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News Release

Hot Conditions Could Lead To Heat-related Illness, OHA Warns -08/08/25

August 8, 2025

Media contact: Timothy Heider, PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov 

Hot conditions could lead to heat-related illness, OHA warns

Preventive steps include limiting sun exposure, donning light clothing, recognizing heat stroke

PORTLAND, Ore.—As summer reaches its peak – and with a hazardous heat watch in the forecast starting Sunday – Oregon Health Authority (OHA) encourages people to avoid activities that could lead to heat stroke and heat exhaustion.

Older adults, infants and children, as well as people who live or work outdoors, and people with chronic medical conditions, are most vulnerable to the impacts of high temperatures.

OHA offers these tips for staying safe and healthy during extreme heat: 

  • Stay in air-conditioned places if possible and limit sun exposure during the hottest parts of the day (typically from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
  • Schedule outdoor activities in early morning or late evening.
  • Use portable fans to bring in cooler air and push warmer air out of rooms and spaces, but don’t use portable fans as the primary cooling source if indoor temperature are above 90 degrees, because that can bring on heat stroke.
  • People who don’t have air conditioners can find cooler indoor air with friends or family, or at designated cooling centers, when available. 
  • Use cool compresses, misting, and cool showers and baths, and wear loose fitting, lightweight and light-colored clothing.
  • Drink plenty of fluids, especially when working outside, avoid alcohol or liquids with large amounts of sugar, and limit caffeine intake. 
  • Never leave children or pets unattended in parked cars.

“Our experience with the 2021 heat dome taught us that extreme temperatures are a real danger in Oregon,” said Gabriela Goldfarb, environmental public health section manager at OHA’s Public Health Division.

“We can prevent heat-related illnesses and deaths by recognizing their symptoms, taking steps to stay safe, and caring for our vulnerable family members and friends,” she said.

Learn the warning signs for heat illnesses at healthoregon.org/heat.

Heat exhaustion can cause dizziness, sweating, nausea and more. Heat stroke, which is even more dangerous, includes these symptoms as well as body temperatures above 103 degrees, severe headache, and confusion or loss of consciousness, and can rapidly lead to death.

People can avoid heat-related illnesses by keeping up to date on the heat risk and heat index. Heat-related illnesses can develop in as little as 15 minutes whether someone is indoors or outdoors.

Some heat-related illnesses can be managed at home or at urgent care. However, if you or someone you see is experiencing confusion or unconsciousness due to heat exposure, call 911.

Oregon has several programs that may provide extreme weather relief or benefits:

If an OHP member is unsure which plan or CCO they are enrolled in, they can call the OHA Client Services Unit at 800-273-0557. OHP Open Card members can call 888-834-4304 or email ORHRSN@acentra.com.

Since many people head to public and private pools to cool off when temperatures are high, OHA has shared guidance that breastfeeding an infant or small child is acceptable in swimming pool areas.

A link to the directive, including the section on breastfeeding, is available at http://public.health.oregon.gov/HealthyEnvironments/Recreation/PoolsLodging/Documents/InfoSheetBreastfeedingatPools12062012x.pdf. Oregon Revised Statute 109.001, https://oregon.public.law/statutes/ors_109.001, protects a person’s right to breastfeed in public and has been in place since 1999.

Oregon residents can also reach out to 211info to find local county and city resources and visit the cooling centers web page.

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As Summer Heat Continues, Health Officials Share Reminder About Law Protecting Breastfeeding At Pools -08/06/25

August 6, 2025

Media contact: Erica Heartquist, 503-871-8843, PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov

As summer heat continues, health officials share reminder about law protecting breastfeeding at pools

PORTLAND, Ore.—Oregon’s public and private pools are great places for families to escape the summer heat, so Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program share a friendly reminder that state law protects the rights of people to breastfeed in public.

Shelby Sayer-Cameron, a public health lactation consultant at Linn County Health Services, says support for the state breastfeeding law from pool operators helps reduce the stigma some people feel when trying to breastfeed their children in public places. And she knows this from personal experience.

