Health care

Liias bill to increase access to HIV medication heads to governor’s desk 

A bill sponsored by 21st District State Sen. Marko Liias to increase access to HIV medication unanimously passed the House of Representatives on Wednesday.   The Washington Department of Health receives grant funding from the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Grant Program to operate the Early Intervention Program (EIP).   EIP provides crucial support to Washingtonians living with HIV,…

Frozen organic strawberries and a tropical fruit blend recalled because of Hepatitis A risk

Several brands of frozen organic strawberries and one tropical fruit blend are being recalled following a hepatitis A outbreak that’s sickened at least five Washington residents. Scenic Fruit Company of Gresham, Oregon has announced a recall of frozen Kirkland Signature Organic Strawberries sold at Costco, PCC Organic Frozen Strawberries sold at PCC Community Markets, Vital…

Verdant Health Commission Board Meeting agenda for March 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, March 22 at 5:30 p.m. All public board meetings are in a hybrid format with the option to attend in person at the Verdant Community Wellness Center (4710 196th St. S.W., Lynnwood….

Reminder: Verdant Community Wellness Center hosting free health screening clinic March 7

The Verdant Community Wellness Center will be hosting a free health screening clinic from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, March 7, at 4710 196th St. S.W. in Lynnwood. Walk in or register for a 30-minute appointment with a registered nurse. Residents can take advantage of free blood pressure, A1C/pre-diabetes/diabetes testing, and/or depression screening. Walks-ins are…

Masking requirements to end April 3 in health care facilities

Effective April 3, the Washington State Department of Health said it will end its mask requirement for health care, long-term care and adult correctional facilities. In Washington, COVID-19, RSV and influenza disease rates and hospitalizations have continued to decline since the end of last year, the Department of Health said. The end of Washington’s universal masking…

On National Tooth Fairy Day: Lost tooth now valued at $6.25

The value of those wiggly teeth is on the rise in 2023. In celebration of National Tooth Fairy Day Feb. 28, the Tooth Fairy released the findings of the annual Original Tooth Fairy Poll, sponsored by Delta Dental. It shows a whopping 53% increase for kids in Washington state and the western U.S. – equating…

Pop-up blood drives scheduled at Edmonds Waterfront Center

The Edmonds Waterfront Center is hosting pop-up blood drives via Bloodworks during the following dates and times: Friday, Feb. 24:  9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday, Feb. 27:  9 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 28:  9 a.m.-3 p.m. Appointments are required to donate at this blood drive to ensure safe social distancing. To make an appointment:  call: 1-800-398-7888 or…

Asian Service Center offering free Healthy Nutrition workshop Feb. 25

The Asian Service Center, a new Edmonds-based nonprofit formed to provide support and advocacy for Asian communities in Snohomish County, is hosting a free Healthy Nutrition workshop from 10:30 a.m. to noon Saturday, Feb. 25. The workshop will focus on six steps to maintain vibrant health. The location is 22727 Highway 99, Ste. 110, Edmonds….

Eye care product linked to antibiotic-resistant infections

Washington State’s Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are investigating a cluster of antibiotic-resistant infections that may be linked to EzriCare Artificial Tears. The infections have been caused by a variant of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a bacterium that is commonly found in water and soil and can infect the eyes, lungs,…

Edmonds School District offering dental sealants to second and third graders

The Edmonds School District is offering school-based dental sealants for second- and third-grade students at 12 local schools. By choosing to participate in the program, students are eligible to receive a free dental screening for oral diseases and dental sealants. Dental sealants are clear or opaque plastic materials applied to the chewing surfaces of the…

In the Legislature: Bill addresses understaffing for nurses at ‘breaking point’

Nurses are describing bleak conditions because of understaffing in Washington state hospitals, and a bill introduced in Olympia aims to address it. The so-called “Safe Staffing Standards” legislation would set minimum nurse-to-patient ratios for hospitals. Dana Robison, registered nurse in labor and delivery in Everett, who has been a nurse in hospital settings for 17…

Reminder: Free vision and hearing screenings at Edmonds Waterfront Center Dec. 13

The Edmonds Waterfront Center is partnering with the Edmonds Lions Club to provide free hearing and vision screenings from 8 a.m. to noon Tuesday, Dec. 13. The Lions Club provides assistance to obtain glasses and hearing aids for qualifying low-income children and adults. Participants must live in Brier, Edmonds, Lynnwood or Mountlake Terrace. No appointment…

With surge in respiratory viruses, health care leaders recommend wearing masks indoors

Snohomish Health District Health Officer Dr. James Lewis joined more than 30 other local health officers and health care leaders to recommend masking and other illness prevention measures this winter. Here’s the full statement: “Communities across our state and around the U.S. are experiencing an unprecedented surge in viral respiratory illnesses, including respiratory syncytial virus…

Snow takes toll on local blood supply

Bloodworks Northwest is urging the public to give blood or platelets in the wake of this week’s snowstorm, which led to a 30% decrease in donations. Hundreds of donors scheduled to donate Tuesday and Wednesday were unable to make their appointments and several blood drives had to be cancelled due to weather conditions. Community members…

Updated: Free at-home COVID-19 tests no longer available

The Washington State Department of Health said it “has already exhausted the limited supply” of free COVID-19 home test kits, which it recently announced were available to residents through the end of the year. “We have had an overwhelming response to the initiative,” a pop-up message on the department’s free COVID test webpage said.  

Snohomish County organizations among those receiving Community Health Plan of Washington grants

 Community Health Plan of Washington (CHPW), the not-for-profit offering Apple Health (Medicaid), Medicare and individual and family plans on the health exchange, on Tuesday announced a $250,000 Advancing Equity Fund grant to be shared among 25 community-based organization in Washington state, including four with connections to Snohomish County. The investment aims to support these organizations’…

Reminder: Learn more about Verdant strategic plan during forums starting Oct. 14

The Verdant Health Commission Board said Tuesday it has completed its two-year strategic plan based on a recently completed community health needs assessment, and will share that information with the community at three forums, starting Oct. 14. More than 500 residents participated in the community health needs assessment and the results informed a two-year strategic…

Snohomish County’s first school-based health center opens at Meadowdale High

Snohomish County’s first school-based health center launched at 8 a.m. Sept. 12 and when staff first opened their doors, there were already three students waiting to be seen by medical professionals. The health center, which used to be a supply closet at the end of a hallway in Meadowdale High School, has been serving students…

Medical oxygen fire safety tips for older adults

According the United States Fire Administration, older adults have a 2.6 times greater risk of dying in a fire than the U.S. population as a whole. In the U.S. and Canada, adults age 65 and older comprise about 12% of the population, making it essential to take the necessary steps to stay safe. Last year…

County residents asked to share thoughts on health issues, community needs

The Snohomish Health District is asking county residents to share their thoughts on the most important health issues and needs in the community. Work is underway to gather information for the 2022 Community Health Assessment. This report will include numerical data on health indicators, but also thoughts and personal experiences that help illustrate what those…

Blood donations urgently needed

As summer ends and the school year begins, the Washington State Department of Health and Northwest Blood Coalition urge eligible blood donors to schedule donations. According to the Northwest Blood Coalition, high school and college students make up almost 25% of blood donations. “High schoolers and college-age youth are critically important members of our donor…

Mammogram Van at Edmonds Waterfront Center Sept. 12 for screenings

The Edmonds Waterfront Center will host the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance Mammogram Van on Monday, Sept. 12. The breast cancer screening appointment takes 15 minutes and no referral is needed for an annual mammogram. Those who are eligible include women age 40 and over who have not had a mammogram in the past year, and who are…