Survivor Tales: Eye Over Houston

September 6, 2017.Reading time 1 minute.

Several years ago, local comics artist David Lasky and I created this comic book about Michelle, a real-life survivor of Hurricane Ike that struck Texas in 2008. We offer it now as we’re collectively thinking of those affected by Hurricane Harvey as part of National Emergency Preparedness month. Even though we don’t have hurricanes here, […]

Q&A with Dr. Jeff Duchin: What our 18 year life expectancy gap in neighborhoods tells us

September 5, 2017.Reading time 8 minutes.

Today, on the heels of a Lancet Public Health study that found an 18 year difference in life expectancy for men, and 14 year difference for women, we caught up with our Health Officer, Dr. Jeff Duchin, to talk about neighborhood-level data and how it informs our work. The study is a joint project by Institute […]

Acts of nature are public health emergencies

September 1, 2017.Reading time 9 minutes.

The news from Hurricane Harvey has been heart wrenching. Among the memorable images that emerged was one of nursing home residents sitting in wheelchairs, waist-deep in flood water as they waited for help to arrive. As reported by the New York Times, among the thousands of posts to volunteer rescue groups were common pleas such […]

Hey, what’s up with bats?

August 31, 2017.Reading time 10 minutes.

Three rabid bats have been found in public areas within King County since August 19 and an additional two rabid bats were found in 2017 that had no exposure to the public. I sat down with Vance Kawakami, DVM MPH, one of our public health veterinarians and an epidemiologist, to find out what is going […]

Addiction knows no boundaries: Marah’s story

August 31, 2017.Reading time 6 minutes.

Today, on International Overdose Awareness Day, Public Health Insider is sharing the words of our guest author, Penny LeGate. For local addiction resources and support, click on the links at the bottom of this post. My name is Penny LeGate. I moved to Seattle in 1986 to co-host a brand new TV show called “Evening […]

Rabid bat found at City of SeaTac park

August 30, 2017.Reading time less than 1 minute.

A rabid bat was found at Angle Lake Park in the City of SeaTac. If you had any contact with a bat near the park lakeshore by the old lifeguard shack on Monday, August 28 or Tuesday, August 29, contact Public Health (206-296-4774) immediately for information on preventative treatment. Rabies can be life-threatening, but is preventable if […]

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