CDC Recommends COVID-19 Vaccines for Young Children

From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: "CDC Director Rochelle P. Walensky, M.D., M.P.H., endorsed the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ (ACIP) recommendation that all children 6 months through 5 years of age should receive a COVID-19 vaccine. This expands eligibility for vaccination to nearly 20 million additional children and means that all Americans ages 6 months and older are ... Read More

HRSA Launches New Maternal Mental Health Hotline – UPDATED 2024

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) launched a brand new Maternal Mental Health Hotline (1-833-9-HELP4MOMS) - Now: 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262). This new hotline is confidential and toll-free and is designed for expecting and new moms experiencing mental health challenges. The hotline is staffed with counselors available to provide mental health support. Moms can call or text the hotline to connect with a ... Read More

Why Finland’s Newborns Sleep in Cardboard Cribs

From the NEW YORK TIMES At a glance, it seems a strange place to put a newborn: a bit of bedding and a miniature sleeping bag arranged in a cardboard box. Even so, that’s the first place that many Finnish infants lay their little heads. And the simple setup is believed to be one reason that Finland now has one … Read More

Controversial Fetal Assault Law Discontinued by TN Lawmakers

From NPR, “A small but pivotal group of Tennessee representatives voted Tuesday to discontinue one of the state’s most divisive criminal laws. Known as “fetal assault,” the measure empowered prosecutors to arrest women who abuse heroin or pain pills during pregnancy, if their babies were born dependent. A one-of-a-kind statute that criminalized drug use by pregnant women is now on … Read More

Senate advances bill to aid drug-dependent newborns

From Reuters, “A bipartisan bill designed to improve the health and safety of babies born to mothers who used heroin or other opioids during pregnancy was approved by a U.S. Senate committee on Wednesday. …Reuters found 110 cases of children who were exposed to opioids while in the womb and who later died preventable deaths at home. No more than nine states comply … Read More

Shaken baby syndrome in WV more common than we think

From the Charleston Gazette-Mail, “After a father allegedly shook his son and caused bleeding on the 4-month-old’s brain last weekend, health experts said the way to prevent the next occurrence won’t be by pretending such a traumatic incident can only happen to other families. …Dr. Sharon Istfan, associate chief medical officer at Charleston Area Medical Center’s Women and Children’s Hospital, … Read More

Recovery Point of Charleston dedicates Stockton Street building

From the Charleston Gazette-Mail, “Rachel Thaxton, program coordinator of Recovery Point of Charleston, said the facility will start the bidding process on the project within the next month, and will likely begin construction within six weeks after the bids close. The main building will have 92 treatment beds, which will be opened about 10 beds at a time initially, and … Read More

DHHR Launches New Initiative to Address Smoking While Pregnant

From the Charleston Gazette-Mail, “A new initiative to address West Virginia’s staggering smoking rates among pregnant women launched on Wednesday, and represents the first of its kind in the nation to focus on the problem, which plagues West Virginia more than any other state. …Karen Bowling, secretary of the state’s Department of Health and Human Resources, said the purpose of … Read More

Dr. Laura P. Finnegan – WVU Palladino Lecture & Research Day

Dr. Loretta P. Finnegan will be speaking at WVU Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology’s Palladino Lecture & Research Day. Dr. Finnegan is President of Finnegan Consulting, which addresses education, research and treatment in issues relating to women’s health and perinatal addiction. She is recognized nationally and internationally as an expert in these fields and is credited with the development of … Read More