Cincinnati Health Department

The Cincinnati Health Department's new Commissioner steps into the role after an unsettling time. The department went without a permanent leader for two years, but Melba Moore has now taken charge, bringing 15 years' experience as the health commissioner for St. Louis.

In the wake of the opioid crisis, a pilot program in Cincinnati is designed to fill another gap in addiction treatment. In the Safe Places Cincy project, anyone seeking help for addiction can ask for help at a city health center and get a ride to one of three treatment programs.

Approximately three million people have signed-up for health insurance for 2018 through the Healthcare.gov marketplace since open enrollment began November 1. But many experts fear millions of people are not aware of this year's shortened open enrollment period and could miss the opportunity to buy insurance for next year. The last day to enroll for coverage is December 15.

The 2016 Summer Olympic Games commenced in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil last Friday. The excitement for the games has been tempered by concerns over the Zika virus; with 166,000 suspected and confirmed cases of the mosquito-borne virus, the country is facing a Zika epidemic. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in six Americans falls ill from consuming contaminated foods or beverages, which are often raw, every year. 

The Creating Healthy Communities Coalition (CHCC) and Cincinnati Health Department (CHD) recently hosted a minority health discussion to figure out the most pressing needs for minorities in the area and how to better serve the health and wellness needs of Cincinnatians. 

Breastfeeding is a personal choice that has some known health benefits for the baby and mother; however, it can draw strong opinions from family, friends and the public. Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) – a special supplemental nutrition program for women who are pregnant, breastfeeding or postpartum and to infants and children up to age five who are found to be at nutritional risk – can help low-income women with breastfeeding education, nutritional needs and overall health.

The Cincinnati Metropolitan Housing Authority (CMHA) will transition to a smoke-free policy for its public housing residents.

"Our goal is to ensure that residents have healthy, smoke-free living options," said Denisha Porter, Cincinnati Health Department Director of Health Promotion and Worksite Wellness, who is working with CMHA on the policy.

Update 5:38 p.m.: Cincinnati State says Provost Monica Posey will serve as interim president.

The local infant mortality rate is still unacceptably high, but more babies are surviving to their first birthday in Cincinnati than in previous years. The Cincinnati Health Department is working to continue that trend, sponsoring a series of discussions for would-be, expectant and young mothers, and fathers, about family planning, healthy moms and babies.