Services can include New Baby and Well-Child Checkups up to age 5 years (priority is for families without health insurance coverage or with barriers to accessing care), immunizations for Children and Teens, with some adult immunizations available if eligible (Tdap, Zoster, Pneumonia), and Flu Vaccine if available. Also, WIC & Denali Kid Care Referrals, Family Planning Information, STD/HIV screening and Counseling, Emergency Preparedness information, and Information on nutrition, growth and development, parenting and other common health topics.

“The broad based public health knowledge and experience of public health nursing in Alaska helps reduce health care costs through early detection and prevention of health problems. Alaska’s public health nurses have intimate knowledge of local community resources, community leadership, and family structures essential to public health functions such as communicable disease control. Their skills and knowledge combined with the trust of individuals and professionals in their communities are valuable in working with health and environmental issues. The PHN presence at the local level assures timely intervention,” says the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services Division of Public Health.

Chief of Public Health Nursing Rhonda D. Richtsmeier, R.N., M.N., says “Public health nursing is contributing every day to the improvement of the health of Alaskans and their families. We are excited to be working with communities to solve public health concerns and to create community solutions that will improve the health of all Alaskans in the years to come. There are many challenges in public health in Alaska — and you can count on public health nursing to be ready for them.”

For appointments or more information please contact Victoria Craddick RN, PHN at 1-800-478-1777 EXT. 631

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The web page for The Statewide Suicide Prevention Council says that  Alaska has the highest rate of suicide per capita in the country. Alaska’s rate was 22.6 suicides per 100,000 people in 2010. The good news is that many people can be saved by treatment, as  more than 90% of people who die by suicide have depression or another diagnosable, treatable mental or substance abuse disorder, according to the American Association of Suicidology.

“The Statewide Suicide Prevention Council advises the governor and legislature on issues relating to suicide. In collaboration with communities, faith-based organizations, and public-private entities, the Council works to improve the health and wellness of Alaskans by reducing suicide and its effect on individuals and communities,” they say.

The event will take place Monday, February 25th at 7 p.m. at the Chief Mitch Demientieff Tribal Hall and finger food will be provided. This event is  hosted by the WIN Coalition. For more information, call Kat McElroy at 832-5557 or Tim Horn at 832-1047

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Several cases of pertussis, also called “whooping cough” have been reported in Fairbanks. Pertussis can be a very serious disease, especially for infants less than one year old.

Immunization against pertussis is the best way to help prevent outbreaks in your community and protect infants. Community members should have their pertussis immunization status verified and updated as appropriate for their age. School-age children who have received the required immunizations for school entry should be immunized against pertussis. Adults should receive a one-time booster of Tdap vaccine if they have not had pertussis immunization as an adult.

A Public Health Nurse will be in Nenana Thursday, September 27th

Fairbanks Public Health Center can provide Tdap vaccination to uninsured/underinsured adults

For appointments or more information please contact Victoria Craddick RN, PHN at

1-800-478-1777 EXT. 631

or email victoria.craddick@alaska.gov for more information

List of Public Health Nurse Services:

·         New Baby and Well-Child Checkups up to age 5 years (priority is for families without health insurance coverage or with barriers to accessing care)

·         Immunizations for Children and Teens

·         Flu Vaccine if available

·         WIC & Denali Kid Care Referrals

·         Family Planning Information

·         STD/HIV screening and Counseling

·         Emergency Preparedness information

·         Information on nutrition, growth and development, parenting and

·         other common health topics

Meet the Author: Diane Jensen

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 Committee Chairman of Libertarian National, Mark Hinkle shared his personal insights this week on the issues surrounding the current administration’s health care management. Hinkle pointed out that “If we want better health insurance for all, why are we making it illegal?”

“Insurance, if you think about it, should exist to protect you against catastrophic expenditures. For example, car insurance doesn’t cover the cost of gas and oil, as it would be outrageously expensive due to the incentive for increased driving. Similarly, health insurance should not cover ordinary and predictable costs, yet remains outrageously expensive because it does,” Hinkle stated. “ObamaCare, known in Massachusetts as RomneyCare, effectively outlaws true health insurance.”

