RECENT NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
Severe Weather Preparedness Week Starts Feb. 6
(ATLANTA) – The Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency, in partnership with the National Weather Service, encourages Georgians to learn and understand the threats of severe weather as well as prepare for various weather events during Severe Weather Preparedness Week on Feb. 6-10.
“Given the recent severe storms, tornado outbreaks and straight-line winds that happened across our state a couple of weeks ago, residents should take this time to prepare now more than ever,” said GEMA/HS Director Chris Stallings. “We strive for our citizens to be well informed and educated before any weather event strikes to prevent loss of life and significant damage to property.”
Spring is traditionally a period where the threat of tornadoes, damaging winds, large hail and lightning from severe thunderstorms greatly increases. Severe Weather Preparedness Week serves as a reminder to review emergency procedures and prepare for weather-related hazards.
GEMA/HS will distribute severe weather preparedness information via social media channels, and provide toolkits to local emergency management directors for sharing this information in their counties all weeklong during the SWPW campaign.
Each day of the campaign will address the following topics:
See the article from the Journal of Public Health Management and Practice that includes our own epidemiologist Victoria "Tori" Roy. She was recognized as one of four “Students Who Rocked Public Health 2022” for their work in Updating Community Health Assessments in Georgia.
“All four students embarked on this project to meet applied practical experience requirements of their respective degree programs, but they went above and beyond,” says Dr. Allison Chamberlain. “As the project progressed and they learned more about the CHA process and what the district ultimately wanted to use the assessments for, the student team created county-specific summary profiles and a ‘how-to’ guide to instruct future personnel interested in replicating their process when updating the CHAs again in the future.”
Click HERE to read the article and find Tori in listing #2!
Victoria Roy, MPH, is an epidemiologist 2 with the North Georgia Health District Department of Public Health after completing the two-year Rollins Epidemiology Fellowship with Emory University. Victoria graduated with a bachelor’s degree in biology in 2015 and a master’s degree in public health in 2020. She is currently working toward a Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) degree.
Our District Office and all Public Health Departments & Services in Cherokee, Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, Pickens, and Whitfield counties are Closed Mon., Jan 16th in observance of #MLKJr Day. All our services will resume on Tuesday! See locations and hours at www.nghd.org
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Ellijay, GA – Bethesda Community Clinic of Holly Springs has sent a mobile medical unit to Gilmer County once a month since February 2022 and is now relocating their monthly mobile clinic to the Gilmer County Health Department.
Krystal Sumner, Nurse Manager of the Gilmer County Health Department, said the mobile medical unit will be in the health department parking lot on the third Wednesday of each month from 10 AM to 2 PM, starting January 18. The health department address is 28 Southside Church Street, Ellijay, Georgia, 30540.
Bob Surrusco, BCC North Volunteer Coordinator, said the mobile medical clinic relocation and the partnership with the county health department will help provide a broader outreach to the community and enhance healthcare to those in need.
Click to download Flyer in English and SpanishThe mobile medical clinic, which previously operated in Ellijay opposite from the Faith, Hope, and Charity Store on Industrial Boulevard, offers free primary care to anyone who needs these services, including physicals, chronic care, medication, labs, and more. They also offer health education and mental health services as well as specialty referrals and patient assistance programs. Providers are bilingual, ensuring everyone is served, and all are welcome. No appointment is needed.
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You can lower your risk for cervical cancer by getting screened regularly, starting at age 21!
Click on the name of your county to contact your local Health Department in Cherokee, Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, Pickens or Whitfield County to find out how you can receive the HPV vaccine or be screened for cervical cancer.
Screening Tests
The HPV test and the Pap test are screening tests that can help prevent cervical cancer or find it early.
- The human papillomavirus (HPV) test looks for the virus that can cause cell changes on the cervix.
- The Pap test (or Pap smear) looks for precancers, which are cell changes on the cervix that might become cervical cancer if they are not treated appropriately.
Screening Options
You should start getting Pap tests at age 21. If your Pap test result is normal, your doctor may tell you that you can wait three years until your next Pap test.
