2001 Press Releases

>	December 24, 2001 Television show offers local information on bioterrorism This 30 minute program will define bioterrorism and what Public Health's role plays in protecting the community.
>	December 14, 2001 Traffic patrols stepped up during holidays and "Night of 1,000 Stars" Law enforcement agencies in the King County area will join together to help make the holidays safer for drivers, passengers, pedestrians and bicyclists by coordinating patrols to nab unsafe drivers.
>	December 3, 2001 King County Board of Health special meeting on December 7th Discussion to include food service establishment and water recreation facility fees.
>	November 30, 2001 Public Health releases report on death trends for King County The Medical Examiner investigates all sudden, unexpected, suspicious and violent deaths that occur in King County.
>	November 21, 2001 Public meeting to discuss proposed on-site sewage fees In order to protect public health, county and state code requires local health departments to implement plans to periodically monitor on-site sewage systems (OSS) within their jurisdictions.
>	November 20, 2001 Broad coalition stresses teen car safety during national buckle-up awareness week "Hundreds of people are killed each year on our state's roads, and over half of those deaths involve drivers or passengers who aren't wearing seat belts," said King County Executive Ron Sims.
>	November 19, 2001 Buckle up children correctly to prevent a tragedy and a leading cause of death during the holidays According to the Washington State Traffic Safety Commission, car crashes are the leading cause of death for children between the ages of 4 and 8.
>	November 15, 2001 Safe food handling and cooking practices are a central part of a healthy holiday Whether your meals this holiday season are strictly vegetarian or include meat, fish or poultry, any meal could be the cause of food borne illness if the food is not prepared, served and stored safely.
>	November 14, 2001 New diabetes webpages will help tackle increasing health problem in King County The launch of the REACH (Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health) Coalition webpages combines information on diabetes prevention, resources and community-based health activities and organizations.
>	November 13, 2001 Gay American Smokeout: Quit tobacco for a day, take a critical step towards better health The goal is to reduce the high smoking rate among gay men, lesbians, bisexual and transgendered people since these populations have twice the smoking rates compared to the general population.
>	November 9, 2001 King County Board of Health meeting on November 16th Discussion topics to include raising fees for on-site sewage, food establishments, water recreation facilities.
>	October 25, 2001 Traffic Safety Emphasis Patrols during Halloween will "Surround The Sound" "We can scare people with our costumes, but not with our driving. Halloween should be fun, festive and safe," said King County Executive Ron Sims.
>	October 22, 2001 Quality indoor air, quality health "Poor air quality can lead to serious health problems, like allergies, asthma and other lung diseases. By improving the air quality in your home, you're protecting your health," said Dr. Alonzo Plough, Director of Public Health - Seattle & King County.
>	October 18, 2001 New community-based diabetes activities will help bridge the health gap for minority communities "REACH will allow our community to make significant strides in eliminating health disparities," said King County Executive Ron Sims.
>	October 15, 2001 King County Board of Health meeting on October 19th Discussion items to include department budget, environmental health fee packages, and rulemaking on aquatic foods.
>	October 13, 2001 Public Health announces negative results from testing of substance in envelope at Boeing in Kent All indications at this point are that the final results will be negative, and the individuals who potentially were exposed to the particular piece of mail at Boeing will not require any medical treatment.
>	October 12, 2001 King County Medical Examiner's Statement on the death of Thomas Crane Wales
>	October 10, 2001 Public Health unveils 2001-2002 flu webpages and issues flu recommendations Flu shots available in early November; first priority given to individuals at high-risk of flu complications.
>	October 8, 2001 Public Health working with local and national agencies to prepare for bioterrorism Bioterrorism surveillance and response system in place; vaccinations, antibiotics, gas masks not recommended.
>	October 2, 2001 New Take Charge family planning program highly popular, will benefit thousands of men and women "Effective family planning is the best way to avoid unintended pregnancies, and the Take Charge program allows large numbers of women and men to have access to a range of family planning services," said Dr. Alonzo Plough, Public Health - Seattle & King County.
>	October 1, 2001 Public Health provides treatment and control measures for tuberculosis cases in King County Since a local sports figure was diagnosed with tuberculosis (TB) last Friday, Public Health - Seattle & King County has been assisting Mariner physicians in the testing, treatment and control of TB.
