The executive director of the Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET) praised a new federal law that will raise the minimum age to purchase tobacco products to 21 while also calling for more to be done to protect youth from a lifetime of nicotine addiction. “This action by Congress is a good first step toward…
The holiday season brings friends, family and lots of good food. From cooking the turkey to homemade pies, it is easy to forget safe food handling practices during the hustle and bustle. Every year, approximately 48 million people become ill with a foodborne illness. The Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) reminds everyone to practice…
Oklahoma has experienced a 283% increase in the number of congenital syphilis cases in women since 2014. The Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) is already seeing a 92% increase in the number of cases from 2018 to 2019, and is urging health care providers to test patients during the first and third trimesters. Congenital…
October is Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Awareness Month and Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) officials are reminding parents to maintain a safe sleep environment for children. Oklahoma has some cause to celebrate, as new data shows that the infant mortality rate in the State of Oklahoma has dropped nearly 8 percent from 7.7…
Oklahoma continues to take positive steps to reduce infant deaths. The Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) announced the state’s infant mortality rate (IMR) has decreased by 17% since 2007, equating to 183 more babies able to spend their first birthday with their families. “As we experience progress in eight of nine primary measures, including…
Recent storms have left more than 100,000 Oklahoma residences and businesses across the state without power. The Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) is offering safety tips to prevent illness and injury in the days to come. Scott Sproat, director of the OSDH Emergency Preparedness and Response Service, said it’s important to be mindful of…
As temperatures climb, so does the risk for heat-related illness due to hyperthermia (overheating). The Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) reminds parents that children’s bodies overheat easily, and infants and children under age 4 are among those at greatest risk for heat-related illnesses. Heat stroke is one of the leading causes of non-crash, vehicle–related…
In effort to help prevent injury and drowning, the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) encourages the public to use caution and practice water safety. In Oklahoma, there were 296 drowning deaths reported from 2015-2018. Among adults, the most common places for drowning were natural bodies of water such as lakes, ponds, rivers, etc. One…
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has announced an extension of a grant providing $2.19 million dollars in funding for the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) to target people at higher risk for diabetes, heart disease and stroke. The funds provided will be available through June 29, 2020. The grant will be…
Now that the grace period has passed for current businesses manufacturing or selling food products infused with or containing CBD and/or medical marijuana to obtain their food licenses, the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) will have inspectors making visits to ensure compliance with the law. Field inspectors will still assist businesses in completing the…