Oconto County Public Health Press Releases

New Report Finds Wisconsin EMS Providers Are Responding to More Falls

September 12, 2023

A new report from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) finds that falls are a leading cause of injury and death in Wisconsin. The report, EMS and Falls in Wisconsin, shows that, in 2022, emergency medical services (EMS) providers responded to over 130,000 falls across the state, the top injury they responded to. “This data…

DHS Observes International Overdose Awareness Day by Awarding Grants to Make More Life-Saving Tools Available

August 31, 2023

Today, on International Overdose Awareness Day, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) is expanding its commitment to ending drug overdoses and related harms. Grants have been awarded to 15 county, municipal, nonprofit, and tribal nation agencies to make life-saving resources more available in communities with a high need through vending machines in public places…

Grants Awarded to Support Statewide Network of Substance Use Prevention Coalitions

August 31, 2023

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) has renewed its commitment to a statewide network of substance use prevention coalitions – the Alliance for Wisconsin Youth – by awarding grants to three partners working to build a healthier Wisconsin. Community Advocates, Marshfield Clinic Research Institute, and Northeastern Wisconsin Area Health Education Center will act as…

First Human Case of West Nile Virus Confirmed in Wisconsin 

August 21, 2023

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) and Public Health Madison & Dane County have confirmed the first human case of West Nile virus in a Wisconsin resident this year. The individual is a resident of Dane County. Cases of West Nile virus have also been reported in three horses in Wisconsin and several mosquito pools. The…

Need someone to talk to? Call UpliftWI

July 31, 2023

New phone service offers peer support statewide The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) announces a new phone line is now available allowing all Wisconsinites to share their successes and challenges with a peer who will listen and offer support. Built by Mental Health America of Wisconsin under a grant from DHS for people experiencing…

988 Wisconsin Lifeline Marks First Anniversary

July 17, 2023

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) today is recognizing the positive impact the 988 Wisconsin Lifeline has had in the year since the service began taking calls, texts, and online chats. From July 2022 through June 2023, the 988 Wisconsin Lifeline received 91,834 contacts for mental health and substance use support. “The 988 Wisconsin…

Second Round of Grants for Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services Exceeds $12 Million; Total Funding Reaches $30 Million

July 13, 2023

Today the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) announced the selection of 90 awardees for Medicaid home and community-based services (HCBS) grants that will improve services for people who are older or have a disability, helping them remain in their home or community. A total award of $12.5 million to 90 organizations marks the completion of the…

DHS Seeks Public Input on Use of JUUL Settlement Funds

July 10, 2023

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) will hold three listening sessions and offer an online survey to gather ideas from the public and partners about how to use nearly $15 million over the next five to nine years to reverse the harm caused by electronic nicotine delivery devices, also known as e-cigarettes or vapes.…

DHS Announces Expansion of Harm Reduction Efforts

June 29, 2023

Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) Secretary-designee Kirsten Johnson joined attendees at the state’s inaugural Harm Reduction Conference in Green Bay today to announce expanded efforts to address the overdose epidemic and the devastating impact it has had on communities statewide. “Overdose continues to take far too many lives in Wisconsin, and I am proud…

CDC Recommends RSV Vaccine For Older Adults

June 29, 2023

CDC Director Rochelle P. Walensky, M.D., M.P.H., endorsed the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ (ACIP) recommendations for use of new Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccines from GSK and Pfizer for people ages 60 years and older, using shared clinical decision-making. This means these individuals may receive a single dose of the vaccine based on discussions…