Massachusetts Department of Public Health

Study Reveals the Need to Expand Maternal Mortality Categorization Beyond Pregnancy-Related Deaths

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, October 25, 2023

BOSTON, Oct. 25, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The Center for Black Maternal Health and Reproductive Justice announced today its participation in a new study that revealed pregnancy-associated deaths as an urgent public health concern deserving greater scrutiny by maternal mortality review committees and the clinical and public health community at large. Research has found severe maternal morbidity (SMM), opioid use disorder, and prior hospital contacts were contributors to pregnancy-associated, but not pregnancy-related deaths in Massachusetts from 2002 to 2019. It also identified four times as many pregnancy-associated deaths than pregnancy-related ones and a high rate of hospital contacts (hospital admission, observational stays, and ER visits) for those who ultimately died during pregnancy through one year postpartum.

Key Points: 
  • New Research Shows Prior Hospitalization, Severe Maternal Morbidity, and Opioid Use Disorder Were Key Contributors to Pregnancy-Associated Deaths in Massachusetts from 2002 to 2019.
  • BOSTON, Oct. 25, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The Center for Black Maternal Health and Reproductive Justice announced today its participation in a new study that revealed pregnancy-associated deaths as an urgent public health concern deserving greater scrutiny by maternal mortality review committees and the clinical and public health community at large.
  • Research has found severe maternal morbidity (SMM), opioid use disorder, and prior hospital contacts were contributors to pregnancy-associated, but not pregnancy-related deaths in Massachusetts from 2002 to 2019.
  • There is a clear need to expand the focus of maternal mortality to the much larger group of pregnancy-associated deaths to understand the risk factors and events that lead to many of these preventable deaths."

Innovative Pancreatic Cancer Diagnostic Tests and AI Integration Drive Market Growth to 2030 - ResearchAndMarkets.com

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, October 19, 2023

The global pancreatic cancer diagnostic market is poised for substantial growth, with a projected size of USD 3.90 billion by 2030 and an anticipated compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.53% over the forecast period.

Key Points: 
  • The global pancreatic cancer diagnostic market is poised for substantial growth, with a projected size of USD 3.90 billion by 2030 and an anticipated compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.53% over the forecast period.
  • This laboratory-developed test is designed for the early detection of pancreatic cancer and is expected to contribute significantly to market expansion.
  • Research related to biomarker identification, nanoparticle utilization, and the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in diagnosis processes is expected to further boost market growth.
  • Incorporating AI in imaging pathology and biomarker tests will enhance the adoption of diagnostic tests for detecting pancreatic cancer.

Boston Medical Center Health System Announces First-In-The-Nation Program: Clean Power Prescription

Retrieved on: 
Monday, October 16, 2023

BOSTON, Oct. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Boston Medical Center Health System (BMCHS) today announced a first-in-the-nation pilot program: Clean Power Prescription, which enables BMC providers to write patients a prescription for a reduced utility bill using renewable energy. The program, made possible by the recent installation of solar panels on BMC's rooftop, will support the physical, economic and environmental health of BMC patients and bring low-income households the benefits of cleaner, less expensive renewable solar power.  

Key Points: 
  • To facilitate the introduction of Clean Power Prescription, BMC recently installed a 365-kilowatt solar array on the roof of its newly renovated administrative building at 960 Mass Avenue, located in an environmental justice zone.
  • Clean Power Prescription serves as a national model of a novel application of the IRA incentives.
  • BMC is inviting local businesses, real estate holders, and institutions to support Clean Power Prescription by contributing renewable energy credits to our patients.
  • In late 2022, BMC opened the BMC Brockton Behavioral Health Center, the nation's first-ever net-zero behavioral health center.

NACDD Announces Impact Award Winners and New Board of Directors

Retrieved on: 
Friday, September 29, 2023

ATLANTA, Sept. 29, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Association of Chronic Disease Directors (NACDD) announced the winners of the 2023 Impact Awards as well as its new Board of Directors during the Annual Business Meeting held Sept. 26.

Key Points: 
  • ATLANTA, Sept. 29, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Association of Chronic Disease Directors (NACDD) announced the winners of the 2023 Impact Awards as well as its new Board of Directors during the Annual Business Meeting held Sept. 26.
  • The Impact Awards are nominated by NACDD Members and selected by a committee who evaluate the applications to identify the greatest impact on chronic disease prevention and control and health promotion.
  • "The passion, dedication, and innovation shown by NACDD Members across our states and territories is truly inspiring!
  • The newly elected At Large Directors are:
    Victoria Ballares, MSN, DNP, FNP, BLS, a board certified Family Nurse Practitioner in Guam.

Mass. DPH Deems Birthing Center at Leominster Hospital An Essential Service "Necessary for Preserving Access and Health Status Within the Hospital's Service Area."

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, August 9, 2023

LEOMINSTER, Mass., Aug. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has issued its findings regarding UMass Memorial Health's controversial plan to close the Birthing Center at Leominster Hospital, deeming the program an essential service "necessary for preserving access and health status within the hospital's service area."  The full DPH letter can be found here.

Key Points: 
  • We now call upon Dr. Dickson, the DPH and the Healey administration to save this service and protect our community."
  • "The Birthing Center at Leominster Hospital is imperative to protect the lives of the hundreds of thousands of residents in North Central Mass.
  • Leominster Hospital, until this year when the Hospital Administration began implementing the closure, was the largest provider of birthing services for North Central Mass families.
  • These were closures that occurred despite the fact that the DPH declared those services essential to preserving the health of those communities.

