Upcoming Radio Show Guests - December 1, 2010
"Prescription for Health" KSNM 570 AM's radio show discusses a variety of health and community topics. Hosts Amanda Lopez Askin and Audrey Hartley discuss health issues relevant to Doña Ana County, happenings that affect your health, and community events. We bring in local experts from the area and field questions from listeners, every Wednesday from 4 to 6 p.m.
Today we welcome Meribeth Hauenstein with the NM Department of Health. Meribeth will offer helpful tips for recovery with drugs and alcohol. Also, some advice for people struggling with the upcoming holidays!
Also on today is our regular guest, Las Cruces Police Chief Richard Williams and Fire Chief Travis Brown, offering tips on how to stay safe and healthy this holiday season.
Please call us with questions! 575-527-4570. We are now streaming live on the internet! www.ksnm570.am If you prefer email us at AmandaJ.Lopez@state.nm.us, or to offer suggestions or feedback on the show.
To listen to past shows go to: http://www.ksnm570.am/ or "fan" us on Facebook!
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Welcome Dr. Obi Okoli
Las Cruces is wonderful place to live as many national surveys and rankings often demonstrate. There are many factors that contribute to our high quality of life here in southern New Mexico, one of them being the top-notch healthcare services we have in our border communities. We have multiple thriving hospitals and a strong safety net of public and nonprofit organizations serving low income and uninsured persons. We have a university and community college turning out needed new healthcare professionals. This type of dynamic, diverse environment is one that attracts other providers to come here for career opportunities.
Recently Dr. Obi Okoli settled in Las Cruces to establish a medical practice. Dr. Okoli specializes in Infectious Diseases and has a Master of Public Health Degree. He completed his Infectious Disease Residency in Chicago and his Infectious Disease Fellowship in Milwaukee. He has admitting privileges at both local community hospitals.
Today Dr. Okoli began volunteering at the Department of Health Public Health Region 5. He has graciously offered to provide clinical services to persons with HIV/AIDS with at least one half-day clinic session a week. With his expertise and oversight, this special population will have a facility where medical care and medical case management along with supportive services are available in a single location in the Community Collaborative Care (CCC) Program at 1170. N. Solano Drive (at the intersection with Spruce Ave.).
In March of this year Public Health Region 5 in Las Cruces became one of five (5) HIV Health Management Alliance (HMA) organizations in New Mexico and is charged with care coordination for persons with HIV/AIDS in a ten-county catchment area by establishing a network of collaborating providers for healthcare service delivery. Other members of this HMA network are: La Clinica de Familia, Rio Grande Medical Group, and the Southern New Mexico Family Medicine Residency Program at Memorial Medical Center.
For more information about the Community Collaborative Care Program and HIV services in Las Cruces, you may visit the Region 5 Website at http://www.healthynm.org/ or call 575-528-5031.
~Ray Stewart, Director
NMDOH Public Health Region 5
Recently Dr. Obi Okoli settled in Las Cruces to establish a medical practice. Dr. Okoli specializes in Infectious Diseases and has a Master of Public Health Degree. He completed his Infectious Disease Residency in Chicago and his Infectious Disease Fellowship in Milwaukee. He has admitting privileges at both local community hospitals.
Today Dr. Okoli began volunteering at the Department of Health Public Health Region 5. He has graciously offered to provide clinical services to persons with HIV/AIDS with at least one half-day clinic session a week. With his expertise and oversight, this special population will have a facility where medical care and medical case management along with supportive services are available in a single location in the Community Collaborative Care (CCC) Program at 1170. N. Solano Drive (at the intersection with Spruce Ave.).
In March of this year Public Health Region 5 in Las Cruces became one of five (5) HIV Health Management Alliance (HMA) organizations in New Mexico and is charged with care coordination for persons with HIV/AIDS in a ten-county catchment area by establishing a network of collaborating providers for healthcare service delivery. Other members of this HMA network are: La Clinica de Familia, Rio Grande Medical Group, and the Southern New Mexico Family Medicine Residency Program at Memorial Medical Center.