Based on his judgment, he believes that it isn’t fair for consumers to buy overpriced insurance covering predictable costs. Hinkle also stressed the relationship of the American health insurance to employment as a result of “of a system that taxes cash wages but not health benefits”. He also mentioned the mandatory coverage rate in every state as well as some state regulations that drives the insurance rates to surge higher almost annually.

“”The result is this: if you want inexpensive health insurance, but don’t want coverage for alcoholism, weight loss programs and baldness treatments, and would prefer a deductible based on your personal finances: TOUGH. Even if you’re not stuck with your employer’s choices, the type of individually tailored coverage you want is illegal.”

As a solution, Hinkle suggests that we need to “decriminalize” good health insurance. By this he means eliminating mandatory coverage, the laws against purchasing health insurance across state lines, and the unfavorable tax treatment of personal insurance policies.

Finally, Hinkle gave the following words regarding Obama’s pursuit for free contraceptives for the employees (an issue he believes is far less fundamental than the issue of health insurance):

“Women shouldn’t need a permission slip from their doctor to have safe sex. Removing the prescription requirement would massively reduce the cost of contraceptives, making it far more affordable. In turn, this would ease the burden on groups such as Planned Parenthood that have long provided free contraceptives to those in need.”

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“We are immensely honored to have these talented and inspiring individuals as members of our new Honorary Advisory Board, and even more appreciative of the work each has done to increase the understanding of, and to reduce the stigma associated with, depression and bipolar disorder,” says Lucinda Jewel, Chairman of the DBSA Board.

“All of the members of our Honorary Advisory Board exemplify that people living with mental health conditions can and do live extraordinary lives unlimited by a diagnosis,” she continued.

The prime purpose of the organization is to extinguish the negative stigma brought by depression and mood disorders. DBSA President, Allen Doederlein explains that an “extraordinary life is absolutely possible for those of us living with mood disorders.”

Doederlein also proudly shared that their purpose and objectives are clearly reflected in all of their programming, peer-led support grounds as well as their members (from whom half had already been through severe depression and bipolar attacks).

“Because of the work of DBSA and individuals like our Honorary Board members, the over 21 million individuals living with mood disorders can be assured they are not alone— hope, inspiration, and support are close at hand,” Doederlein added.

About DBSA

The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) is the leading patient-directed national organization focusing on depression and bipolar disorder.  DBSA has more than 1,000 peer-run support groups across the country. Nearly five million people request and receive information and assistance each year. The organization fosters an environment of understanding about the impact and management of these life-threatening illnesses by providing up-to-date, scientifically-based tools and information.More information about them is readily accessible online at www.DBSAlliance.org or by dialing (800) 826-3632.

“Children need the majority of their vaccinations in the first two years of life.  That is the time when they are most vulnerable to serious, but preventable, diseases like measles, whooping cough, and flu,” said Doreen Stangel, who works for the Alaska Immunization Program and serves as the liaison to Vaccinate Alaska Coalition. “On-time vaccinations protect children at age 2 from 14 preventable diseases. We see increased risk because 1 in 3 children in Alaska are not fully immunized by the time they are 2 years old.”

Parents will be required to enter their names in a drawing and the lucky winners will receive toy husky dogs that wear collars signed by four-time Iditarod champion Martin Buser. The drawings will be conducted in 17 Alaskan communities at your local Alaska Commercial stores.

In addition to the free huskies, the Iditarod race dogs will also wear jackets that display the campaign message “Immunize Alaska’s Kids” during the race, hopefully to increase awareness of timely childhood immunization, especially for rural communities.

Further information about the Alaska Immunization Program can be acquired by calling  1-888-430-4321 or 269-8088, or visit http://epi.alaska.gov/immunize.

