Men die almost 6 years earlier than women are almost 4 times more likely to die by suicide in Illinois. This June, we’re recognizing Men’s Health Awareness Month and discussing how Illinois is taking steps to close this gap. In this episode of This Is Public Health, Andrew Lerch, Section Chief for Men’s Health at IDPH, shares insights on the current state of men’s health in Illinois, why preventive care is often overlooked, and how we can better engage men in their own health journeys.

Episode Resources

IDPH’s Men’s Health Webpage: https://dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/life-stages-populations/mens-health.html

Men's Health Initial Assessment 2024-2025: https://dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/life-stages-populations/mens-health/initial-assessment-2024-2025.html

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: https://988lifeline.org/

Measles has returned to Illinois, and case counts across the United States have now exceeded 1,000. We’ve seen your questions and heard your concerns, and now we have answers.

In this episode of This Is Public Health, we cover all you need to know to keep yourself and your loved ones protected from measles. Dr. Jennifer Seo, Pediatric Medicine Medical Advisor at IDPH, discusses what measles is, addresses common misconceptions about measles treatments – and emphasizes why vaccination is the best, and only, protection against measles.

Episode Resources

Measles Information, Case Counts, Exposure Locations, and More: https://dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/diseases-and-conditions/measles.html

School Vaccination Coverage Dashboard: https://dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/prevention-wellness/immunization/coverage-dashboards/school-vaccination-coverage-dashboard.html

Measles Outbreak Simulator Dashboard: https://dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/prevention-wellness/immunization/coverage-dashboards/measles-outbreak-simulator-dashboard.html

In this episode of This is Public Health, we're covering the important topic of maternal and infant health and what we’re doing to improve health outcomes in Illinois. Join us for a conversation with Dr. Lisa Masinter, OB/GYN and Deputy Director of the Office of Women's Health and Family Services at IDPH, and Dr. Robin L. Jones, OB/GYN, Institutional Lead for Birth Equity at Rush University Medical Center, and Chair of IDPH's Maternal Mortality Review Committee.

Dr. Masinter shares why maternal and infant health is a key pillar of the Healthy Illinois 2028 state health improvement plan, what Illinois is doing to address health equity issues, and how we can help newborns thrive in their first year. Dr. Jones explains the disparities in maternal mortality, barriers to equitable care and potential solutions, and the importance of addressing substance use disorders among pregnant persons and new mothers.

Episode Resources

Healthy Illinois 2028 State Health Improvement Plan: https://dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/provider-partner-resources/healthy-illinois.html

2023 Maternal Morbidity and Mortality Report: https://dph.illinois.gov/content/dam/soi/en/web/idph/publications/idph/topics-and-services/life-stages-populations/maternal-child-family-health-services/maternal-health/mmmr/maternal-morbidity-mortality-report2023.pdf

2024 Illinois Infant Mortality Data Report: https://dph.illinois.gov/content/dam/soi/en/web/idph/publications/idph/topics-and-services/life-stages-populations/maternal-child-family-health-services/maternal-health/perinatal-health/fetal-and-infant-mortality-report-2024.pdf

Illinois Perinatal Quality Collaborative: https://ilpqc.org/

Illinois Helpline: https://helplineil.org/app/home