From the Northwest Georgia Breastfeeding Coalition:

Due to restrictions on large gatherings as urged by the CDC to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the decision has been made to change the date of the Northwest Georgia Breastfeeding Coalition’s 15th Annual Conference to Wednesday, August 26, 2020. The speaker, venue, and CERPs will remain the same.

If you are able to attend and have a confirmed registration, you do not need to do anything else. If you are unable to attend at the new time, two options are available:

• You may request a full refund. The deadline to request a refund is April 30, 2020.  If you paid by PayPal or personal check, your refund will be issued the same way.  If your employer paid, they must request the refund. They may also send a substitution in your place for no additional fee.
• You may request your payment be used to fully pay for our March 31, 2021 conference.  The speaker will be Dr. Jen Thomas: http://www.drjen4kids.com.

Let us know if you need to make changes to your registration as soon as reasonably possible, and we will work to accommodate all reasonable requests.Communicate all requests to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Please accept our sincere apologies for any inconvenience as we all work toward creating a healthier world for all families.

All the best, Your Northwest Georgia Breastfeeding Coalition Conference Team

Presents the 15th Annual Breastfeeding Conference!

The date has been postponed from March 25, 2020 to

Wednesday, August 26, 2020

20/20 Vision: The Dynamics of Breastfeeding

with Melissa Cole MS, IBCLC, RLC

Conference Speaker Information

Conference Schedule 

Early registration before August 1st: $115

Late registration August 1st to August 14th: $135

Scholarships available

Register here!

Online Registration ONLY

6.5 contact hours, CPEUs and CERPS applied for.

 Location: Dalton Convention Center 2211 Dug Gap Battle Road, Dalton, GA 30720

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

North GA - Is your school-aged child vaccinated against the flu?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), influenza transmission is now widespread in Georgia. While anyone is susceptible to the flu virus, it is especially easy for flu to spread among school children, and children are more susceptible to getting infected and becoming seriously ill with flu.

The best way to prevent flu is with a flu vaccine. Flu vaccine offers children the best defense against flu and its potentially serious consequences. It can also reduce the spread of flu to others. Getting vaccinated has been shown to reduce flu illnesses, doctor’s visits and missed school days.

Most importantly, flu vaccine significantly reduces a child's risk of severe influenza and death. The CDC reported 143 influenza-associated deaths among U.S. children occurred during the 2018-2019 flu season. During the 2017-18 season, an estimated 80 percent of the 187 children in the U.S. who died from flu-associated complications had not been vaccinated against influenza.

The CDC recommendation is that everyone 6 months of age and older get a seasonal flu vaccine each year by the end of October. However, as long as flu viruses are circulating, vaccination should continue throughout flu season, even in January or later. Keep in mind that vaccination is especially important for certain people who are high risk or who are in close contact with high risk persons. This includes children at high risk of developing complications from flu illness, and adults who are close contacts of those children. Click here to see who is at high risk.

The types of flu vaccines for children are:

• Injectable influenza vaccine (IIV) is given as an injection (with a needle) and is approved for use in people 6 months and older.
• Live inactivated influenza vaccine (LAIV) is given as a nasal spray and is approved for use in people 2 through 49 years old. However, there is a precaution against the use of nasal spray flu vaccine (LAIV) in people with certain underlying medical conditions. More information about the nasal spray flu vaccine can be found here.

Flu vaccine is available at many healthcare offices and at all county health departments in the North Georgia Health District, which includes Cherokee, Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, Pickens and Whitfield counties. To contact the nearest county health department in North Georgia, log onto www.nghd.org and click the LOCATIONS tab.

Don’t wait, vaccinate! Arm your child against the flu right away. For more information about influenza, flu symptoms and prevention of the spread of flu among children, log onto the CDC website at www.cdc.gov/flu/highrisk/children and also view the CDC’s The Flu – A Guide for Parents in English or in Spanish.

The Living Bridge Center South in Canton

Canton, GA - The North Georgia Health District is proud to announce that our newest full-service HIV medical clinic is now celebrating a successful first year since opening last December. To date, The Living Bridge Center South in Canton has increased its overall HIV patient population by 30 percent, with roughly 80 new patients establishing services in the clinic.