>	October 1, 2001 Celebrating National Child Health Day "Parents, educators, health care providers, therapists need to know what they can do now to improve children's lives, so that those children can look forward to a healthier and brighter future," said King County Executive Ron Sims.
>	September 26, 2001 Best Beginnings for first-time mothers and families Initial research studies indicate that this intensive home visiting model leads to several positive outcomes for the child and the family.
>	September 25, 2001 Public Health issues annual report on Emergency Medical Services and Medic One "This annual report confirms that our Emergency Medical Services and Medic One are a top-notch system that is creatively meeting the needs of citizens throughout our region," said King County Executive Ron Sims.
>	September 17, 2001 King County Board of Health meeting on September 21st Discussion topics to include Joint Executive Committee Plan, Food Safety website, Board of Health Work Session.
>	September 11, 2001 Puget Sound Blood Center receiving donations from area residents In the aftermath of the events today on the East Coast, the Puget Sound Blood Center is preparing to ship blood supplies to New York City.
>	September 10, 2001 Food Inspection webpages launched Groundbreaking new site provides current information and clear explanations to the public about food service establishment inspections.
>	September 6, 2001 Major federal grant will support health care for uninsured children "By incorporating children early into our health care systems, we can reduce the risk of diseases and make sure that they live healthy and productive lives," said Dr. Alonzo Plough, Director of Public Health - Seattle & King County.
>	August 31, 2001 Traffic Emphasis Patrols during Labor Day weekend will target unsafe drivers
>	August 30, 2001 Oral health is key to children's health "Kids need to go to school each day feeling good and healthy, and an important part of this includes having healthy teeth," said King County Executive Ron Sims.
>	August 28, 2001 Health centers offer teens quality and friendly services "Youth trust these health providers. When adolescents visit one of the dozen centers throughout King County, they receive high-quality health care, and they are treated with utmost friendliness and respect," said King County Executive Ron Sims.
>	August 21, 2001 Seattle receives A+ grade as a "Kid Friendly City" in United States "This report states what our residents have known all along. Seattle is a great place for kids," said Seattle Mayor Paul Schell. "The high rankings for health are especially noteworthy and point to the importance of continuing city support for child health programs."
>	August 20, 2001 Heroin Task Force issues recommendations to tackle heroin abuse "Heroin addictions take a very large human and monetary toll on our communities," said Sims. "These recommendations are an important step in dealing with current addictions and preventing new ones."
>	August 14, 2001 Immunization requirements for back to school Immunizations are one of the safest and most effective ways to keep your child healthy.
>	August 3, 2001 HIV/AIDS Planning Council adopts allocation plan for 2002 care services These funds will support the delivery of care services to low-income persons living with HIV/AIDS in King County during the 2002 contract year.
>	August 2, 2001 Launching new Meth Lab Cleanup webpages These pages offer information about the health dangers that methamphetamine (meth) labs can pose to a community, and provide an opportunity for King County residents to get updates on the status of meth lab cleanups in their neighborhood.
>	August 1, 2001 Breastfeeding is the healthiest option. August 1 - 7 is World Breastfeeding Week; new legislation supports breastfeeding "Breast milk is the perfect food for babies and creates a special relationship between mother and her child that is crucial for strong, healthy communities," said Dr. Alonzo Plough, Director of Public Health - Seattle & King County.
>	July 26, 2001 Secondhand Smoke Education Campaign means cleaner air in King County bowling centers "Bowling centers are a primary focus concerning secondhand smoke issues," said Astrid Berg, Executive Director of American Lung Association of Washington. "They are youth and family oriented venues, but are exempt from the Clean Indoor Air Act.
>	July 25, 2001 Drug-related emergency hospital visits on the rise "There's no such thing as a recreational drug. Drugs can cause long-term physical and emotional damage," said Dr. Alonzo Plough, Director of Public Health - Seattle & King County.
>	July 24, 2001 -- (Spanish) Consumidores, especialmente mujeres embarazadas, no deben comer quesos no pasteurizados y queso fresco "La listeria y salmonela son dos bacterias que se encuentran con mayor frecuencia en los quesos suaves producidos con leche cruda no pasteurizada", dijo el Dr. Alonzo Plough, Director del Departamento de Salud Pública de Seattle y el Condado King.
