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Dec 10

Manny Lopes Appointed Chair of Board of Health

Goldstein, Robert on 12/10/2018 6:00 PM

Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced the appointment of Manny Lopes as the Chair of Boston's Board of Health. The Board of Health is the seven-member governing body that oversees the work of the Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC). Lopes succeeds Francis Doyle, who stepped down in October from the Board to assume a leadership role within the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

"We are fortunate to have Manny Lopes as the new chair of the Board of Health and look forward to working with him in this new capacity," said Mayor Walsh. "Over the past several years, Manny has built a culture designed to provide the best possible care for patients at the East Boston Neighborhood Health Center. Having served on the Board of Health since 2015, he is already aware of the current and emerging challenges and opportunities facing the Commission's work today and I'm confident that he'll do great job leading the Board."

Lopes currently serves as president and chief executive officer of East Boston Neighborhood Health Center (EBNHC), one of the largest community health centers in the country. Born and raised in East Boston, Manny joined EBNHC as a research assistant at the age of 18, and later held positions at multiple departments within the health center. After a few years outside the health center, during which he worked as a business consultant, Manny rejoined EBNHC in 2004 as vice president and chief information officer. In 2012, Manny was named CEO by the EBNHC Board of Directors and in 2015, became president. He becomes the first person of Cape Verdean descent to be named Chair of the Board of Health in Boston.

"I am ready to serve and drive forward the public health priorities and goals outlined by the Mayor and being executed daily through the vast programming offered by the Commission and its public health and community partners," said Manny Lopes. "I look forward to working closely with Executive Director Valdes Lupi, the BPHC staff, and my fellow board members to further advance an agenda that supports all Bostonians, so they can equally have every opportunity to thrive."

"I am excited to have Manny as Chair and to work closely with him and our Board to implement strategies and initiatives to advance the health for all Bostonians," said Monica Valdes Lupi, Executive Director, Boston Public Health Commission. "Given his leadership at the health center, he has a keen appreciation for the public health challenges that our clients face and brings great energy and experience in innovating to this role."

For more information on the Board of Health, please visit bphc.org/boardofhealth

ABOUT THE BOSTON PUBLIC HEALTH COMMISSION

The Boston Public Health Commission, one of the country's first health departments, is an independent public agency providing a wide range of health services and programs. It is governed by a seven-member board of health appointed by the Mayor of Boston.

Public service and access to quality health care are the cornerstones of our mission - to protect, preserve, and promote the health and well-being of all Boston residents, particularly those who are most vulnerable. The Commission's more than 40 programs are grouped into six bureaus: Child, Adolescent & Family Health; Community Health Initiatives; Homeless Services; Infectious Disease; Recovery Services; and Emergency Medical Services.

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Dec 01

BPHC Recognizes World AIDS Day 2018

Goldstein, Robert on 12/1/2018 9:00 AM

Did you know that an estimated 1,122,900 adults and adolescents were living with HIV in the United States at the end of 2015? Of those, it is estimated that 162,500 (15%) did not know their status before being tested. The younger a person is, the less likely they are to know their status. Among people aged 13-24 with HIV, 51% are estimated to not know their status.

In 2014, among all adults and adolescents with HIV (diagnosed or undiagnosed):

62% received some HIV medical care,
48% were retained in continuous HIV care, and
49% had achieved viral suppression (having a very low level of the virus).

From 1987 (the first year HIV was listed as a cause of death on death certificates) through 2015, 507,351 people have died from HIV disease.

Thanks to better treatments, HIV is no longer a death sentence. However, stigma is still preventing many people from getting tested for HIV; and in some cases, starting treatment if necessary.

It is important on this World AIDS Day for us to unite in the fight against HIV and show support for people living with HIV.

HIV can spread when someone with HIV has unprotected sex or shares injection drug equipment with someone who does not have HIV. An infected mother can also spread it to her baby during pregnancy, birth, or breast feeding. HIV cannot be spread by hugging, shaking hands, sharing toilets, sharing dishes, or closed-mouth kissing with someone with HIV. Mosquitoes, ticks, or other blood-sucking insects cannot spread HIV.

