Legislation providing for greater inclusiveness of Oklahoma military personnel and veterans in the Oklahoma Veterans Registry was signed into law by Gov. Kevin Stitt in late April. The Oklahoma Veterans Registry is a voluntary registry of all Oklahoma residents serving on active duty or in the Oklahoma National Guard, as well as all honorably discharged…
The Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) and the Okmulgee County Health Department are investigating a confirmed case of measles in Okmulgee County. This is the first confirmed case of measles in Oklahoma since May 2018. As of January 1, there have been at least 839 cases of measles reported in the United States from…
Oklahoma has not experienced any confirmed cases of measles in 2019, but with numerous cases in surrounding states and across the nation, the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) is encouraging families to review their immunization records, and plan ahead in case you need to get vaccinated before upcoming international travel. Although measles was declared…
The U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) has given a grant totaling more than $890,000 over a five-year period to the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) to improve access to health care services for people who are uninsured, isolated or medically vulnerable. Funds from the grant will extend through 2024. The goals are…
In an effort to prepare communities for a public health emergency, the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) recently ran exercises across the state to ensure readiness if the need for mass immunization arises. Local coordinators and regional planners from the agency’s Emergency Preparedness and Response Service coordinated efforts in setting up a point of…
As a requirement under existing state law, the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) is encouraging current businesses manufacturing or selling food products infused with or containing CBD and/or medical marijuana to obtain their food licenses by April 26. Based on current definition in state statute and recent reports by consumers, many of these new,…
State Sen. Dave Rader, R-Tulsa, has introduced a bill that would grant “personhood” to unborn children in Oklahoma. The Personhood Act, Senate Bill 195, states, “The life of each human being begins at conception” and “unborn children have protectable interests in life, health and well-being…” It would grant “on behalf of the unborn child at…
In an effort to maintain assistance for families, the Oklahoma Women, Infant and Children (WIC) nutrition service has secured funding for clients through February during the federal government shutdown. Additional funds have been identified, and once received, will provide benefits through March. “Right now, it is business as usual for WIC. We have received numerous…
Sen. Ron Sharp filed three bills in response to the multi-county grand jury’s findings in May concerning the State Department of Health’s financial deception in recent years. The grand jury’s six month investigation found that the agency had been withholding financial information, including a $30 million “slush” fund, from the legislature for several years. The…
The upcoming holiday season means Oklahomans may often be traveling during potentially dangerous winter weather conditions. The Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) encourages the public to begin preparation for the upcoming holiday travel season. Proper planning can reduce the risk of injury and illness while also ensuring a family is prepared for a major…