-Hello, this is Tom Britt.

West Tennessee PBS is working hard to bring you more local shows and quality PBS programs.

They need your financial help.

Because they don't run commercials, they rely on your support.

It's easy to donate.

Go to their website, westtnpbs.org, and click on the Donate tab.

Your donations to Channel 11 stay local and help WLJT-TV continue their mission to be as local as possible.

-Measles has dominated health headlines recently.

What you should know to protect yourself and your family from this highly contagious virus coming up in our Checkup Q&A.

Have you had a spring COVID booster?

It's recommended for certain age groups.

We'll have more details on who is eligible in our health headlines straight ahead.

Finally, big changes coming to Jackson-Madison County Health Department leadership as longtime director Kim Tedford announces her retirement.

Stay with us for more details.

[music] -Our health.

Children's health.

Senior Health.

Family health.

Healthy eating, healthy Living.

This is Channel 11 Checkup with Ginger Rowsey from the Jackson-Madison County Regional Health Department.

-Hi, I'm Ginger Rowsey.

Thank you for joining us for this edition of Channel 11 Checkup, a show that focuses on the health of our community.

In this show, we'll provide education and resources on health and wellness issues facing West Tennesseans.

First, here are some health headlines.

Cases of measles continue to pop up around the country, and in late February, the United States saw its first death from measles.. An unvaccinated child in Texas died due to complications from the virus.

Although measles was declared eliminated in the United States in 2000, ongoing outbreaks illustrate that the illness can spread easily in communities with pockets of unvaccinated people.

Of the cases reported, 95% were people who were unvaccinated or with unknown vaccination status, and 20% of cases have resulted in hospitalization.

Measles is highly contagious and can lead to serious health consequences, especially for young children.

Measles symptoms usually include a fever, rash, cough, and red eyes.

Vaccination is the most effective way to avoid measles.

The measles, mumps, rubella, or MMR vaccine has been in use since 1971, with the measles vaccine dating back even further to 1963.

The MMR vaccine has been shown to be 97% effective for people who have received the full series of two doses.

Coming up in our show, we'll answer your questions about measles in our Checkup Q&A.

In other news, older adults continue to be at risk for severe COVID-19 illness, hospitalization, and death due to weakening immunity that occurs over .. That's why adults 65 years and older are recommended to get a second dose of the 2024-2025 COVID vaccine.

The second dose can't be given six months after your first dose, so many adults are now eligible for that booster.

Adults who are younger than 65 but who are moderately or severely immunocompromised may also consider receiving a second dose of the 2024 COVID vaccine, at least six months after their first dose.

If you recently had COVID, you may consider delaying your vaccine by three months.

According to the National Council on Aging, only 30% of older adults have received their 2024-2025 COVID vaccine.

Now is the time to make sure you are up to date on vaccine doses, given that COVID is not seasonal like flu or RSV, which both decline in late spring.

COVID does not follow this same pattern.

Finally, a bit of bittersweet news.

After more than 30 years working at the Jackson-Madison County Regional Health Department, including 10 years as regional director, Kim Tedford has announced her retirement.

Tedford started her career as a nurse at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital in the late 1980s.

She joined the Health Department in 1993.

She worked her way up the Health Department ranks, holding positions that included clinical director and emergency response director, before being named regional director in 2015.

In 2020, Kim became the face for local response to COVID-19.

She handled the unprecedented challenges brought on by the pandemic with grace and poise.

We are thankful for her leadership within our department and our county and wish Kim all the best in her retirement.

She says she's looking forward to spending more time with family.

We're here in the Health Department conference room sitting down with our new regional director, Shanna Wilbanks.

Shanna, thanks so much for being with us and .. -Thank you.

-I know you're very excited.

We just wanted to have a chance for everyone to get to know you.

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I know you're a Jackson native.

-I am.

I'm a Jackson girl, born and raised.

Then I also went to college here at Lambuth University and been here all my life.

-You've been at the Health Department for how long?

-22 years this year.

-Thinking back to when you started, what were your roles here?

You've been here that long.

Talk about some of your early roles .. -Graduated Lambuth with food and nutrition.

