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North GA – Get a Free HIV Test on World AIDS Day, Thursday, December 1st, anytime from 8 AM to 4 PM by The Living Bridge Center in Canton or Dalton.

Testing locations will be at The Living Bridge Center South at 130 Riverstone Terrace, Suite 102 in Canton and at the Whitfield County Health Department’s Adult Health Clinic (formerly known as MAC) at 800 Professional Boulevard in Dalton.

The Living Bridge Center staff will hand out goody bags, t-shirts, and treats at both sites to anyone who gets a free HIV test that day.

Why is HIV testing so critical?

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, more than 700,000 American lives have been lost to HIV since 1981. More than 1.1 million Americans are currently living with HIV and many more are at risk of HIV infection.

While new HIV diagnoses have declined significantly from their peak, further reduction has stalled as an estimated 38,000 Americans are newly diagnosed each year. Without intervention, nearly 400,000 more Americans will be newly diagnosed over 10 years despite the tools currently available to prevent transmissions.

World AIDS Day is an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV as we show support for people living with HIV and their loved ones, and as we commemorate those who have died from an AIDS-related illness.

Let’s stop HIV together. GET TESTED!

For more information about HIV prevention, World AIDS Day, or the free HIV testing being offered that day, call The Living Bridge Center in Canton at (470) 863-5700 or in Dalton at (706) 281-2360.

To order a free HIV self-test kit, go to https://www.gacapus.com and click on the red triangle.

ATLANTA – The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) is urging Georgians to get vaccinated against flu right now. Flu activity is already widespread in Georgia – earlier than we’ve seen in recent years. With Thanksgiving just two weeks away, you have time to protect yourself and your family and friends by not waiting another day to get vaccinated.

 “The single most effective way to prevent the flu is the flu vaccine. Everyone over the age of six months should get a flu vaccine,” said Kathleen E. Toomey, commissioner, Georgia Department of Public Health. “The holidays bring gatherings with family and friends and increase the likelihood of spreading the flu. Now is the time to get vaccinated.”

It takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body and provide protection against the flu, so it’s important to take preventive measures now.

New for this season, there are three flu vaccines recommended for individuals 65 years and older. Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist about which vaccine is best for you. However, if you can’t get one of the quadrivalents, don't delay getting vaccinated. Any flu vaccine is preferably to no flu vaccine.

Flu vaccine is available at public health departments, doctors’ offices, grocery stores, neighborhood clinics and pharmacies. To find a location near you, click on https://www.vaccines.gov/find-vaccines/. Flu vaccine can be administered at the same time as  COVID vaccine, so it’s a good time to get your updated booster, too.

All our public health departments and services in Cherokee, Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, Pickens & Whitfield counties will be CLOSED for Veterans Day, Fri., Nov. 11th. Will reopen Monday! Find all our Public Health Services for you and your family HERE.

The Murray County Health Department in Chatsworth CLOSED Early today due to a waterline break and disrupted water service to the health department. We apologize for this inconvenience and hope to reopen the health department as soon as possible. Please see updates here on our website.

North GA – This year’s public health Drive-thru Flu Shot Clinics in North Georgia were a tremendous success with *1,120 residents arming themselves against the flu and protecting their families and communities from the spread of the virus. The Georgia Department of Public Health recently announced that flu activity in the state has become widespread earlier than usual this season so the department urged anyone who has not yet been vaccinated to not wait any longer.

Conducted each fall since 2007 in the North Georgia Health District by Cherokee, Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, Pickens and Whitfield County Health Departments, the drive-thru clinics allow residents a safe and convenient way to receive a flu shot. And it is also a time for the health departments and partnering agencies to test local plans for rapidly administering vaccine or medication during a public health crisis. These 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.

Flu vaccine is available in several locations, such as doctors’ offices, pharmacies, and grocery stores; and it is offered at all county health departments in the North Georgia Health District at low or no cost, depending on an individual’s healthcare coverage - there is no need for an appointment during regular clinic hours.

October is Safe Sleep and Sudden Infant Syndrome Awareness Month! During this month, Cherokee County Health Department at the Woodstock Health Center has a crib display exemplifying the correct way in which a baby should be placed in his or her crib, and check out the Educational Safe Sleep Banner at both the Canton and Woodstock Health Center locations! The Woodstock Health Center is at 7545 North Main Street, Suite 100, Woodstock, GA 30188, and the Canton Health Center is at 1219 Univeter Road, Canton, GA 30115. Click on the Safe Infant Sleep Checklist below in English and Spanish and the Sudden Infant Death fact sheet that will be handed out to clients to learn more about SIDS. See more information about Sleep Safety on the Safe Kids website at https://www.safekids.org/safetytips/field_risks/sleep-safety. The Woodstock Health Center is at 7545 North Main Street, Suite 100, Woodstock, GA 30188, and the Canton Health Center is at 1219 Univeter Road, Canton, GA 30115.

