infectious Diseases at (614) 995-5599. For up-to-date information about this outbreak, visit www.ohiochc.org/HepA