“I was less comfortable breastfeeding in public with my oldest child, and I was new to it,” recalls Sayer-Cameron. “I would get so worked up trying to make sure to bring a cover to use and I cared what other people thought of it. By the time my second child came around, I realized how much of a hassle the ‘breastfeeding cover-up’ was and how much more awkward it was for me.”

August is a good time to remind the public about Oregon’s breastfeeding law, officials say. Summer temperatures can be at their highest this month, prompting people to head to swimming pools to cool off. It’s also National Breastfeeding Month, which Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek has recognized with this proclamation: https://www.oregon.gov/oha/PH/HEALTHYPEOPLEFAMILIES/WIC/Documents/bf/State-of-Oregon-Proclamation-Office-Of-The-Governor-National-Breastfeeding-Month-Aug-2025.pdf.

Since 2012, OHA’s Public Health Division has distributed guidance that breastfeeding an infant or small child is acceptable in swimming pool areas.

A link to the directive, including the section on breastfeeding, is available at http://public.health.oregon.gov/HealthyEnvironments/Recreation/PoolsLodging/Documents/InfoSheetBreastfeedingatPools12062012x.pdf.

For many parents, breastfeeding provides a quick and accessible way to feed their children, and they shouldn’t have to worry about where they’re doing it, Sayer-Cameron explains. It’s also more cost-efficient for parents who may not be able to afford formula or a breast pump that would allow them to collect and store breast milk for when it’s needed. Hear more from Shelby Sayer-Cameron, here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxhSV6fBXig

OHA has long supported and promoted breastfeeding because of the many health benefits, including building babies’ immune systems to fight diseases and reducing mothers’ risk of chronic illnesses such as ovarian and breast cancer and type II diabetes.

WIC agencies still receive complaints each year from breastfeeding parents asked to stop breastfeeding, cover up, or breastfeed behind closed doors in a bathroom or other private area. As a result, Oregon Revised Statute 109.001 protects a mother’s right to breastfeed in public and has been in place since 1999.

Korina Skaff, Oregon WIC breastfeeding coordinator, says parents have the legal right to breastfeed in any public space and don’t have to nurse in a private place unless they choose.

“Breastfeeding provides optimal nutrition for infants and is legally protected under Oregon law. Spreading the word to employees and patrons is a key step to creating comfortable places for parents with babies,” says Julie A. Reeder, Ph.D., a manager at Oregon WIC.

About WIC

The Oregon WIC Program improves nutrition security for families by providing healthy food, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and connections to community resources for pregnant, postpartum and breastfeeding individuals, infants, and children up to age 5. WIC serves families in all 36 Oregon counties through more than 100 clinics.

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Recreational Use Advisory Issued For Brownlee Reservoir -08/04/25

August 4, 2025

Media contact: Timothy Heider,971-599-0459, PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov

Recreational use advisory issued for Brownlee Reservoir

PORTLAND, Ore.—Oregon Health Authority (OHA) has issued a recreational use health advisory for Brownlee Reservoir in Baker County, due to the presence of a cyanobacteria bloom.

People should avoid swimming and high-speed water activities, such as water skiing or power boating, in areas of the reservoir where blooms are present, as the major route of exposure is ingestion of water. Toxins are not absorbed through the skin. However, those with skin sensitivities may get a puffy red rash.

OHA encourages people to visit Brownlee Reservoir and enjoy activities such as fishing, camping, hiking, biking, picnicking, bird watching, canoeing, and kayaking. Boating is safe as long as speeds do not create excessive water spray. Sprays could lead to the risk of inhaling cyanotoxins.

Drinking water

Drinking water directly from areas of the lake affected by a bloom is especially dangerous. Toxins cannot be removed by boiling, filtering or treating water with camping-style filters. Contact campground management or the local health department with questions about water available at nearby campgrounds or day use areas.