There are several different methods that have been proven to be effective in reducing HIV transmission. They include:

Viral Suppression –Many people living with HIV who take their HIV medicines daily achieve viral suppression. This means that the amount of HIV in the blood is so low that it cannot be detected by routine labs. If a person has an undetectable viral load as a result of treatment, the chances of spreading the virus through sex is extremely unlikely.

PrEP – People who do not have HIV but have an ongoing high risk for HIV infection can take a daily pill that has been proven to reduce the risk of sexual transmission of HIV. People are considered to have a high risk for HIV infection if:

they are in a relationship with someone that is living with HIV
they have multiple sexual partners and do not consistently use condoms
they have unprotected sex
they inject drugs and share needles or equipment to inject drugs
Men who have sex with men who have anal sex without a condom should also consider PrEP. It is important to take the medicine exactly as prescribed to keep the risk of HIV transmission low. PrEP does NOT protect against other Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) such as syphilis, gonorrhea, or chlamydia. Talk to your healthcare provider if you think PrEP is right for you.

PEP – People who may have been exposed to HIV can reduce their chances of getting HIV through PEP (post exposure prophylaxis). PEP is medication that must be started within 72 hours of HIV exposure to be most effective. If you think you may have been exposed to HIV, contact a healthcare provider right away. Like PrEP, PEP does NOT protect against STIs other than HIV.

Condoms – Condoms remain one of the most effective methods for sexually active individuals to protect themselves against HIV. They are also the ONLY contraceptive to protect against other STIs. Using condoms in addition with the methods listed above can provide you with the best protection.

Join us in the fight this World AIDS Day to stamp out HIV, learn the facts about HIV and help take a stand against HIV stigma! To learn more about HIV, visit www.bphc.org/HIV or call the Mayor's Health Line at 617-534-5050 for information about HIV testing or for help finding a health care provider specializing in HIV prevention and care.

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Nov 20

Thanksgiving Food Safety

Ragan, Ali on 11/20/2018 9:00 AM

As we gather with family and friends to celebrate the holidays, it’s important to follow good food safety practices. Did you know that 1 in 6 Americans get food poisoning every year? Food poisoning (known as foodborne illness) is caused by germs (bacteria or viruses) or toxins (harmful substance produced by germs) spread through food. People get sick when they eat contaminated foods such as meat, shellfish, fish, dairy products, produce or some liquids. Keep you and your family healthy this holiday season! Follow these 4 easy steps to keep germs out of your food.

Clean

Wash your hands with warm soapy water for at least 20 seconds

before and after preparing food
after touching raw food
before eating
after using the restroom, and
after changing a diaper or cleaning up a child who has used the restroom

Rinse all fresh fruits and vegetables under running water before cooking, packing, or eating.
Wash all surfaces and utensils with warm, soapy water before and after use.

Separate

Keep juices from raw meat, poultry, or fish from coming in contact with other foods cooked or raw that are ready to eat. These juices contain germs!
Use separate plates for raw and cooked meat, fish, or poultry.
If possible, use one cutting board for meat or poultry and one for ready-to-eat food.

Cook

Raw meat, poultry, and eggs need to be cooked thoroughly.
Use a food thermometer to ensure foods have reached a high enough temperature to kill any harmful germs that might be present.

Safe Cooking Temperatures

Food	Internal Temperatures
Roast Beef, Steaks	145° F w/ 3 minute rest*
Ground Beef	160° F
Ribs, chops, roast pork, sausage (fresh)	145° F w/ 3 minute rest*
Ground pork	160° F
Chicken, duck, turkey, ground poultry	165° F
Fried or poached eggs	until yolk is firm

Chill

Refrigerate leftover and unused portions promptly.
Food should not be out for more than 2 hours.

