NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Health is asking health care providers across the state to report any cases of suspected serious respiratory illness they treat among patients who use electronic cigarettes or other vaping devices. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is investigating a cluster of severe pulmonary disease among people who use e-cigarettes or vape, with more than 150 cases reported to date in 16 states.

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Health and numerous state and local partners continue to investigate and respond to a large, multi-state hepatitis A outbreak. More than 2,000 cases of hepatitis A have been confirmed in Tennessee, including 13 resulting in the deaths of the patients.

NASHVILLE – Alexa Witcher, JD has been appointed assistant commissioner for legislative affairs for the Tennessee Department of Health. In this role, Witcher will direct and oversee the department’s legislative efforts and initiatives. She will also coordinate with and assist legislators in public health-related issues and departmental legislative proposals.

NASHVILLE – Adele Lewis, MD has been appointed state chief medical examiner for Tennessee. Lewis previously served as deputy state chief medical examiner and had been acting chief ME since the retirement of Julia Goodin, MD.

NASHVILLE – Tennessee Governor Bill Lee has proclaimed July 28 – August 3 as Human Trafficking Awareness Week in Tennessee. Human trafficking, also known as modern day slavery, is quickly becoming a major public health concern. Today, an estimated 40.3 million people are being trafficked worldwide, including an estimated 94 children each month here in Tennessee.

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Health kicked off the new “Tennessee Faces of the Opioid Crisis“ public education and awareness campaign July 16 at the Tennessee State Museum in Nashville. This project will feature people from every county of Tennessee sharing personal stories of how they have been impacted by the opioid crisis. The campaign also provides resources and information on how everyone can be part of the solution to this problem.

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Health will launch the new “Tennessee Faces of the Opioid Crisis“ public education and awareness campaign July 16 at the Tennessee State Museum in Nashville.

NASHVILLE – Marion Kainer, MD, MPH, FRACP, FSHEA has been named the 2019 recipient of the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists’ Pumphandle Award. Kainer serves as director of the TDH Healthcare Associated Infections and Antimicrobial Resistance Program, leading a team working to make healthcare safer and to combat antimicrobial resistance.

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Nearly 400 teens from communities across Tennessee will gather at the Embassy Suites in Murfreesboro June 2 – 4, 2018 for the Tennessee Department of Health’s TNSTRONG Youth Summit, a statewide tobacco prevention conference.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Memorial Day is the unofficial start of summer and the official opening day for many public pools. The Tennessee Department of Health is celebrating Healthy and Safe Swimming Week leading into the holiday with reminders about simple steps everyone can take to enjoy the fun of swimming and help keep our swimming areas safe and healthy.

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Health is reminding new parents and others in need of vital records to be sure to order these documents through approved channels to avoid scams or excessive fees.

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Health joins the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Women’s Health in celebrating National Women’s Health Week May 12 – 18, 2019. This nationwide initiative brings awareness to the importance of women’s health and empowers women to take small, manageable steps for longer, healthier and happier lives.

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Women, Infants and Children or WIC Program has transitioned to an electronic benefit transfer system from a paper-based method of issuing benefits. Tennessee families participating in WIC now use their TNWIC cards instead of paper vouchers to purchase WIC-approved foods. TNWIC is now available in all 95 counties of Tennessee.

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Health’s role related to Ballad Health’s certificate of public advantage is to provide active supervision, to improve the health and well-being of the region and to maintain access to high-quality health care. These goals guide the department’s data-centered approach in evaluating any plans, strategies and tactics proposed by Ballad Health.

NASHVILLE – Sexually transmitted diseases are preventable and treatable, yet they remain a major public health issue in Tennessee and across the United States. April is STD Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness about the impact of STDs on the lives of Tennesseans and the importance of discussing sexual health with health care providers and partners.