The Public Health Emergency is ending today, but COVID-19 doesn't care
After three years, the federal Public Health Emergency (PHE) declaration to battle the COVID-19 pandemic is expiring today. Which definitely doesn’t mean COVID-19 has gone away. Continue to follow public health guidance for COVID-19: People should stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines, especially older adults and those who are immunocompromised; know that effective treatments for COVID-19 are available; protect yourself and others by wearing a mask, getting tested and staying home if experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.
While vaccines, tests and treatments will continue to be widely available in Chicago, the end of the PHE means that these items will no longer automatically be at no cost for everyone, and importantly Medicaid recipients need to again re-enroll to retain benefits. Visit Chicago.gov/COVID for detailed information about what will be changing.
The City re-affirms its commitment to Environmental Justice
Mayor Lightfoot signed an Executive Order yesterday formalizing and advancing the City’s commitment to environmental justice for all Chicagoans. This expands on the ongoing efforts of the City and its many community partners with specific goals and initiatives. To read about the Executive Order go here.
Resurgence of Mpox
CDPH is closely monitoring a recent resurgence of Mpox cases in Chicago. Though it’s nowhere near the number of cases we saw at the height of the outbreak last summer, there have been 13 cases (12 confirmed, one probable) reported to CDPH over the past three weeks. Some of those new cases are among people who had been fully vaccinated. No vaccine is 100 percent effective, but vaccination is our best defense against the spread of Mpox, and vaccination helps lower the chances of serious illness and hospitalization. Mpox vaccines are available at CDPH’s STI Specialty Clinics, as well as at healthcare providers throughout Chicago. More information on Mpox and a vaccine finder are at chicago.gov/mpox.
Call Your Mother!
Being a mom is no easy task. Our lives are shaped by moms, guardians, grandmas, aunties, big sisters, and all the women who raise us. On this Mother’s Day weekend, and throughout the year, CDPH gives our gratitude and support to all moms and those who fill that role. From support and resources for you if you're about to become a mom, to help raising teenagers, CDPH has a wealth of answers for you and your entire family at our OneChiFam website.
Our innovative Family Connects program, which connects a visiting nurse with a newborn’s family, is expanding, as more hospitals are added to this support network. CDPH’s WIC (Women, Infants and Children) program provides nutrition counseling and supplemental food to pregnant, post-partum and breastfeeding women, their infants and children. For more information and resources on CDPH’s programs and services for moms and their families, visit onechifam.org
Quick Hits!
New Mammogram Screening Guidelines: On Tuesday, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force updated its recommendations for women of all racial and ethnic backgrounds, who are at average risk for breast cancer, to start getting regular mammograms starting at age 40, instead of 50, as previously recommended. In the U.S., breast cancer is the second most common cancer in women after skin cancer. Chicagoans are eligible for Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Program services based on certain criteria. Learn more about this program here.
Gov. Pritzker has declared Thursday Public Health and Healthcare Heroes Day. Thank you to everyone at CDPH and our MANY community partners around the city who work every day to improve public health in Chicago!! Dr. Arwady reflects on the last few years here.