For more tips about Food Safety, visit:

www.bphc.org/foodsafety or

http://www.foodsafety.gov/

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Nov 15

Asbestos

Ragan, Ali on 11/15/2018 9:00 AM

Asbestos is a dangerous chemical that has been used to build houses and other buildings. Asbestos can be found in nature but is most common in old homes built before the 1970s. It was used in walls, ceilings, and floors because it is fire-resistant and a good insulator. Asbestos looks like thin, white fibers.

Most of the time, asbestos in your home is safe. Asbestos is unsafe when it is damaged, and it can be bad for your health. Exposure to asbestos can cause:

mesothelioma (a type of lung cancer)
lung cancer
asbestosis
pleural disease

Call your doctor if you are concerned that you have been exposed to asbestos. Early symptoms of asbestos exposure include a cough or shortness of breath that worsens over time.

If you think you have asbestos in your home, hire a professional asbestos removal company to remove it. Do not remove asbestos yourself.

Get your home inspected for asbestos hazards if you are concerned or if you plan to do home repair work yourself. Click here for a full list of licensed asbestos consultants and contractors.

For more information, call BPHC's Environmental & Occupational Health Division at 617-534-5965.

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Oct 25

Lead Poisoning Prevention Week: MA Lead Law

Ragan, Ali on 10/25/2018 9:00 AM

One of the most common ways to get lead poisoning is from paint that contains lead. Lead paint was used in most houses that were built before 1978. However, the MA Lead Law protects a child's right to a lead-safe home. It requires the removal or covering of lead paint hazards in homes built before 1978 where any children under 6 live. Landlords cannot reject you or evict you because of lead, and homeowners are required to remove or cover lead paint hazards in homes where a child under the age of 6 lives.

As of December 1, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health's Public Health Council modified the Massachusetts Lead Law to redefine what is considered lead poisoning and how to perform lead inspections and abatement.

What changes should you be aware of?

Lead poisoning is now defined as 10 micrograms per dL in the blood or more
If a child has a blood lead level of 5-9 micrograms per deciliter, they have a blood lead level "of concern"
Parents need to provide proof that their child has been screened for lead poisoning before they can start daycare and pre-K programs

Are you having work done in your home? Because of the changes to the MA Lead law, contractors and renovators should know that:

If they want to use chemical strippers, they will need TWO inspections

Surfaces considered "accessible mouthable" now include window sills, hand rails, and railing caps only.
You no longer have to abate outside corners of walls, window and door casings, chair rails, balusters, and latticework
Full abatement is now required for "friction surfaces," which includes things like doors, door jambs, and treads. You cannot encapsulate these surfaces. Instead, the hazard must be removed.
The lead level that is considered dangerous decreased from 600 ppm to 90 ppm

Are you doing work in your home by yourself?

Make sure you have the right training and certifications. If you do not have the right training or certification, you may unknowingly expose yourself or your loved ones to lead hazards.
The Boston Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program offers moderate risk deleading training for anyone interested in removing lead hazards themselves. For more information, call 617-534-5965.

To learn more about lead poisoning or request a lead inspection, call the Lead Poisoning Prevention Program at 617-534-5965.

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Oct 24

Lead Poisoning Prevention Week: How to prevent lead poisoning

Ragan, Ali on 10/24/2018 9:00 AM

Lead is a metal found in nature. It can be found in all parts of our environment – the air, the soil, the water, and even inside our homes. Lead is a poison when it gets into the body, and it can stay in the body for a long time. Babies and young children absorb lead more easily than adults, so it is especially bad for their health.

Lead poisoning is when lead builds up in the body, usually over months or years. It can:

Hurt the brain, kidneys, and nervous system
Slow down growth and development
Make it harder for the child to learn
Damage hearing and speech
Cause behavior problems

The harm done by lead may never go away, so it is important to get your child tested and treated.

