Health

Governor Bentley signs executive order establishing Alabama Medicare Advisory Commission

Submitted by Donna Wallace-King, Community Web Producer

Thursday, October 25th, 2012, 2:30pm

Governor Bentley signs executive order establishing Alabama Medicare Advisory Commission

With the goal of reforming Medicaid by improving financial stability and patient care, Governor Robert Bentley on Thursday signed an executive order establishing the Alabama Medicaid Advisory Commission.

The Commission will be tasked with evaluating the financial structure of the Alabama Medicaid Agency and identifying ways to increase efficiency while also helping ensure the long-term sustainability of the agency. The Commission will make recommendations to Governor Bentley prior to the 2013 Regular Session of the Alabama Legislature.

“We are committed to increasing efficiency, eliminating fraud and maintaining patient care,” Governor Bentley said. “We believe we can deliver higher-quality care while also controlling costs. The Alabama Medicaid Advisory Commission will help us accomplish this.”

“The Commission will include members who are all dedicated to quality healthcare,” Governor Bentley added. “We’ll listen to the perspectives o

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Tips for staying safe from injury during the 'haunting' season

Submitted by Donna Wallace-King, Community Web Producer

Tuesday, October 23rd, 2012, 12:42pm

Tips for staying safe from injury during the 'haunting' season

Autumn activities such as Halloween and Harvest Day offer opportunities for young people to dress up in costumes and enjoy trick-or-treating. To prevent injuries often associated with these festivities, the Alabama Department of Public Health reminds parents about seasonal safety tips from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and the U.S.

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A winner has been selected in ADMH's first-ever Celebrate Recovery Challenge

Submitted by Donna Wallace-King, Community Web Producer

Tuesday, October 16th, 2012, 12:24pm

A winner has been selected in ADMH's first-ever Celebrate Recovery Challenge

The Addiction Coalition was chosen as the winner of the first-ever Celebrate Recovery Challenge. Its Real People, Real Stories online event was chosen by mental health stakeholders and the general public as the event that best embodied the purpose of Recovery Month by increasing awareness and decreasing stigma. Nearly 8,600 votes were cast in the inaugural challenge, hosted by ADMH as another component of Alabama’s celebration of National Recovery Month. Dr. Beverly Bell-Shambley, associate commissioner for the Division of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services, said, “We are proud to recognize the Addiction Coalition for winning the Celebrate Recovery Challenge.

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Help crown the winer of the first-ever Celebrate Recovery Challenge

Submitted by Donna Wallace-King, Community Web Producer

Wednesday, October 10th, 2012, 1:57pm

Help crown the winer of the first-ever Celebrate Recovery Challenge

ADMH is pleased to host the 2012 Celebrate Recovery Challenge. This challenge seeks to recognize the “best” Recovery Month event held in Alabama.

National Recovery Month is held annually during the month of September. Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Recovery Month seeks to promote the societal benefits of prevention, treatment, and recovery from mental illnesses and substance use disorders. The observance celebrates people in recovery, lauds the contributions of treatment and service providers, and promotes the message that recovery is possible.

Raising awareness is a crucial component of Recovery Month throughout the nation, and organizations throughout Alabama have traditionally hosted events statewide to celebrate the observance and help promote its message.

View submissions and vote here.

Vote as many times as you want. Anyone can vote!

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ADMH joins groups nationwide to change attitudes and lives during Mental Health Awareness Week

Submitted by Donna Wallace-King, Community Web Producer

Tuesday, October 9th, 2012, 10:56am

ADMH joins groups nationwide to change attitudes and lives during Mental Health Awareness Week

One in four adults will experience a mental health problem in any given year, and more than one in 17 live with a serious, chronic mental illness. The Alabama Department of Mental Health is joining efforts nationwide to celebrate Mental Illness Awareness Week, sponsored annually by The National Alliance on Mental Illness. The observance, which has been in existence for more than 20 years, seeks to increase awareness about mental illnesses and reduce stigma. This year’s MIAW is being observed nationwide October 7-13.

The Alabama Department of Mental Health serves more than 100,000 Alabamians with mental illnesses each year. More than 97 percent of those individuals are experiencing recovery and living in the community. ADMH and other groups also work to decrease stigma surrounding mental illnesses through various public education efforts. This year, several NAMI Alabama affiliates are hosting a variety of events during MIAW.

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W.I.C. Program seeks public comment about 2013 state plan

Submitted by Donna Wallace-King, Community Web Producer

Wednesday, September 26th, 2012, 9:36am

W.I.C. Program seeks public comment about 2013 state plan

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) provides nutrition education and supplemental foods, and serves women and children whose incomes are up to 185 percent of poverty. Special emphasis is placed on targeting infants and high-risk pregnant women.

The WIC Program regulations require public comment from interested individuals in the writing of the 2013 State Plan of Program Operations for the WIC Program.

The plan may be reviewed online at http://www.adph.org/wic/index.asp?id=2569.The state plan may also be viewed at the State WIC Office at the address listed below.

Written comments may be e-mailed via the www.adph.orgwebsite or mailed to the following address by Oct. 9, 2012:

Alabama Department of Public Health
WIC Program, Attention Carolyn Battle
The RSA Tower, Suite 1300
201 Monroe St.
P.O.

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Alabama's infant mortality rate falls to an all-time low in 2011

Submitted by Donna Wallace-King, Community Web Producer

Thursday, September 20th, 2012, 1:25pm

Alabama's infant mortality rate falls to an all-time low in 2011

The Alabama Department of Public Health announces that the infant mortality rate of 8.1 deaths per 1000 live births in 2011 is the lowest ever recorded in the state. This represents 481 infants, the lowest number ever, who died before reaching one year of age.

Dr.

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