health news
search the archives
Resources in preparation for Hurricane Earl (9/2/2010)
The CDC Emergency Preparedness and Response web site has the following hurricane preparedness messages and materials to help impacted communities immediately after the storm.
More
Air Quality Alert (8/31/2010)
The Maine Department of Environmental Protection is warning people that the air quality in Maine over the next several days will likely be the worst we have seen in several years.
More
Two new resources about pest control released (8/20/2010)
The Maine Department of Agriculture has launched a new website that provides information on various pests found in Maine. Meanwhile, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has released information specifically about bed bugs.
More
Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (Red Tide) Reminder (8/3/2010)
The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention has released the following Health Alert regarding paralytic shellfish poisoning (red tide).
More
Air Quality Alert (7/27/2010)
Ground-level ozone concentrations are expected to reach unhealthy levels for the Southwest Coastal region (Kittery through Boothbay Harbor) on Wednesday, July 28, according to the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).
More
Time to clean out the medicine cabinet! (6/3/2010)
Public Health Division will host a medication collection drive for over-the-counter and prescription drugs.
More
New environmental health reports released (5/28/2010)
New environmental health reports related to chemicals in canned foods and fragrances have been released.
More
New studies released on sunscreens and indoor tanning (5/25/2010)
Learn how to protect your skin.
More
Britain's General Medical Council bars doctor who linked vaccines with autism (5/24/2010)
Source: New York Times. A doctor whose research and public statements caused widespread alarm that a common childhood vaccine could cause autism was banned on Monday from practicing medicine in his native Britain for ethical lapses, including conducting invasive medical procedures on children that they did not need.
More
May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month (5/10/2010)
With May being Lyme Disease Awareness Month, the Maine Center for Disease Control has released a Health Alert on Information for Clinicians on Lyme Disease.
More
Environmental Working Group releases 2010 Shopper's Guide to Pesticides in Produce (4/30/2010)
EWG's annual list ranks common fruits and vegetables by the level of pesticides they contain.
More
National Infant Immunization Week (4/27/2010)
National Infant Immunization Week is April 24 to May 1, 2010.
More
High Browntail Moth population in parts of Cumberland County (4/15/2010)
Maine Forest Service personnel have completed the 2010 winter web survey for Browntail Moth. In Cumberland County, the area most affected by this infestation is Brunswick, with small infestations in Freeport and Falmouth.
More
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America releases (4/15/2010)
The Portland, Maine metropolitan area ranks 90th out of the 100 most populous metropolitan areas in the United States on AAFA's "Most Challenging Places to Live with Asthma."
More
2008-2009 Public Health Division Annual Report Now Available (3/31/2010)
The 2008-2009 Public Health Division Annual Report is now available online.
More
Portland gets $1.8 million for projects to fight obesity (3/30/2010)
The schools will be given $500,000 and the city will receive $1.3 million to work on obesity rates in adults.
More
Portland Community Health Center Phone Number Change (3/24/2010)
The Portland Community Health Center phone number has changed to 874-2141.
More
1.2 Million 'Unstable' Graco High Chairs Recalled (3/18/2010)
Graco Children's Products announced Thursday that it's recalling 1.2 million Harmony high chairs because of stability issues.
More
Smoke-Free Housing Coalition of Maine Webinar Series (3/3/2010)
The series takes the audience from the foundations of smoke-free policy adoption, financial and health benefits of going smoke-free, legality and further justification of policy implementation, to drafting policy language and enforcing an existing policy.
More
New Resource for Expectant/New Mothers Now Available (2/19/2010)
Text4baby is a free mobile information service designed to promote maternal and child health.
More
New County Health Rankings Give First County-by-County Snapshot of Health in Each State (2/17/2010)
University of Wisconsin/Robert Wood Johnson Foundation project ranks counties on how healthy people are and how long they live.
More
Seasonal and H1N1 (Swine) Flu Vaccines Available For Everyone (2/9/2010)
The Public Health Division has seasonal and H1N1 (swine) flu vaccines available by appointment for everyone.
