Neighborhood studies next step against cancer-causing chemical
Ethylene oxide, or EtO, has been on the community’s radar since the Environmental Protection Agency identified a Florida Street business as one of 23 high-risk polluters.
Topic: Shelby County Health Department
RSSThere are 694 article(s) tagged Shelby County Health Department:
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June 2023
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May 2023
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Shelby County pollution program clears air with state board
For several years, Shelby County’s air monitoring program has been understaffed, behind schedule on issuing permits for major emitters and out of compliance with federal standards. But the office reports it’s fixed some of its issues.
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April 2023
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Health officials hold final COVID briefing
Dr. Michelle Taylor, Shelby County Health Department director, said the decision to end the regularly scheduled meetings is a result of improvement over the last few weeks.
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Congenital syphilis on the rise locally and nationwide
For infants born with the infection, severe symptoms can include cerebral palsy, hydrocephalus, permanent hearing loss and musculoskeletal deformity.
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Health department hires consultants to help with air monitoring
Last summer, the Shelby County Health Department’s air monitoring branch was operating with only two employees, and the State of Tennessee gave the local program until June of this year to resolve the issue.
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March 2023
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Health Department study finds no cancer clusters near EtO producer
The Shelby County Health Department shared the results of its first-ever cancer incidence study on Tuesday, March 28. It found no evidence of cancer clusters near a South Memphis facility that emits a cancer-causing chemical called ethylene oxide, or EtO.
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Opinion: Health Department director on ‘invisible threat’ in air
“The residents of the neighborhoods surrounding Sterilization Services of Tennessee already face more than their fair share of adverse health, social and environmental conditions compared to many other parts of Shelby County.”
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County’s first cancer cluster study to be released
The Shelby County Health Department commissioned the cancer cluster study last fall to learn about historical cancer rates in a South Memphis neighborhood.
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Health Department ending social media, email COVID updates
The agency will continue to post weekly COVID-19 updates on its website.
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February 2023
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Health Department will assess community violence, mental health care, other ‘unmet’ needs
The evaluation is part of the Shelby County Health Department’s effort to gain national accreditation from the Public Health Accreditation Board.
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No legal authority to stop South Memphis EtO emissions, Health Department says
The Southern Environmental Law Center said that EtO pollution in Memphis justifies the use of the Shelby County health officer’s emergency powers. The health department disagreed.
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Shelby County and U of M partner to build public health workforce
Over the next five years, the health department will use nearly $14 million in CDC funding to bolster its workforce and infrastructure.
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State’s rejection of HIV prevention money is ‘significant’ loss to some Memphis groups
Gov. Bill Lee’s decision to reject federal funding for HIV prevention is a “debilitating and destabilizing move for our organization,” said OUTMemphis’ executive director.
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December 2022
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Southeast Memphis, Germantown, Millington face boil water alerts
Multiple line breaks and production issues have resulted in a significant loss of water pressure, which can allow disease-causing microbes into the water system.
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World AIDS Day observance focuses on disproportionate effects on Black community
Thursday’s observance included a World AIDS Day 2022 proclamation from Mayor Lee Harris and a balloon release to pay tribute to all who are living with HIV/AIDS and remember those who’ve died in the past year.
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Shelby County Health Department gets $14M, ‘game-changer’ grant from CDC
The funding is part of the CDC’s $3.2 billion investment in local and state awards to strengthen public health infrastructure across the nation.
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November 2022
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Surge in pediatric flu reduces school attendance
Data from the Shelby County Health Department shows the percentage of ER visits for flu-like illnesses in November was nearly four times the number for the same period last year. Patients ages 5-24 were hardest hit.
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October 2022
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Opinion: A public health approach to community violence
“The recent community violence may seem unprecedented and shocking to some in our community. Yet, for many of our Shelby County families, violent crime has long been a part of their daily reality.”
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September 2022
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First cases this year of West Nile detected
The two cases are also the first in Tennessee.
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August 2022
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Health Dept. offering monkeypox vaccinations
As of Friday, Aug. 12, 171 Shelby County residents had been vaccinated against monkeypox.
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Taylor: Health Dept. ‘actively working’ with local monkeypox patients
Shelby County Health Department director Dr. Michelle Taylor kicked off Monday’s Shelby County Commission meeting with local updates on both COVID-19 and monkeypox.
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EPA is monitoring possible cancer-causing emissions in Southwest Memphis
A recent assessment of a local commercial sterilization facility shows elevated risk of long-term exposure to ethylene oxide, a chemical that is carcinogenic to humans through inhalation.
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July 2022
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Shelby County reports first case of monkeypox
Shelby County reported its first confirmed case of monkeypox on Monday, July 25, marking the 18th reported case in Tennessee.
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‘This can’t go on': Shelby County air pollution program faces serious issues
Shelby County’s local air pollution control program has less than a year to remedy current problems or the state could step in.
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COVID vaccination rate low among Shelby County’s youngest children
So far, 354 children in the 6-months to 5-years age group have been vaccinated for COVID-19 in Shelby County — a figure that includes vaccinations from both public and private healthcare practitioners.
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