If you or someone you know is 65 or older, there is free help with your Medicare Advantage Plans from the Hawaii State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). Annual Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment period is from Jan. 1 to March 31, 2020. At this time, Medicare Advantage Plan members can switch to another Medicare Advantage ...
Read More Hawaii SHIP navigates Medicare Advantage plans for the people of Hawai‘i
Ola Lokahi
Holidays are a time to gather with the people you love. One way to show your family, friends and colleagues that you care is by making sure that the food you share or prepare at gatherings and events is healthy. While this may sometimes seem like a ...
Read More Keep it “healthy” this holiday season!
Many people don’t consider the possibility of suffering a traumatic brain or spinal cord injury. No one ever thinks it will happen to them. That’s what Kevin, Sepasi, Bill, Ann and Mark thought—but they were wrong. These community members told their stories at the first-ever “Overcoming Injury: Brain and Spine of Mine” event on Nov. ...
Read More Overcoming Brain Injury: Brain & Spine of Mine event
Do you ever wonder how many people visit your program webpages on the DOH website, how people found your page, or how long they stayed? Google Analytics provides valuable insights that can help you answer these and other questions. The benefits include: No registration or cost Automatic collection of data Customized reports Understand why visitors ...
Read More Using Google Analytics to make informed decisions about your webpages
The holidays can be a magical time of year filled with good tidings and joy. But they can also be stressful given the added travel, visitors, get-togethers and gift-giving. “From our experience with the Crisis Line, the holidays can be a sensitive and challenging time for some,” said Belinda Danielson, Crisis Line Supervisor. “It’s important ...
Read More Make self-care the centerpiece of your holiday season
Dr. Champion came to Hawai‘i in 2013 and is board certified in psychiatry and forensic psychiatry. He was recently appointed President of the Hawaii Medical Association (HMA), and works with physicians and stakeholders across the state to promote the science and art of medicine, improve public health, and support quality patient care. We recently had ...
Read More Get to know Dr. Michael Champion: medical director for the Adult Mental Health Division and the new Hawai‘i Medical Association President
More than 300 people attended a public meeting on the U.S. Navy’s Tank Upgrade Alternative and Release Detection Decision Document at Moanalua Middle School on Nov. 19. The meeting was hosted by the multiple DOH programs and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The proposal was submitted in mid-September as a requirement of the enforceable agreement ...
Read More DOH reviews public comments on Navy’s tank upgrade proposal
Beginning fall 2020, Hawaii keiki will be required to meet updated immunization requirements for school entry and attendance. Additional immunizations will be required for all students entering childcare or preschool, kindergarten, seventh grade, and post-secondary school, and for students entering school in Hawaiʻi for the first time. The primary audience for the Vax to School ...
Read More New Immunization Requirements for School Attendance
Do you or someone you know need access to substance use disorder treatment? The Hawai‘i Coordinated Access Referral Entry System, or Hawai‘i CARES, is the state’s new multiple entry-point and coordinating center for treatment and recovery support services. This new initiative includes a call and referral center and a universal intake process designed to improve ...
Read More DOH Launches One-Stop Call and Referral Center for People with Substance Use Disorder
There is a time for everything. A season for tearing down, and a season for building up. For Hawai‘i State Hospital, 2016 was a year of demolition. A pre-demolition blessing ceremony of the Goddard Building was held in February that year, and by December, the 70-year-old building had been leveled. Only a dirt part parcel ...
Read More Construction of Hawai‘i State Hospital’s new building ahead of schedule
Hawai‘i Department of Health and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to accept public comments at Nov. 19 public meeting on the U.S. Navy’s proposed Tank Upgrade Alternative (TUA) and Release Detection for Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility The Hawaii Department of Health (DOH) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will hold a public ...
Read More Navy Red Hill Underground Fuel Storage Facility Update
If you are taking prescription opioid or narcotic pain medication, you could be at risk for opioid dependence and not even know it. The Hawai‘i Opioid Initiative’s awareness campaign encourages adults to find out their risk for opioid dependence by answering a few easy questions at www.HawaiiOpioid.org. Advertisements are currently airing on Hawai‘i News Now ...
Read More Are You or A Loved One at Risk for Opioid Dependence?
The Communications Office is excited to announce a couple of new social media opportunities available to staff. We have officially launched a LinkedIn profile for the department as well as an internal Facebook Group for DOH staff. Why LinkedIn? The purpose of this profile is to better engage with Hawaii’s professional community, as many other ...
Read More Let’s Get Social: DOH Communications Office Launches New Social Media Opportunities for Staff
With the ongoing nationwide outbreak of lung injury associated with use the use of e-cigarette, or vaping products, the health department issued an advisory for the state warning the public to stop vaping. With more than 1,300 injury cases reported and 26 deaths confirmed, people should stop vaping until the cause of these lung illnesses ...
Read More DOH Warns Vaping Can Cause Lung Injury
Ola Lokahi November 2018 The #RideSoberHawaii Challenge This holiday season, take the new #RideSoberHawaii challenge presented by the department’s EMS & Injury Prevention System Branch and you could win a $50 Uber gift card. Open the PDF to read more. What you can do about opioid abuse Opioids are prescribed frequently for pain and are ...
Read More Ola Lokahi Newsletter – November 2018
Ola Lokahi (October 2018) World Mental Health Day 2018 sheds light on young people People experience mental health challenges in different ways. Some are affected by episodes of anxiety or depression, and others may suffer from severe and disabling conditions that last a lifetime. Young people face unique struggles as they navigate changes during adolescence ...
Read More Ola Lokahi Newsletter – October 2018
Ola Lokahi (August 2018) Amendments make medical cannabis more accessible These changes make access to medical cannabis easier for registered patients who use it to treat their serious health conditions. Local dispensaries experienced a high demand for the newly approved safe pulmonary administration (SPA) devices that were added to the list of approved merchandise that ...
Read More Ola Lokahi Newsletter – August 2018
Ola Lokahi (June/July 2018) DOH Team Rises to the Challenges of the Ongoing Kilauea Eruption Spectacular geological displays of bright red lava flowing from the Kilauea volcano and oozing from fissures in the ground, and billowing clouds of ash and volcanic smog are capturing the attention of those around the globe. Open the attached newsletter ...
Read More Ola Lokahi Newsletter – June/July 2018
Ola Lokahi (June 2018) 2018 Legislative Highlights of the Five-Month Session: All-payer claims database Licensure by endorsement Healthcare preceptorship tax credit Virtual dental home Support for Hawaii Opioid Task Force Ban on the pesticide Chlorpyrifos Ban on sunscreens with oxybenzone and octinoxate Cesspool advisory coucil and grant program Support for those with intellectual and developmental ...
Read More Ola Lokahi Newsletter – June 2018
Ola Lokahi (April 2018) Recycle in Celebration of Earth Day April 22! As Earth Day 2018 nears, it’s a good time to reflect on recycling, particularly beverage and plastic water bottle containers which are responsible for pollution and negative effects on the environment and public health. Open the attached newsletter pdf to read more. Walk ...
Read More Ola Lokahi Newsletter – April 2018