MNA: Mass. DPH to Hold July 24th Public Hearing to Gather Community/Stakeholder Testimony Regarding the Impact of UMass Memorial Health's Plan to Close the Birthing Center at Leominster Hospital

Retrieved on: 
Friday, July 21, 2023

LEOMINSTER, Mass, July 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Massachusetts Department of Public Health will host a public hearing on Monday July 24th, for community input on a controversial proposal by UMass Memorial Health to close the Birthing Center at Leominster Hospital, which will be held at the Hilton Doubletree Hotel in Leominster at 5:30 p.m.

Key Points: 
  • The Leominster Hospital Birthing Center provides an essential service that must be maintained, including labor, delivery, postpartum and nursery care for families living in communities of Northern Worcester County.
  • "It's going to take all of us working together to convince those in power to reverse their decision and save this service."
  • This is the very population placed most at risk by the proposed closure of the Birthing Center at Leominster Hospital, the only facility serving the two Gateway Cities of Leominster and Fitchburg.
  • These were closures that occurred despite the fact that the DPH declared those services essential to preserving the health of those communities.

North Central Mass Legislative Delegation and Community Advocates to Host Baby Stroller Brigade/Rally on Leominster Town Common to Protest UMass Closure of Birthing Center at Leominster Hospital

Retrieved on: 
Friday, July 14, 2023

LEOMINSTER, Mass., July 14, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Calling all past, present, and future Birthing Center parents, kids, families, and friends, The North Central Massachusetts Legislative Delegation in conjunction with the Community United to Save Our Birthing Center campaign and the Massachusetts Nurses Association is hosting a Baby Stroller Brigade/Rally at the historic Leominster Town Common to demonstrate the Gateway Cities' solidarity and support for preserving local access to maternity services at Leominster Hospital.

Key Points: 
  • The Baby Stroller Brigade event is the latest action organized by a growing coalition of concerned residents, area legislators, caregivers and community advocates who oppose a plan by UMass Memorial Health to close the Birthing Center at Leominster Hospital.
  • It follows a well-attended community forum held on June 29 by the Community United to Save Our Birthing Center coalition where community leaders, residents and advocates spoke passionately about the need to preserve this vital service.
  • The Leominster Hospital Birthing Center provides an essential service that must be maintained, including labor, delivery, postpartum and nursery care for families living in communities of Northern Worcester County.
  • This is the very population placed most at risk by the proposed closure of the Birthing Center at Leominster Hospital, the only facility serving the two Gateway Cities of Leominster and Fitchburg.

Due to Inclement Weather for Monday July 10th Baby Stroller Brigade to Save Birthing Center at Leominster Hospital Postponed for July 10th, Moved to July 17th

Retrieved on: 
Monday, July 10, 2023

LEOMINSTER, Mass., July 10, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Calling all past, present, and future Birthing Center parents, kids, families, and friends, The North Central Massachusetts Legislative Delegation in conjunction with the Community United to Save Our Birthing Center campaign and the Massachusetts Nurses Association is hosting a Baby Stroller Brigade/Rally at the historic Leominster Town Common to demonstrate the Gateway Cities' solidarity and support for preserving local access to maternity services at Leominster Hospital.

Key Points: 
  • The Baby Stroller Brigade event is the latest action organized by a growing coalition of concerned residents, area legislators, caregivers and community advocates who oppose a plan by UMass Memorial Health to close the Birthing Center at Leominster Hospital.
  • The Leominster Hospital Birthing Center provides an essential service that must be maintained, including labor, delivery, postpartum and nursery care for families living in communities of Northern Worcester County.
  • Mass Memorial has provided DPH with the required notice of its intention to close the service as of Sept. 23, 2023.
  • The hearing has been scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on Monday, July 24 at the Hilton Doubletree Hotel in Leominster.

Watch: Government Spyware on Your Phone? Unfortunately, There’s an App for That

Retrieved on: 
Sunday, July 9, 2023

A newly-released video details how DPH’s actions have violated fundamental Constitutional rights.

Key Points: 
  • A newly-released video details how DPH’s actions have violated fundamental Constitutional rights.
  • Thousands of people do not know DPH’s Covid-19 tracking app is on their phone, as it does not appear on their home screens like other apps.
  • NCLA client Robert Wright, who commutes to Massachusetts for work, was appalled to learn that the government put an app on his phone without his knowledge, especially one that could constantly track his movements.
  • By taking up storage space on phones against their owners’ will, such unwanted installations also constitute uncompensated taking of property in violation of the Fifth Amendment.

North Central Mass Legislative Delegation and Community Advocates to Host Baby Stroller Brigade/Rally on Leominster Town Common to Protest UMass Closure of Birthing Center at Leominster Hospital

Retrieved on: 
Friday, July 7, 2023

LEOMINSTER, Mass., July 7, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Calling all past, present, and future Birthing Center parents, kids, families, and friends, The North Central Massachusetts Legislative Delegation in conjunction with the Community United to Save Our Birthing Center campaign campign and the Massachusetts Nurses Association is hosting a Baby Stroller Brigade/Rally at the historic Leominster Town Common to demonstrate the Gateway Cities' solidarity and support for preserving local access to maternity services at Leominster Hospital.

Key Points: 
  • The Baby Stroller Brigade event is the latest action organized by a growing coalition of concerned residents, area legislators, caregivers and community advocates who oppose a plan by UMass Memorial Health to close the Birthing Center at Leominster Hospital.
  • It follows a well-attended community forum held last Thursday by the Community United to Save Our Birthing Center coalition where community leaders, residents and advocates spoke passionately about the need to preserve this vital service.
  • The Leominster Hospital Birthing Center provides an essential service that must be maintained, including labor, delivery, postpartum and nursery care for families living in communities of Northern Worcester County.
  • The hearing has been scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on Monday, July 24 at the Hilton Doubletree Hotel in Leominster.