Blue Ridge (GA) – FREE Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening and is provided to eligible women ages 40 to 64 at the Fannin County Health Department.

“Early detection is critical,” said Catherine Knight, RN, Fannin County Nurse Manager.

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths for women in the United States and in Georgia, but when found earlier, it is more likely to be treated successfully and women are surviving longer with breast cancer.¹ Cervical cancer used to be the leading cause of cancer death for women in the U.S. However, in the past 40 years, the number of cervical cancer cases and deaths from cervical cancer have decreased significantly. This decline is largely due to many women getting regular Pap tests,(https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/cervical/basic_info/screening.htm) which can find cervical precancer before it turns into cancer.²

These free Breast and Cervical Cancer screening services are available at the Fannin County Health Department for women who are Georgia residents ages 40 to 64 with limited income and limited or no health insurance:

- Clinical Breast Examination

- Mammogram

- Pap test

- Referrals to treatment through the Women’s Health Medicaid Program

All women who qualify are urged to call the Fannin County Health Department to make an appointment for Free Breast and Cervical Cancer screening at (706) 632-3023 right away! The health department is located at 95 Ouida Street in Blue Ridge. 

¹https://dph.georgia.gov/BCCP

²https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/cervical/statistics/index.htm

Vaccines are available at health departments in North Georgia! 

North GA – Think about it. Which seems better? The quick sting of a vaccination or the painful consequences of a disease that last much longer? 

In an effort to protect every adult and child, the Georgia Department of Public Health established Georgia Preteen Vaccine Awareness Week, observed March 12-16, 2018, to serve as a reminder for parents to talk with their preteens and teens about getting immunized against vaccine-preventable diseases. Vaccines for preteens and teens are available at public health departments in Cherokee, Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, Pickens and Whitfield Counties. 

“Often, parents don’t realize that the health of a preteen or teen is still a priority, and though adolescents may become increasingly aware of their health and the need for vaccinations, many don’t take it seriously enough to pursue going to their doctor or local health department,” said Ashley Ridley, RN, BSHA, Immunizations Coordinator for North Georgia Health District 1-2 of the Georgia Department of Public Health. "It’s up to parents to make it a priority to have their preteen or teen vaccinated against preventable diseases.” 

According to the Georgia Department of Public Health Rule (511-2-2), all students who are born on or after January 1, 2002, are entering or transferring into seventh grade or are “new entrants” into eighth through twelfth grades in Georgia need proof of an adolescent pertussis (whooping cough) booster vaccination (called “Tdap”) AND an adolescent meningococcal vaccination (MenACWY). This law affects all public and private schools including, but not limited to, charter schools, community schools, juvenile court schools and other alternative school settings (excluding homeschool).  

Vaccines are the best defense we have against serious, preventable and sometimes deadly contagious diseases. They help avoid expensive therapies and hospitalization needed to treat infectious diseases like influenza and meningitis. Immunizations also reduce absences both at school and after school activities and decrease the spread of illness at home, school and the community. 

The CDC currently recommends the following vaccines for preteens and teens:

• Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis (Tdap)
• Influenza (flu)
• Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
• Meningococcal Disease (MenACWY)

Georgia Preteen Vaccine Awareness Week is an opportunity to raise awareness through schools, health care providers and the media regarding preteen immunizations, particularly Georgia’s pertussis and meningococcal requirements for incoming seventh-grade students. To find out if a preteen or teen is up-to-date on all vaccinations, see a physician or contact the nearest county health department in North Georgia at:

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  

For more information, click here to the immunization section on the Georgia Department of Public Health website.

PUBLIC NOTICE

Georgia Department of Public Health 

Babies Can’t Wait Program Seeks Public Comment

   Public Comment Period Until May 2, 2018

ATLANTA - The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) Babies Can’t Wait (BCW) program invites interested persons to participate in a 60-day public comment period for the Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2018 Annual State Application under Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Stakeholders, early intervention providers, parents and members of the public are encouraged to comment. The grant application and revised policy may be reviewed online or at locations throughout the state.