Not all private treatment systems are effective at removing cyanotoxins. People who do not use a well or public water system and draw in-home water directly from an affected area are advised to use an alternative water source.

Children and pets

Children and pets are at increased risk for exposure because of their size and level of activity. Dogs can get extremely ill and even die within minutes to hours of exposure to cyanotoxins by drinking the water, licking their fur, or eating the toxins from floating mats or dried crust along the shore. This is regardless of a recreational use health advisory in place.

Dogs can become ill and die from water intoxication after drinking excessive amounts of water while swimming or fetching objects for long periods of time. Intoxication is a potentially fatal disturbance in brain function resulting from an imbalance of electrolytes in the body. Water intoxication and heat stroke can cause similar symptoms as exposure to cyanotoxins.

Symptoms

Exposure to cyanotoxins can be serious and cause a range of symptoms. Symptoms may be similar to food poisoning such as stomach cramping, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. Symptoms may also be more serious, such as numbness, tingling, dizziness and shortness of breath. These symptoms may require medical attention.

Dogs can experience weakness, difficulty walking, seizures, lethargy, loss of appetite and more. If a dog exhibits symptoms, veterinary treatment should be sought as quickly as possible.

Fishing

Fish caught from areas where cyanobacteria blooms are present may pose unknown health risks, so OHA recommends not eating fish from those areas. Those who decide to eat the fish should remove fat, skin and organs before cooking or freezing. Toxins are more likely to collect in these tissues. Fillets should also be rinsed with clean water.

For health information or to report an illness, contact OHA at 1-877-290-6767, or visit OHA’s Cyanobacteria (Harmful Algae) Blooms website.

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Recreational Use Advisory Issued For Eckman Lake -07/31/25

July 31, 2025

Media contact: Erica Heartquist, 503-871-8843, PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov

Recreational use advisory issued for Eckman Lake

PORTLAND, Ore.—Oregon Health Authority (OHA) issued a recreational use health advisory today for Eckman Lake due to the presence of a cyanobacteria bloom. The lake is in Lincoln County.

People should avoid swimming and high-speed water activities, such as water skiing or power boating, in areas of the reservoir where blooms are present, as the major route of exposure is ingestion of water. Toxins are not absorbed through the skin. However, those with skin sensitivities may get a puffy red rash.

OHA encourages people to visit Eckman Lake and enjoy activities such as fishing, camping, hiking, biking, picnicking, bird watching, canoeing, and kayaking. Boating is safe as long as speeds do not create excessive water spray. Sprays could lead to the risk of inhaling cyanotoxins.

Drinking water

Drinking water directly from areas of the lake affected by a bloom is especially dangerous. Toxins cannot be removed by boiling, filtering or treating water with camping-style filters. Contact campground management or the local health department with questions about water available at nearby campgrounds or day use areas.

Not all private treatment systems are effective at removing cyanotoxins. People who do not use a well or public water system and draw in-home water directly from an affected area are advised to use an alternative water source.

Children and pets

Children and pets are at increased risk for exposure because of their size and level of activity. Dogs can get extremely ill and even die within minutes to hours of exposure to cyanotoxins by drinking the water, licking their fur, or eating the toxins from floating mats or dried crust along the shore. This is regardless of a recreational use health advisory in place.

Dogs can become ill and die from water intoxication after drinking excessive amounts of water while swimming or fetching objects for long periods of time. Intoxication is a potentially fatal disturbance in brain function resulting from an imbalance of electrolytes in the body. Water intoxication and heat stroke can cause similar symptoms as exposure to cyanotoxins.

Symptoms

Exposure to cyanotoxins can be serious and cause a range of symptoms. Symptoms may be similar to food poisoning such as stomach cramping, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. Symptoms may also be more serious, such as numbness, tingling, dizziness and shortness of breath. These symptoms may require medical attention.

Dogs can experience weakness, difficulty walking, seizures, lethargy, loss of appetite and more. If a dog exhibits symptoms, veterinary treatment should be sought as quickly as possible.

