Health

Snohomish Health District update: What you should know about the novel coronavirus

With the novel coronavirus in the news lately, we are reposting the following information from the Snohomish Health District website. The first case of novel coronavirus 2019 in the U.S. was confirmed last week in Snohomish County. Since that case was announced on Jan. 21, four more have been identified in the U.S. More than…

Free dementia family caregiver conference set for Feb. 22 in Everett

The Journey, a free conference for families caring for patients with Alzheimer’s or dementia, is set for Saturday, Feb. 22 in Everett. The event, sponsored by the Lynnwood-based Alzheimer’s Association Washington State Chapter, will offer tools and encouragement to unpaid family caregivers. Topics to be covered include: managing stress and distress behaviors, how to cope with the…

Commentary: Tobacco and Vapor 21 — What you need to know

Washington State is kicking off a big change for the better. As of Jan. 1, 2020, Engrossed House Bill 1074 – or Tobacco and Vapor 21 – makes it illegal to sell tobacco and vapor products to anyone under 21. Including Washington State, Tobacco and Vapor 21 is currently the law – or will be…

Reminder: Get support for managing your diabetes at Nov. 20 Verdant event

Navigating Diabetes Today is a free new program to support individuals living with diabetes. Join the Verdant Health Commission on the third Wednesday of each month at 6 p.m. for a session in the teaching kitchen or a presentation by a health professional to learn up-to-date information about diabetes and strategies for better blood sugar…

Edmonds School District students’ vaccine records due by Nov. 1

Edmonds School District staff are reminding parents regarding the Nov. 1 deadline to be in compliance with immunization requirements for students attending school. School nurses will provide administrators a list of students that are out of compliance by the end of the week of Oct. 21. Students who are still not in compliance and have not…

Robin Fenn

Verdant Health Superintendent Robin Fenn stepping down

After three years at the helm of the Verdant Health Commission, Superintendent Robin Fenn is leaving in November. That’s according to an announcement issued Monday morning by Verdant. During her time leading the Verdant Health Commission and Public Hospital District No. 2, Snohomish County,  Verdant has invested nearly $17.8 million in community health and wellness program…

Latest opioid overdose survey tracks incidents in Snohomish County

During one week in July, 27 people in Snohomish County overdosed because of opioids, according to the data released Monday by the Snohomish Health District. Two of those overdoses were located in Edmonds, two were in Mountlake Terrace and one was in Lynnwood. Two overdoses — both were fatal, That information comes from the third…

Elected officials join Swedish Edmonds workers on informational picket line

An estimated 60 health care workers from Swedish-Edmonds took to the streets on Thursday to publicly air their claims, chief among them that providing the best quality care is no longer the organization’s top priority, having been replaced by executive pay, profits and expansion. The workers are represented by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and…

Sponsored: 5 Ways to Get Your Sober Fun in Seattle

I got sober in Seattle. Best thing I ever did (please don’t let my wife see this, as she thinks the “best thing I ever did” happened on our wedding day…) But it was. The best thing. Getting sober, and becoming (and then, remaining) 100% abstinent from any alcohol of any kind changed my life…

Fitness Corner: How to get motivated

Motivation can be elusive even for the most disciplined and driven of us. It ebbs and flows through different phases of our lives . . . as our goals change . . . as we change. As a coach and trainer, motivating my clients is one of the most important aspects of my role in…

A few simple measures will keep shellfish harvesting healthy and fun

With low tides expected through this holiday week, Washington State Department of Health officials are reminding recreational shellfish harvesters to take extra precautions to prevent illness from shellfish. Follow the Three Cs – check, chill and cook. Check the DOH Shellfish Safety Map on the day you’re headed to the beach to ensure areas are…

Sponsor spotlight: How platelet-rich plasma can improve sexual health

​Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Injections are a form of natural sexual health treatment that gathers platelets and growth factors from a sample of your own blood and re-injects it into your body. These injections are used to improve sexual function in both men and women and can serve as a very effective form of medical…

Alzheimer’s Association names new Washington state chapter executive director

The Alzheimer’s Association has appointed Jim Wilgus as the new executive director for the Washington State Chapter, which is based in Lynnwood. Wilgus joined the Alzheimer’s Association in 2010 and has previously served as a regional leader for nine states, including Washington. “It’s an honor to continue my work with the Alzheimer’s Association here at…

Health Department: Take steps now to plan for wildfire smoke, poor air quality

As summer and dry weather approaches, officials at the Washington State Department of Health are urging everyone in Washington to prepare for smoky days with unhealthy air quality. What people can do now: Identify air quality reports for your area. The Washington Smoke Information Blog has a map of current fires and air quality reports…

Parent group sheds light on dangers of vaping

The number of Edmonds School District students using e-cigarettes – a practice known as vaping – has increased dramatically in recent years. In response, a district parent group last week hosted an information night for parents and students aimed at dispelling myths about these products. According to a 2018 survey by the Center for Disease…

Families get moving at annual Health and Fitness Expo

It was a beautiful Saturday morning to be outside and active, as hundreds of kids, parents, health-related business owners and others gathered at Edmonds School District stadium for the annual Health and Fitness Expo organized by Edmonds Parks and Recreation, Move 60!, the Edmonds School District and Verdant Health Commission. Organized activities focused on track and…

Reminder: Health & Fitness Expo at Edmonds District Stadium May 18

The Edmonds School District and Edmonds Parks and Recreation are sponsoring the annual Health & Fitness Expo Saturday, May 18 at Edmonds District Stadium, 7600 212th St. S.W. Free activities include exhibitor booths, a Move 60! Family Fun Run, a family fitness stage, bicycles, gardening, basketball and an obstacle course. The event runs from 9 a.m.-noon….

Bloodworks issues urgent appeal for blood donors

Bloodworks Northwest is issuing an urgent appeal for donors as O blood types reach a single-day supply. Those who donate by April 30 will be entered to win prizes. O Positive and O Negative blood are required most for emergencies in trauma centers across the Pacific Northwest. “Making things worse, there is a nationwide shortage…

Sponsor spotlight: Introducing a less-invasive form of fertility treatment

Seattle Sexual Health Centers, located just off Interstate 5 at Northgate, offers Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) — a common treatment option for a variety of fertility-related issues. IUI is considered a less-invasive form of fertility treatment. Although it does require human intervention, certain important steps of the pregnancy process are still expected to occur as they…