Started out at the hospital, which I loved.

Then I had done an internship with Ann Harvard, who was our nutrition director at WIC at the time.

I loved it.

it just tugged on my heart.

I thought, "This is where I probably need to be one day."

You never think when it's going to happen.

I worked at the hospital for a little bit, and there was an opening that came up for a nutritionist position over there and a breastfeeding counselor.

Ann called me, and I thought, "This is it."

I started off in nutrition education there and breastfeeding counseling.

Loved it.

Then a position came open over h.. and it was a health educator position.

That was probably, out of all of my positions, my favorite spot for me to be in.

-Why so?

-I felt like I really could help people.

I had a Rhythm of the Heart program.

It was cardiovascular health.

We were focusing on geriatric-type age persons.

We had little spots through the community at community centers that we would go every Wednesday, and we would do their blood pressure, their weight check.

We would talk about their diets.

We would talk about exercise.

We'd walk.

We took flu vaccines when it was time.

I just really felt like I was making a difference.

I just loved those people.

I loved the community feeling at those centers.

That was probably my favorite position.

After that, I was lucky enough to continue my education and get my master's degree in epidemiology, also health services administration through ETSU.

Our epidemiology position came open, and so I was lucky enough .. Then a few years after that, our SEDS director had retired, and so I moved into that position as well, and that's been my next favorite.

-Tell us just briefly what you were doing in your last role as SEDS director.

-Every infectious disease, which those change every year, the commissioner of health, we have a pulse on what's happening in the community for sentinel sites, for hospital information, for doctor's offices, and they analyze those numbers and what is coming up in the community, what is up and coming, what are we worried about, what are we watching.

Those change, but every infectious disease that's rep.. in a patient that lives in Madison County comes to me, comes to us, comes to our departments.

We're able to follow up on those, get information, data, and send that to Nashville, and then CDC gets that, and they help analyze for the year.

It's pretty cool.

-Looking for trends and wh.. is there anything in particular we need to be worried about?

-Since COVID, it really is pre and post-COVID public health, in my opinion.

Since then, we've had so many different diseases that are not following patterns, that are not following the typical signs and symptoms of what we used to think they were.

It's interesting, it's a little scary, but that's part of what we do.

We plan and prepare every day for an outbreak, whether it be at a nursing home or a school, a restaurant outbreak.

Those are the things we see every day, and we're used to and we're ready for.

That's why it's probably been one of my favorite jobs, is it's something new every day.

-Back to your new position, walk us through how you felt when you found out you were going to be the new regional director.

-Ginger, honestly, humbled.

Humbled, honored, excited.

Also a little apprehensive.

Just a little overwhelmed was probably the one word if I would pick, was overwhelmed because it's a big task.

I've got big shoes to fill, but we've got different directions we have to go to.

I'm ready for that.

-What about the Health Department makes you most proud?

-Oh, I've always said this.

It's our people here.

If you're in public health, you have a servant's heart.

You have to be willing to help people, whether it's the first face that our clients see when they come in the door for clinic, or if it's our [?]

and records ladies, or if it's our dental team that goes out to the schoo.. or you just hear us on a phone call when we call to talk about your salmonella case.

It's our people.

That's what makes this place special, because .. -You mentioned public health being different pre-COVID, post-COVID.

Thinking ahead to the next 5-10 years, what do .. for public health, and what direction do you think we'll be going?

-COVID did a number on trust, just in general, for governmental agencies.

One thing I want everybody to remember, there is scientific data on efficacy of vaccines, on efficacy of community programs.

Things that have been proven to work for the overall health.

Now, obviously, public health is made up of individuals.

Things affect you differently than they affect me, just like prescriptions do, just like foods we buy.

It's not just vaccines.

It's not just the WIC program.

It's everything together that works for the good of ever.. whether it's the dental program.

I want to continue and make sure everybody knows how important core public health is to Madison County, and to the state of Tennessee, and to the United States, and the world.

We have more travel than we've ever had.

It's not going to stop.

We have to be very, very vigilant and diligent about everybody that comes into our communities.

We are usually the number one stop for that.