>	July 18, 2001 Signing up kids for health care at the Fair Easy, convenient way for parents to sign up eligible children for free or low cost health insurance on Thursday at the King County Fair.
>	July 18, 2001 In-store tobacco advertising on the rise "Big tobacco companies have targeted children for years," said King County Executive Ron Sims. "Some stores are voluntarily restricting advertisements, but too many stores have ads that potentially influence both children and adults."
>	July 16, 2001 July and August Board of Health meetings canceled
>	July 10, 2001 Tuberculosis rates in King County have held steady during last decade "Since TB is a preventable disease, we can reduce rates through hard work by Public Health and our partners in the health care community," said Dr. Alonzo Plough, Director of Public Health - Seattle & King County.
>	July 5, 2001 Bats are here, but no need to fear "We reassure people that these bats are insect eaters, and aren't inclined to go after humans or pets. To bats, we're the scary ones," said Marilyn Christensen, Veterinarian for Public Health - Seattle & King County.
>	June 26, 2001 A day for saving lives: National HIV Counseling & Testing Day is June 27 More persons are now living infected with HIV than at any previous time in history. It is estimated that there are 6,000 - 9,000 cases in King County, 800,000 - 900,000 in the United States, and over 36 million worldwide.
>	June 21, 2001 Don't get sick from lake water: Know how to reduce the risk of recreational water illnesses Recreational water illnesses are caused by germs like Cryptosporidium, Giardia, E. coli 0157:H7, and Shigella and are spread by accidentally swallowing water that has been contaminated with fecal matter.
>	June 21, 2001 New Washington ID cards and driver licenses will help fight against underage tobacco and alcohol use "The new licenses help retailers quickly determine the correct age of someone attempting to buy alcohol or tobacco," said King County Executive Ron Sims.
>	June 20, 2001 Public Health alerts public and local health care providers to alarming rise in gonorrhea rates Based on infections reported from January to April this year, health officials predict 1,500 to 1,700 gonorrhea cases will be reported in 2001.
>	June 20, 2001 Keeping summer swimming safe for friends and family Public Health has already investigated several local drownings and near drownings this year. In these cases, children who didn't swim very well were left alone and unsupervised.
>	June 12, 2001 No immediate cleanup actions needed for child-use properties on Vashon and Maury Islands Since children are considered to be at greatest risk for exposure to arsenic and lead, island property owners voluntarily allowed soil samples to be taken.
>	June 11, 2001 Public Health announces effort to address club drug use among youth "We need to set the record straight: 'club drugs' such as Ecstasy and GHB are not safe, are not harmless, and they are not free from causing serious long-term physical and emotional harm," said Dr. Alonzo Plough, Director of Public Health - Seattle & King County.
>	June 8, 2001 Public Health, The Seattle Sounders and 5th graders team up against second-hand smoke In the last couple of months, Public Health and The Seattle Sounders have visited 5th graders to educate them on second-hand smoke.
>	June 7, 2001 King County Board of Health meeting on June 15, 2001 Discussion topics to include County budget process, local hazardous waste program.
>	June 7, 2001 National Men's Health Week: A time for men to start improving their health "I challenge all men in King County to adopt at least one new healthy activity during Men's Health Week, and then maintain it," said Sims. "Choose something that you can accomplish, but also that pushes you a little."
>	June 4, 2001 Public Health launches new Family Planning webpages These pages offer online information on reproductive health for women and men, birth control, sexually transmitted diseases, outreach and education services, and more.
>	June 1, 2001 On National Cancer Survivors Day, survivors urge women to get mammograms Cancer survivors are urging all women -- especially those with lower screening rates like low-income women, ethnic minorities and the uninsured -- to get screened for breast cancer.
>	May 31, 2001 World No Tobacco Day celebrated with activities across King County "If we can keep our children from becoming addicted to tobacco before the age of eighteen, they likely will never start, " said Dr. Alonzo Plough, Director of Public Health - Seattle & King County.
>	May 30, 2001 New report on health status of American Indians and Alaska Natives in King County "Despite some improvements in the last 20 years, this report points out that many urban American Indians and Alaskan Natives are not enjoying good health," said King County Executive Ron Sims.