More
British doctor rebuked over research linking vaccine and autism (2/3/2010)
Britain's medical regulator finds that Dr. Andrew Wakefield, who now practices in Texas, conducted his now-discredited research on the MMR shot in an unethical and irresponsible manner.
More
Salmonella-Related Sausage Recall Expanded (2/1/2010)
Daniele Inc., the company whose sausage products have been linked to a widespread Salmonella outbreak, expanded its earlier product recall to include another 17,235 pounds of products that may be contaminated by black pepper. Stores that carry the affected products in Maine include BJ's Wholesale Club and Sam's Club.
More
McNeil Consumer Healthcare Announces Voluntary Recall of Certain Over-The-Counter Products (1/15/2010)
The company is initiating this recall following an investigation of consumer reports of an unusual moldy, musty, or mildew-like odor that, in a small number of cases, was associated with temporary and non-serious gastrointestinal events. These include nausea, stomach pain, vomiting, or diarrhea.
More
2009 Cumberland County Municipal Health Assessments Now Available (1/14/2010)
New Cumberland County municipal health assessments now available.
More
The Hidden Benefits of Exercise (1/5/2010)
Even Moderate Physical Activity Can Boost the Immune System and Protect Against Chronic Diseases
More
Vaccine Refusal Raises Chickenpox Risk (1/5/2010)
Kids Are 9 Times More Likely to Get Chickenpox if They Don't Get Vaccinated.
More
H1N1 Vaccine Now Recomended for ALL Mainers (12/15/2009)
Based on demand and a large recent increase in H1N1 vaccine supply, Maine CDC is now recommending that H1N1 vaccine be offered to anyone who wishes to receive it.
More
Portland Community Health Center Now Open (11/10/2009)
Portland Community Health Center is a full-service, primary care medical facility, and is now open and accepting new patients.
More
Report: Smoking Bans Protect Nonsmokers' Hearts (10/15/2009)
A major report confirms what health officials long have believed: Bans on smoking in restaurants, bars and other gathering spots reduce the risk of heart attacks among nonsmokers.
More
City of Portland Public Health Division Selected to Test National Accreditation Program (9/24/2009)
The City of Portland Public Health Division announced today it was selected by the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB) to participate in a test of the new national voluntary public health accreditation program.
More
Cities Readiness Initiative
The Cities Readiness Initiative was
established to help Southern Maine respond efficiently to a bioterrorist
attack or public health emergency. Click here to learn more about the work
we have done.
Emergency Preparedness Guide
Whether it’s an ice storm or a flu pandemic, click here for a
comprehensive Emergency Preparedness guide for you and your family.
Environmental Health
Are you worried about environmental hazards affecting your health? The
Environmental Health Program keeps an eye on the community and the health
hazards that may affect you and your family. Click here to learn more.
Health Care for
the Homeless
Click here to learn more about the many services provided by the Homeless
Health Clinic on Portland Street in downtown Portland.
Health Services in Portland
A clearinghouse for health-related services in Portland. Look here to get
answers to your questions or ask a question of your own!
Immunization Services
Immunization services, located at 103 India Street, provides
immunizations from MMR to travel vaccines at reduced cost. Click here to
learn more.
Local
Health Data
Working on a paper for school? Writing a report for work? Just curious?
Click here for a listing of local health data sources. These sites offer health
data for towns in Cumberland County and on a statewide level.
Portland Community Free Clinic
The Portland Community Free Clinic, located at 103 India Street, offers a
wide range of primary health care services for the uninsured and
underinsured. Click here to learn more.
Portland
Community Health Center
The Portland Community Health Center, located at 180 Park Street, offers
services ranging from family medicine and pediatrics, to behavioral
counseling to dental hygiene. Click here to learn more.
Public Health Research and Data Program
The Public Health Research and Data Program collects, analyzes, and
reports health data for Cumberland County. Click here to learn more about
how we use research and data in public health.
