Health

Verdant Health Commission to host open house May 18

The Verdant Health Commission, also known as Public Hospital District No. 2, Snohomish County, will hold a free community open house on Thursday, May 18, from 3-5:30 p.m. The event will be held at the Verdant Community Wellness Center, 4710 196th St. S.W., Lynnwood. There will be free blood pressure screenings, health information and community…

Verdant Health Commission accepting new funding requests through June 16

The Verdant Health Commission is accepting grant applications from May 1 to June 16 from community nonprofits and agencies providing services to South Snohomish County residents in one of the three priority areas: Food Security Mental Health Health care Access In this funding cycle, around $3.2 million will be awarded. Grant awards will be announced…

Verdant offering free grant-writing workshop April 25

The Verdant Health Commission will offer a free-grant writing workshop on April 25 from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. for community nonprofits interested in strategies and tips for submitting a compelling grant application. This virtual skill-building workshop will demystify the grant-writing process and provide the basics for navigating funding opportunities and the core elements of a grant…

Verdant Health Commission board meeting agenda for Feb. 22

The Verdant Health Commission (Public Hospital District No. 2, Snohomish County), a community-owned hospital district, will host its February public board meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 22 starting at 8 a.m. All board meetings are hosted in a hybrid format with the option to attend in person at the Verdant Community Wellness Center, 4710 196th St. S.W.,…

State Department of Health launches second annual science contest for high school students

The Washington State Department of Health’s Washington Tracking Network (WTN) has launched its second annual WTN Youth Science Contest. The contest provides a unique opportunity for high school students across Washington to develop their science and communication skills while working with health and environmental data from their own communities. “It’s important for students to learn how to…

Compass Health to host Building Communities of Hope Gala fundraiser March 25

Compass Health will present keynote speaker Dr. Gregory Jantz of Edmonds’ The Center – A Place of Hope during its sixth-annual Building Communities of Hope Gala fundraiser on March 25. At the event, Jantz will speak on the importance of building strong emotional resilience and its impact on creating a renewed and restored future. Proceeds from this…

Verdant awards $4.3 million in community health grants

The Verdant Health Commission announced Thursday it has awarded $4.3 million in grants to 31 community organizations offering programs and services that address Verdant’s strategic priorities: mental health, health care access and food security. “This funding will ensure that health-elated programming is available and accessible for the community, said Commissioner Karianna Wilson. “By working together…

Northwest youth invited to enter Radon Poster Contest

Students across the Northwest are encouraged to get creative and raise awareness about the dangers of radon gas by participating in the 2023 Northwest Radon Poster Contest. The contest deadline is March 10 and winners will be announced by April 17. First-, second-, and third-place winners will be selected from each state (Idaho, Oregon and Washington)….

Bloodworks Northwest declares ‘code red’ emergency blood shortage

Facing a severe blood shortage, Bloodworks Northwest is issuing a “code red” emergency asking everyone who is eligible and feeling healthy to fill immediate appointments to give blood. Donations dropped significantly due to winter weather and the holiday season. Hospitals are advised to conserve the limited onsite supplies to maintain a supply for emergencies, especially…

Verdant supports cold weather services aimed at helping those without permanent housing

The Verdant Health Commission said it has funded two organizations that provide critical services to help the unhoused during winter months: South County Fire and the Cold Weather Shelter. As the cold winter months take hold, homeless individuals become increasingly vulnerable to health risks such as frostbite, hypothermia and even death, Verdant said in a…

Fish consumption advisory issued for several King County lakes

The Washington State Department of Health has issued a fish consumption advisory for Lake Washington, Lake Meridian and Lake Sammamish after finding perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) in several types of fish. PFOS comes from a family of chemicals known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), sometimes called “forever chemicals.” There is strong evidence from animal studies…

Department of Health offering free classroom resources based on state data

The Washington State Department of Health has created the following educational resources to introduce students and teachers to public health and climate change data. Free professional development course In an effort to engage students with local health and climate data, the department is unveiling a free professional development course for teachers that uses Department of…

Burn ban lifted for Snohomish County

The burn ban issued Sunday for Snohomish County has been lifted effective at 2 p.m. Monday, Nov. 21, the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency said. Increasing clouds and wind were expected Monday night as part of a weather system moving in. Rain is predicted starting Tuesday morning and a chance of rain or drizzle every…

Stage 1 burn ban issued for Snohomish County

Due to stagnant weather conditions and rising air pollution, the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency has issued a Stage 1 burn ban for Snohomish County, effective at 1 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 20. Use of fireplaces and uncertified wood stoves is prohibited until air quality improves. The only exception to these rules are if the homeowner…

Snohomish County recruiting for Board of Health members

Snohomish County is seeking interested community members to serve on its new Board of Health. The Board of Health’s role will be to develop, approve and revise countywide policy on public health issues such as opioids, immunizations and climate change. The board evaluates yearly budget proposals, recommends new programs and reviews health department activities. The…

Dennis Worsham named first director of Snohomish County Health Department

Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers has appointed Dennis Worsham as the first director for Snohomish County’s Health Department. The Snohomish Health District is being integrated into Snohomish County government, and on Jan. 1, 2023, the new Snohomish County Health Department will be launched. Worsham spent time early in his career at the Snohomish Health District….

Stage 1 burn ban issued in Snohomish County

Due to stagnant weather conditions and rising air pollution, the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency on Sunday issued a Stage 1 burn ban for Greater Pierce and Snohomish counties. This ban is in effect until further notice. The purpose of a burn ban is to reduce the amount of pollution creating unhealthy air, usually due to…

Free youth heart screening offered Nov. 2 for ages 14-24 at Meadowdale HS

Nick of Time Foundation, in partnership with the University of Washington Center for Sports Cardiology, will conduct free EKG youth heart screenings Wednesday, Nov. 2 for Edmonds School District students ages 14 and older. An EKG is performed that analyzes the electrical signals of the heart and the results are reviewed on-site by medical professionals…

Unhealthy air quality to continue this week due to wildfire smoke

The impacts of wildfire smoke are expected to continue until late this week, with unhealthy air quality levels rising, the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency warned Tuesday. Air quality is expected to be unhealthy for everyone levels near active fires, including a new fire in east King County. As of Tuesday, other areas in the…

Verdant Health Commission unveils 2023-24 strategic plan, new grantmaking standards

With a focus on mental health, health care access and food security, the Verdant Health Commission Friday morning rolled out its two-year strategic plan during a community forum in Lynnwood. The Verdant Health Commission Board recently completed a Community Health Needs Assessment – with more than 500 residents participating – and the results helped commissioners…

Wildfire smoke will likely linger across Washington into the weekend

Wildfire smoke is sticking around several parts of Washington and forecasts show smoke will likely get worse before it gets better. According to the Washington State Department of Health, breathing in smoke is not good for anyone. Days of consistent smoke exposure can take a toll on your health, making it especially important to protect…

Unhealthy air reported in Puget Sound due to wildfire smoke

The Puget Sound Clean Air Agecy issued an alert Saturday that due to wildfire smoke, air quality is currently unhealthy for sensitive groups to unhealthy in many places due to wildfire smoke. The highest levels will be Saturday night through Sunday morning. Also, the Bolt Creek fire near Skykomish is creating a lot of upper-level…