Midland County Department of Public Health

06/16/2026

Learn more about local resources: https://midlandcountymi.gov/health-narcan

Coalition for Substance Free Resiliency

06/15/2026

According to the recently completed Midland County Youth Survey, alcohol is the most common substance teens report using in Midland County (ni****ne and ma*****na are close behind).

Did you know: Data shows that students who report higher levels of “assets” are less likely to participate in risk-taking behaviors such as substance use.

Assets are protective factors against risk-taking behaviors!

Examples of external assets that can help youth avoid alcohol/other substance use include: Support (family support, positive communications, parent involvement, etc.), boundaries and expectations (family boundaries, school boundaries, positive peer influences, etc.), and constructive use of time.

Support asset building! Start age-appropriate conversations early. Talk regularly with youth about the risks of using alcohol and other substances, avoidance strategies, and substance-related messaging they may see on social media.

For helpful resources about having impactful conversations:

Age-Appropriate Conversations About Alcohols and other Drugs:https://library.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/pep23-03-01-004.pdf

Why Small Conversations Make a Big Impression:https://library.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/pep23-03-01-008.pdf

To learn more about the Midland County Youth Survey results: https://www.tlc4cs.org/youth-survey/

Coalition for Substance Free Resiliency

FRIDAY, June 12, 2026 (HealthDay News) — Social media is exposing young people to alcohol-related content on a regular basis, and much of it is coming from infl

06/15/2026

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends room sharing for at least the first six months to keep baby safer during sleep. Learn more about room sharing and safe sleep at:https://www.nichd.nih.gov/sites/default/files/2022-10/NICHD_STS_2022_Handout_English508_0.pdf

06/12/2026

We are so proud to share that our Community Health Services Director, Beverly (Bev) Pyles, was recognized yesterday with the 2026 Carleen K. Moore, RN Nursing Excellence Award!

The Carleen K. Moore, RN Nursing Excellence Award recognizes the education, knowledge, leadership, and compassion demonstrated by registered nurses.

Bev’s passion for nursing began in her youth, when she got a toy nursing kit and became a candy striper. Bev has now served as a nurse for 45 years, 24 of them with the Midland County Department of Public Health.

Bev has been a true advocate for public health in our community.

If you ask Bev, she’ll tell you “When I first started as a public health nurse, I remember reading the quote:

The best Public Health is Invisible. It is the disease you didn’t get, the accident that didn’t happen, and the disaster that didn’t occur.

That clicked for me moving forward as I worked with individuals, families, community, and as a leader this helped me guide my team--focusing on prevention, education, removing barriers, compassion, and no judgement”.

Congratulations to Bev and her family on this well-earned recognition!

06/12/2026

Don’t let asthma take the fun out of summer camp! Check out these resources to make an asthma action plan:

https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/asthma/managing-asthma/create-an-asthma-action-plan

https://www.nationaljewish.org/conditions/pediatric-asthma/overview/lifestyle/camp

06/11/2026

With severe weather in the forecast and a possibility of power outages, do you have a plan if you (or someone you care for) relies on electricity-dependent medical equipment.

✅Create a plan for alternative sources of power.

✅Read equipment instructions and talk to equipment suppliers about your backup power options.

✅Get advice from your power company regarding type of backup power you plan to use.

✅Regularly check backup or alternative power equipment to ensure it will work during an emergency.

✅Teach your neighbors and caregivers how to use your backup systems and operate your equipment.

✅Label all equipment with your name, address, and phone number. Attach simple and clear instruction cards to equipment and cover them with clear packing or mailing tape.

✅Keep copies of instructions for each piece of equipment, along with serial and model numbers, in a waterproof container or in your emergency supply kits.

✅Call 2-1-1 to learn about community and social services resources.

✅Call 9-1-1 for a life-threatening emergency.

06/11/2026

06/11/2026

Learn more about resources in Midland County: https://midlandcountymi.gov/health-narcan

Coalition for Substance Free Resiliency

Preliminary data for 2025 is projecting a lower rate of 16.4 deaths per 100,000 residents compared to a rate of 30.8 in 2021. This suggests overdose deaths have continued to decline for the fourth year in a row. In 2021, there were 3,096 overdose deaths compared to fewer than 1,800 deaths projected for 2025.

This progress reflects Michigan’s continued statewide strategy and efforts to address substance use disorder through the pillars of prevention, harm reduction, treatment and recovery services.

Read more via the MDHHS newsroom: https://bit.ly/4g8nwIL

06/11/2026

Health care providers, public health agencies, community organizations, and family advocates from across Michigan joined together today to launch Michigan for Vaccines, a new statewide, cross-sector immunization coalition dedicated to protecting and strengthening vaccine policy. Formed in response t

06/11/2026

❤️ Care Partner Class: Moving Another Person Safely

Learn practical techniques to safely assist a loved one while protecting your own health and preventing injury. Helpful for anyone providing care at home.

📅 Thurs, June 18 | 1:30–2:30 pm | Trailside
📞 To register, call 989-633-3700 or online at SeniorServicesMidland.org/Portal