If you’re 30 to 65 years old, you have three options. Talk to your doctor about which testing option is right for you.
- An HPV test only. If your result is normal, your doctor may tell you that you can wait five years until your next screening test.
- An HPV test along with the Pap test. If both of your results are normal, your doctor may tell you that you can wait five years until your next screening test.
- A Pap test only. If your result is normal, your doctor may tell you that you can wait three years until your next Pap test.
If you’re older than 65, your doctor may tell you that you don’t need to be screened anymore if you have had normal screening test results for several years and you have not had a cervical precancer in the past, or you have had your cervix removed as part of a total hysterectomy for non-cancerous conditions, like fibroids.
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North GA - In Georgia and across the U.S., the number of illnesses brought on by circulating respiratory viruses has increased.
Along with COVID-19, spread of seasonal respiratory diseases Influenza and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) was restricted by prevention practices established during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, these viruses got off to an early start in our communities this season now that safety precautions have eased, and health officials are concerned about the impacts of what has been termed a "tripledemic”.
The phrase "tripledemic” refers to the simultaneous rise in FLU, COVID-19, and RSV transmission. The strain on our healthcare system is a particular cause for worry as the medical community struggles to combat the consequences of these infections.
COVID and RSV cases are starting to plateau while influenza cases continue rising. Still, experts worry that we might again see an increase in all three after the recent holiday social gatherings.
In the next months, it will be crucial to take action to protect both ourselves and others from these diseases.
What distinguishes the Flu from COVID-19 and RSV?
All three extremely contagious respiratory illnesses—the flu, COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)—are brought on by viruses. The flu is brought on by the influenza virus, COVID-19 by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, and RSV by the respiratory syncytial virus. It is conceivable for a person to have several viruses active at once.
Georgia Department of Public Health Awarded
$2,495,831.85 to Support Injury Prevention Efforts
ATLANTA – The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) was awarded $2,495,831.85 from the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety (GOHS). The grant funding is used to provide technical assistance and resources to partner agencies statewide, develop community support for motor vehicle safety programs, support data linkages and help evaluate program efforts.
“This long-standing, unique partnership between highway safety and public health helps promote a safer Georgia,” said Kathleen E. Toomey, M.D., M.P.H., commissioner of the Georgia Department of Public Health. “This programmatic support has made a difference for Georgians and continues to save lives and prevent injuries.”
The funding from GOHS acknowledges the success of programs in Georgia that are essential to protecting public health.
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North GUPDATE, Dec. 27, at 9AM:
North GA - Due to hazardous winter weather conditions, the Gilmer County Health Department and all public health services in Gilmer County are CLOSED today, Tuesday, December 27, 2022.
This and all updates will be posted to the North Georgia Health District website here and and on our social media pages at Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
POSTED, Dec. 26:
North GA - Due to the potential for hazardous winter weather conditions, the North Georgia Health District offices and public health departments and services in Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, Pickens, and Whitfield counties will DELAY OPENING until 10 AM tomorrow, Tuesday, December 27, 2022.
This and all updates will be posted here on the North Georgia Health District website and on our social media pages at Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
All our public health offices, departments, programs, and services will be closed for the Holidays on Friday, Dec. 23, Monday, Dec. 26, and Monday, Jan. 2. Click here to our Home Page to see all the services we offer!
Happy Holidays!
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MAKO Medical COVID-19 Drive-Thru Testing at Pleasant Grove Park in Dalton will be CLOSED on Friday, Dec. 23, due to weather, and on Monday, Dec. 26 for the Holiday. For information about Free COVID-19 Testing at the Mako Medical site in Dalton, please go HERE on our website.
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The North Georgia Health District is part of the Georgia Department of Public Health. This District is comprised of six counties including Cherokee, Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, Pickens, and Whitfield. Many programs and services exist throughout the district, all of which are designed to meet the needs of the people of North Georgia.
Our Vision
Our vision for the North Georgia Health District is healthy people, families and communities.
Our Mission
Our mission is to promote and protect the health of the people in the North Georgia Health District wherever they live, work and play, through population-based preventive programs including: