Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

• Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease, where the body mistakenly attacks its own lining of the joints.
• RA commonly affects joints in the hands, wrists, and knees and other areas in the body such as the lungs, heart, and eyes.
• Participating in an arthritis approved physical activity class or low-impact exercise program can help reduce or manage RA symptoms.

Take Action to Prepare Your Home from Wildfires

• Even though wildfires can occur naturally, about 85% are human caused.
• Practicing fire safety around campfires, BBQs, and fireworks can dramatically reduce the risk of wildfires.
• Take actions to prepare your home and surrounding area and have an evacuation kit and action plan for your family and your animals.

Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) Remains the #1 Killer in Montana

• More than 14,000 Montanans died from cardiovascular disease, which includes heart disease and stroke, from 2015 to 2019. Prevention is possible, however, through lifestyle modifications.
• Did you know up to 80% of strokes could be prevented by healthy lifestyle changes and working with your healthcare team to manage any risk factors you might have?
• If you have CVD or have been told you are at risk, please take time to participate in this community survey. DPHHS is looking to strengthen heart disease and stroke prevention efforts across Montana.

Harmful Algae Blooms

• Algae are naturally occurring organisms in Montana's reservoirs, lakes, and streams. Certain types of algae, called cyanobacteria or blue green algae, can produce toxins that can cause sickness in humans and death in livestock and pets.
• Blue green algae blooms can look like grass clippings, green latex paint, pea soup, or be turquoise colored; avoid contact with water if a blue green algae bloom is suspected.
• Harmful algae blooms are increasing throughout Montana. Montanans can report suspected blooms to environmental health officials to help prevent others from harmful exposures.

Asthma and Smoking

• Tobacco smoke is a common trigger for asthma and can increase current symptoms.
• In 2019, about 17% of Montana adults were current smokers.
• You don't have to quit on your own. Talk to your doctor about possible strategies- from the Montana Tobacco Quit Line to medications for quitting.

Suicide-Related Thoughts, Attempts, and Deaths Remain a Major Public Health Concern in Montana

• Suicide rates in the U.S. have increased 33% over the past two decades (1999–2019). During that time, Montana’s suicide rates have ranked among the highest in the nation.
• During 2010–2019, Montana’s emergency department visit rates for suicidal ideation and suicide attempts were 3.4 to 5.8 times greater than U.S. estimates.
• If you, or someone that you know, are struggling with suicidal thoughts or other forms of mental distress resources are available the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (call 1-800-273-8255), the Crisis Text Line (text “MT” or “HOME” to 741741), and the Mental Health America of Montana Warmline (call 1-877-688-3377).

Maternal Mental Health

• Depression is the most common complication of childbirth; 1 in 6 Montana women will experience depression during pregnancy.
• Perinatal depression is not just the “baby blues” and is just one type of perinatal mood and anxiety disorder.
• Learn more about perinatal mental health; Help is available now if you or someone you know is experiencing a crisis.

Montana Designated Trauma Facilities

• Trauma center designation is associated with better patient outcomes from traumatic injuries; Montana has 43 Designated Trauma Facilities.
• The Montana Emergency Care System consists of first responders, emergency medical technicians, paramedics,9-1-1 dispatchers, firefighters, police officers, educators, nurses, physicians, and hospital staff.
• Rural trauma care in Montana is complicated by geographic isolation, time between injury and discovery, extrication issues, distance to immediate healthcare and local health care resource availability. Understanding the medical capabilities of hospitals is important in providing initial care to injured patients.

National Stop the Bleed Day

• May is National Stop the Bleed Month and May 20th is National Stop the Bleed Day.
• You can make a difference. Stop the Bleed teaches the public how to make a life and death difference before professional rescuers arrive.
• In Montana, the average EMS response time is 8-10 minutes, but someone who is severely bleeding can die in as little as 5 minutes. Find out more about class instructors in your area and how to get a Bleeding Control Kit.

National Prevention Week

• May 9-15, 2021, is National Prevention Week, communities and organizations across the country come together to raise awareness about the importance of substance use prevention and positive mental health.
• 3 in 5 Montana students in the 8th, 10th, and 12th grades discussed the dangers of tobacco, alcohol, or drug use in the past 12 months with their parents.
• In Montana, Prevention Specialists are working with coalitions statewide to prevent youth substance use. Find out how to get connected with a coalition near you.

May is National Arthritis Awareness

• 1 in 4 adults in Montana has arthritis, which is higher than nationally.
• Greater than 100 types of arthritis exists; most commonly osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, and psoriatic arthritis.
• If you have arthritis, please help the Arthritis Foundation understand arthritis better by participating in their INSIGHT Assessment.

April is Alcohol Awareness Month

• Alcohol is the most frequently used substance among Montana high school students, with nearly one in three (29%) 8th, 10th, and 12th grade students reporting current alcohol use in 2020.
• The most common sources where alcohol was obtained were from someone they knew who was 21 years old or older (22%), from home with permission (14%), and from someone they knew under the age of 21 (13%).
• Most parents in Montana (91%) disapprove of high school students drinking alcohol. Learn more about improving communication and relationships with children, healthy risk taking, discipline, and alcohol and its impact on the teenage brain at ParentingMontana.org.

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and Oral Cancer 

• Human Papillomavirus (HPV), besides being the most common sexually transmitted infection, can also infect cells in the mouth and throat; HPV causes an estimated 70% of oropharyngeal (back of the throat) cancers.
• From 2013 to 2017, 750 new cases of HPV-associated cancers were diagnosed in Montana; among men, oropharyngeal cancer was the most common HPV-associated cancer diagnosed.
• HPV vaccine provides protection against HPV including the types that cause oropharyngeal cancer; learn why both boys and girls should receive the HPV vaccine.

End Childhood Hunger - #WearOrangeWednesday, April 7th, 2021

• In Montana, nearly 25% of children live in homes that experience limited access to nutritious food – an issue related to economic insecurity, food distribution challenges, and stigma in our state.
• The good news is that Montanans have the power to end hunger by working together on solutions at both the state and community level.
• Join the cause to end child hunger in Montana by wearing orange in a social media photo on April 7th, 2021 for the annual statewide Wear Orange Wednesday event and share with #WearOrangeWednesday.

National Public Health Week April 5-11

• The Montana public health system helps keep Montana residents safe, healthy and enjoying their best quality of life through many programs, services, and reliable health information.
• This past year the COVID-19 pandemic challenged all of us.  However, the public health systems in place helped Montanans endure by providing timely and accurate information, COVID testing, and vaccination, and other public health services.
• The week of April 5-11 is National Public Health Week. Join us in thanking Montana’s dedicated tribal and local public health workers for their passion and selfless commitment to keeping our communities healthy and safe.