Health And Fitness
Worksite Policy Challenges
Across the nation, worksites have been working to improve the health of their workforce through a variety of worksite wellness initiatives. Part of this work has focused on decreasing the use or misuse of substances, including alcohol, tobacco, nicotine, synthetic drugs and prescription or over the counter medications. Like many other wellness efforts, it may take some time to see a majority of the benefits, but this process frequently begins with increased education and policy revisions.
Help protect Iowa's most vulnerable; only you can do it now.
If you were disabled, paralyzed or brain injured from an accident and your care wasn’t covered by insurance, you would receive assistance from Medicaid. If your child was born with a debilitating birth defect and you were unable to afford care on your own, you would receive Medicaid assistance. If your life runs on longer than your money, Medicaid will keep you safe and clean in a well-regulated nursing facility, which is why we no longer have filthy and dangerous “old folks homes” that do nothing but warehouse the elderly. VGH: Iowa's new privatized Medicaid and our patients
We think it is important for our patients, members of our community, and those whose loved ones receive Medicaid support to be aware of recent plans to change Iowa’s Medicaid program.
First, some basic facts. Iowa’s Medicaid program serves approximately 560,000 people in the state, almost 1 in 5 Iowa residents. For area hospitals this group represents nearly 15% of their patient population.
Two Iowa deaths from influenza: Iowa among three states with most flu activity
With the deaths of two middle-aged males reported today by the Iowa Department of Public Health, Virginia Gay Hospital and Clinics want to remind our communities that influenza is deadly and flu vaccines are still available.
The Centers for Disease Control estimates that 300,000 Iowans will get the flu each year and together with its complications some 1,000 Iowans will die. Health care professionals share Medicaid MCO concerns with legislators
Nearly 20 area health care providers gathered last Thursday at the Van Horne Community Center to discuss with State Rep. Dawn Pettengill and State Sen. Tim Kapucian the impending changes to the Medicaid system in Iowa.
In August, Gov. Terry Branstad announced that four companies had been selected to provide services under a “Medicaid Modernization” plan set to begin Jan.
Virginia Gay highlights veterans John and Bertha Pohlmann
John Pohlmann, known for his good humor and kindness, seems an unlikely volunteer for the Marine Corps during one of America’s most deadly conflicts; the Korean War. More unlikely still, he carried the Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR), a big, heavy machine gun shooting .30-06 ammunition at rates as high as 650 rounds per minute. One of the most lethal weapons carried by an infantryman, the BAR was for those who would likely be on the leading edge of heavy combat. December WOW Newsletter
Click to view!
National Survivors of Suicide Day
November 22nd is National Survivors of Suicide Day; a day to take stock of the emotional cost of suicide by remembering and comforting those who are still with us but who have lost a loved one, a dear friend, or a fond acquaintance to suicide. Hardly a person in any community can say they haven’t been affected by suicide or the mental illnesses that lead to it. Mumps alert from the University of Iowa
Since July more than 100 cases of mumps have occurred at the University of Iowa and the numbers have been increasing in recent weeks. Cases are primarily occurring in undergraduate students. As a result the Iowa Department of Public Health, the University of Iowa, and Johnson County Public Health, are recommending that University of Iowa students who are less than 25 years of age should be given a third (or "booster") dose of mumps vaccine (MMR vaccine).
Breast Cancer Survivors to meet November 9th
Breast Cancer Survivors Please note change of meeting date! We will meet Monday, November 9 at 5:30 p.m. for dinner and conversation at Windsor Manor in the dining room.
Free will donation for the meal. Have you read a book about cancer that you found helpful or entertaining? Please bring the title to share.