We believe Missourians deserve better health outcomes.
Face Coverings Effective
MOCPHE joins Missouri Foundation for Health in calling for all Missouri residents and visitors to wear masks, and for all leaders to encourage and require the wearing of face masks.
Public health experts in Missouri and across the country have been monitoring the global pandemic of COVID-19, the illness caused by SARS-CoV-2. Because this coronavirus is so new, evidence regarding transmission, mitigation, and treatment is rapidly evolving.
Face masks reduce disease spread by decreasing the likelihood that infectious respiratory droplets from persons with COVID-19 travel into the air and infect uninfected people. MOCPHE recommends the use of face masks by the general public when outside the home and supports face mask requirements, like those being putting in place in many jurisdictions in Missouri.
Local Jurisdiction Orders
In an effort to stop the spread of COVID-19 in their communities, several local jurisdictions in Missouri have ordered face masks be worn whenever outside of the home.
Local public health agencies are given the responsibility and authoritiy under Missouri Revised State Statutes, Chapter 205, Section 100 to set rules and regulatoins to ensure and protect health.
Barry County (through 12/31/2020)
Buchanan County, St. Joseph (until rescinded)
Cape Girardeau (extended 10/27/2020)
Christian County, Ozark (through 12/31/2020), Nixa (through 12/31/2020)
Clay County (until rescinded)
Boone County (through 11/17/2020), Columbia (through 11/18/2020)
Jackson County (7/1/2020)
Johnson County (10/12/2020)
Kansas City (through 1/16/2021)
Lafayette County (until rescinded)
Nodaway County, Maryville (through 11/24/2020)
North Kansas City (through 1/16/2021)
Pettis County (until rescinded)
Phelps County, Rolla (through 12/22/2020)
Platte County (7/16/2020)
Springfield (through 1/9/2021)
St. Louis City (7/3/2020)
St. Louis County (until rescinded)
Taney County (until rescinded)
Racism & Social Inequity
Racism and Social Inequity is a public health crisis. Too many Black Americans have lost their lives and suffered and are suffering. Racism and Social Inequity has become a part of our public policy, and intertwined into our current public systems, structures, and services.
MOCPHE is committed to eliminating the systems that have allowed these inequities to exist. Racism and Social Iniquity has no place in our society. MOCPHE is committed to ensuring that the highest standards of public health practice and services are available and accessible to all people from all backgrounds in all regions of Missouri.
Listing of Jurisdictions Declaring Racism a Public Health Issue, APHA
Flu Vaccinations Vital
Public health experts stress the importance of preventing the combination of COVID and influenza this fall. In response to this concern, MOCPHE supports recommendations from CDC and other experts that every person 6 months or older receive a seasonal influenza (flu) vaccination this fall. A few exceptions may apply to individuals with medical contraindications to the flu vaccine.
MOCPHE recommends required influenza vaccination for school-aged children.
MOCPHE offers guidance to local public health agencies and health care providers considering safe and effective flu vaccination strategies, while maintaining masking and physical distancing precautions against COVID.
Guidance for Schools
MOCPHE recognizes that the Missouri School Board Association has issued a detailed document to assist school districts in their development of plans for providing elementary and secondary education in a safe and healthy environment once schools reopen. We also recognize that districts face unique situations and there is no standard template that will fit the needs of every school.
We offer this updated minimum set of guidelines as a recommendation, not to mandate any type of activity, but to support Missouri school districts in their planning efforts.
Clear COVID Messaging
The One For All MO campaign encourages all public health agencies and partners to use a single set of consistent, clear messages to reduce confusion and help Missourians make the best possible decisions about their own health and protect their communities from COVID-19.
The campaign is a partnership between MOCPHE and Missouri Foundation for Health. Core key messages, tools, and templates can be used by all Missouri public health agencies and partners.
Start sharing the message! Learn more at https://www.oneforallmo.com/.
New Members
MOCPHE welcomes new members Columbia/Boone County Department of Public Health and Human Services and Polk County Health Center.
Polk County Health Center operates under the mission to "protect our community's health by offering prevention strategies for a better tomorrow." The department is led by administrator Michelle Morris.
Columbia/Boone County Department of Public Health and Human Services is led by director Stephanie Browning. The department's mission is to "promote and protect the health, safety and well-being of Boone County residents." The department coordinates with federal, state and local organizations through leadership, partnership and service to achieve optimal health, safety and well-being for everyone.
Awards
Employees of the St Louis County Health Department recently received the following recognition and awards:
Joyce Theard was named to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Children's Health Protection Advisory Committee.
Ntasiah Shaw was selected as the recipient of the St. Louis American's Excellence in Health Care Award in recognition of her professional achievements and commitment to the St. Louis Community.
The chronic disease epidemiology team has been invited to present on three topics at the American Public Health Association annual meeting in October.
The Department's project RESTORE won a NACCHO Model Practice Award.
The Department's Health Equity Training plan won a NACCHO Promising Practice Award.
Collaboration
In partnership with Missouri's Professional Organizations focused on public health and the #HealthierMO grassroots initiative, MOCPHE sent a letter of support to Governor Parson, encouraging development of a statewide prescription drug monitoring program that builds on the model developed by St. Louis County.
The group is working to identify priority public health issues for the upcoming 2021 legislative session.
Learn more at HealthierMO.org