IDHS Preserves LGBTQIA+ Youth Support on 988 Lifeline Amid Federal Cuts
On Thursday, the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) announced that the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in Illinois will continue to provide mental health support services for LGBTQIA+ youth, after the federal government ended funding last month for specific support on the 988 Lifeline.
 
After its launch in 2022, the 988 Lifeline developed a subnetwork of crisis counselors trained to work with LGBTQ+ youth and adults under 25 who are disproportionately at risk for suicide and other mental health struggles. Suicide is the second leading cause of death among young people aged 10 to 14, and the third leading cause of death among 15- to 24-year-olds. LGBTQIA+ young people are also more than four times as likely to attempt suicide compared to their peers. Each month in Illinois, the LGBTQIA+ youth subnetwork of the 988 Lifeline supports more than 1,600 calls and 600 chats or texts.
 
In Illinois, 988 contact centers are funded by IDHS. Upon receiving word that the federal government was shutting down this subnetwork, IDHS worked to ensure that the 988 Lifeline could continue to provide the LGBTQIA+ community free, confidential and culturally competent care. IDHS is also now working to expand crisis counselor training that is specific to supporting LGBTQIA+ youth and is continuing to advertise the 988 Lifeline by using LGBTQIA+ affirming messages and imagery, as well as compiling relevant resources with Illinois call centers to ensure they are providing culturally competent referrals.
 
In Illinois, PATH serves as one of Illinois’ 988 contact centers, handling chat, text, and phone calls from individuals facing mental and behavioral health challenges, as well as their loved ones, in multiple areas of the state.
  
The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline in Illinois is available 24/7 in either English or Spanish by calling or texting 988. The 988 Lifeline does not require callers or texters to share any identifying information. Information that is shared is not stored.

IDPH Issues Health Alert on Pfizer Recall and Bicillin L-A® Shortage
On Thursday, the Illinois Dept. of Public Health (IDPH) issued a health alert to inform the healthcare community of Pfizer’s recall of multiple lots of Bicillin, provide recommendations on how to prioritize Bicillin stock and identify ways Bicillin alternatives can be acquired.

According to the health alert, on July 10, Pfizer announced a voluntary recall of multiple lot numbers of Benzathine Penicillin G (Bicillin L-A®). This recall is due to medication not meeting visual inspection standards. While there have been no received reports of any adverse events associated with the issue, Pfizer advises discontinue use of impacted lot numbers. Subsequently, on July 14, the Food and Drug Administration issued a Drug Shortage Alert for this critical medication. Pfizer is currently assessing the impact of the recall on production timelines. Healthcare providers should prepare for a potentially prolonged shortage.

This shortage poses a significant public health concern. Bicillin L-A® is the only recommended treatment for syphilis in pregnancy. Over the past five years, the rate of congenital syphilis in the United States has surged by 203%. According to 2023 surveillance data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Illinois ranks 22nd in the nation for congenital syphilis rates. For more information on the shortage, recommendations and alternative drug options, click here. 

FDA Authorizes Marketing of JUUL E-Cigarette Products 
The Food and Drug Administration has authorized the marketing of five JUUL e-cigarette products through the premarket tobacco product application pathway—the JUUL device, Virginia Tobacco flavor JUULpods (3% and 5% nicotine concentration) and Menthol flavor JUULpods (3% and 5% nicotine concentration).

Following what the FDA reports as an extensive scientific review, the agency determined that evidence provided by the company—including new information the company submitted in response to a deficiency letter from the FDA—demonstrates that these specific products meet the legal standard set by the 2009 Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act to market new tobacco products in the United States.

While the actions permit these specific e-cigarette products to be legally marketed in the U.S. to adults 21 and older, it does not mean these tobacco products are safe, nor “FDA approved.” There is no safe tobacco product, according to the FDA.