MPHA NEWS

MPHA seeks award applications

MPHA is seeking applications for the Ruth Shaper Memorial award and the Public Health Program of Excellence award.  Both of these applications are due August 27th by 4pm to maryb@mcd.org

The Ruth S. Shaper Memorial Award recognizes an individual who has made a significant contribution in the area of public health. The individual will have demonstrated a broad orientation to health promotion and disease prevention that extends beyond his/her specific profession or field of interest. For example, the individual may have made a meaningful impact in health legislation, health education, health policy development, or consumer advocacy at either the community or state level. Professional rank or status in an organization is not an important factor. The nominee need not be a member of the Maine Public Health Association.

A pdf of the Ruth Shaper Memorial award application is below.  If you would like to request a word document, please email maryb@mcd.org

Program of Excellence award form
Help MPHA recognize the wonderful public health programs that you know about and love! The goal of the Program of Excellence Award is to increase the visibility of public health initiatives in Maine, to promote adoption of effective public health programs, and to provide recognition to organizations involved in successful collaborative public health initiatives.

Please complete the following by August 27, 2010 at 4pm and submit to info@mainepublichealth.org  
A pdf of the Program of Excellence application form is below.  If you would like a word version of this form, please email maryb@mcd.org  

MPHA's 26th annual meeting
We hope you will mark your calendar's for the Maine Public Health Association's 26th annual meeting on October 5th, 2010 at the Augusta Civic Center from 8:30-4pm.  It is sure to be Maine's premier public health event once again with fabulous keynote speakers and 15 different breakout sessions on a variety of topics.  Be on the lookout for registration information at the end of July!

Get ME Ready 2010 launched!
New Tools Available to Help Mainers Prepare for Emergency or Illness 
Get ME Ready 2010 Campaign Launches in Portland
 
It takes more than duct tape to be ready for an emergency.  That’s the message from the Maine Public Health Association and its many partners in the new Get ME Ready campaign.  The campaign is designed to help Maine people prepare for emergencies or illness that keep them home - maybe without power, heat, or clean water.
 
Get ME Ready was unveiled today in Portland and includes a new website (www.getMEready.org), public service announcements featuring doctors and veterinarians, and a statewide outreach effort via email, facebook, and twitter.  Tina Pettingill, Director of the Maine Public Health Association, introduced the campaign by saying, “Here in Maine we like to think we’re ready for anything.  So let’s make sure we are.  There are a few simple steps we can all take to help our children, our pets, and the older adults we care for be safe during emergencies or illness.”
 
The campaign features a video message from Dr. Dora Ann Mills, Director of the Maine Center for Disease Control, who urges everyone to “get a kit, make a plan, and be informed”.  Dr. Mills was on hand to discuss the campaign and stated, “Emergencies and illness can happen to any of us at any time.  But by taking some simple steps as individuals to get ready, we are also doing our part to protect health and reduce costs for everyone.”
 
Emergency management officials pointed out that Maine can seem far removed from earthquakes and tsunamis, but is not immune to other unexpected weather and health events.  Lynette Miller, Communications Director for the Maine Emergency Management Agency stated, “Disasters and emergencies come in all sizes.  It doesn’t have to be a catastrophic event like the floods of 1987 or the ice storm of 1998.  Here in Maine we have had three storms and floods in the last four weeks.  While not large events, they were major family emergencies for those affected by them.  The good news is, self-reliance, but also working together, are parts of our heritage in Maine.  Let’s all take the next step and make sure we really are ready for anything.”
 
In addition to the Maine Public Health Association, other partners in Get ME Ready include the City of Portland, the American Red Cross of Southern Maine, the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Maine Emergency Management Agency.
 
Mike Mason, Regional Director of Emergency Services for the American Red Cross of Southern Maine, brought an example of a Get ME Ready Kit.  Mason stated, “Getting ready for an emergency doesn’t have to be overwhelming, time consuming, or expensive.  It starts by building a kit of the essentials, like food, water, medicine, and safety supplies.  This sort of simple preparation can make a big difference should the unexpected happen.”
 
Pettingill concluded, “Flooding, ice storms, the flu.  Are you ready to help your family in an emergency?  It takes more than duct tape, so it’s time to get ready.  Build a kit.  Make a plan.  Be informed.  Go to getMEready.org.”

MPHA announces legislative education packet (public health booklet)

MPHA is pleased to announce that, with funding from the Bingham Foundation, we produced a Public Health Education booklet.  The booklet was created by MPHA members who are experts in the field with goals of increasing the education and knowledge of legislators and policy makers so they can make sound policy decisions for Maine citizens.  The booklet was delivered to all new Maine legislators and all legislative leadership prior to this session beginning in December 2008. 

The booklet focuses on the cornerstone of public health... prevention.  It contains a cover letter, an overview of Maine's public health system, and five fact sheets focused on emerging public health issues: chronic disease, environmental health, emergency preparedness, immunization and lyme disease.  

We encourage all MPHA members to use this information to your benefit in local arenas and with local policy makers.  Though we do not have funds to print additional packets, we welcome members to download the information (below) and use as appropriate.  Some suggestions for use include:
     * Local legislative gatherings - use as handouts or as a focus of the gathering
     * Print out and mail to local policy makers- include your own local information in the packet as well
     * Upload onto your own website and alert local policy makers to the information
     * Work with MPHA to explore other options.

Please note that we ask that you alert MPHA staff if you decide to use this information so we may maintain an accurate record of use.