Health Agency Urges Parents, Caregivers to be Aware of Signs of Self-Harm After School Breaks
As students begin the spring semester, the Department of Health Services (DHS) encourages parents and caregivers to be aware of Wisconsin Emergency Department data from the National Syndromic Surveillance Program that shows young people experience large increases in self-harm injuries at certain times of the year, including when school resumes after the winter holidays. Self-harming increased among youth by nearly 40% in September 2022 and January 2023 compared to each of the preceding months...(see release)lucy.pepinJanuary 8, 2024 (Source: Wisconsin DHFS Press Releases)
Source: Wisconsin DHFS Press Releases - January 8, 2024 Category: Hospital Management Authors: lucy.pepin Source Type: news
DHS Encourages Homeowners, Property Owners, and Child Care Centers to Test for Radon
During National Radon Action Month, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) is encouraging home and building owners, along with child care providers, to test their buildings for radon. Radon, an odorless, radioactive gas naturally present in the ground , is found across Wisconsin, and enters buildings through their foundations. Approximately one in 10 homes in our state have elevated radon levels. The Environmental Protection Agency ’s action level for safety is 4 picocuries per liter...(see release)JenniferC.MillerJanuary 2, 2024 (Source: Wisconsin DHFS Press Releases)
Source: Wisconsin DHFS Press Releases - January 2, 2024 Category: Hospital Management Authors: JenniferC.Miller Source Type: news
DHS Confirms Pediatric Respiratory Illness-Associated Death in Wisconsin
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) has confirmed the first pediatric death from a respiratory illness. The death is a result of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). “It is with great sadness that DHS reports the first death of a child from RSV in Wisconsin this season,” said DHS Respiratory Diseases Epidemiologist Tom Haupt. “Respiratory illness cases are on the rise throughout the state, and it is important to take steps to protect ourselves and our love d ones, especially before...(see release)Claire.YunkerDecember 21, 2023 (Source: Wisconsin DHFS Press Releases)
Source: Wisconsin DHFS Press Releases - December 21, 2023 Category: Hospital Management Authors: Claire.Yunker Source Type: news
Feeling Sick? Report it Quick!
In time for the annual peak in norovirus cases and outbreaks, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) has launched a new online tool to encourage Wisconsinites to report food or water sickness when symptoms occur. The online questionnaire, which takes less than five minutes to complete, helps local health departments identify sources of contamination to prevent others from getting sick. This tool is especially important as cases of norovirus, the leading cause of vomiting and diarrhea...(see release)lucy.pepinDecember 15, 2023 (Source: Wisconsin DHFS Press Releases)
Source: Wisconsin DHFS Press Releases - December 15, 2023 Category: Hospital Management Authors: lucy.pepin Source Type: news
DHS Continues to Make COVID-19 Treatment Easily Available as Cases Climb
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services' (DHS) most recent weekly Respiratory Virus Surveillance Report shows that COVID-19 activity is continuing to increase, sending more people to emergency rooms, especially among people aged 65 and older. The state’s Wastewater Monitoring Program, which tests samples of wastewater across the state has shown significan t increases in COVID-19 activity statewide. Fortunately, treatments for COVID-19 are widely available, and the state’s free telehealth...(see release)JenniferC.MillerDecember 12, 2023 (Source: Wisconsin DHFS Press Releases)
Source: Wisconsin DHFS Press Releases - December 12, 2023 Category: Hospital Management Authors: JenniferC.Miller Source Type: news
Wisconsin Implements 12-Month Continuous Health Insurance Coverage for Children
Most new and existing members of Wisconsin's BadgerCare Plus and other Medicaid programs who are under age 19 can now keep their health insurance benefits for at least 12 months, even if their family's income increases or they no longer meet program rules. This new policy aims to improve health outcomes for children by stabilizing their access to care. States were required to implement this change made by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, passed by Congress in December 2022. "This policy...(see release)lucy.pepinDecember 12, 2023 (Source: Wisconsin DHFS Press Releases)
Source: Wisconsin DHFS Press Releases - December 12, 2023 Category: Hospital Management Authors: lucy.pepin Source Type: news
Watertown Youth Crisis Stabilization Facility Now Open
A youth crisis stabilization facility is now open in Watertown, with start-up funding provided by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS). The eight-bed center in the former Alyea House at Camp Matz is operated by Milwaukee-based Wisconsin Community Services under an agreement with the Jefferson County Human Services Department. The center serves young people with mental health challenges who can't stay in their homes safely, but don't need to be hospitalized. "These facilities provide...(see release)lucy.pepinDecember 12, 2023 (Source: Wisconsin DHFS Press Releases)
Source: Wisconsin DHFS Press Releases - December 12, 2023 Category: Hospital Management Authors: lucy.pepin Source Type: news
Department of Health Services Urges Wisconsinites to Throw Away Applesauce Brands That are Part of Nationwide Recall Due to High Levels of Lead
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) is advising food retailers and consumers to dispose of specific brands of applesauce containing cinnamon following a nationwide recall related to several brands of cinnamon applesauce puree pouches. These products may contain harmful levels of lead. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a recall for the following brands of applesauce puree that contain cinnamon: WanaBana Apple Cinnamon Fruit Puree pouches Schnucks cinnamon...(see release)JenniferC.MillerDecember 6, 2023 (Source: Wisconsin DHFS Press Releases)