Tuberculosis has been on the rise.

Measles, obviously, everybody knows it's in the news.

When public health does its job, we're out of the news.

It's just what it is.

Restaurant inspections.

There's reasons our guys and gals go out every six months and check things off and make sure everybody's doing what they're supposed to do.

It's to keep those outbreaks away from our community.

-I know you brought a picture.

Do you want to share that now?

-Yes.

I love antiques, old things, whatever you call it now.

This is my great grandfather, and he actually contracted tuberculosis in the '20s.

I thought, how neat that now tuberculosis is one of the departments that's been under my watch.

It's really neat to see, but it's also scary to think that we're still dealing with something 100 years later now.

I see that picture and I remember and think about what we're doing and what a big deal it is.

-What a great personal motivation there with your family.

That's a great story.

Before we wrap up, I do have a few rapid fire questions to help our audience get to know you a little better.

These are just fun.

Favorite season?

-Spring.

-Spring?

-Because you're coming out of winter- -Oh, yes.

-- the flowers are blooming and po.. and I don't have horrible allergies.

It's the spring.

-There you go.

Favorite vacation spot?

-My kids would say home because- -Oh, that's nice.

--I love home.

I would say Dauphin Island, Alabama.

Anywhere on the coast that's warm and that we can fish.

-What's your go-to dish to cook?

-Salmon, whether it be-- I've got a really good rec.. -Oh, good.

-Oh, so good.

The kids like the cast iron skillet salmon and salmon patties.

[crosstalk] -Old school there.

-Old school there.

-Do you have any pets?

-Yes, we do.

-Too many?

-God bless them.

They're all outside.

Cats and dogs.

I guess we'd say cows too.

-We haven't brought this up yet, but Shanna was a star softball pitcher at Jackson Christian.

You played at Lambuth also, right?

-Started.

That was one of the-- started and had some scholarships, different places, and then wanted to enjoy the college experience.

-Don't blame me there.

If you were back on the softball diamond, what wou.. -Oh, this is so funny.

If I was a 17-year-old now, I would probably be Dua Lipa or Gracie Evans or all those people.

I was always really into Michael W. Smith and Christian music as well.

Now it would be probably CeCe Winans.

She is my jam.

She is my hype.

That's my king.

All of her songs just hit me hard.

I would probably have to be out there praising God that- -There you go.

--I didn't get hurt, too.

-It's a good way to get a home run.

I don't know.

Thank you so much for being with us.

We've enjoyed talking with you and letting our audience get t.. We're looking forward to working with you in the future.

-Thank you.

-We don't always recognize them or see the important work that they do, but public health employees are working behind the scenes every day to keep our community safe and protected.

National Public Health Week is celebrated in April.

It's a time to recognize public health contributions, whether it's providing immunizations, inspecting food and water, or improving nutrition for moms and babies.

In honor of Public Health Week, here's a video from the National Association of County Health Officials that imagines a world without public health.

[music] -Sexually transmitted infections have been present throughout human history.

Despite centuries of awareness, these infections remain a public health challenge today.

Joining us now is Kandace Williams, a disease intervention specialist with the Jackson-Madison County Regional Health Department, to discuss the social and economic impact of STIs as well as prevention strategies and testing and treatment resources.

Kandace, thank you so much for being with us.

-Thank you for having me.

-We appreciate you being here.

We'll just get started with you just telling us a little bit about yourself and your role with the Health Department.

-My name is Kandace.

I am a disease intervention specialist at the Jackson-Madison County Regional Health Department.

I have been with the Health Department going on two years on March the 13th.

-What does a DIS, a disease intervention specialist, do?

-My primary role as a DIS is to help prevent and control the spread of infectious diseases, but particularly with sexually transmitted infections or STIs.

My job includes conducting confidential interviews with patients, providing education on transmission and prevention methods, and also ensuring that everyone that is exposed is treated and tested adequately.

-You have to be a little bit of a detective, trying to maybe track people down, finding those contacts.

That's a big part of what you do?

-Yes, it is.

-As we mentioned in the lead-in, STIs are more than a personal burden.