Participants can submit comments by mail, email, fax or in person: 

1. Written comments will be accepted by mail until May 2, 2018: 

      Babies Can't Wait 

      Attn: Lisa Pennington, Deputy Director Early Intervention 

      2 Peachtree Street NW, 11^th Floor 

      Atlanta, GA 30303-13422 

2. Email comments will be accepted until May 2, 2018: 

            This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  (Subject line: Part C or Public Comment) 

3. Fax comments will be accepted until May 2, 2018:  

            State BCW office fax: (404) 657-7307 

4. In person comments at a public hearing: 

See available locations below. 

DPH invites interested persons to attend public hearings and present public comments. To allow an opportunity for all to be heard, comments will be limited to five minutes.

About Babies Can’t Wait

The Babies Can't Wait (BCW) program is Georgia’s statewide early intervention system for infants and toddlers with special needs, from birth to age three, and their families. BCW enhances the capacity of families to meet the special needs of their child to ensure each young child with significant developmental delays achieves his or her maximum developmental potential. To learn more about DPH Babies Can’t Wait program, please call (404) 657-2850 or (888) 651-8224 or visit http://dph.georgia.gov/Babies-Cant-Wait.

About the Georgia Department of Public Health
The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) is the lead agency in preventing disease, injury and disability; promoting health and well-being; and preparing for and responding to disasters.

DPH’s main functions include: Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, Maternal and Child Health, Infectious Disease and Immunization, Environmental Health, Epidemiology, Emergency Preparedness and Response, Emergency Medical Services, Pharmacy, Nursing, Volunteer Health Care, the Office of Health Equity, Vital Records, and the State Public Health Laboratory. For more information about DPH, visit dph.ga.gov.

PUBLIC NOTICE

Georgia Department of Public Health’s  

Maternal and Child Health Section 

Title V Program Seeks Public Comment

March 1 - April 15, 2018

ATLANTA - The Georgia Department of Public Health’s (DPH), Maternal and Child Health, Title V Program invites interested persons to participate in a 45-day public comment period for updates to the Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2019 Annual State Application Guidance. Healthcare and community partners, families and members of the public are encouraged to comment and may review the proposed grant application’s revised guidance online.

Comments will be accepted in three ways: 

1. Email comments will be received until April 15, 2018:

                   This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

                   (Subject line: Title V Public Comment)  

2. Fax comments will be received until April 15, 2018: 

       State Title V Office fax: (404) 657-7307

3. Personal comments will be received at a Public Hearing Webinar: 

DPH invites interested persons to attend a Public Hearing Webinar at which proposed changes to national and state performance measures will be discussed. To allow an opportunity for all to be heard, comments will be limited to five minutes.

The Title V Block Grant is a federally funded grant provided to 59 U.S. states and jurisdictions. The mission of Title V legislation is to promote the health of women, infants, children and youth, including those with special health care needs, and their families. Activities for the block grant are grouped into five (5) domains or focus areas. These include:  women/maternal health, infant/perinatal health, child health, adolescent health, and children with special health care needs. The Maternal and Child Health Section of the Georgia Department of Public Health administers the Title V Block Grant in Georgia.  

To learn more about DPH’s Maternal and Child Health Title V Block Program, please call (404) 657-2850 or (888) 651-8224 or visit http://dph.georgia.gov/TitleV 

To access the Adobe Connect webinar, please follow the two steps below.  You will need to complete both steps to join the webinar. 

            1. Click on the following link:

     https://join.freeconferencecall.com/sherry_richardson

    You will be prompted to enter your name and email address, then enter the room.

2. To join the conference line, please dial the number listed below: 

    Dial in number      1 (605) 475-4764 

    Access Code        856767#

Due to the high volume of participants who are expected to join this webinar, we recommend that you call in 10 minutes before the start of the webinar. If you get a busy signal, please hang up and call again.