In addition to increasing care and services for the general HIV population in the North Georgia Health District, comprised of Cherokee, Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, Pickens and Whitfield counties, The Living Bridge Center South has also opened a PrEP clinic, the clinic that can prevent people from being infected with HIV. Over 13 people have enrolled in the Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) clinic in Canton. In the PrEP clinic, patients can get a pill for no cost/low cost that if taken daily, can stop them from getting HIV, the virus that can lead to AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome).

The clinic staff in Canton has also been busy opening an STD clinic, which offers no cost/low cost exams and treatment of most major sexually transmitted diseases.

The Living Bridge Center South is the second HIV clinic to open in the North Georgia Health District, with the first established in Dalton. Both clinics offer full-service
HIV care and treatment, HIV and STD testing, a PrEP clinic, and education and support to help people remain negative.

The clinics are accepting new patients and scheduling appointments.

The Living Bridge Center South is located at 130 Riverstone Terrace, Suite 102, Canton, Georgia 30114, and the phone number is (470) 863-5700.

The Living Bridge Center in Dalton is at 1200 W. Waugh Street, Dalton, Georgia 30720. The phone number is (706) 281-2360.

Go to bit.ly/HIV-Clinics-In-North-GA for more information about the HIV Prevention Program in the North Georgia Health District and all services provided.

The Living Bridge Center in Dalton

Photo by Eric Jens, Risk Communicator, Division of Communications, Georgia Department of Public Health

North GA – The North Georgia Health District received the 2019 Darrell Enfinger Golden Bulldog Award at this year’s Georgia Department of Public Health Emergency Coordination Meeting held in mid-November in Savannah.

Named after emergency preparedness manager, Darrell Enfinger, who accepted the inaugural Golden Bulldog honor in 2017 on behalf of the West Central Health District based in Columbus, this award recognizes the public health district that excels in supporting other health districts and emergency partners in times of disaster.

Over the years, North Georgia Health District deployed nursing strike teams to shelters and provided emergency preparedness staff and other resources, as needed, in response to disasters in Georgia.

Public health nursing strike team members who have been deployed from the district to hurricane relief shelters include Angela Blevins, Holli Collier, Cheri Holden, Sherry Gregory, Debbie York, Doreen Andrews, Pamela Graham, Denise Bowman, Leslie Abreu, Ellie Purdy, Sigrid Thomason and Jamie Henley.

District emergency preparedness team members who have provided incident command assistance to public health staff manning hurricane response emergency operation centers include David Huskey, Larry Staton, Darryl Camp and Lana Duff.

The health district has also provided cots, trailers and other items that were needed to supply emergency shelters throughout the state.

The North Georgia Health District is proud to be the recipient of the 2019 Darrell Enfinger Golden Bulldog Award and of the dedicated public health employees who made it possible.

For more information about how the North Georgia Health District responds to disaster and assists in preparing individuals, families and our communities for emergencies, log onto nghd.org/district-programs/ep.

 Spread Good Cheer for the Holidays, NOT the Flu! 

Don’t fall victim to the flu this year, North Georgians – vaccinate before it’s too late! This holiday season, the North Georgia Health District encourages all residents 6 months of age and older to get a yearly flu vaccine.

Take time this season to schedule an appointment with your public health department in Cherokee, Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, Pickens or Whitfield County to get your flu vaccine or contact your health care provider. Flu shots are NO or LOW cost at our health departments, depending on your healthcare plan. If paying out of pocket, the regular flu shot at our county health departments is $25 and protects against four separate strains of flu. The high dose flu shot for people 65 and over is $65. Call your local county health department for details - just click above for contact information.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the best way to protect against influenza is to receive an annual flu vaccine for yourself and for your family.

What is new this flu season?  

• Flu vaccines have been updated to better match circulating flu viruses
• Any licensed, age-appropriate flu vaccine is recommended
• Ask your health department (above) or health care provider about what vaccine is right for you Influenza can be a serious disease that leads to hospitalization and sometimes death.

