How local healthcare systems can respond to climate change

April 24, 2024.Reading time 5 minutes.

The healthcare sector is a significant contributor to climate change, producing around 10% of total carbon emissions. Climate change strains healthcare systems, increasing visits and deaths. It’s crucial for healthcare to reduce emissions, waste, and improve energy efficiency while adapting to climate change. A new playbook supports hospitals and clinics in this effort, offering practical guidance and support.

King County hospitals issue urgent call to action: “We Need Your Help”

January 24, 2022.Reading time 10 minutes.

In the midst of the Omicron surge in COVID-19, King County hospitals are issuing an urgent call in the Sunday edition of the Seattle Times to limit the spread of COVID-19. The full-page ad, signed by health system and public health partners across King County, calls on the public to help reduce pressure on hospitals so they can provide essential care for those who need it.

Video: Press briefing discussing outdoor mask order and COVID’s impact on local healthcare system

September 2, 2021.Reading time 2 minutes.

Health Officer Dr. Jeff Duchin held a special press briefing on Thursday, September 2, to discuss his Local Health Officer Order requiring masks at outdoor gatherings of 500 or more people and strongly encouraging masks in other outdoor settings. Although the risk for spread of COVID-19 is much lower outdoors than indoors, the risk is […]

New cases of Legionnaires’ Disease at Local Hospital

August 25, 2017.Reading time 5 minutes.

The University of Washington Medical Center (UWMC) has notified Public Health – Seattle & King County of two patients who were diagnosed with a serious type of pneumonia called Legionnaires’ disease caused by infection with Legionella bacteria. The patients’ medical histories suggest that exposure to Legionella happened while hospitalized at UWMC. The first patient, a male in his 40’s, […]

King County hospitals join forces to improve the community’s health

April 3, 2015.Reading time 3 minutes.

By Marguerite Ro, Eva Wong, and Gloria Albetta, Assessment, Policy Development & Evaluation What are the health needs of our communities in King County? What community assets can be leveraged to improve health? These are the types of questions that King County hospitals are asking as part of their work to fulfill a new Affordable Care […]

How one of the largest food purchasing industries is making healthy choices easy

February 3, 2015.Reading time 4 minutes.

Hospitals across King County are making the healthy choice the easy choice for their staff, visitors, outpatients, and communities in an often overlooked place—their cafeterias. Through the Community Transformation Grant (CTG), MultiCare Auburn Medical Center, Highline Medical Center, Harborview Medical Center, and Valley Medical Center committed to serving healthier food and creating food environments in […]