What would a vaccine for the climate crisis look like?

Over the past year, many commentary writers have pointed out similarities between the coronavirus pandemic and the climate crisis. They’ve reminded us that, in both cases, we were warned by experts. Many government leaders denied the existence of both problems, and some of the general public were drawn into dismissing the experts. Both threats have no regard for national borders, with the most vulnerable people everywhere being at highest risk.

Okay, fine, but what can that tell us about finding solutions? Well, here’s another important similarity: individual, voluntary actions by citizens aren’t enough. It takes policy actions by the federal government.

Small, individual actions we can take to help fight climate change include replacing light bulbs with LEDs, reducing our meat consumption, and driving less. In a way it’s the same with social distancing and wearing a mask to fight Covid-19 – individual efforts can help slow down the rate of increase (of Covid-19 cases, or of greenhouse gases), but by themselves they aren’t enough to bring an end to either crisis.

For the pandemic, the real solution, of course, is widespread vaccination. And although the vaccines are manufactured by private companies, ensuring their rapid development and distribution are things only the federal government can do. (more…)

ALPHA members who attended the membership meeting at the 2021 Health Summit last month participated in one of our primary forms of member engagement, the annual vote to adopt resolutions. This year we adopted seven resolutions on a wide range of topics, all drafted and submitted by members. (You can always find ALPHA’s resolutions, past and present, under the Advocacy & Policy tab above.) In coming weeks, we’ll review each of the 2021 resolutions here, beginning with “Human Health and Protection of Nature.” (more…)

The weeks, and then the days, leading up to the annual Alaska Health Summit were such a frenzy of activity for the ALPHA board and our conference coordinator that these days since the Summit feel almost empty in comparison. Summit preparations were of course made extra complicated by taking it online for the first time. It’s a relief to have the event successfully behind us, and gratifying for all that we learned about the process — especially because of the excellent attendance and participation by ALPHA members. Thanks to all who were there! (more…)

Keep It Moving Alaska!

It’s time to get moving — and it’s more fun if we do it together. That’s why the Alaska Public Health Association is participating in APHA’s Keep It Moving Challenge. We’ve created a team called “Alaska Public Health Association.” When you join you’ll be able to track how far your activity takes you each day, see total distance for our team and the collective progress of all teams toward the goal of crossing the country on a virtual map.

The 2021 Challenge begins Jan. 1 and runs through April 11. You can sync your step counting device (iPhone, Android, Fitbit, Apple watch, etc.) or enter activity manually if you don’t have a device. So register today, and let’s get moving! We’ll have a lot of fun, improve our health and keep moving! Join today! 

If you have questions about COVID or need advise please call your provider and/or

visit http://dhss.alaska.gov/dph/Epi/id/Pages/COVID-19/default.aspx  for more information. 

Or call 211 for information, referrals, and assistance and/or visit https://alaska211.org/

“Public health” is a phrase you hear everywhere right now. The COVID-19 pandemic has focused attention on the federal, state and local public health agencies we depend on to guide us through an infectious disease crisis. Most of the time, though, it’s easy to ignore all the behind-the-scenes work done by public health workers and agencies that makes modern life possible. But as we’re finding out, if we don’t support public health systems they may not be ready when we really need them.

Public health is more than preventing and stopping pandemics. It’s everything that promotes and protects the health of people where they live, learn, work and play. Whereas physicians treat us when we’re sick or injured, those working in public health prevent us from getting sick or injured in the first place, by providing services such as immunizations and disease screening and by encouraging healthy behaviors. Some examples of the many public-health occupations are: restaurant inspectors, health educators, nutritionists, researchers, social workers, epidemiologists, infection control officers, and, of course, public health physicians and nurses.

Earlier this year, the Anchorage Daily News reported that “Years of cuts have starved Alaska’s public health system.” There is now some supplemental funding to address COVID-19, but we need a truly robust public health system in both good times and bad. That’s where the American Public Health Association (APHA) and the Alaska Public Health Association (ALPHA) come in. APHA, in coordination with its state and regional affiliates, works with key decisionmakers to shape public health policies, year after year. Those include ensuring access to care, protecting funding for core public health programs and services, and eliminating health disparities. APHA is the leading voice for public health in the nation, and ALPHA, the state affiliate of the APHA since 1976, is the leading voice for public health in Alaska.

Concerned Alaskans of all backgrounds can join ALPHA to work with public health professionals for a better, healthier future. Are you a parent concerned about kids using tobacco and vaping products? Do you care about your neighbors who rely on Medicaid? Do you wish somebody would do something about restoring health and social services for all the people you see on the streets? Are you a student interested in a career in nursing or epidemiology? Do you worry about the cleanliness of the air you breathe and the water you drink? Are you alarmed about the likely health effects of the climate crisis? Opioid abuse? Domestic violence? ALPHA is working to improve our state’s ability to deal with each of those issues, and more.

There’s a role for each of us to play in strengthening public health in Alaska. We can all let our legislators know we want appropriate funding for public health nurses and epidemiologists, for mental health services, and for university programs that conduct research and provide training on medicine and public health. A good way to stay informed and raise your voice together with other concerned citizens is to join ALPHA. You’ll receive regular updates on important health policy issues, and you’ll have the best public health information right at your fingertips. Just click on the Membership tab above.

We are all deeply invested in public health, and we’re all put at risk when our public health systems are allowed to decline. Do your part, by learning more about public health and the work ALPHA is doing for you every day.