pvac

Latest Data on Asthma In Hampden County!

Tue, 24 May 2022 13:50:29 GMT

Source: MDPH Hospital Admissions, State Tables

Although Springfield and the Pioneer Valley region has dropped from #1 to #12 Asthma and Allergy Capital as determined by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, asthma is still a serious issue with concerning inequities for Black and Latino communities. Hampden County residents continue to be impacted by asthma with emergency room visit rates more than two times that of the state in 2019 (1,128 vs 518 per 100,000, respectively and hospitalization rates over 70% greater (145 vs 84 per 100,000 respectively). Within Hampden County, there were large differences in admission rates for asthma between races.

In 2019, the most recent year in the data set, Black residents of Hampden County were admitted to the emergency department for asthma at a rate double that of White residents. Black hospital admission rates for asthma rose since the last CHNA, whereas they declined or held steady for other racial groups. The state did not provide 2019 data on Latinx admission rates, but in the last CHNA, Latinx rates for ER visits were double Black rates (2617 per 100,000 vs. 1310). The disparities were even more extreme for Latinx pediatric ER visits.

COVID-19 or Allergies?

Fri, 22 Apr 2022 20:51:11 GMT

Allergy season is here, but COVID remains. COVID & seasonal allergies share some symptoms, but not others. Use this chart to compare the symptoms of COVID-19 & seasonal allergies so you can tell the difference. If you are unsure, get tested !

Federal Updates on Healthy Housing!

Fri, 22 Apr 2022 20:32:51 GMT

HUD Issues Notice Requiring Carbon Monoxide Alarms or Detectors in HUD-Assisted Housing

HUD's Offices of Public and Indian Housing , Multifamily Housing Programs , and Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes recently posted a joint notice requiring carbon monoxide alarms or detectors in their HUD-assisted housing programs starting December 27, 2022 .

Read more on the HUD website
Read the specific notice here .

ALA Forum

Mon, 08 Nov 2021 21:50:40 GMT

Nov. 10th: Massachusetts Virtual Asthma Educational Forum

On November 10th from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. , Join the American Lung Association Western Mass colleagues as we speak at the American Lung Association's educational forum about asthma in the Commonwealth. Attendees will learn about asthma prevalence and disparities, current programming throughout the state, and how they can get involved in local, state, and national advocacy initiatives.

Speakers include:

· Sen. Adam Gomez, Hampden District

· Sarita Hudson, Public Health Institute of Western Mass

· Stacey Chacker, the MA Asthma Action Partnership,

· Jodi Sugerman-Brozan, MA Coalition for Occupational Safety and Health

Registration for this event is free and can be completed via this link

Community Chat on Health Needs and Assets

Mon, 08 Nov 2021 21:50:37 GMT

What health needs do you see in our region related to asthma or housing?

Join us on November 16th 2:00-3:00 pm for a Community Chat for the Hospital Coalition of Western Massachusetts 2022 Community Health Needs Assessment . The objective is to understand what a Community Health Needs Assessment is, why it is done, and to share experiences about community assets and emerging health needs in our communities.

Anti-Biomass Testimony

Wed, 11 Aug 2021 18:34:01 GMT

Sarita Hudson gives testimony in opposition to proposed state legislation

July 30, 2021: Sarita Hudson, Director of Programs and Development of the Public Health Institute, gave public comment on proposed changes to Massachusetts’ Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) Class I and Class II Regulations as part of a western MA delegation. Air pollution is a major health danger for children and adults. Outdoor air pollution from burning fossil fuels has been shown to contribute to morbidity for several chronic diseases including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cardiovascular disease, and most recently COVID-19. In addition, air pollution affects the development of lungs and is linked to low birth weight and pre-term birth and susceptibility to infections. According to the EPA, fine particle pollution causes early death (both short-term and long-term exposure) and may cause reproductive and developmental harm (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Integrated Science Assessment for Particulate Matter, December2009 EPA 600/R-08/139F).

Recording of public comment

Testimony

Springfield improves from #1 to #12 Asthma Capital

Wed, 11 Aug 2021 18:28:06 GMT

I mproving in Air Quality and Asthma Outcomes, More Work to be Done

Promotion of Energy Audits kicks off launch to Springfield's Climate Action and Resilience Plan

Wed, 06 Sep 2017 16:54:19 GMT

On Wednesday, September 6, 2017, Mayor Sarno announced Springfield's "Strong, Healthy and Just: Climate Action and Resilience Plan" or CARP. This plan came together through the participation of hundreds of residents and the hard work of community partners and the Climate Action & Resilience working group, including Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, Partners for a Healthier Community, Arise for Social Justice and the Springfield Climate Justice Coalition.

The city aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80 percent by 2050, and the mayor urged residents to take advantage of free home energy audits and financial aid to make their homes more energy efficient.

Interested in a free energy audit? Visit Ener-G-Save for more information. If you receive fuel assistance, please contact Springfield Partners for Community Action .