>	May 24, 2001 Traffic Emphasis Patrols during Memorial Day weekend will target unsafe drivers "Too many people choose to commemorate holidays with a deadly mix of alcohol and driving," said King County Executive Ron Sims. "I encourage people to find safer ways to celebrate."
>	May 18, 2001 Allergy sufferers aided by renewal of state law Medic One and Emergency Medical Technicians will continue to provide epinephrine injections.
>	May 17, 2001 New TV show answers common questions on household hazardous chemicals "Spotlight on Environmental Health: Household Hazardous Chemicals," will address common questions and issues regarding household hazardous chemicals.
>	May 17, 2001 King County Asthma Forum will hold Summits to address childhood asthma "I know what it's like not to be able to breathe as a result of an asthma attack," said King County Executive Ron Sims. "People should learn about this disease and how to control it in order to lead normal, healthy lives."
>	May 11, 2001 Some retailers in Eastside cities still sell tobacco to youth "The results in some communities show us that there is still room for improvement among tobacco retailers," said Dr. Alonzo Plough, Director of Public Health - Seattle & King County.
>	May 11, 2001 King County Board of Health meeting on May 18, 2001 Discussion topics to include Relationship Centered Care Network, Family Planning Advisory Board presentation, code merger update.
>	May 9, 2001 During National Nurses Week, nurses urge women to get mammograms and Pap tests Public Health Nurses are urging all women, especially those with lower screening rates like low-income women, ethnic minorities and the uninsured, to get screened for cervical cancer and breast cancer.
>	May 4, 2001 Traffic Safety Coalition reveals plan to reduce alcohol-related crashes during Cinco de Mayo "Like on many holidays, too many people choose to commemorate Cinco de Mayo with a deadly mix of alcohol and driving," said King County Executive Ron Sims. "I encourage people to find safer ways to celebrate."
>	April 30, 2001 Public Health recommends routine STD testing for gay men "Testing men at risk to detect asymptomatic infection is a crucial step in controlling this epidemic and preventing the spread of HIV," said Dr. Hunter Handsfield, director of Public Health's STD Control Program.
>	April 24, 2001 Drug use declines among King County students "A growing number of students in middle school and high school are choosing to stay away from drugs," said King County Executive Ron Sims. "We are very encouraged that our communities are moving in the right direction, but drug use rates remain unacceptably high."
>	April 23, 2001 Public Health issues new edition of internationally-recognized childhood immunization booklet Using a question and answer format, "Plain Talk" provides facts about vaccine-preventable diseases, vaccine safety, the immune system, how vaccines works, and current vaccine recommendations.
>	April 20, 2001 Local health plans and hospitals heralded for their work in addressing troubling community health trends Through the King County Health Action Plan, health partners have funded four community programs aimed at helping local residents who suffer from, or are at risk for asthma, diabetes, and breast and cervical cancer.
>	April 17, 2001 April Pool's Day 2001. Prevention works: No children drowned while swimming last year Last year was the first time in memory that no child drowned while swimming in King County and that no one of any age drowned while rafting, swimming or boating recreationally in local rivers and streams.
>	April 16, 2001 Emergency Services Plan to keep Medic One rolling "We must ensure the continuation of efficient and high quality emergency medical services, and be able to meet the growing demand for Medic One services as our population both grows and ages," said Sims.
>	April 13, 2001 King County Board of Health meeting on April 20, 2001 Discussion topics to include Community Benefits program, STD Summit update, King County Medic One.
>	April 12, 2001 Students helping students: Pathways after-school program receives grants to continue successful outreach Teaming volunteer mentors from Foster High School with at-risk students from Showalter Middle School, the Pathways program works to engage students in a series of recreational, educational, and vocational activities and workshops.
>	April 12, 2001 Free educational workshop for owners of on-site septic systems Public Health - Seattle & King County has scheduled two free workshops titled, "Septic Systems: A Homeowners Guide," to help homeowners learn about on-site septic systems and improve the effectiveness and longevity of these systems.
>	April 5, 2001 Free and low-cost health insurance available for children and teens "Children's insurance covers all doctor and clinic visits, hospitalizations, and even dental and vision care," said Miriam Gray, Public Health's Access and Outreach Coordinator. "Best of all, the application process takes only about 15 minutes."