Things you can do:

Ask your child's doctor for a blood lead level test every year
Make sure you child eats a healthy diet that includes foods that contain a lot of calcium, vitamin C, and iron
Check regularly to see if any of your child's toys have been recalled. Visit the Consumer Product Safety Commission's website at http://www.cpsc.gov/. If your child's toy has been recalled, do not let them play with it and throw it away.
If you're doing work on your home, make sure you're doing it safely. Only licensed and properly trained contractors can remove lead. Doing it yourself? Be sure to take the Boston Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program's Moderate Risk Deleading course.
Find out if your home's water service line is made from lead by checking the Boston Water and Sewer Commission's (BWSC) database or by calling 617-989-7888.
Call the Boston Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program to request an inspection. The inspector will be able to tell you whether your home's paint contains lead. Only complete home renovations or painting if you know your home's paint is lead-free. If your home's paint contains lead, the property owner must perform deleading.

To learn more about lead poisoning, request a lead inspection, or find out more about our moderate risk deleading course, call the Lead Poisoning Prevention Program at 617-534-5965.

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Oct 23

Lead Poisoning Prevention Week: What is lead poisoning?

Ragan, Ali on 10/23/2018 9:00 AM

Lead poisoning is when lead builds up in the body, usually over months or years. It can:

Hurt the brain, kidneys, and nervous system
Slow down growth and development
Make it harder for the child to learn
Damage hearing and speech
Cause behavior problems

The harm done by lead may never go away, so it is important to get your child tested and treated.

The only way to know whether your child has been exposed to lead is through a blood test that measures how much lead is present in your child's blood. This is called a blood lead level. If your child is 6 years old or younger, ask your child's doctor for a blood test. You should have your child tested each year until the age of 6.

If your child's blood lead level is between 5-9 μg/dL: A blood lead level in this range is at a level of concern. It is not safe for a child to have a blood lead level of 5 or more. Your child should get a blood test again within two months after their first test. Your child's doctor may prescribe multivitamins and iron. Your child's doctor may also suggest your child eat a diet that includes foods that contain a lot of calcium, vitamin C, and leafy greens (iron), and to limit how many fatty foods your child eats.
If your child's level is >10 μg/dL: A child with a blood lead level greater than 10 has lead poisoning.

If your child has been diagnosed with lead poisoning:

You are required to have a lead inspection for your home. An inspector from the Boston Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (BCLPPP) will check your home for lead. If there is lead in your home, it must be fixed.

Your child will also require medical care. He or she may have to stay in the hospital. Your doctor may prescribe your child with chelation therapy. Chelation therapy is a medicine that helps eliminate lead from the blood.
Some children may have trouble speaking, hearing, or paying attention. Ask your doctor about learning problems your child may have. You may need a special education plan for your child.

To learn more about lead poisoning or request a lead inspection, call the Lead Poisoning Prevention Program at 617-534-5965.

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Oct 22

Lead Poisoning Prevention Week: What is lead?

Ragan, Ali on 10/22/2018 9:00 AM

Lead poisoning is when lead builds up in the body, usually over months or years. It can:

Hurt the brain, kidneys, and nervous system
Slow down growth and development
Make it harder for the child to learn
Damage hearing and speech
Cause behavior problems

The harm done by lead may never go away, so it is important to get your child tested and treated.

Most lead poisoning comes from lead paint, which is commonly found in both the inside and outside of homes built before 1978. Dust from lead paint comes from:

old paint peeling and cracking
opening and closing old windows
home repairs and renovations

Children can breathe in lead dust or can be exposed to lead when putting their hands or toys into their mouths. Children can also get lead poisoning from the water they drink. Corrosion of pipes, service lines, solder, and fixtures made of lead can cause lead to leach into water. Some toys, toy jewelry, and home remedies may also contain lead, though this is less common today than in the past.

To find out whether your house has lead paint, call the Boston Public Health Commission's Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (617-534-5965) to request an inspection. The inspector will be able to tell you whether your home's paint contains lead.

Another way children get lead poisoning is from drinking tap water that has lead in it. To find out if your home's tap water contains lead, get your water tested by a lab that is MassDEP certified. Visit the MassDEP Certified Lab webpage for a list of labs and helpful links. You can also find out if your home's service line is made from lead by checking the Boston Water and Sewer Commission's (BWSC) database or by calling 617-989-7888.

