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The mission of Bright Futures is to promote and improve the health, education, and well-being of infants, children, adolescents, families, and communities.

In this edition, we offer resources and information about water and sanitation issues. Fecal-to-oral transmission, via contaminated water, food, or other objects, is the principal means of spreading HAV, the virus that causes Hepatitis A.

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In the event of pandemic influenza, businesses will play a key role in protecting employees' health and safety as well as limiting the negative impact to the economy and society. Planning for pandemic influenza is critical.
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We began in July with information about substance abuse among migrant workers. The current edition is Harm Reduction Strategies for HCV Substance Abusers. Potential substance abuse treatment sites and resources for migrants will follow in September.

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Strategic plan developed by DSHS for Influenza Pandemic
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"Substance Use and Migrant Labor, Part One" The number of substances reported “ever used” by 127 farm workers in a study conducted in three southern states (Inscription in Drug Use among Farm Workers) ranged from one (17 persons) to ten/more (6 persons)

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Following natural disasters there is often a sharp rise in violence against women and children, especially for those who have lost their homes and who are living in crowded shelters. Teenage girls, young women, and separated children are at special risk.
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Our focus this month is Hepatitis B.

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  1. Viral Hepatitis in Minority America
  2. The Perils of Needles on the Body
  3. A listing for updated hepatitis materials from the Immunization Action Coalition
  4. A listing from the IAC for new Vaccination Information Statements
  5. Announcements of relevant conferences
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May is Hepatitis Awareness Month. In light of this, we're posting a special edition for the month of May. The Migrant Clinicians Network is happy to release the position paper "Hepatitis Screening, Immunization and Testing for Mobile Populations and Immigrants from Latin America and the Caribbean." This paper clarifies standard hepatitis recommendations for these populations.

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We are finishing a three part series on substance abuse and Hepatitis B and C.

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The following links and and articles are available In the January Listserv: 1. Links to the full text of the ACIP recommendations for infants, adolescents, and children. 2. Dear Colleague Letter about New Recommendations to Prevent Perinatal HBV. Summary of the recommendations from HEP EXPRESS Viral hepatitis news from the Immunization Action Coalition Issue Number 39, January 6, 2006 3. ”Hepatitis B Vaccine Considered for All Adults from American Medical News on upcoming adult immunizations, summarizes issues that are central to the HepTalk project clinics and their clients. The article includes a mention of MCN's recommendations on these issues.

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Our focus this month is treatment for Hepatitis B and C.

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The focus for the month of April is Hepatitis C. The following links are included below: 1. Screening for Hepatitis C: A Common Sense Approach 2. Hepatitis C in New Mexico: A Public Health Approach to a "Silent" Epidemic 3. A Guide to Understanding Hepatitis C/Guia para Comprender la Hepatitis C 4. Combatting HCV Fatigue 5. Cost Estimates for Hepatitis Tests

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Maria Fernandez, 42, of Cancun, Mexico, sits outside a shoddy trailer she shares with other workers. "Everybody around here always has headaches, coughs, running noses," she said. "It has to do with that dust on the plants from the chemicals. You are always breathing it in."

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Since many exposures come during those field applications, the risks - to farmworkers and to nearby residents who can be affected if the chemicals drift - can occur much more frequently. "You are working in one field, and the tractor passes in the next field spraying," says Epifanio, 58, a veteran Mexican farmworker who asked that his full name not be used, out of fear for his job. "The wind brings it to you. It happens to somebody around here every single day."

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Probe of ill workers cited to expose flaws, Farmworker advocates say the state mishandled a case in which 20 migrants were sickened.

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The October issue of the Heptalk Listerv covers: 1. “Incorporating Sexual Risk Assessment in Routine Visits for Gay and Bisexual Men” Though targeted towards a narrower population, is applicable in most routine visit situations. Also includes some good specific questioning techniques. 2. Sexual History Taking. A complete module, in pdf form from the New England National Network of STD/HIV Prevention Training Centers, using 4 case studies. It reads easily and quickly and has many good suggestions.

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Publication of the World Health Organization

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Working Group Paper
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