>	April 4, 2001 Get rid of home molds, improve your health "If you smell mold or mildew when you enter your home, or if you go to bed at night breathing easily but wake up congested, you may have a serious mold problem in your home," said David Williams, an indoor air quality specialist at Public Health.
>	April 3, 2001 Summit brings together students, schools and community to prevent tobacco use and sale to minors The event will focus on effective ways to prevent youth tobacco use and enforce the law that prohibits the sale of tobacco to minors.
>	April 3, 2001 Public Health offers effective tips to quit smoking "More smokers than ever in King County are trying to kick the habit, and those who succeed will enjoy immense health benefits," said Dr. Alonzo Plough, Director of Public Health - Seattle & King County.
>	April 2, 2001 Public Health expands recommendations for prevention of chlamydia and gonorrhea "With proper antibiotics, chlamydia and gonorrhea are easily treatable," said Dr. Alonzo Plough, Director of Public Health - Seattle & King County.
>	April 2, 2001 Public Health launches new immunization website Today, as Public Health Week (April 2 -8) gets underway, Public Health - Seattle & King County is launching a new Immunization website to provide residents with the best and latest immunization and vaccine information.
>	April 2, 2001 Sims, Schell proclaim Public Health Week People can take positive actions right now to improve their health, their families' health, and the health of their communities.
>	March 29, 2001 Free breast cancer and cervical cancer screenings offered in April Cervical cancer and breast cancer screenings will be available free of charge in April for women with limited medical resources.
>	March 28, 2001 New insights into domestic violence in ethnic and sexual minority populations "Too often these groups of abused women have been overlooked," said Dr. Alonzo Plough, Director of Public Health - Seattle & King County. "With this report, our community will be better able to serve these populations."
>	March 27, 2001 How healthy is the air in your home? "Poor air quality can lead to serious health problems, like allergies, asthma and other lung diseases. By improving the air quality in your home, you're protecting your health," said Dr. Alonzo Plough, Director of Public Health - Seattle & King County.
>	March 27, 2001 HIV/AIDS Planning Council launches open process for 2002 care planning Approximately $5 million in federal, state, and local funds will be entrusted to Seattle's HIV/AIDS Planning Council to support HIV/AIDS care services for low-income residents of King County during the 2002 contract year.
>	March 23, 2001 Tuberculosis remains a Public Health concern "Despite a national decline in TB rates, the incidence of TB in King County has been relatively stable in recent years," said Dr. Alonzo Plough, Director of Public Health - Seattle & King County. "However, TB is a curable and preventable disease."
>	March 20, 2001 Community leaders and local health officials take action against resurgence in STDs Announcing new actions and strategies to curb a persistent and unacceptable resurgence of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and a potential increase in HIV rates in gay and bisexual men.
>	March 19, 2001 State of Washington presents award to Public Health's Tobacco Prevention Program "We are grateful that the State of Washington has recognized retailers, the community and Public Health's Tobacco Prevention Program," said Dr. Alonzo Plough, Director of Public Health - Seattle & King County.
>	March 15, 2001 Cities, County and State will participate in St. Patrick's Day traffic safety emphasis patrols "Crashes are preventable," said Dr. Alonzo Plough, Director of Public Health - Seattle & King County. "We advise citizens to drive defensively, wear seat belts, and most importantly not drink and drive."
>	March 14, 2001 Free cervical cancer and breast cancer screenings offered in South Seattle and South King County Cervical cancer and breast cancer screenings will be available free of charge in late March for women with limited medical resources.
>	March 12, 2001 King County Board of Health meeting on March 16 Discussion topics to include criminalization of mental illness, Tobacco Prevention Program award, Racial and Ethnic Discrimination in Health Care report.
>	March 8, 2001 Public Health issues Youth Health Services Report "This program is an excellent example of an effective partnership between communities, local schools, and health providers," said King County Executive Ron Sims.
>	March 6, 2001 Twelfth case of measles confirmed in King County Because persons routinely arrive in the U.S. from areas of the world in which measles is still common, residents of King County are encouraged to be sure they are protected against measles by being vaccinated.
>	February 22, 2001 Free breast cancer screenings offered next Wednesday by appointment Cervical cancer and breast cancer screenings will be available free of charge next Wednesday, February 28, for women with limited medical resources.
>	February 22, 2001 Public Health unveils online videos for owners of on-site sewage systems "A well-maintained on-site sewage system prevents sewage from contaminating surface and ground water," said Dr. Alonzo Plough, Director of Public Health - Seattle & King County.
>	February 19, 2001 Measles update: Total confirmed cases now at 11; additional public exposures identified People who have not had the measles or who have not been properly vaccinated against measles can contract measles if they are exposed to people who are in the contagious phase of their measles infection.
>	February 16, 2001 Measles update: Total confirmed cases now at 10; additional public exposures identified Public Health strongly recommends that all residents born in 1957 or later carefully review their measles immunization records.
>	February 15, 2001 Public Health receives federal grant for low-income persons living with HIV/AIDS "Some of our communities in King County are particularly vulnerable and in need," said King County Executive Ron Sims. "This grant will go a long way in assuring that low-income populations receive quality services."
>	February 13, 2001 Be dear to your heart: Know the signs of a heart attack; immediately call 9-1-1 On Valentine's Day, Public Health - Seattle & King County recommends taking care of your own heart and those of family and friends by knowing how to recognize the signs of a heart attack and immediately calling 9-1-1 to seek emergency help.
>	February 12, 2001 Northshore Public Health immunizations available by appointment Northshore Public Health offers general immunizations for children and adults, travel immunizations, as well as travel consultations with a nurse practitioner.
>	February 12, 2001 King County Board of Health Meeting on February 16 (Note: BOH meeting was moved to 3/16/01 due to snowy conditions.)
>	February 9, 2001 Measles update: Total confirmed cases now at nine; additional public exposures identified As of Friday, February 9, 2001, the total number of confirmed measles (rubeola) in King County stands at nine.
>	February 6, 2001 Public Health recommends safe sleep practices for infants "SIDS is the major cause of death in babies from one month to one year of age, but we can take measures to reduce the risks," said Dr. Alonzo Plough, Director of Public Health - Seattle & King County.
>	February 2, 2001 Measles update: total confirmed cases now at six Two additional cases of measles (rubeola) have been confirmed, bringing the total number of reported King County cases since the beginning of the year to six.
>	February 2, 2001 Public Health issues update on measles outbreak Two additional cases discovered; Public Health urges potentially exposed individuals to be aware of potential symptoms.
>	January 30, 2001 King County Asthma Forum awarded grant to combat pediatric asthma
>	January 25, 2001 Obesity on the rise -- healthy eating and exercise are urged "Obesity is a critical and increasing public health problem," said Dr. Alonzo Plough, Director of Public Health - Seattle & King County.
>	January 24, 2001 King County retailers refuse selling tobacco to teens at record levels in 2000 "We are serious about keeping tobacco out of the hands of minors," said Dr. Alonzo Plough, Director of Public Health - Seattle & King County. "If we can keep our children from becoming addicted to tobacco before the age of eighteen, they likely will never start."
>	January 24, 2001 Public Health issues report on racial and ethnic discrimination in health care "This report is yet another reminder that ethnic and racial discrimination remains a very real issue for residents of King County," said King County Executive Ron Sims.
>	January 23, 2001 Public Health Releases Report on Cancer on Vashon-Maury Island "We did not find a pattern of higher rates, so we are able to rule out a substantially higher risk for people living on Vashon and Maury Islands," said Dr. Alonzo Plough, Director for Public Health - Seattle and King County.
>	January 19, 2001 Free cervical cancer and breast cancer screenings offered next week These Pap tests and mammograms are being provided to promote Cervical Health Awareness Month and women's breast health.
>	January 18, 2001 Public Health issues measles advisory Two cases discovered in Federal Way; Public Health providing testing, vaccination, and advice.
>	January 10, 2001 King County Board of Health meeting on Jan. 19, 2001 Discussion topics to include tobacco settlement funding, breast and cervical health program, heroin task force.
>	January 8, 2001 Suicide is leading cause of injury death in King County "In our community, suicide is the leading cause of death due to injury," said Plough. "We must recognize suicide as a public health problem and learn how to intervene."

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