For more information about the Community Collaborative Care Program and HIV services in Las Cruces, you may visit the Region 5 Website at http://www.healthynm.org/ or call 575-528-5031.
~Ray Stewart, Director
NMDOH Public Health Region 5
Thursday, September 23, 2010
National Alcohol & Drug Addiction Recovery Month 2010
It is National Alcohol & Drug Addiction Recovery Month, an annual occasion that sets forth the notion that an addict can recover from alcohol and drug dependency. Addiction can be a terrible thing; tens of millions suffer from it every year, including 10% of New Mexico’s population according to StateMaster. Not only do the addicted suffer, but so too do his or her loved ones they have to watch his or her life slowly unravel.
Quitting addiction can be quite a difficult task, due to the more widespread availability of drugs. Since President Felipe Calderon took office and announced his an armed effort against them, many have smuggled and sold their products to foreign countries, with the United States receiving 70% of drugs “exported.” Due to its proximity to Mexico, New Mexico is a major haven for drug traffickers. Methamphetamines, black tar heroin, ecstasy and cocaine have become easily accessible within the state as a result, admittance for drug abuse treatment nearly doubled from 2004 to 2005 and the numbers have escalated for many years. National household survey data estimated that roughly 58,000 New Mexicans aged 12 years or older were in need of drug treatment from 2005-2007 alone.
There is a light at the end of the tunnel. Though the drug treatment admittance rate spiked to a five digit number after this drug war escalated, the specific number has lowered to four digits for the first time since 2005. This could either mean that less people are requiring treatment, or that less are reporting that they require it.
You have the chance to make a difference for someone you know and love that is plagued by addiction. The Purpose of National Alcohol & Drug Addiction Recovery month is to get the community involved in combating drug and alcohol dependency, but it is not merely limited to September. If you know somebody who is suffering addiction, you can find a proper rehabilitation center from the New Mexico State Directory of Alltreatment.com to get that person help. The official Recovery Month website is holding several events for community involvement as well. When drug usage was at an all-time low in New Mexico, Nina Shah of the New Mexico Department of Health Epidemiology and Response Division cited “combined efforts from public health entities, health care providers, law enforcement and community stakeholders” as a cause for this reduction. If you do your part, perhaps this time can come again.
~Brandon Yu
Guest Blogger
Quitting addiction can be quite a difficult task, due to the more widespread availability of drugs. Since President Felipe Calderon took office and announced his an armed effort against them, many have smuggled and sold their products to foreign countries, with the United States receiving 70% of drugs “exported.” Due to its proximity to Mexico, New Mexico is a major haven for drug traffickers. Methamphetamines, black tar heroin, ecstasy and cocaine have become easily accessible within the state as a result, admittance for drug abuse treatment nearly doubled from 2004 to 2005 and the numbers have escalated for many years. National household survey data estimated that roughly 58,000 New Mexicans aged 12 years or older were in need of drug treatment from 2005-2007 alone.
There is a light at the end of the tunnel. Though the drug treatment admittance rate spiked to a five digit number after this drug war escalated, the specific number has lowered to four digits for the first time since 2005. This could either mean that less people are requiring treatment, or that less are reporting that they require it.
You have the chance to make a difference for someone you know and love that is plagued by addiction. The Purpose of National Alcohol & Drug Addiction Recovery month is to get the community involved in combating drug and alcohol dependency, but it is not merely limited to September. If you know somebody who is suffering addiction, you can find a proper rehabilitation center from the New Mexico State Directory of Alltreatment.com to get that person help. The official Recovery Month website is holding several events for community involvement as well. When drug usage was at an all-time low in New Mexico, Nina Shah of the New Mexico Department of Health Epidemiology and Response Division cited “combined efforts from public health entities, health care providers, law enforcement and community stakeholders” as a cause for this reduction. If you do your part, perhaps this time can come again.