They come at a significant cost to society.

What do your statistics tell you about the social and economic impact of STIs here in our community?

-With our patients seeing outside providers instead of coming to the Health Department, they are up-charged with their insurance, and they also pay an additional cost instead of .. paying a flat fee, and being seen for so much cheaper.

It financially burdens them because they can't afford it, and some of them don't even have access to insurance.

-When there's those barriers to getting health care and being maybe treated for STIs, what does that mean for the rest of the community?

-Honestly, it goes back to getting tested every six months, knowing your body, knowing the symptoms, being aware of what al.. -Because those diseases are out there, and we can say, "Oh, STIs, that's just for other people," that may be what some people think, but a healthy community affects everyone.

-It does, and it goes literally from the top down.

If someone in a particular group thinks it's stigmatized, then the whole entire group thinks, "Oh, this is bad, let me not know about it," instead of becoming more aware and educating yourself and helping your community members.

What are the common STIs that you see at the Health Department?

-Mainly chlamydia and gonorrhea.

Those will be the most seen with us, primarily with the younger population.

Even though I say younger, everyone can be affected by an STD.

It does not have an age, gender, or nationality behind it.

Anyone can be affected.

Statistics show that 50% of new cases are brought in by younger adults between the ages of 15 and 24.

-Oh, okay.

Chlamydia and gonorrhea, you said, are the big two.

Are there others that we see at the Health Department?

-Yes, we see everything.

We see chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, hepatitis C, and HIV.

-What can we do as a community to slow the spread of these.. -Honestly, awareness and education.

Those are the main two.

When I say awareness, I mean knowing your safe sex practices.

It might be mundane to some, but do you actually know how to use a condom?

Do you know how to use a condom correctly?

Are you testing regularly?

Are you making sure you're being treated adequately?

Are you actually completing the full medication or waiting the seven days as we tell you as providers?

Are you being vaccinated?

A key example of this would be hepatitis B and the HPV vaccine.

Talking to the pediatrician when it's time for those children to get vaccinated for that.

PrEP services.

PrEP services at the Health Department are .. and if you decide not to go to the Health Department for PrEP services, they also have PrEP clinics in Nashville, and sometimes your primary care.

will prescribe PrEP to you.

PrEP is an anti-HIV medication.

It does not protect against any other STIs but it does protect from HIV if taken consistently and correctly.

Education and awareness.

Actually making sure that you're debunking the myths out there, and sticking to the facts and things that the CDC and Tennessee Department of Health puts out there and also engaging in community outreach events like going to your local organizations within the community, seeing what events that they have like, "Hey do you need volunteers?

I know a little bit about this information but not that much.

Help me help others in my community."

-Now I know STI Awareness Week is held annually in April.

What are some things that you wish more people knew about this subject beyond what you've told us today?

-Honestly, create a safe space for others when you come to talk about STIs.

People who come in contact with STIs often face stigma and sometimes that stigma includes shame and discrimination, which can lead to depression, anxiety, and sometimes personally, they isolate themselves.

Being a friend and educating yourself, especially if someone feels that you are a safe space and a confidant for them to talk openly about that, because mental health matters a lot.

-Absolutely.

Something that I know that I've heard you say before is that people you see are often victims themselves.

-Yes.

-Having that grace for others who may be going through this can be important.

-Absolutely.

-Kandace, anything else you wanted to share with us about what you do in your department?

-Not really, but if you have any questions, you can always call me at the Health Department.

Ask for Kandace and I'll do the best that I can.

-Thank you so much.

You've done a great job today and we appreci.. for letting us know about this very important topic.

-Thank you.

-With measles outbreaks in the news, the Health Department has received an uptick in questions about measles, the measles vaccine, and what steps should be taken to avoid contracting measles.

We're going to address those questions in this month's measles themed edition of CheckUp Q&A.

Our first question comes to us from a gentleman in his mid-70s who said he could not remember if he had measles as a child, should he get a measles vaccine?

Generally, people born before 1957 are considered immune without getting the vaccine because measles was so widespread at that time that everyone was presumed to have been infected.

However, certain people in this age group may wish to discuss vaccination with their providers.