Questions and Comments are encouraged. Please feel free to email your questions to the Georgia Title V Maternal and Child Health Block Grant: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Agenda

Noon                  Welcome Remarks 

12:05 p.m.          Revisions to Program Guidance – Overview/Rationale 

12:10 p.m.          National/State Performance Measure Updates 

12:15 p.m.          Comment Period (40 minutes) 

12:55 p.m.          Closing Remarks

 __________________

About the Georgia Department of Public Health
The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) is the lead agency in preventing disease, injury and disability; promoting health and well-being; and preparing for and responding to disasters from a health perspective. DPH’s main functions include: Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, Maternal and Child Health, Infectious Disease and Immunization, Environmental Health, Epidemiology, Emergency Preparedness and Response, Emergency Medical Services, Pharmacy, Nursing, Volunteer Health Care, the Office of Health Equity, Vital Records, and the State Public Health Laboratory. For more information about DPH, visit www.dph.georgia.gov.

 Honoring

Dalton, GA – Free Rapid HIV Testing will be available in Dalton, Georgia at The Living Bridge Center and at the Whitfield County Health Department’s Medical Access Clinic and Women’s Health Clinic on Friday, March 9th from 8 AM to 12 PM. No appointment is necessary – walk-ins are welcome! This event is being held in observance of the annual *National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. Currently, about one in four people living with HIV in the United States is female. Only about half of these women and girls are getting care, and only four in 10 have the virus under control. The first step in treating HIV is to GET TESTED! The Living Bridge Center is located at 1200 W. Waugh Street in Dalton, and the Whitfield County Health Department is at 800 Professional Boulevard in Dalton. For more information about the Free Rapid HIV Testing event at these locations on March 9th, call (706) 281-2360.

__________________ 

*National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NWGHAAD) is an annual observance that sheds light on the impact of HIV and AIDS on women and girls. Every year on March 10, and throughout the month of March, national and community organizations come together to show support for women and girls impacted by HIV and AIDS. NWGHAAD is led by the Office on Women’s Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Learn more at https://www.womenshealth.gov/nwghaad.

North GA – Nearly 1,100 north Georgians have been vaccinated against the flu since early February when health departments in Cherokee, Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, Pickens and Whitfield Counties began providing flu vaccinations at no cost to clients. Now that the Georgia Department of Public Health reported the number of flu-related deaths in Georgia has risen to 98, local health officials are urgently encouraging anyone who has not yet been vaccinated to do so as quickly as possible. The virus continues to be widespread. 

No-cost flu vaccine is still available at the north Georgia county health departments, including high dose flu vaccine for people ages 65 and older. Healthcare plans are billed for clients who have coverage and there is no charge to anyone who is not insured. No appointment is necessary – “Walk-ins” are welcome. Addresses and phone numbers for the participating health departments are as follows:

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

More information about preventing the spread of flu, such as frequent handwashing and covering coughs and sneezes, is on the North Georgia Health District website at http://nghd.org/pr/34-/938-widespread-flu-in-georgia.html.

North GA – Health departments in Cherokee, Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, Pickens and Whitfield Counties continue to provide flu shots at no cost to residents and are urging anyone who has not yet been vaccinated to come in right away. Over 900 north Georgians have been vaccinated against influenza at these health departments since the no-cost-to-client initiative recently began in response to ongoing widespread flu activity. Vaccine is still available, including high dose flu vaccine for people ages 65 and older. Healthcare plans are billed for clients who have coverage and there is no charge to anyone who is not insured. No appointment is necessary – “Walk-ins” are welcome. 

Locations and phone numbers for the no-cost-to-client flu shots at county health departments in north Georgia are:

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

More information about preventing the spread of flu, such as frequent handwashing and covering coughs and sneezes, is on the North Georgia Health District website at http://nghd.org/pr/34-/938-widespread-flu-in-georgia.html.

 Your One-Stop-Spot for School Students’ State Health Requirements!

