Making Your Voice Heard: How to be an Effective Health Advocate

Physicians and other health care providers are uniquely positioned to advocate for issues impacting their patients and their communities. In this 2-part article, we interview a physician advocate and share advice, resources, and opportunities for clinicians who may be interested in health advocacy.  READ MORE

Vision Zero: Preventing Traffic Deaths - The Critical Role of Clinicians

Traffic fatalities are a leading cause of death for both adults and children in LA County. This article describes actions clinicians can take to help prevent traffic-related injuries and fatalities including: advocating for local policy changes, sharing first-hand stories about victims of traffic collisions, speaking with patients about safe transportation behaviors, and encouraging patients to get involved with local advocacy efforts.  READ MORE

Promoting Firearm Safety and Preventing Firearm Violence: What Clinicians Can Do

Health care providers can play important roles in both promoting firearm safety and preventing firearm violence. This article provides local statistics, features national medical society recommendations, and summarizes potential areas for clinician action in both LA County and the U.S.  READ MORE

Post Outbreak Report: Measles April-May 2019

The first measles outbreak of 2019 in LA County ended on June 15. This brief summarizes the April-May measles cases and the associated outbreak response. It also reiterates key clinical actions to prevent and control this highly infectious disease, which is particularly important as new measles cases have already been detected in the county.  READ MORE

Resources for Providers and Patients

View recent releases from DPH: a poster on specimen collection for common vaccine preventable diseases, an STD flyer for patients, scabies FAQs, and a new website with safe pain management information for health care providers and patients. VIEW LIST

DPH UPDATES

From the Los Angeles Health Alert Network (LAHAN)

• Nationwide Shortage of Tuberculin Skin Test Antigens: CDC recommendations and DPH advice on using TB risk-assessments before considering TST testing in K-12 school settings. LAHAN
• Measles Situation Update and Revised Clinical Guidance. LAHAN

LA County DPH Guidance and Reporting Requirements

• LA County Tuberculosis Control Program Guidance on the New CDC Recommendations for Tuberculosis Screening, Testing, and Treatment of U.S. Health Care Personnel: Memo explaining that TB screening and testing of health care personnel must continue per California law until further notice.
• Change to Scabies Reporting Requirements: A single case of crusted or atypical scabies is no longer reportable. Outbreaks (two or more cases of scabies, any type) are still reportable. DPH Scabies webpage

Recently Released Data Briefs and Reports

• Prescription Medication Misuse and Public Perceptions in Los Angeles County Report

Meetings and Trainings

• HIV Prevention with Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) On-Demand CME Webinar: This new webinar is designed to increase health care providers’ knowledge of and comfort with prescribing PrEP to reduce their patients’ risk of HIV acquisition. Webinar
• Addressing Social Determinants of Health as Part of Managing Type 2 Diabetes in Adults On-Demand CME: This new cased-based CME activity is designed to help clinicians better manage type 2 diabetes in adults, including addressing social factors that affect the health of patients with diabetes. Case Studies
• TB Continuing Education Series for Health Professionals: August 2, 9:00 am - 11:30 am. “The Nuts and Bolts of Using Corticosteroids to Treat Tuberculosis” and case discussion with CME. Contact Clarissa Torres or call 213-745-1737 for more information.
• Coalition to End TB Meeting: August 15, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm at LAC DPH TB Control Program Headquarters. The meeting will include a discussion of potential policy activities and outreach efforts for World TB Day 2020. Meeting Flyer
• Beyond Silos: Domestic Violence and Health Care Partnerships Symposium: October 29, 8:30 am – 4:00 pm at the California Endowment Center for Healthy Communities. This symposium will address the safety net for domestic violence survivors, survivor health needs, and how to promote systems changes to address domestic violence as a public health issue. Symposium Information

Rx for Prevention, 2019
July;9(2).

Published: July 11, 2019