An MMR immunity test, also known as an MMR titer test, can determine whether you have antibodies against measles, mumps, and rubella.

A titer test would be a good first step for anyone in th.. who is uncertain of their immunity status for measles.

Our next question, what are the steps to control a measles outbreak?

The standard response to a measles outbreak is to isolate infected people, find out whom they've been in contact with and provide vaccines to people in the area who aren't up to date on theirs.

Anybody exposed should be tested and monitored for symptoms for up to 21 days after exposure.

For those who are not vaccinated, receiving a measles, mumps, and rubella shot within 72 hours of exposure can prevent or lessen the severity of the disease.

Normally, the first dose of the measles vaccine is given to babies when they are 12 to 15 months old, followed by a second dose at four to six years old.

Our next question, how contagious is measles?

Measles is one of the most contagious diseases known to mankind.

If one person gets measles, they can spread it to up to nine out of 10 people around them if those people aren't vaccinated.

An infected person transmits measles by coughing, sneezing, talking, or breathing.

Measles can linger in the air for up to two hours, meaning people can get infected from simply being in a room where someone with measles was recently.

People can also spread the virus before symptoms start.

An infected person is contagious for roughly four days before the disease's signature rash appears and remain contagious until four days after.

Here's another question that came in, is there a particular age group most affected?

Measles is especially dangerous for children under age five for two reasons.

First, kids in this group may not yet be eligible for bo.. so they may not have full protection.

Second, their immune systems aren't always developed enough to fight an infection, making them vulnerable to severe complications such as pneumonia and swelling of the brain.

Pregnant women and others with weakened immune systems are also vulnerable to complications from measles, particularly if they're unvaccinated.

A measles infection in a pregnant woman can lead to a premature birth or a baby with a low birth weight.

Here's another good question, is the measles vaccine safe?

Thanks to whoever asked that one.

The vaccine has been shown to be overwhelmingly safe.

Most people don't have any side effects, though some people may experience a fever, rash, or joint pain and stiffness afterward.

Despite misinformation that originated in the 1990s, the MMR vaccine is not linked to autism.

That false idea came from a paper that has been retracted and whose author, Andrew Wakefield, lost his medical license.

Two shots of the MMR vaccine are 97% effective against measles and typically offer lifelong protection.

Finally, what's it like to get measles?

That's a great question because measles is now so rare, very few of us have personally experienced the symptoms.

Measles typically starts with a high fever, followed by a cough, runny nose, and pink or watery eyes.

One of the disease's hallmarks, white spots on the insides of the cheeks near the molars, typically shows up about two to three days after symptoms start.

Then a blotchy rash of flat red spots breaks out between days three and five.

Roughly one to three out of every 1,000 children with measles die from respiratory and neurological complications, according to the CDC.

It is important to note, though, that if you have been vaccinated, you are well protected against this virus.

We do appreciate all of your questions and hope we have been able to provide some answers.

Don't forget, if you have questions about any public hea.. or even services offered at the Health Department, we'd like to hear from you.

Send us your questions and we'll get them answered in our checkup Q&A.

That email is 11checkup@westtennesseepbs.org.

Before we leave, a few reminders from our show.

Those still in need of a COVID vaccine can call 731-423-3020 to schedule an appointment.

Anyone over the age of 65 or who is moderately or severely immunocompromised may consider getting a second dose of 2024-2025 COVID vaccine at least six months after their first dose.

With summer break approaching, remember health educators offer free classes for kids that cover important health issues.

If you would like to schedule a class for your group, or if you just need information or resources, reach out to the health promotions team by calling the Health Department.

We want to thank our guest, Kandace Williams, with the Jackson-Madison County Regional Health Department for being part of the show.

Finally, we'd like to thank you for joining us on this episode of Channel 11 Checkup.

I'm Ginger Rowsey.

Thanks for being with us and we'll check in next time.

[music] -The program you've been watching was made possible through the generous financial support of West Tennessee PBS viewers like you.

Please visit westtnpbs.org and make a donation today so that we can continue to make local programs like this possible.

Thank you.

[music]