Fishing

Fish caught from areas where cyanobacteria blooms are present may pose unknown health risks, so OHA recommends not eating fish from those areas. Those who decide to eat the fish should remove fat, skin and organs before cooking or freezing. Toxins are more likely to collect in these tissues. Fillets should also be rinsed with clean water.

For health information or to report an illness, contact OHA at 1-877-290-6767, or visit OHA’s Cyanobacteria (Harmful Algae) Blooms website.

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Community Groups And Insurance Agents Awarded Grants To Support Oregonians With Health Coverage Enrollment -07/31/25

July 31, 2025

Contact: Amy Coven, (503) 943-0164, amy.coven@oha.oregon.gov

Community groups and insurance agents awarded grants to support Oregonians with health coverage enrollment

Navigating health insurance options can be confusing and overwhelming. To help Oregonians get the coverage they need, the Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace is awarding more than $1.8 million in grants to 37 community-based organizations and licensed insurance agents across the state for the 2025–2027 grant cycle.

These Marketplace partner grantees will offer free, expert help to people enrolling in health coverage through OregonHealthCare.gov, especially those who don’t qualify for job-based coverage or public programs like the Oregon Health Plan or Medicare.

“This support is critical to ensuring all Oregonians—regardless of income, location, or language—have access to the coverage and care they need,” said Marketplace Director Chiqui Flowers.

The Marketplace has partnered with community-based organizations and licensed insurance agents across Oregon for many years to help people access health coverage through outreach and enrollment assistance. This support is made possible through grant programs funded by a modest administrative fee paid by Marketplace plan carrier.

Trusted local help for all Oregonians

Grantees are selected for their strong community ties, ability to serve diverse and harder-to-reach populations, and commitment to offering culturally and linguistically appropriate services. Many offer support in multiple languages, including Spanish, Russian, Vietnamese, Somali, and more.

These partners will focus on helping people:

  • Enroll during the next open enrollment period, which will run Nov. 1, 2025 - Jan. 15, 2026;
  • Understand their health insurance options and financial assistance; and
  • Transition from the Oregon Health Plan to private coverage after life changes or eligibility shifts.

Meet the 2025–2027 grantees

Community partner organizations:

  • Arcoiris Cultural - Lincoln county
  • Asian Health and Service Center - Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington counties
  • Cascade AIDS Project - Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington counties
  • Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization (IRCO) - Baker, Clackamas, Malheur, Multnomah, and Washington counties
  • Interface Network - Marion county
  • Northeast Oregon Network (NEON) - Baker, Union and Wallowa counties
  • One Community Health - Hood River and Wasco counties
  • Oregon L.E.A.D. - Marion, Polk and Yamhill counties
  • Oregon Latino Health Coalition - Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington counties
  • Project Access NOW - Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington counties
  • Tayas Yawks - Deschutes, Klamath and Lake counties
  • Waterfall Clinic Inc. - Coos, Curry and Douglas counties
  • We Care - Benton, Clackamas, Multnomah, and Washington counties

Licensed insurance agents:

  • Aaron Burns Insurance - Eugene
  • Abel Insurance - Coos Bay, Florence, Gold Beach, and Newport
  • Bancorp Insurance - La Pine
  • Boone Insurance Associates - Eugene
  • Chehalem Insurance - Newberg
  • Gordon Wood Insurance - Roseburg
  • Grace Insurance - Portland
  • HE Cross Company - Portland
  • Health Plans in Oregon - Beaverton and Portland
  • Healthwise Insurance - Portland
  • Healthy, Wealthy & Wise - Tualatin
  • High Desert Insurance - Bend
  • Highstreet Insurance Services West - Hermiston, Klamath Falls, Medford, Oregon City and Sandy
  • Hillock Insurance Agency - Enterprise
  • iCover Oregon - Albany
  • Insurance By Design - Wilsonville
  • K Insurance Group - Independence
  • Linda Dugan Insurance - Astoria
  • Littlejohn Insurance - Eugene
  • Matthew Woodbridge Insurance - Salem and Woodburn
  • Next Step Benefits - Pendleton
  • RJS & Associates - Philomath
  • Saldivar Insurance - Hood River and The Dalles
  • Valley Insurance - La Grande

To connect with a local Marketplace partner or insurance agent, visit OregonHealthCare.gov/GetHelp or call 855-268-3767 (all relay calls accepted).