To learn more about lead poisoning, request a lead inspection, or receive other services (case management, home visits, connection to services), call the Lead Poisoning Prevention Program at 617-534-5965.

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Oct 15

National Latino AIDS Awareness Day 2018

Ragan, Ali on 10/15/2018 9:00 AM

HIV continues to be a serious threat to the health of Latinos. In 2016, Latinos made up 26% of the 40,324 new HIV diagnoses in the United States and 6 dependent areas; despite only making up 18% of the total US population. New HIV diagnoses among Latinas decreased 14% from 2011 to 2015 and remained stable among Latinos overall. Although these trends show progress for some Latinos, new HIV diagnoses increased 13% among Latino gay and bisexual men during the same period.

There are many factors that may contribute to these high numbers. Latinos may not seek testing, counseling or treatment (if infected) because of stigma. Furthermore, if people do not know their HIV status, they will continue to spread the infection to others. Some Latinos who know they are infected may not seek treatment because they fear how people will treat them. Cultural norms and homophobia also create a barrier for some people to access HIV prevention services. In addition, undocumented Latinos may be less likely to use HIV prevention services because of concerns about being arrested and deported.

It may not always be easy to talk about HIV but talking openly about HIV will help to protect the health of every member of the community. Learn the facts about HIV! Help increase HIV awareness to decrease the stigma and shame that are too often associated with this infection!

Protect yourself from HIV!

Always use a latex, nitrile or polyurethane condom or barrier (dental dam) when having sex (vaginal, oral, or anal)

Condoms made from "natural" materials may protect against pregnancy but NOT HIV or other STIs.

Limit your number of sex partners.
Talk with your partner about their status and getting tested.
Talk with your health care provider about safer sex practices and getting tested.
Understand that having sex while under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol can increase the likelihood of unprotected sex.
Do not share needles or "works" if you are injecting drugs.

Get tested, protect yourself!

Anyone who has had sex (anal, oral or vaginal) should be tested for HIV at least once.
People that should be tested more often (at least once a year) include:

People who do not use condoms every time they have sex
Men who have sex with men (MSM)
People with multiple sex partners
People with sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
People who inject drugs

You should also be tested for HIV if you have been sexually assaulted or if you are a woman who is pregnant or planning to become pregnant.

Talk to your healthcare provider about getting tested! There are also several free and confidential testing centers in Boston. To find a testing center near you, call the Mayor's Health Line at 617-534-5050 or visit https://gettested.cdc.gov/search_results.

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Sep 28

World Rabies Day

Ragan, Ali on 9/28/2018 11:19 AM

Today is World Rabies Day! Rabies is a deadly, but preventable virus that causes more than 59,000 deaths each year worldwide. It is most often transmitted through the bite of an animal that has the virus. Rabies can be found all around the world. More than 90% of all animal rabies cases reported each year in the United States occur in wild animals. The animals most commonly infected with rabies include raccoons, bats, skunks, and foxes. Canine rabies which is responsible for rabies spreading from dog-to-dog has been eliminated in the United States.

Protect yourself and others from rabies:

Take pets to a veterinarian for their rabies vaccine

Make sure that your pets are up to date on their rabies vaccine. Cats, dogs and ferrets should be vaccinated against rabies by a veterinarian regularly.

Keep away from wildlife and unfamiliar animals.

One of the best ways to protect yourself and your family from rabies is to avoid contact from wild animals.
Avoid stray dogs and cats that are unfamiliar to you and your family. These animals may have contact with wild animals and spread rabies to humans.
If you see an animal acting strangely in Boston, report it to Boston Animal Control at 617-635-5348.
Never pick up or touch dead animals, the rabies virus may still be in their tissues and saliva. If you see a dead animal in Boston, report it to Boston Animal Control at 617-635-5348.

Keep your pets indoors and supervised.

Watch your pets when they are outdoors and keep them from interacting with wildlife or stray animals.
Do not feed or put water out for your pets outside. Keep garbage covered. These items will attract wild animals to your yard.
Teach children to never touch or handle wild or stray animals.

Visit our Rabies factsheet for more information.

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