Department of Public Health

Protect Against Tickborne Illness

With the weather getting warmer and the days getting longer, it’s a great time to head outdoors and enjoy the sunshine. But whether you’re going out for a hike or firing up the grill in the backyard, during these summer months it’s important to remember to keep an eye out for ticks.

In Massachusetts, there are two kinds of ticks — dog ticks and deer ticks— that can make you sick if they bite you. Some of the diseases they can spread include Lyme disease and Babesiosis. The best way to protect yourself and your family from these diseases is to follow a few simple steps in order to prevent tick bites.

Ticks like damp, shady, brushy, leafy areas. If you’ve been in an area where ticks might be present, it’s important to check yourself, your family and your pets for ticks every day. Use repellents that contain DEET on your exposed skin, and those that contain permethrin on your clothes. When spending time outside, if weather permits, wear long-sleeved, light colored shirts and long pants tucked into your socks. Around your home, keep the grass cut short and remove piles of leaves and brush. Talk to your veterinarian about the best ways to protect your pets and livestock from ticks.

If you find a tick on yourself, remove it carefully as soon as possible. If you develop a rash or other signs of illness following a tick bite, be sure to contact your health care provider immediately.

Learn more about ticks and how to protect yourself at www.mass.gov/dph/tick.

Immunization Champions: Protecting Young Children through Vaccination

Young children rely on the “champions” in their lives to keep them safe and healthy. Champions may be parents who keep a record of their child’s vaccinations and ask at each doctor appointment whether their child is up-to-date on immunizations. And champions may also be doctors, nurses, physician assistants, and other healthcare professionals who share scientifically-accurate, up-to-date information about vaccines with parents.

This year, during National Infant Immunization Week (April 21 – 28), MDPH joins communities across the United States to celebrate the CDC Childhood Immunization Champions. These recipients of a new annual award are being recognized for the important contributions they have made to public health through their work in childhood immunization. In Massachusetts, MDPH is most honored to announce that Sean Palfrey, MD, FAAP, a pediatrician and Professor of Clinical Pediatrics and of Public Health at Boston University, is the first recipient of the award. As a result of his tireless efforts, Massachusetts children enjoy among the highest immunization rates in the world.

We can all be childhood immunization champions, helping to keep young children safe and healthy. For more information about vaccine-preventable diseases, go to mass.gov/dph/imm.

Partnering to Prevent Heart Disease and Stroke

DPH is partnering with the Massachusetts Medical Society and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to raise awareness about heart disease and stroke in an effort to reduce the number of deaths each year.

Heart disease, which includes heart attacks and strokes, is the number one cause of death in the United States for both men and women, accounting for nearly 600,000 deaths annually. Every year, about 785,000 Americans suffer a first heart attack. Stroke is the fourth leading cause of death, accounting for more than 128,000 deaths a year. Every year, about 795,000 people have a stroke.

To increase awareness about how to prevent heart attack and stroke in the first place, how to recognize the signs, and what to do if someone has a heart attack or stroke, DPH partnered with the Massachusetts Medical Society to produce this month’s edition of Physician Focus: Preventing Heart Disease and Stroke.

In addition, Massachusetts is partnering with the CDC on the Million Hearts Campaign, which aims to prevent 1 million heart attacks and strokes in the next 5 years. The Department will continue its work to educate people about reducing the amount of salt in their diet, encouraging healthy eating and active living through Mass in Motion, recognizing the signs of heart attack and stroke, and educating people about the ABCS of prevention.

Eat Better. Move More. Start Today. Visit the Mass in Motion website to learn more. Also available: Mass in Motion en español and Mass in Motion em Português!