To support providers in addressing rising measles cases, we’ve created a short video PSA available in seven languages commonly spoken in King County and other diverse communities. These videos are designed to be shared with patients and families to increase awareness about measles and the importance of MMR vaccination. Language access includes: English, Arabic, French, Lingala, Somali, Spanish, Swahili, and Ukrainian.
Each video features culturally and linguistically appropriate messaging that addresses common concerns and emphasizes the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine.
Key message points include:
Measles is highly contagious and spreading
The MMR vaccine is safe, effective, and long-lasting
Vaccination protects individuals and the community
Free or low-cost vaccines are available
Suggested use for providers:
Video playback in waiting areas or exam rooms
Share videos during patient appointments
Include video links in clinic newsletters or text outreach
Tuberculosis (TB) is a serious bacterial infection that affects the lungs and can spread to others if left untreated. Many people are unaware that TB exists in two forms: latent TB infection (LTBI) and active TB disease. Early screening and treatment can prevent the spread of TB and protect community health.
To ensure that non-English-speaking community members receive accurate information about TB, we have created multilingual public service announcements (PSAs). These short videos provide essential details about TB screening, treatment, and prevention in multiple languages. Health care providers and community organizations are encouraged to share these PSAs with individuals who may be at risk.
What You’ll Learn in These Videos
Each PSA explains;
The difference between latent TB infection and active TB disease
The importance of TB screening, especially for people from countries where TB is common
Recommended TB blood tests, including interferon-gamma release assays (IGRA) like QuantiFERON
The connection between HIV and TB and why dual screening is important
Treatment options for latent TB infection to prevent active TB disease
Encourage Screening & Testing
If you haven’t been screened for TB yet, talk to your primary care doctor or visit a local clinic. If you don’t have a primary care provider, King County Public Health TB program can help you find a place to get tested (HealthPoint, SeaMar, or Neighborcare). Visit the King County Community Health Access program for more assistance.
Taking care of your health starts with knowing your TB status. Together, we can prevent TB and keep our communities healthy!
Share the PSAs in Your Communities Language
We offer these PSAs in multiple languages to serve diverse communities. Click below to watch and share:
CORE: Ukrainian Backgrounder Fact Sheet– A brief overview of Ukrainian history, an exploration of the current crisis, pathways to resettlement, and considerations when delivering Cultural Orientation
Nashi Support – partnering with Ukrainian and Russian speaking communities in WA state to meet the broad range of health and social needs and to advocate through community engagement, empowerment and connection to resources.
Psychological first aid webinar (recorded)
Given the recent tragic events in Ukraine, Switchboard hosted a refresher course on Psychological First Aid to aid staff in supporting distressed clients. This webinar was facilitated by Andrew Kritovich, LMHC from the Ukrainian Community Center and Beth Farmer, LCSW from International Rescue Committee. Attendees will increase their awareness of cultural and contextual factors related to Ukraine, as well as learn the fundamentals of Psychological First Aid. Webinar Recording: https://bit.ly/3D0QBk5 Webinar Slides: https://bit.ly/34LeAH4 Webinar Resources: https://bit.ly/3ihq5sM
Helping Youth After Community Trauma: Tips for Educators English
Understanding Refugee Trauma: For School Personnel English
Fostering COVID-19 Vaccine Confidence in Russian and Ukrainian Speaking Communities e-course
This free continuing education course is designed to help providers including physicians, nurses, medical assistants, and pharmacists who work with Russian- and Ukrainian-speaking patients better understand vaccine hesitancy within these communities, reasons why community members may be hesitant to receive COVID-19 vaccines and develop strategies to initiate conversations about the COVID-19 vaccine with Russian- and Ukrainian-speaking patients. Click here to access this e-course.
Plain Talk About Childhood Immunizations
Plain Talk About Childhood Immunization includes information on vaccine safety, delaying immunizations, and more. First developed in 1996 in response to requests by parents, health care professionals, school nurses, child care providers and others, this 50-page booklet provides parents with accurate information about immunizations and the diseases they prevent, benefits and risks and vaccine safety and effectiveness. English.
Center for Adjustment, Resilience and Recovery, International Rescue Committee
Coping After Coming to a New Country is a new handout designed for adults and older youth that are resettling in a new country. The material seeks to normalize stress of resettlement and explore coping techniques. English, Ukrainian
Helping Children Cope After Coming to a New Country is a new handout designed to empower caregivers in helping their children and youth cope with the stress of resettling to a new country. Available in English, Ukrainian
TB Resources
SNTC Cultural Quick Reference Guide for Ukraine includes Facts about TB in country, download
12-Dose Regimen for LTBI patient education brochure Ukrainian
12-Dose Regimen for Latent TB Infection medication tracker and symptom checklist Ukrainian
Wildfire smoke can cause a range of health problems including trouble breathing, coughing , headaches, chest pain.
Children, pregnant women, older adults, those with asthma, heart disease and other chronic illnesses are especially vulnerable to these health impacts.
Precautions to Avoid Negative Health Outcomes
These include: staying indoors (if possible), limiting outdoor physical activity (such as running, walking, bicycling, sports), closing windows at home, using an indoor air filter, keeping windows closed while driving and wearing a N95 or N100 rated filtration mask (available at hardware home repair stores).
Smoke from wildfires increases health risks for sensitive groups, including children and babies, especially those who also have asthma or other health conditions. Pregnant women, people over 65, and those who have heart, lung and other health conditions are also at higher risk.
Please check Puget Sound Clean Air Agency website frequently for updates on air quality. Air quality can change quickly, depending on the wind.
Breathing smoky air can cause a wide range of symptoms from watery eyes and coughing to chest pain and asthma attacks. If you or someone you know is experiencing serious symptoms, contact your healthcare provider, or call 911 if these symptoms become life-threatening.
Recommendations from Washington State Department of Health
Close windows and doors as much as possible. Use fans or an air conditioner (AC) when it is hot, and set your AC to recirculate. If you do not have AC and it is too hot to stay home, go to a place with AC such as a mall, library, or community center in your city.
Everyone should stay indoors and avoid strenuous physical activities outside.
Keep indoor air clean.
Don’t add to indoor air pollution. Don’t use candles, food boilers, incense, or gas stoves.
Don’t vacuum as vacuuming stirs up additional particles into the air.
Use an air cleaner with a HEPA filter,but do not use an air cleaner that produces ozone.
Consider creating your own air purifier with a box fan if you cannot afford an air cleaner.
Make sure everyone drinks plenty of water.
Information flyers in 10 languages
Resources for everyone as well as specific information for people who are especially sensitive to smoke (English, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Korean, Punjabi, Russian, Somali, Tagalog, Ukrainian, Vietnamese)