Source: Wisconsin DHFS Press Releases - December 6, 2023 Category: Hospital Management Authors: JenniferC.Miller Source Type: news
DHS Releases New Interactive Medicaid Renewal Data Dashboard
Today the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) updated its Medicaid Renewal Data webpage to include a new interactive dashboard. The new dashboard features additional metrics to help further tell the story of BadgerCare Plus and Wisconsin Medicaid enrollment following the end of the federal continuous coverage requirement that kept members enrolled during the COVID-19 pandemic. “We remain committed to transparency with our data so we can continue to help members, partner organizations...(see release)JenniferC.MillerDecember 6, 2023 (Source: Wisconsin DHFS Press Releases)
Source: Wisconsin DHFS Press Releases - December 6, 2023 Category: Hospital Management Authors: JenniferC.Miller Source Type: news
DHS and DOJ Announce Dose of Reality Roundtable Discussions on Wisconsin ’s Opioid Epidemic
Discussions on Wisconsin ’s Opioid Epidemic The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) and Department of Justice (DOJ) are announcing a series of roundtable discussions to hear directly from local communities who are working toward preventing overdose deaths in the state and helping Wisconsinites struggling with o pioid use. “We are calling these roundtable discussions a “ Dose of Reality ” because we want to hear the reality of Wisconsinites experiences in their own communities,” said DHS Secretary-designee Kirsten Johnson. “We...(see release)JenniferC.MillerDecember 5, 2023 (Source: Wisconsin DHFS Press Releases)
Source: Wisconsin DHFS Press Releases - December 5, 2023 Category: Hospital Management Authors: JenniferC.Miller Source Type: news
DHS Recognizes World AIDS Day
Tomorrow, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) will join countless other organizations around the state and across the country to observe the 35th annual World AIDS Day by honoring, celebrating, and advocating for those who have been impacted by HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), a virus that weakens a person ’s immune system by destroying the body’s cells that fight disease and infection. “This annual event is a reminder of the global struggle to end HIV-related stigma, and an...(see release)JenniferC.MillerNovember 29, 2023 (Source: Wisconsin DHFS Press Releases)
Source: Wisconsin DHFS Press Releases - November 29, 2023 Category: Hospital Management Authors: JenniferC.Miller Source Type: news
Cantaloupes Linked to Salmonella Infections Sold in Wisconsin
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS), along with the Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection (DATCP), local health departments, and federal partners, is working to investigate a multistate outbreak of Salmonella infections linked to cantaloupes. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 43 people in 15 states have been infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella. This includes at least four people from Wisconsin. Several cantaloupes and...(see release)Elizabeth.GoodsittNovember 21, 2023 (Source: Wisconsin DHFS Press Releases)
Source: Wisconsin DHFS Press Releases - November 21, 2023 Category: Hospital Management Authors: Elizabeth.Goodsitt Source Type: news
DHS Reminds Wisconsinites to Protect Themselves as Cases of RSV and Respiratory Viruses Increase
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services' (DHS) most recent weekly Respiratory Virus Surveillance Report shows that flu, COVID-19, and RSV cases are increasing, with the state especially seeing an increase in hospitalizations of young children infected with RSV. "Respiratory illnesses increase during the colder months as we spend more time indoors," said Respiratory Disease Epidemiologist Tom Haupt. "Our current data show that we are starting to see a rapid increase of RSV, alongside...(see release)lucy.pepinNovember 14, 2023 (Source: Wisconsin DHFS Press Releases)
Source: Wisconsin DHFS Press Releases - November 14, 2023 Category: Hospital Management Authors: lucy.pepin Source Type: news
Wisconsin Underage Tobacco, Vape Sales Rise in 2023
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) reports that underage tobacco and vape sales increased to 13.6% in 2023 from 11.9% in 2022. These are the results of the Synar Survey, an annual statewide assessment of the retailer violation rate for underage sale of tobacco products, including e-cigarettes. In 2019, the rate was 5.5% and reached its highest point in 2021 when the rate was 14.1%. On average, underage tobacco and vape sales have increased 140% since 2019. "Every year in Wisconsin...(see release)JenniferC.MillerNovember 14, 2023 (Source: Wisconsin DHFS Press Releases)
Source: Wisconsin DHFS Press Releases - November 14, 2023 Category: Hospital Management Authors: JenniferC.Miller Source Type: news
DHS Announces New Accountability Measures for Medicaid Providers to Ensure Families Receive Critical, Effective Post-Birth Care Services
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) is announcing new accountability measures aimed at preventing fraud and improving health outcomes for child care coordination, a Medicaid post-birth benefit created under state law to address health disparities in southeastern Wisconsin. Child care coordination and prenatal care coordination (PNCC) provide prenatal and post-birth services to support vulnerable families at high risk of a negative health outcome —a critical program designed to...(see release)Claire.YunkerNovember 10, 2023 (Source: Wisconsin DHFS Press Releases)
Source: Wisconsin DHFS Press Releases - November 10, 2023 Category: Hospital Management Authors: Claire.Yunker Source Type: news