Below is where“I Did It By TWO!” is taking place:

Barrow — North Slope Borough Wellness Center Bethel — Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta Regional Hospital, Bethel Public Health Center, Bethel Family Clinic Cordova ­— Cordova Public Health Center, Ilanka Community Health Center Craig — Craig Public Health Center Dillingham ­— Dillingham Public Health Center Fort Yukon — Yukon Flats Health Center, Fort Yukon Public Health Office Hooper Bay — Hooper Bay Sub-Regional Clinic Klawock — Alicia Roberts Medical Center Kotlik —Kotlik Clinic Kotzebue —Maniilaq Public Health Nursing Mountain Village — George Waskey Memorial Clinic Nome — Nome Public Health Center Pilot Station — Pilot Station Clinic Saint Michael — Katherine Kobuk Memorial Clinic Saint Paul — Saint Paul Health Center Unalakleet — Anikkan Inuit Iluaqutaat Sub-Regional Clinic Yakutat — Yakutat Community Health Center

Below is a list of other locations where childhood immunization providers are participating in the 2012 Vaccinate Alaska Coalition “I Did It By TWO!” toy husky dog project:

Anchorage– Municipality of Anchorage, Public Health Center Alaska Family Medicine Associates Dr. James D. Briggs Dr. Mary Ann Jacob Full Spectrum Pediatrics Alaska Regional Hospital NICU Polar Pediatrics Family Practice Associates LaTouche Pediatrics The Children’s Clinic

Delta Junction Delta Junction Public Health Center   Fairbanks Fairbanks Public Health Center Tanana Valley Clinic   Haines Haines Public Health Center   Homer Homer Public Health Center Kachemak Bay Medical Clinic

Juneau Juneau Public Health Center Glacier Pediatrics

Kenai Kenai Public Health Center   Ketchikan Ketchikan Public Health Center   King Salmon Camai Community Health Center   Kodiak Kodiak Public Health Center   McGrath McGrath Health Center   Nome Nome Public Health Center   Palmer Palmer Family Medicine

Petersburg Petersburg Public Health Center   Seward Seward Public Health Center   Sitka Sitka Public Health Center Mountainside Family Healthcare

Tok Tok Public Health Center   Valdez Valdez Public Health Center   Wasilla Ptarmigan Pediatrics Family Medicine of Alaska Lighthouse Family Medicine Mat-Su Health Services Mat-Su Public Health Center   Wrangell Alaska Island Community Services Wrangell Public Health Center

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“The Balanced Mind Foundation was established in 1999 by parents of children with nowhere to turn for resources. At the time, no other mental health organization served the needs of these families. Over the past decade, The Balanced Mind Foundation has built a community 32,000 people strong and helped thousands more through more than half a million annual website visits to thebalancedmind.org. The Balanced Mind Foundation provides information and support for parents and teens via support groups, blogs, podcasts, forums, chats, an eHotline, a parent volunteer support network and a vast online library on mood disorders in youth,” they say.

This site can be used as an online psychology resource for generic information. Please use a professional for yours or your childs health needs, including mental health.

According to a recent national survey conducted to over 10,000 American teenagers, 11% is found out to be severely impaired by mood disorder; suicide is the 3^rd leading cause of teenage/young adult deaths and 90% of suicide victims are diagnosed with a psychiatric illness.

Resko extended her gratitude to everyone who helped and gave them active support through the competition, including all the bloggers, high school students, thousands of families and even the Chicago Bears, who posted instructions for voting for The Balanced Mind Foundation via text message during a November game.

“For a mental health project to win the grant thanks to a popular vote is a gratifying indication of progress in itself, and we’re excited to put the results to work for families across the country,” she added.

The competition had been a blessing for the foundation as it didn’t just gave them the financial aid, it also helped them raise and spread public awareness of the foundation’s cause – to help save children and young adults going through depression and mood disorders. Through the competition, the number of monthly visitors to The Balanced Mind Foundation’s website doubled through the help of the campaign.