Regardless of race, age, gender or ethnicity, anyone can get sick from the flu. Those especially at risk are adults 65 years of age and older, children younger than 5, pregnant women, and people with certain chronic diseases such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease or other long-term medical conditions. A flu vaccine is the best protection against the flu. With flu season beginning as early as August and sometimes lasting until May, it is never too late to vaccinate.

The recent National Influenza Vaccination Week (Dec. 1-7) emphasized the importance of receiving an annual flu vaccination. Even healthy children and adults can get very sick from the flu. This winter, make it a top priority to call your county health department or health care provider and make an appointment to get vaccinated. For more information on immunization, visit the Georgia Department of Public Health website at dph.georgia.gov/influenza-what-you-need-know.

North GA – It’s that time of year again, north Georgians — flu season. As family and friends gather for the holidays, flu activity is increasing. Anyone still unvaccinated should get a flu vaccination right away.

December 1-7, 2019 is this year’s National Influenza Vaccination Week (NIIW) in which health officials highlight the importance of being vaccinated against the flu during the holiday season and beyond. This week serves as a reminder that anyone who can be vaccinated should do so to protect as many people as possible against flu. Everyone 6 months of age and older should get a flu vaccination every season.

Since this past August, public health staff in the North Georgia Health District have given over 7,440 flu vaccinations, and doses are still available at public health departments in these North Georgia counties:

Cherokee County: 1219 Univeter Road, Canton, GA 30115, (770) 345-7371 and 7545 North Main Street, Suite 100, Woodstock, GA 30188, (770) 928-0133

Fannin County: 95 Ouida Street, Blue Ridge, GA 30513, (706) 632-3023

Gilmer County: 28 Southside Church Street, Ellijay, GA 30540, (706) 635-4363

Murray County: 709 Old Dalton-Ellijay Road, Chatsworth, GA 30705, (706) 695-4585

Pickens County: 60 Health Way, Jasper, GA 30143, (706) 253-2821

Whitfield County: 800 Professional Boulevard, Dalton, GA 30720, (706) 279-9600

Flu vaccine is no cost at county health departments in North Georgia for anyone under an acceptable health insurance plan such as Medicare, Medicaid, Aetna, Anthem BlueCross BlueShield, United Healthcare, and others. For those without insurance coverage, the cost is still relatively low. The regular flu shot is $25 and the high-dose flu shot recommended for people ages 65 and older is $65.

There are many reasons to get a flu vaccination.

Flu vaccine can reduce a person’s risk of flu illness, doctors’ visits, and missed work and school due to flu. Even if a vaccinated person still gets sick, flu vaccine can reduce the severity of the illness.

Flu vaccine also helps protect women during and after pregnancy and protects the baby born to a vaccinated mom for several months after birth.

Flu vaccine has saved children’s lives, prevented serious events associated with chronic lung disease, diabetes and heart disease, and prevented flu-related hospitalization among working age adults and older adults.

Getting vaccinated is not just about keeping healthy. It is also about not spreading the virus, protecting others in the community who may be vulnerable to becoming very sick, such as babies, older adults and pregnant women.

For more information on influenza vaccination and immunization, visit the Georgia Department of Public Health website at http://dph.georgia.gov/influenza-what-you-need-know.

"Walk-Ins" are Welcome for FREE HIV Testing!

North GA – FREE HIV Testing will be offered on Monday, December 2nd at county health departments in Cherokee, Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, Pickens and Whitfield counties and at The Living Bridge Centers in Canton and Dalton. Walk-ins are welcome!

The free HIV testing is in honor of World AIDS Day, which was first observed in 1988 and is held annually on December 1st. Each year, organizations and individuals across the world bring attention to the HIV epidemic, endeavor to increase HIV awareness and knowledge, speak out against HIV stigma, and call for an increased response to move toward ending the HIV epidemic.

HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus, which can cause AIDS (autoimmune deficiency syndrome). About 1 in 7 people in the United States who have HIV don’t know it. The only way anyone can know for sure is to get tested; therefore, the CDC recommends that everyone between ages 13 and 64 get tested for HIV at least once as part of their routine healthcare.

People at higher risk should get tested more often, such as men who have sex with men, anyone who has had sex with an HIV-positive partner, and injection drug abusers. Learn more about who is at higher risk for HIV and about HIV testing recommendations at www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/testing.html.