Public Health departments, offices & services in Cherokee, Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, Pickens and Whitfield counties are CLOSED on Monday for Columbus Day. But MAKO Medical COVID-19 Testing is available at Pleasant Grove Park in Dalton from 8 to 3. Go to bit.ly/FREECoVTestingInNorthGA.

County Health Departments in North Georgia Hold Breast Cancer Awareness Events

North GA – October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and public health officials in the North Georgia Health District are reminding women that routine screening helps detect cancer at an early stage when it is most curable.

Nearly 10 million cancer screenings were missed in the U.S. during the pandemic, according to the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, causing many deaths that could have been prevented.

Early detection can improve the chances of breast cancer survival, and now, especially for women ages 40 to 64 who may have delayed screenings, It’s Time!

Public health departments in Cherokee, Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, Pickens and Whitfield counties are highlighting the importance of breast cancer awareness and detection this month, as follows: 

Cherokee County Health Department’s Canton Health Center will have a Breast Cancer Awareness Day on Wednesday, October 19th, from 8 to 11: 30 am and from 1 to 3:30 pm. Free Clinical Breast Exams by a Women’s Health Nurse will be provided to women ages 40 to 64 or to any woman who detects a change in her breast as described in the *symptoms below. An Appointment is required for an exam – please call (770) 345-7371. No insurance or payment is required. The Canton Health Center is located at 1219 Univeter Road, Canton, GA 30115.

Cherokee County Health Department's Woodstock Health Center will celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness over three days: Tuesday, October 25th from 7:30 am to 5 pm, and on Wednesday, October 26th and Thursday, October 27th from 7:30 am to 3:30 pm. Free Breast Checks and Referrals will be offered to women ages 40 to 64 or to any woman who detects a change in her breast as described in the *symptoms below. An Appointment is required for an exam – please call (770) 928-0133. Education and literature about the need for early detection of breast cancer through self-examinations and healthcare screenings will be provided, and staff will teach the signs and symptoms to look for to detect breast cancer as early as possible. Eligible women will be enrolled in the BCCP program, and there will be FREE Goodie Bags and a Raffle for Prizes donated by community partners. The address is 7545 North Main Street, Suite 100, Woodstock, GA 30188.

(Pictured are Cherokee County Health Department staff wearing pink for Breast Cancer Awareness. From left to right are Natalia Plasencia, Kelene Campbell, Kathy Gresham, Monica Wright, Pam Baker, Amy Patterson, Elizabeth Land, Marcela Sierra, Lena Baker, Leslie Abreu, Sharnel Walker, Latoya Williams, Rae Wilson, and Christopher Bates)

Step Up for Breastfeeding: Educate & Support

North GA – Grab your super cape and costume and come on out for the Express Your SuperPower 5K/10K! The Northwest Georgia Breastfeeding Coalition and Georgia Breastfeeding Coalition will present the 8th Annual 5K/10K on Saturday, October 1, 2022, at the Etowah River Park in Canton.

Proceeds for this event will go to both coalitions in celebration of World Breastfeeding Week 2022 with the theme, "Step Up for Breastfeeding: Educate and Support".

An awesome flat and fast course is completely inside Etowah River Park so that even the youngest or newest superhero runner can race safely at this event!

Race day on October 1st begins with Check In at 7 am. The Tot Trot starts at 8 am, the Fun Run begins at 8:05 am, and then the 5K/10K will start at 8:30 am. There will be impressive awards for the Overall Male/Female winners, the Master’s Overall Male/Female winners, and the top three winners in all the regular age groups. Both runners and walkers are welcome.

Funds that are raised will help coordinate the global World  Breastfeeding Week campaign that aims to inform, anchor, engage, and galvanize action on breastfeeding and related issues. In the end, breastfeeding families are given the resources and support they need to make informed decisions on promoting the health of their children.

Be a breastfeeding superhero! Register and learn all race day details and pricing for the Express Your SuperPower 5K/10K at https://www.fivestarntp.com/races/Express-Your-Super-Power. 

Etowah River Park is at 610 Brown Industrial Pkwy, Canton, GA 30114.