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Recreational Use Advisory Issued For Upper Klamath Lake -07/24/25

July 24, 2025

Media contact: Timothy Heider, 971-599-0459, PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov

Recreational use advisory issued for Upper Klamath Lake

PORTLAND, Ore.—Oregon Health Authority (OHA) issued a recreational use health advisory today for Upper Klamath Lake due to the presence of microcystin above recreational use values for human exposure. The lake is in Klamath County.

People should avoid swimming and high-speed water activities, such as water skiing or power boating, in areas of the reservoir where blooms are present, as the major route of exposure is ingestion of water. Toxins are not absorbed through the skin. However, those with skin sensitivities may get a puffy red rash.

OHA encourages people to visit Upper Klamath Lake and enjoy activities such as fishing, camping, hiking, biking, picnicking, bird watching, canoeing, and kayaking. Boating is safe as long as speeds do not create excessive water spray. Sprays could lead to the risk of inhaling cyanotoxins.

Drinking water

Drinking water directly from areas of the lake affected by a bloom is especially dangerous. Toxins cannot be removed by boiling, filtering or treating water with camping-style filters. Contact campground management or the local health department with questions about water available at nearby campgrounds or day use areas.

Not all private treatment systems are effective at removing cyanotoxins. People who do not use a well or public water system and draw in-home water directly from an affected area are advised to use an alternative water source.

Children and pets

Children and pets are at increased risk for exposure because of their size and level of activity. Dogs can get extremely ill and even die within minutes to hours of exposure to cyanotoxins by drinking the water, licking their fur, or eating the toxins from floating mats or dried crust along the shore. This is regardless of a recreational use health advisory in place.

Dogs can become ill and die from water intoxication after drinking excessive amounts of water while swimming or fetching objects for long periods of time. Intoxication is a potentially fatal disturbance in brain function resulting from an imbalance of electrolytes in the body. Water intoxication and heat stroke can cause similar symptoms as exposure to cyanotoxins.

Symptoms

Exposure to cyanotoxins can be serious and cause a range of symptoms. Symptoms may be similar to food poisoning such as stomach cramping, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. Symptoms may also be more serious, such as numbness, tingling, dizziness and shortness of breath. These symptoms may require medical attention.

Dogs can experience weakness, difficulty walking, seizures, lethargy, loss of appetite and more. If a dog exhibits symptoms, veterinary treatment should be sought as quickly as possible.

Fishing

Fish caught from areas where cyanobacteria blooms are present may pose unknown health risks, so OHA recommends not eating fish from those areas. Those who decide to eat the fish should remove fat, skin and organs before cooking or freezing. Toxins are more likely to collect in these tissues. Fillets should also be rinsed with clean water.

For health information or to report an illness, contact OHA at 971-673-0482, or visit OHA’s Cyanobacteria (Harmful Algae) Blooms website.

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OHA Report: School-based Health Centers Log Record Highs In Visits, People Served In Oregon Communities -07/22/25

July 22, 2025 

Media contact: Timothy Heider, PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov

OHA report: School-based health centers log record highs in visits, people served in Oregon communities 

PORTLAND, Ore.— School-based health centers (SBHC) throughout Oregon reported record highs in patient visits and people served during the 2023-24 school year, according to an annual status report released by Oregon Health Authority.

Operating through a unique community partnership model, Oregon’s 87 SBHCs served 43,000 people – mostly school-aged youth ages 5 to 21 – and accommodated nearly 149,000 patient visits in 28 counties.

