So far in 2024, Yellowstone County law enforcement and other first responders have been called to 50 suspected overdoses, including one that resulted in death. Jace Dyckman, a prevention health specialist at RiverStone Health, explains how
Caring for children can be stressful, especially when parents or caregivers lack positive parenting skills or support from family, friends or the broader community. Kristen Bonner, RN, BSN, talks about strategies for protecting children by strengthening
Strong communities have strong families. Families are strong and healthy when they are free from abuse. Yellowstone Valley Children’s Advocacy Center coordinator Nichole Lund talks about Child Abuse Prevention Month, which is observed in April, which
RiverStone Health is the largest health department in Montana and serves the county’s 170,000 residents. It is our job to make sure everyone who lives or visits here is protected to the best of our ability.
Art in public spaces helps revitalize neighborhoods and foster social connections. RiverStone Health’s Community Health Improvement manager Amy Queen, who works on behalf of Healthy By Design, describes three new sculptures to be unveiled this spring
Recent floods raised awareness that Yellowstone County residents need to be prepared for such emergencies. Floods can happen anywhere, even with breaks in irrigation ditches. RiverStone Health registered sanitarian Deb Wines offers food and water safety
Each year, nearly 500 Montanans are diagnosed with colorectal cancer, and an increasing number of them are under age 50. Sheri Pope, a prevention health specialist with RiverStone Health, shares tips to prevent colorectal cancer and
Respiratory syncytial virus , a common illness that can affect people of all ages, can be more serious for older adults, pregnant individuals and babies. Dr. Courtney Honken of RiverStone Health encourages anyone who may be
Did you know vapes are an aerosol containing many cancer causing chemicals including formaldehyde? Hillary Schafer, a prevention health specialist at RiverStone Health, educates parents and teens in this column. For more information about tobacco prevention,
As RiverStone Health works to sustain high-quality services for the community with an increasingly tight budget, the difficult decision has been made to cease operations at our inpatient Hospice Home. The Hospice Home has long operated
During National Home Care and Hospice Month in November, hospice providers across the country make extra efforts to inform our communities about the compassionate end-of-life care we provide. We also celebrate our generous volunteers and dedicated
COVID-19 has become one of the top 10 causes of pediatric death in the U.S. Nationally, nearly 1,000 children have died of COVID-19 related illness. While COVID-19 pediatric deaths are rare, tragically, they do happen. Three
Only about 51 percent of age-eligible Yellowstone County residents have been vaccinated. There seems to be a disconnect about the seriousness of the current uptick in cases across the county, state and country.
“Regardless of whether a student is wearing a mask or not, each deserves to be treated with kindness and respect. There must be no tolerance for bullying due to masking or not masking.”
Thanks to The Billings Gazette editorial board for encouraging COVID-19 vaccinations. Appointments at free, fast Yellowstone County community clinics are available at mtreadyclinic.org
Thank you to the Billings Gazette for the editorial on the work public health is doing to protect our communities. Please remember the 3 W’s – Wash Your Hands, Watch Your Distance, and Wear a Mask/Face
The risk of becoming infected with the new coronavirus disease known as COVID-19 is dependent on exposure, and right now, that risk in Montana is low. But the virus has produced a disturbing amount of misinformation,
The risk of a Billings resident contracting the new Coronavirus is unlikely, but not impossible. That’s why Public Health Services at RiverStone Health has been preparing since mid-January in cooperation with local hospitals, the Montana Department