~Brandon Yu
Guest Blogger
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Upcoming Radio Show Guests
"Prescription for Health" KSNM 570 AM's radio show discusses a variety of health and community topics. Hosts Chris Minnick and Amanda J. Lopez discuss health issues relevant to Doña Ana County, happenings that affect your health, and community events. We bring in local experts from the area and field questions from listeners, every Wednesday from 4 to 6 p.m.
Please call us with questions! 575-527-4570 or 1-877-576-6570
If you prefer email us at rx@kgrt.com or if you have suggestions or feedback on the show AmandaJ.Lopez@state.nm.us
To listen to past shows go to: http://www.ksnm570.am/ or "fan" us on Facebook!
4:00 - Joanne and Rick Ferrary/Underage Drinking Prevention Coalition
4:30 - Mickey Curtis and Sandra Gonzales/Families and Youth, Inc.
5:00 - Kelsey Crooks/ Feautured in April's Healthy U Issue
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
4:00 - Richard Coltharp/Healthy U Magazine
4:30 - Lisa Chavez/Gadsden Middle School SBHC Coordinator
5:00 - Jeanne Resendez/Jason Foundation Suice Prevention
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
4:00 - TBA TBA
4:30 - Larry Roybal Candidate for Dona Ana County Sheriff
5:00 - Nate Cote Legislator
4:30 - Larry Roybal Candidate for Dona Ana County Sheriff
5:00 - Nate Cote Legislator
Monday, April 12, 2010
Public Health Strong
As our country's economic turmoil seems to be stabilizing somewhat, lots of people are speculating on what the outlook is for our standard of living as Americans. Will the long-term impact mean that we will have to cut back on our consumption of energy and goods, or will be eventually return to our previous habits and levels of consumption?
As we New Mexicans struggle to balance our budget, it is clear that Public Health will not emerge unscathed. What that will mean to our programming is still in the works, but it's unrealistic to think that with millions of dollars less to operate, things will return to business as usual. So, our department must prioritize our efforts and our dollars. I'm sure in the process we'll also be trying to measure the impact of the decisions that are made on the health of our citizens. That will help to evaluate those decisions and perhaps make programmatic adjustment on down the line. Undoubtedly some of that will occur as well as needing to implement rapid responses to new or emerging health threats like Dengue Fever as it continues to invade northward.
Just as our military has recently announced its new focus on enhancing their rapid deployment forces capabilities, Public Health may need to continue to develop ours. It's gratifying to see how well our New Mexico Public Health Division's deployment of resources resulted in our state having the highest H1N1 vaccination rates in our region of five states, and we exceeded the national median of vaccination rates across all age groups!
We've all heard of "ARMY STRONG!", well we can add to that "PUBLIC HEALTH STRONG!"
As we New Mexicans struggle to balance our budget, it is clear that Public Health will not emerge unscathed. What that will mean to our programming is still in the works, but it's unrealistic to think that with millions of dollars less to operate, things will return to business as usual. So, our department must prioritize our efforts and our dollars. I'm sure in the process we'll also be trying to measure the impact of the decisions that are made on the health of our citizens. That will help to evaluate those decisions and perhaps make programmatic adjustment on down the line. Undoubtedly some of that will occur as well as needing to implement rapid responses to new or emerging health threats like Dengue Fever as it continues to invade northward.
Just as our military has recently announced its new focus on enhancing their rapid deployment forces capabilities, Public Health may need to continue to develop ours. It's gratifying to see how well our New Mexico Public Health Division's deployment of resources resulted in our state having the highest H1N1 vaccination rates in our region of five states, and we exceeded the national median of vaccination rates across all age groups!
We've all heard of "ARMY STRONG!", well we can add to that "PUBLIC HEALTH STRONG!"
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