Healthcare.gov relaunch

HealthCare.Gov, a website designed to provide information about the changes resulting from the Affordable Care Act, has been updated to provide new educational tools on coverage options for individuals, families, and small businesses. New (and easier-to-use) features include:

·         A Q/A format to highlight coverage options;

·         24/7 call center and online chat;

·         Explanation of how the Marketplace will work;

·         Details on what ACA does to expand coverage options and provide new protections for consumers.

Visit HealthCare.Gov

Public Health Update 6/27/13

Below are excerpts from the June 27 public health update from Maine CDC. For the full update, read it online.  

MERS-CoV

A new disease called “Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus” (MERS-CoV) has been getting a lot of media attention after it caused severe illness and death in adults from several countries. There are currently no reported cases in the United States.

US CDC has developed a brief feature at http://go.usa.gov/bQx8

For more information, see the Health Alert issued by Maine CDC on June 20: http://go.usa.gov/b66x 

Summer health

As the weather starts warming up, make sure you know how to keep your summer safe and healthy. Know how to avoid:

• Carbon monoxide poisoning: http://go.usa.gov/b4ST

• Recreational water illnesses: http://go.usa.gov/b4S9

• Heat-related illnesses: http://go.usa.gov/b4SJ

For more information, see this press release: http://go.usa.gov/b6He   

Recent reports

• The 2012 Summary of Reportable Infectious Diseases in Maine is now available at http://go.usa.gov/bFZG

• US CDC released its summary of recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) for the Prevention of Measles, Rubella, Congenital Rubella Syndrome, and Mumps. The MMWR is available at http://go.usa.gov/bFZk

US CDC issued a report on the 2012-13 flu season and the composition of the vaccine for the 2013-14 season at http://go.usa.gov/bFZz 

Upcoming events

The conference website for the 2013 Division of Infectious Disease Annual Conference is now live at http://www.cvent.com/d/pcqy5p

The website includes a summary, agenda, conference brochure, information about fees, and the link to register.

National HIV Testing Day

National HIV Testing Day is observed annually on June 27 to encourage everyone to Take the Test, Take Control, and know their HIV status.

More than 1.1 million people in the U.S. are living with HIV, but one in five does not know they are positive. Early diagnosis and treatment improves health, extends life, and helps prevent the spread of HIV.

Maine CDC’s HIV, STD, and Viral Hepatitis Program helps support HIV testing by providing more than 3,500 tests to high risk populations in the state every year, which are offered anonymously or confidentially through community and clinical HIV testing providers and family planning sites.

In 2012, 48 new cases of HIV were reported in Maine.  Most of these cases were diagnosed in private clinical settings.  Overall, 1,654 people in Maine are living with diagnosed HIV, with an estimated 300-400 additional people living in the state who are positive but don’t know their status.

In Maine and nationally, about 40% of people who are newly diagnosed with HIV develop AIDS within a year, which indicates that they have been infected for years prior to being diagnosed.  People with these late diagnoses have a shortened life expectancy and have missed opportunities for treatment as well as for preventing transmission to others.

Patients should have an HIV test during medical check-ups, just like they would have a blood test or a urine test to be sure they are healthy.  Certain people should be screened more regularly based on their risk factors.

You should get tested for HIV at least every year if you:

• Have had unprotected sex (vaginal, anal, or oral) with multiple or anonymous partners;
• Have had unprotected sex with a partner who did not know their own HIV status;
• Have a history of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs); or
• Share needles/syringes or other equipment (“works”) for injecting drugs.

Some health care providers may recommend testing every 3-6 months if you have certain risk factors, including injection drug use and/or unprotected sex with others who engage in high-risk behaviors.  Talk to your health care provider to see how often you should be tested. (Read the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force’s recommendations for screening.)

If you have any questions about HIV testing, please contact Emer Smith at (207) 287-5193 or emer.smith@maine.gov.