A focus group study of fish consumption behaviors among Asian women in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Consumption of locally caught fish provides health benefits but can be a route of exposure to methylmercury and other persistent environmental contaminants. Previous studies found that Asian women of childbearing age (WCBA) in the Milwaukee area have high levels of exposure through fish consumption but limited awareness of fish advisories. We conducted a focus group project to understand the influence of culture, attitudes, and beliefs on the fish consumption habits of Chinese, Hmong, and Karen WCBA who reside in the Milwaukee area to develop culturally appropriate educational materials.

Occupational Carbon Monoxide Poisoning in Wisconsin: Results From a Statewide Electronic Disease Surveillance System and From the Wisconsin Poison Center, 2018-2021.

Objectives: Prevention methods for carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning in Wisconsin address occupational and nonoccupational exposures together, but differences between the settings could inform new approaches to preventing occupational CO poisonings. We described occupational CO poisonings in Wisconsin from July 1, 2018, through July 1, 2021, using surveillance data from the Wisconsin Electronic Disease Surveillance System and Wisconsin Poison Center.

Methods: We identified cases of CO poisoning from the Wisconsin Electronic Disease Surveillance System and Wisconsin Poison Center.

Moving forward with COVID-19: Future research prospects of wastewater-based epidemiology methodologies and applications.

Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) has been demonstrated for its great potential in tracking of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) transmission among populations despite some inherent methodological limitations. These include non-optimized sampling approaches and analytical methods; stability of viruses in sewer systems; partitioning/retention in biofilms; and the singular and inaccurate back-calculation step to predict the number of infected individuals in the community. Future research is expected to (1) standardize best practices in wastewater sampling, analysis and data reporting protocols for the sensitive and reproducible detection of viruses in wastewater; (2) understand the in-sewer viral stability and partitioning under the impacts of dynamic wastewater flow, properties, chemicals, biofilms and sediments; and (3) achieve smart wastewater surveillance with artificial intelligence and big data models.

Community Assessment of Extreme Heat Preparedness in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Background: This article describes the first Community Assessment for Public Health Emergency Response (CASPER) rapid needs assessment project to be conducted in Wisconsin. The project focused on extreme heat preparedness.

Methods: Fifteen teams conducted household surveys in 30 census blocks in the city of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Carbon monoxide detector effectiveness in reducing poisoning, Wisconsin 2014-2016.

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless, and nonirritating gas. The most common exposures are from gas powered appliances such as furnaces, water heaters, stoves, and vehicles. To prevent poisoning, CO detectors with audible alarms were developed.

Carbon Monoxide Exposure and Poisoning Cases in Wisconsin, 2006-2016.

Introduction: Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning is responsible for over 450 deaths and 21,000 Emergency Department visits annually in the United States. In Wisconsin, multiple large-scale CO poisoning events have occurred in recent years. This analysis explores trends in CO exposure events in the state from 2006 through 2016.

Childhood Lead Poisoning in Wisconsin.

Introduction: In 2016, 4,353 Wisconsin children under 6 years of age were identified with elevated blood lead levels (≥ 5 μg/dL). There is no safe level of lead in the human body; extensive research shows that children with blood lead levels < 5 μg/dL may still be at risk for adverse health effects including developmental delays.

Discussion: Physicians should follow current guidelines and consider factors such as the child's age, socioeconomic status, and housing situation when determining need for testing.

Exposures to Opioids Among Wisconsin Children and Adolescents, 2002-2016.

Background: Opioid overdoses and opioid-related fatalities have increased dramatically in Wisconsin over the past decade. The observed rise in morbidity and mortality parallels increased opioid prescribing and greater use of illicit drugs such as heroin. Increased availability of both prescription and illicit opioids may increase the risk of exposure and overdose among the pediatric population.

Using Medicaid Data to Improve Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program Outcomes and Blood Lead Surveillance.

Context: Wisconsin-specific data revealed that not all Medicaid providers were testing children appropriately for blood lead levels and not all blood lead tests were reported to the Department of Health Services, Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program. The Medicaid program requires blood lead screening for all Medicaid-enrolled children at specific ages. Wisconsin state law requires reporting of all blood lead test results.

Perfluoroalkyl substances and metabolic syndrome.

Background: Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of contaminants used in many industrial applications and consumer products. Certain PFAS are regulated or voluntarily limited due to concern about environmental persistence and adverse health effects.

Objectives: In this analysis we examine PFAS levels and their association with metabolic syndrome and its components, using a representative sample of the U.

