Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services

Recent Posts

Yellowstone County has first case of Zika infection

By: |

RiverStone Health and the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services say they have identified the first case of Zika virus infection in Yellowstone County. Here is the whole story, via a press release from RiverStone Health:

This is the fourth reported case in Montana and was found in an adult male who had traveled to an affected area. In February, Missoula County reported the first travel-related case of Zika in Montana. As of July 27, there have been 1,658 confirmed cases of Zika in the United States. Nearly all cases were travel-related. Continue Reading →

Filed under: News, John Felton, Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, Riverstone Health, Zika virus

In Montana, many problems with newborn screening

By: |
Screenings

Editor’s note: Montana’s newborn screening program depends on speed to save babies from a plethora of deadly disorders at birth. But the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services fought for 10 months to keep hospitals’ performance records hidden from public view, before finally agreeing to release the data with hospital names. The results are not good, highlighting the importance of transparency and accountability to ensure an effective newborn screening program for Montana families. (more…) Continue Reading →

Filed under: Montana, News, American College of Medical Genetics, Charles Brokopp, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Montana Center for Investigative Reporting, Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services

Asked for basic data, state agency hides behind HIPAA

By: |
Tests

Every year, about 12,000 babies are born in Montana, among the 4 million babies born annually in the United States. Like every other state, Montana has a newborn screening program. Shortly after a baby is born, between 24 and 48 hours of age, it is subjected to routine tests for 28 rare disorders that, if left untreated, could result in intellectual disability, brain damage or death. (more…) Continue Reading →

Filed under: Montana, News, Donald Jones, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, Montana Public Health Laboratory, Newbord screening, Richard Opper