- Written by Jennifer King
- Category: Media Releases
North Georgia – Nearly 20 million new sexually transmitted infections (STIs) occur in the United States every year, costing the American healthcare system nearly $16 billion in direct medical costs alone, according to a report by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
America’s youth shoulder a substantial burden of these infections. CDC estimates that half of all new sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in the country occur among young men and women aged 15 to 24.
Sherry Gregory, Infectious Disease Supervisor for North Georgia Health District 1-2 of the Georgia Department of Public Health, said, “April is STD Awareness Month, so we’re placing a special emphasis on how to prevent STDs and on the importance of getting tested and treated for these diseases.”
The high incidence of sexually transmitted infections in the general population suggests that many Americans are at risk of exposure to STDs, underscoring the need for prevention.
Despite this news, there are effective ways to prevent, diagnose, and treat STDs. STD screening and early diagnoses are essential in preventing transmission and the long-term health consequences of STDs.
“We will be conducting STD testing and awareness campaigns at our county health departments and at various community events throughout April, such as HIV and Hepatitis C testing at the Northwest Day Reporting Center in Dalton on April 3rd and 17th and at Dalton State College Gilmer Campus in Ellijay on April 19th” said Gregory. “Details will be posted to our website.”
Contact information for county health departments in the North Georgia Heath District is:
Cherokee County Health Department: 1219 Univeter Road, Canton, GA 30115, (770) 345-7371 and 7545 North Main Street, Suite 100, Woodstock, GA 30188, (770) 928-0133
Fannin County Health Department: 95 Ouida Street, Blue Ridge, GA 30513, (706) 632-3023
Gilmer County Health Department: 28 Southside Church Street, Ellijay, GA 30540, (706) 635-4363
Murray County Health Department: 709 Old Dalton-Ellijay Road, Chatsworth, GA 30705, (706) 695-4585
Pickens County Health Department: 60 Health Way, Jasper, GA 30143, (706) 253-2821
Whitfield County Health Department: 800 Professional Boulevard, Dalton, GA 30720, (706) 226-2621
The Living Bridge Center, located at 1200 West Waugh Street in Dalton and is the provider of Ryan White Part B and C in the North Georgia Health District, will also participate in the district-wide STD Awareness Month campaign.
Abstaining from sex, reducing the number of sexual partners, and consistently and correctly using condoms are all effective prevention strategies. Safe, effective vaccines are also available to prevent hepatitis B and some types of the human papillomavirus (HPV) that cause disease and cancer. And for all individuals who are sexually active – particularly young people – STI screening and prompt treatment (if infected) are critical to protect a person’s health and prevent transmission to others.
More information about STDs is available at all the above county health departments in North Georgia and on the CDC website at www.cdc.gov/std.
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Resource: www.cdcnpin.org/stdawareness
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About STD Awareness Month: April is STD Awareness Month, an annual observance to raise public awareness about the impact of STDs on the lives of Americans and the importance of preventing, testing for, and treating STDs. It is an opportunity to normalize routine STD testing and conversations about sexual health.
- Hits: 3021
- Written by Jennifer King
- Category: Media Releases
From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Wanted: Leaders for a TB-Free United States.
We can make history. End TB.
Learn why we observe World TB Day on March 24th
Each year, we recognize World TB Day on March 24. This annual event commemorates the date in 1882 when Dr. Robert Koch announced his discovery of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacillus that causes tuberculosis (TB).
*Although TB is preventable and curable, many people in the United States still suffer from this disease. Anyone can get TB, and current efforts to find and treat latent TB infection and TB disease are not sufficient. Misdiagnosis of TB still exists and health care professionals often do not “think TB.”
The U.S. theme for World TB Day 2018 is “Wanted: Leaders for a TB Free United States. We can make history. End TB.” CDC and its domestic and international partners, including the National TB Controllers Association, Stop TB USA, and the global Stop TB Partnership are working together to eliminate this deadly disease. But we need your help.
Be sure to check for more information and resources about World TB Day from the CDC. You can also follow them on Twitter @CDC_TB and Facebook @CDCTB and sign up for email updates through GovDelivery.
*NORTH GEORGIANS: For concerns about a possible TB infection or spread of the disease, be sure to contact your local county health department within the North Georgia Health District in Cherokee, Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, Pickens or Whitfield County. Just click on the LOCATIONS tab above to find them!
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- Written by Jennifer King
- Category: Media Releases
Breastsleeping; Biology and Culture
Wednesday, March 28, 2018
8 A.M. - 4:30 P.M.
Dalton Convention Center, 2211 Dug Gap Battle Road, Dalton, GA 30720
Conference Speaker is JAMES MCKENNA
(B.A., University of California, Berkeley; M.A., San Diego State University; Ph.D., University of Oregon) Rev. Edmund P. Joyce, C.S.C., Professor of Anthropology
A total of 6.5 CERPs through IBLCE and 6.5 CPEUs through A.N.D. have been applied for.
CONFERENCE SCHEDULE
7:15 A.M. Conference Registration & Continental Breakfast
8:00 A.M. Welcome
8:15 A.M. A Brief History of Maternal-Infant Sleep in Western Industrialized Societies: Or Why Infants Have Sleep Problems To Solve (And What To DO About Them) (1.5 hour)
9:45 A.M. Break
10:00 A.M. The Return of Breastsleeping Part 1 (1.5 Hour).
11:30 NOON Buffet Lunch/visit exhibits
12:15 P.M. The Return of Breastsleeping (Part 2) (1.5 hour)
1:45 P.M. Break/Visit Exhibits
2:00 P.M. Bio-Cultural Origins of Colic (1 hour)
3:00 P.M. Power break/ Dessert
3:20 P.M. Long and Short Term Effects of Breastsleeping: An Evidence- Based Medical Perspective (1 hour)
4:20 P.M. Closing & Evaluation
4:30 P.M. Goodbye Everyone. Have a Safe Trip Home.
Walk-Ins for Registration are Welcome! Registration is $130.00.
For more information, call the Northwest Georgia Breastfeeding Coalition at (706) 260-1384 or go to nwgabfcoalition.com
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- Written by Jennifer King
- Category: Media Releases
Your One-Stop-Spot for School Students’ State Health Requirements!
Prepare your child for the upcoming school year! The Pickens County Health Department is conducting a Kindergarten Round-Up Health Clinic on Tuesday, April 17th from 1 to 6 p.m. The health department address is 60 Health Way in Jasper, GA. The required Hearing, Dental, Vision and Body Mass Index (BMI) / Nutrition Screenings will be offered, and Immunizations for School-age Children will be provided. Medicaid (including Amerigroup, CareSource, Peachstate and Wellcare) and Peachcare for Kids will be accepted. For more information or to check on additional insurances accepted, contact the Pickens County Health Department at (706) 253-2821. See YOU at the Kindergarten Round-Up Health Clinic on April 17th at the Pickens County Health Department!
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