 Know your status! Get HIV tested for FREE by public health in North Georgia on Monday, December 2nd. For county health department locations and phone numbers, click on the above LOCATIONS tab. For The Living Bridge Centers information, click here to the TLBC page.

North GA – A flu shot is the best way to protect against the flu, and *1325 north Georgians recently protected themselves quickly and conveniently at Drive-thru Flu Shot Clinics held by Cherokee, Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, Pickens and Whitfield county health departments.

Conducted each fall in the North Georgia Health District since 2007, all six county Drive-thru Flu Shot Clinics took place in October this year.

Residents drove in and remained in their vehicles to receive a quadrivalent flu shot that protects against four strains of flu. People 65 and older had the option to get a high dose flu shot, containing four times the protective antigen, which is needed as the immune system weakens with age.

The Drive-thru Flu Shot Clinics also provide an opportunity for county health departments and partnering agencies to test local plans to rapidly administer vaccine or medication during a public health crisis. Participating community partners include local law enforcement, Community Emergency Response Teams (CERTs), businesses and first responders such as the county Emergency Management Agency, Emergency Medical Services and Fire Departments.

Beginning at this time of year through spring, influenza viruses circulate at higher levels in the U.S., so a well-timed flu shot reduces the chances of getting seasonal flu and spreading it to others. When more people are vaccinated, less flu spreads through communities.

In addition to a flu shot, other actions to prevent the spread of flu should include:

• Washing hands often with soap and warm water, if available – if not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub
• Covering the nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing, then dispose of the tissue
• Avoiding touching the eyes, nose and mouth – germs spread this way
• Avoiding close contact with sick people
• Cleaning and disinfecting surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with germs like the flu
• Staying home if experiencing flu-like symptoms – fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, runny nose, fatigue or vomiting and/or diarrhea – remain home for at least 24 hours after fever is gone without the aid of medication to keep from infecting others

For more information about influenza, log onto the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website at www.cdc.gov/flu.

To contact a county health department in the North Georgia Health District for a flu shot and other services, or to find the nearest health department location, click at the top of this page on the LOCATIONS tab.

* Of the 1325 residents vaccinated this year at the Drive-thru Flu Shot Clinics in North Georgia, the county health 

   departments provided the following numbers of vaccine:

• • Cherokee County…….  172
  • Fannin County…………  150
  • Gilmer County…………  80
  • Murray County………..  180
  • Pickens County……….   93
  • Whitfield County…….   653

North Georgia – Immunizations are the best protection against vaccine-preventable diseases for everyone, of all ages; and, at the 26th Annual Immunize Georgia Conference on September 23, 2019, the Georgia Department of Public Health honored the Whitfield County Health Department’s Children’s Access Clinic and the North Georgia Health District with 2019 Walt Orenstein Champions for Immunization Awards due to excellence in providing immunization care.

The district was recognized for conducting a vigorously proactive hepatitis A vaccination and education campaign and for overall vaccine education, and the Whitfield County Health Department’s Children’s Access Clinic was awarded for going above and beyond the norm to ensure that all recommended vaccines for children and adults are readily available to the community.

Ashley Deverell, RN, BSN, district Immunization Coordinator, said, “Both awards recognize the ongoing work involved in educating patients on the importance of vaccines and protecting our communities. Our health district’s impressive hepatitis A response could not have been achieved without the support of everyone in the district. We are especially grateful for nurses and clerks directly involved in outreach to jails, substance abuse facilities and homeless shelters.”

For more information about the 2019 Walt Orenstein Champions for Immunization Awards and award recipients, go to http://www.immunizegeorgia.com/.

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Related article from Golin for the Georgia Department of Public Health:

County Health Departments Provide FREE Breast Exams!

North GA - Each October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month is celebrated to recognize those fighting against breast cancer and to honor those who fought against the disease. During Breast Cancer Awareness Month, it is crucial to remember the importance of early detection and regular breast exams to catch cancer while it can be treated.

Health Departments throughout the North Georgia Health District invite residents to observe Breast Cancer Awareness Month at the following events in which health department staff will provide participants with services, education, and more!