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Smart baby. Photo by Ambroz

Life assurance is cheapest insurance of all, and  this spring Best Beginnings are handing out 7,500 “Babies on Track” DVDs and board books for Alaskan families with kids under 2 years old – free of charge. The premiere week in Alaskan communities has started on the 25^th of February and will extend to the 4^th of March. Even if you miss an event, you can still find the dvds and books online at the website, which tells you where you can use them locally, in your community.

“The fundamental principle behind Babies on Track is that the baby brain grows more in its earliest years – before 3 years old – than at any other time in human life. It’s also the time when language is taking shape in their brains.Talking, conversation, singing, and other forms of interaction are critical in this period,” as mentioned by the company’s official site.  “The video introduces a simple model families can follow in their own interactions with their babies.”

The free items will be distributed to local Alaskan hospitals, libraries, child care providers and some child-related organizations. This doesn’t exclude Alaskan families with kids under 2 years of age. Some events and premieres hosted by Best Beginnings are open only to enrolled participants, but most of them are open to the public and all are free of charge.

The whole idea of “Babies on Track” is to create a constant family interaction and ‘conversations’ with the babies.  The more conversation and interaction that occur – the easier it is for the baby to pick up language later. The medical reason behind this is that this age group have larger vocabularies and through the help of proper child interaction and care, these children may be ready for kindergarten as early as 5 years of age.

About Babies on Track

The Babies on Track DVD was supported by contributions from the Alaska Department of Education & Early Development and Alyeska Pipeline Service Company. Learn more about Best Beginnings at www.bestbeginningsalaska.org.

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Overman was able cling to the ice while his fishing companion, who was on the other bank of the river, called for help. The witness stated that Overman had submerged at least once. First on scene was a member of the Cooper Landing Volunteer Fire & Rescue and an Alaska Wildlife Trooper. The two used a parachute cord tied to a backpack to throw out to Overman.

After several attempts Overman was still in the water but approximately 10 feet close to shore. A second member of the Cooper Landing Volunteer Fire & Rescue arrived on scene. He was able to put together a make-shift lasso to throw out to Overman.

Overman was able to get the lasso wrapped on his arm so he could be pulled out of the water and 25 yards closer to shore where the ice was thick enough to support his weight and the weight of the three rescuers. Overman was loaded onto a rescue sled and pulled to an ambulance waiting at a residence nearby. The ambulance transported Overman to an airstrip and he was flown to an Anchorage hospital by LifeMed. Overman had been in the water for approximately 18 minutes.

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This year, Iron Dog contestants raced in an effort to decrease the suicide rate in Alaska. Iron dog racers join forces with Careline compaign volunteers to raise public awareness of the negative impacts of suicide and how to prevent it, with special emphasis on teenage suicide. The state Division of Behavioral Health printed sports cards and posters with the racers’ photos, the message that “Life is a team effort!” and contact information for Careline.

The Iron Dog team #40 was chosen to bring the message this year. The team comprises of Tanana-natives, rookie Archie Agnes and second-year racer Arnold Marks. Archie and Arnold shared a three-point message against suicide.

“Suicide is preventable. We know how to foster mental health, which suicide-risk evaluation programs are effective and how to intervene when appropriate…   We can all help. Alaskans can attend or adopt school- and community-based programs that teach students and community members how to identify signs of depression, how to reach out and how to connect people to help…    Need help? Get help. “Life is a team effort!” the cards and posters say. Iron Dog racers ride as teams because it makes sense to use the buddy system when covering 2,000 rough, remote miles.”

Alaskans who are suffering depression, on the verge of suicide, losing hope due to any reasons, know about someone showing off hints of suicide, or grieving for someone who died of suicide, Careline encourages you to contact them at 1-877-266-HELP       (4357) or chat online at www.CarelineAlaska.com. Careline is open 24/7.

About Suicide Prevention in Alaska

Recently, the State of Alaska released a five-year statewide suicide prevention action plan to the public. This is available for online viewing at www.hss.state.ak.us/suicideprevention.

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