An Occupational Legacy: Malignant Mesothelioma Incidence and Mortality in Wisconsin.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to describe mesothelioma occurrence in Wisconsin from 1997 to 2013 by usual industry and occupation (I&O), including occupations generally considered low risk.

Methods: Population-based rates and standardized incidence and mortality ratios were calculated. Two case-control analyses were designed to compare mesothelioma incidence and mortality in specific I&O groups with occurrence of (1) brain and central nervous system cancers and (2) other causes of death, using logistic regression.

Lead Exposure Among Workers at a Shipyard-Wisconsin, 2015 to 2016.

Objective: In March 2016, the state health departments of Wisconsin and Minnesota learned of three shipyard workers with blood lead levels (BLLs) more than 40 μg/dL. An investigation was conducted to determine the extent of and risk factors for the exposure.

Methods: We defined a case as an elevated BLL more than or equal to 5 μg/dL in a shipyard worker.

Electronic Cigarette Exposure: Calls to Wisconsin Poison Control Centers, 2010–2015.

Background: E-cigarettes are battery-powered devices that deliver nicotine and flavorings by aerosol and have been marketed in the United States since 2007. Because e-cigarettes have increased in popularity, toxicity potential from device misuse and malfunction also has increased. National data indicate that during 2010–2014, exposure calls to US poison control centers increased only 0.

Elevated Blood Lead Levels Associated with Retained Bullet Fragments - United States, 2003-2012.

An estimated 115,000 firearm injuries occur annually in the United States, and approximately 70% are nonfatal (1). Retained bullet fragments (RBFs) are an infrequently reported, but important, cause of lead toxicity; symptoms are often nonspecific and can appear years after suffering a gunshot wound (2,3). Adult blood lead level (BLL) screening is most commonly indicated for monitoring of occupational lead exposure; routine testing of adults with RBFs is infrequent (3).

Exposure to Elevated Carbon Monoxide Levels at an Indoor Ice Arena--Wisconsin, 2014.

On December 13, 2014, the emergency management system in Lake Delton, Wisconsin, was notified when a male hockey player aged 20 years lost consciousness after participation in an indoor hockey tournament that included approximately 50 hockey players and 100 other attendees. Elevated levels of carbon monoxide (CO) (range = 45 ppm-165 ppm) were detected by the fire department inside the arena. The emergency management system encouraged all players and attendees to seek medical evaluation for possible CO poisoning.

Lead Poisoning and Anemia Associated with Use of Ayurvedic Medications Purchased on the Internet--Wisconsin, 2015.

On April 30, 2015, the Wisconsin Division of Public Health (WDPH) was notified by a local health department of an elevated blood lead level (BLL) in a female patient aged 64 years. All Wisconsin laboratories are required to provide BLL testing results performed on any state resident to WDPH, and WDPH and local health departments are statutorily mandated to investigate any single BLL ≥20 µg/dL or BLLs that are persistently ≥15 µg/dL. Review of medical records revealed that the patient had developed progressive fatigue and shortness of breath during a period of multiple weeks that prompted inpatient medical evaluation.

Trends and characteristics of heroin overdoses in Wisconsin, 2003-2012.

Background: Heroin abuse has increased substantially during the past decade in the United States. This study describes trends and demographic shifts of heroin overdoses and heroin-related fatalities in Wisconsin and contrasts these with prescription opioid overdoses.

Methods: This study was cross-sectional using databases of emergency department (ED) visits, hospital admissions, and death certificates in Wisconsin, United States, during 2003-2012.

Hypothermia-related deaths--Wisconsin, 2014, and United States, 2003-2013.

Hypothermia is defined as a core body temperature of <95°F (<35°C) and is caused by environmental exposure, drug intoxication, or metabolic or nervous system dysfunction. Exposure to cold is a leading cause of weather-related mortality and is responsible for approximately twice the number of deaths annually as exposure to heat in the United States. To understand the risk factors for hypothermia-related death and improve prevention efforts, during January 1-April 30, 2014, a period of record low temperatures, the Wisconsin Division of Public Health began active surveillance for hypothermia.

Using electronic medical record data to characterize the level of medication use by age-groups in a network of primary care clinics.

Purpose: Our primary aim was to characterize the level of medication use across age-groups by examining electronic medical record data for a large number of patients receiving care in primary care clinics. A secondary aim was to identify factors associated with higher levels of medication use or polypharmacy.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective query of electronic medical record data from a clinical data warehouse, evaluating 114 012 patients seen in primary care clinics at least once in the previous 6 months.