Cherokee County Health Department:  FREE Breast Exams offered from 1 to 4 PM during Breast Health Day on Tuesday, October 15th at the Woodstock clinic (only) of the Cherokee County Health Department, 7545 North Main Street, Suite 100, Woodstock, GA 30188 – (770) 928-0133. Health department staff also plan Breast and Cervical Cancer Awareness Program (BCCP) outreach throughout October at the Woodstock Farmers Market, several Hispanic churches and grocery stores, various food pantries, and Goodwill. They will give away t-shirts provided by local sponsors while supplies last. (See image below of local sponsors)

Fannin County Health Department: Breast Cancer Awareness Day, Wednesday, October 30th. Offering FREE Breast Exams from 8 AM to 12 PM at the Fannin County Health Department at 95 Ouida Street, Blue Ridge, GA 30513 – (706) 632-3023. Will also offer breast cancer prevention and detection education to participants, plus free Goodie Bags to participants.

Gilmer County Health Department: Breast Cancer Awareness Day, Thursday, October 24th. FREE Breast Exams will be offered from 8 AM to 3 PM at the Gilmer County Health Department at 28 Southside Church Street, Ellijay, GA 30540 - (706) 635-4363.

Murray County Health Department: Breast Cancer Awareness Day, Wednesday, October 23rd. Offering FREE Breast Exams from 7:30 to 11:30 AM and from 1 to 3:30 PM at the Murray County Health Department at 709 Old Dalton-Ellijay Road, Chatsworth, GA 30705 – (706) 695-4585. (See image below of proclamation signing)

Pickens County Health Department: Breast Cancer Awareness Clinic, Wednesday, October 30th. Will provide FREE clinical breast exams or mammogram referrals to the public from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM at the Pickens County Health Department at 60 Health Way, Jasper, GA 30143 – (706) 253-2821.

Whitfield County Health Department: Breast Cancer Awareness Day, Wednesday, October 23rd. Will provide FREE clinical breast exams to the public from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM at the Whitfield County Health Department at 800 Professional Boulevard, Dalton, GA 30720 – (706) 279-9600. Will also provide refreshments, goodie bags, and will enter participant names in a drawing for two gift baskets.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month is the perfect time to get a breast exam. Early detection is the key to surviving breast cancer, so regular exams are important. The sooner breast cancer is found, the sooner treatment can begin.

Breast cancer causes the cells in the breast to grow out of control. Breast cancer is one of the leading cancers among American women, second only to skin cancer. Though much more common in women, both women and men can be affected by the disease. Each year, nearly 41,000 women and 450 men in the U.S. die from breast cancer.

While multiple factors contribute to a person’s risk of breast cancer, the main factor is age. Most instances of breast cancer are found in women over 50 years old. In addition to age, other risk factors include:

• A personal or family history of breast cancer or certain non-cancerous breast diseases
• Having menstrual periods before age 12, which leads to longer exposure to hormones
• Starting menopause after age 55, meaning a longer exposure to estrogen hormones
• Never going through a full-term pregnancy or having the first pregnancy after age 30 raises the risk
• Women who are overweight or obese after menopause have an increased risk
• Drinking, smoking and exposure to radiation or certain chemical may increase the risk of breast cancer

Risk factors like family history and age cannot be changed, but there are some steps a person can take to reduce the risk of breast cancer. Regular exercise and a healthy diet help to maintain a healthy weight which can lower a person’s risk. Limiting alcohol consumption, eliminating tobacco use and avoiding exposure to radiation and carcinogenic chemicals can decrease the risk. In addition, breastfeeding children can reduce a woman’s risk of developing breast cancer.

To learn more about the health departments Breast and Cervical Cancer Program in North Georgia, including qualifications for free services, visit our Breast and Cervical Cancer Program (BCCP) page. For more information on breast cancer, visit cdc.gov/cancer/breast.

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Below illustrate just SOME of our Breast Cancer Awareness Month events and activities mentioned above!

Cathy Dodd and Debbie Pearson of the Murray County Health Department witness Chatsworth Mayor Tyson Haynes signing the proclamation declaring October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month.