Most school-aged patients used SBHC services for primary care in such areas as well visits, immunizations, reproductive health, and acute care.

Forty-seven percent of school-aged patients came to the SBHC for behavioral health services.

SBHCs are clinics located in schools or on school grounds that provide community resources to support people’s health and well-being and have existed in Oregon since 1986. They provide access to comprehensive, youth-centered health services for children and youth, many of whom would otherwise go without care.

“SBHC staff and providers work hard every day to ensure that students, their families – and in some cases people in their communities – receive top quality health care,” said Tom Jeanne, M.D., M.P.H., deputy state health officer and epidemiologist at OHA. “This is challenging work, and the need has never been greater.”

Oregon’s SBHCs provide accessible and affordable care, referral and treatment services and operate under federal, state and local regulations.

All are operated by medical entities, with nearly 75% operated by federally qualified health centers (FQHC)—federally funded nonprofit health centers and clinics that serve medically underserved areas and populations. All FQHCs provide primary care services regardless of a person’s ability to pay.

OHA certifies and provides $65,000 a year to each state-certified SBHC to support base operating costs. SBHCs supplement this state funding through a combination of grants, funding from partner agencies, fundraising and in-kind donations, and public and private insurance billing.

According to the report:

  • Overall patient visits increased 15%, and the number of patients increased almost 13% since the previous year, rebounding from declines during the COVID-19 pandemic. 
  • A similar trend occurred in behavioral health services. Visits for all ages increased about 19% from the previous school year; and the number of behavioral health patients increased by 14%.
  • School-aged patients accounted for 71% of all SBHC visits and accounted for more than three clinic visits during the year, on average. One third of these patients received an immunization.
  • More than 2,000 dental visits were made by 1,298 school-aged clients.

At a minimum, SBHCs serve students enrolled at the host school. However, many SBHCs serve other populations, such as student families, school staff, students at other schools, or the surrounding communities.

Visit the following links to read and hear about how students and their families are embracing services provided by school-based health centers:

To learn more about Oregon’s SBHCs check out the OHA SBHC Program webpage. 

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Recreational Use Advisory Issued For Bully Creek Reservoir -07/18/25

July 18, 2025

Media contact: Timothy Heider, 971-599-0459, PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov

Recreational use advisory issued for Bully Creek Reservoir

PORTLAND, Ore.—Oregon Health Authority (OHA) issued a recreational use health advisory today for Bully Creek Reservoir due to the presence of a cyanobacteria bloom and cyanotoxins above recreational use values for human exposure. The lake is in Malheur County.

People should avoid swimming and high-speed water activities, such as water skiing or power boating, in areas of the reservoir where blooms are present, as the major route of exposure is ingestion of water. Toxins are not absorbed through the skin. However, those with skin sensitivities may get a puffy red rash.

OHA encourages people to visit Bully Creek Reservoir and enjoy activities such as fishing, camping, hiking, biking, picnicking, bird watching, canoeing, and kayaking. Boating is safe as long as speeds do not create excessive water spray. Sprays could lead to the risk of inhaling cyanotoxins.

Drinking water

Drinking water directly from areas of the lake affected by a bloom is especially dangerous. Toxins cannot be removed by boiling, filtering or treating water with camping-style filters. Contact campground management or the local health department with questions about water available at nearby campgrounds or day use areas.

Not all private treatment systems are effective at removing cyanotoxins. People who do not use a well or public water system and draw in-home water directly from an affected area are advised to use an alternative water source.

Children and pets

Children and pets are at increased risk for exposure because of their size and level of activity. Dogs can get extremely ill and even die within minutes to hours of exposure to cyanotoxins by drinking the water, licking their fur, or eating the toxins from floating mats or dried crust along the shore. This is regardless of a recreational use health advisory in place.

Dogs can become ill and die from water intoxication after drinking excessive amounts of water while swimming or fetching objects for long periods of time. Intoxication is a potentially fatal disturbance in brain function resulting from an imbalance of electrolytes in the body. Water intoxication and heat stroke can cause similar symptoms as exposure to cyanotoxins.