Prepare your child for the upcoming school year! The Cherokee County Health Department is conducting a Kindergarten Round-Up Health Clinic on Tuesday, March 6th from 2 to 6 p.m. Locations for the health clinic will be at the public health department offices in both Canton and Woodstock. The required Hearing, Dental, Vision and Nutrition Screenings will be available for a total of $50. Immunizations will be provided to school-age children for $21.90 each (for uninsured or underinsured). Medicaid (including Amerigroup, CareSource, Peachstate and Wellcare), Peachcare for Kids, HUMANA, AETNA, United Health Care, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Ambetter, CIGNA and Coventry are accepted. The health department location in Canton is 1219 Univeter Road and the address in Woodstock is 7545 North Main Street. For more information, please call (770) 345-7371 in Canton or (770) 928-0133 in Woodstock.

North GA – Since health departments in north Georgia began providing flu shots at no cost to clients this week, 640 residents have taken advantage of the offer and others are urged to do the same while supplies last. This number contrasts favorably to the total of 190 flu shots provided by the health departments during the previous week. 

Flu activity continues to be widespread in the U.S., and last week, the number of flu-related deaths in Georgia sharply increased, prompting public health departments in Cherokee, Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, Pickens and Whitfield Counties to begin providing flu shots at no cost to residents who have not yet been vaccinated. Healthcare plans are billed for clients who have coverage and there is no charge to anyone who is not insured. No appointment is necessary – “Walk-ins” are welcome.

The current flu vaccine is highly effective against most influenza strains that are now circulating, and county health departments in north Georgia also have high dose flu vaccine for people ages 65 and older, providing them with increased protection.

It is not too late to get a flu shot. This flu season has not yet peaked and it could last several more weeks. Once vaccinated, it takes about two weeks for the vaccine to reach its full protective potential. Therefore, it is important to receive a flu shot right away.

Locations and phone numbers for the no-cost-to-client flu shots at county health departments in north Georgia are:

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

Health officials also remind the public that flu is extremely contagious and can spread easily from person to person; therefore, anyone experiencing flu-like symptoms – such as fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, muscle aches, headaches, fatigue or nausea – is urged to stay home during the severest symptoms and for at least 24 hours after fever is gone. Parents should keep children who are sick with the flu at home from school, and anyone experiencing flu-like symptoms should stay away from places such as hospitals and long-term care facilities where people are more at risk for developing severe complications if sick with the flu.

More information about preventing the spread of flu, such as frequent handwashing and covering coughs and sneezes, is on the North Georgia Health District website at http://nghd.org/pr/34-/938-widespread-flu-in-georgia.html.

By the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Be One in a Million this American Heart Month

February is American Heart Month. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States; one in every three deaths is from heart disease and stroke, equal to 2,200 deaths per day. This month, we are highlighting Million Hearts™, an initiative dedicated to preventing the nation's leading killers and empowering everyone to make heart-healthy choices.

We can fight back against heart disease and stroke.

Launched in September 2011 by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Million Hearts™ is a national initiative that aims to prevent 1 million heart attacks and strokes in the U.S.

Visit your local county health department today! Find locations, phone numbers and hours of operation for health departments in North Georgia at the above LOCATIONS tab.

Take the Million Hearts™ Challenge Today

Prevention starts with everyone. Protect yourself and your loved ones from heart disease and stroke by understanding the risks and taking these steps

• Drive the initiative by challenging your family and friends to take the Million Hearts™ pledge at http://millionhearts.hhs.gov.
• Get up and get active by being physically active for at least 30 minutes on most days of the week.
• Know your ABCS:
  
  • Ask your doctor if you should take an Aspirin every day.
  • Find out if you have high Blood pressure or Cholesterol, and if you do, get effective treatment.
    
  • If you Smoke, get help to quit.
• Make your calories count by eating a heart-healthy diet high in fresh fruits and vegetables and low in sodium and trans fat.
• Take control of your heart health by following your doctor’s prescription instructions.

Together, we can all be one in a million this Heart Month and every month. To learn more, visit http://millionhearts.hhs.gov.

Other Resources

• CDC's Heart Disease Web Site(https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease)
  
• CDC's Stroke Web Site