Symptoms

Exposure to cyanotoxins can be serious and cause a range of symptoms. Symptoms may be similar to food poisoning such as stomach cramping, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. Symptoms may also be more serious, such as numbness, tingling, dizziness and shortness of breath. These symptoms may require medical attention.

Dogs can experience weakness, difficulty walking, seizures, lethargy, loss of appetite and more. If a dog exhibits symptoms, veterinary treatment should be sought as quickly as possible.

Fishing

Fish caught from areas where cyanobacteria blooms are present may pose unknown health risks, so OHA recommends not eating fish from those areas. Those who decide to eat the fish should remove fat, skin and organs before cooking or freezing. Toxins are more likely to collect in these tissues. Fillets should also be rinsed with clean water.

For health information or to report an illness, contact OHA at 971-673-0482, or visit OHA’s Cyanobacteria (Harmful Algae) Blooms website.

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OHA Launches ‘Connect To Hope’ Awareness Campaign, Data Dashboard On Third Anniversary Of 988 -07/16/25

July 16, 2025

Media contact:  Kim Lippert, Kimberly.l.lippert@oha.oregon.gov, 503-323-3831

OHA launches ‘Connect to Hope’ awareness campaign, data dashboard on third anniversary of 988

Salem, Ore. -Oregon Health Authority is marking the third anniversary of 988—the three-digit number that anyone can call, text or chat when in need of mental health support—with two significant milestones: the launch of a new data dashboard to increase transparency, track usage and demonstrate the impact of 988 in Oregon and the start of a new public awareness campaign, called “988 Oregon: Connect to Hope.”

“No matter who you are or what you are navigating, 988 Oregon offers a 24/7, immediate connection to trained mental health professionals who can help prevent mental health crises from escalating, save lives and promote recovery and hope throughout our communities,” said Ebony Clarke, Behavioral Health Director, Oregon Health Authority (OHA). “As OHA works to invest in the whole continuum of behavioral health care, we want everyone in Oregon to know that 988 can be a front door to help: providing free, compassionate support whether people are facing economic uncertainty, struggling with relationship or family issues, or simply don’t have a strong support system. Reaching out is a sign of strength.”

Over the past year, 988 Oregon answered more than 85,000 calls, texts and chats, each one connecting someone with a trained counselor. Nearly all calls to 988 are effectively de-escalated over the phone. By connecting people with resources and upstream support, 988 helps enhance access to care and potentially reduce more costly interventions such as hospital visits.

About 988 Oregon

When someone in Oregon calls, texts or chats 988, they are connected with mental health crisis counselors at one of the state’s two designated 988 centers: Lines for Life, which serves the entire state, and Northwest Human Services, which supports people from Marion and Polk Counties.

Research shows that most individuals who reach out to 988 feel significantly less depressed, less suicidal, less overwhelmed, and more hopeful after speaking with a trained mental health professional. Callers don’t need to be in crisis to reach out—a focus of the new campaign, which was informed by community input—and family and friends can connect with 988 to get advice on supporting someone else.

OHA Launches New 988 Dashboard

OHA has also launched a new 988 data dashboard, which helps answer common questions about 988 trends in Oregon. For example, while 988 began as the simple-to-reach number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, more people call or text 988 about mental or emotional health concerns and family or relationship issues than thoughts of suicide. The dashboard also highlights the rise in calls, text and chat volume since it began in July 2022.

Promoting and strengthening 988 Oregon helps OHA deliver on commitments to build behavioral health capacity and to reduce stigma, key goals within OHA’s 2024-2027 Strategic Plan. Increasing awareness and understanding of 988 in Oregon also promotes equitable access to support and care.

For more information, or if you or someone you know needs help, visit 988Oregon.org or simply dial or text 988.

Journalists can view campaign videos and graphics on Dropbox.