National Public Health Week's theme for Friday is Empowering A Healthy Community. It's impossible to disconnect our individual health from our community's health. When it comes to good health, a rising tide lifts all boats. And public health systems work to carefully monitor that tide, pinpointing choppy waters and struggling vessels and taking action to ensure that all boats have an opportunity to sail smoothly to healthier destinations.

Resilient, well-supported public health systems are critical to our nation's health and future. They maintain the health victories we've accomplished so far, such as dramatic reductions in tobacco use, and are essential to confronting today's big problems, such as rising chronic disease rates. We also need public health to monitor and protect us from emerging health threats, keep vaccine-preventable diseases at bay, provide life-saving services for vulnerable populations and so much more.

Just as important, we need public health's unique ability to rally communities around the many social determinants that shape people's health. The future of health is empowering communities with the tools, knowledge, resources and opportunities to make lasting change. Learn more at http://www.nphw.org/tools-and-tips/themes/empowering-a-healthy-community. 

Thursday's theme for National Public Health Week is Protecting You While You're On The Move, because public health never stays in just one place. It stays with you while you're on the move, keeping you safe no matter your mode of transportation. Public health — one could say — is the perfect traveling companion.

In fact, the simple act of using a seat belt may be one of the most recognizable public health victories: From 1981 to 2010, seat belt use rose from 11 percent to about 85 percent, saving hundreds of thousands of lives. Nowadays, it just seems strange to see someone not buckle up. But the job's not done. Drivers, passengers, pedestrians and bicyclists still face preventable dangers on the road. Plus, a new national movement is quickly gaining momentum to design our communities with safe walking, biking and physical activity opportunities in mind. Let's move forward together. Learn more about staying healthy and safe while on the move at http://www.nphw.org/tools-and-tips/themes/protecting-you-while-youre-on-the-move.

The National Public Health Week theme for Wednesday is Creating a Healthy Workplace. Thanks to workers' rights and public health movements, workplaces have become dramatically safer places during the last century: According to the National Safety Council, deaths from unintentional work injuries declined 90 percent from 1933 to 1997. However, workers still get hurt and injured on the job and oftentimes such injuries — and deaths — are completely preventable. No one should have to unnecessarily risk his or her life or health to make a living.

Additionally, more and more research is showing that investing in workplace wellness programs do reap positive impacts on workers' health and pocketbooks. Such wellness efforts also help employers contain health care costs. It's as simple as this: Prevention makes good business sense. Learn more at http://www.nphw.org/tools-and-tips/themes/creating-a-healthy-workplace.

Tuesday's theme for National Public Health Week is Providing a Safe Environment For Children At School. Healthy children learn better — that's a fact. Research has found that students' health affects their grades, attendance, behavior and whether they graduate. And we also know that education is one of the many social determinants that influence a person's health throughout the life span. Fortunately, public health and education systems in the North Georgia Health District have a long and fruitful history of working together to keep students safe and teach them healthy habits. Still, there's much more to do to make sure our schools are healthy and supportive environments — and you can help. . . click here to learn more: http://www.nphw.org/tools-and-tips/themes/providing-a-safe-environment-for-children-at-school.

National Public Health Week starts today! Monday's theme is Ensuring a Safe, Healthy Home for Your Family. Public health is in every corner of our homes. It's in the safe food in the fridge, the carbon monoxide and smoke detectors affixed to the ceiling, and the child-proof latches that keep dangerous chemicals out of little hands. Home is also where we learn healthy behaviors, such as eating right and exercising. Good prevention starts at home - link here to learn how you can make your home a safer, healthier place! http://www.nphw.org/tools-and-tips/themes/ensuring-a-safe-healthy-home-for-your-family

Did you know that diseases such as heart disease, cancer and diabetes are responsible for millions of premature deaths each year? Many of these deaths could have been prevented through small changes. During National Public Health Week, April 1^st through 7^th, the North Georgia Health District will share information on how supporting public health and prevention can result in healthier lives for us all. Join us each day April 1^st through 7^th on our website at www.nghd.org, or find us on Facebook, to learn how you can take preventive measures — in ways big and small — in your families, neighborhoods, workplaces and schools — to live longer and healthier lives. A healthier north georgia begins today!

The Cherokee County Health Department will conduct a Back To School Health Clinic from 2 to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, April 9, 2013 at both public health centers in Canton and Woodstock. This clinic will prepare children for the upcoming school year. Hearing, Dental and Vision Screenings will be offered for $30.00, and Immunizations will be provided for School-age Children (there is a charge for vaccines). Medicaid is accepted. The Canton public health center is located at 1219 Univeter Road, and the Woodstock public health center is at 7545 N. Main Street. For more information, please call (770) 345-7371 in Canton, or call (770) 928-0133 in Woodstock.

Dalton (GA) - Breastfeeding Techniques for Professionals and Advocates was presented today by Catherine Watson Genna, BS, IBCLC, as part of the Northwest Georgia Breastfeeding Coalition Annual Conference at the Northwest Georgia Trade and Convention Center in Dalton.

Catherine Watson Genna, BS, IBCLC, presented Breastfeeding Techniques for Professionals and Advocates at the Annual Northwest Georgia Breastfeeding Coalition Conference"I’ve found in my 20 years in this field that babies are competent," said Genna. "They’re smart and they know what they’re doing, and if we work with them, breastfeeding is so much less frustrating for everybody."

Genna has been an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) in private practice in New York, NY since 1992. She has a special interest in the anatomical, genetic and neurological influences on infant sucking skills, and writes and speaks on these topics. She serves as associate editor of Clinical Lactation, a breastfeeding publication.

Genna has performed research using ultrasound and cervical auscultation (listening with a stethoscope) to study sucking and suck-swallow coordination in infants with ankyloglossia, more commonly known as tongue-tie. Her clinical photographs have been published in both lay and scholarly venues.

She is the author of Supporting Sucking Skills in Breastfeeding Infants (Jones and Bartlett Publishers, 2008) and Selecting and Using Breastfeeding Tools (Hale Publishing, 2009).

According to Patty Spanjer, president of the breastfeeding coalition, "When it comes to breastfeeding, one of the most important things you can do is educate the educator."

Over 260 professionals who educate breastfeeding mothers attended the conference, including physicians, nurses, lactation consultants, dietitians, certified nurse midwives, La Leche League Leaders, WIC staff, nutritionists and nurse practitioners.

Carol Hendrix, WIC breastfeeding coordinator for the North Georgia Health District, said, "This conference was an excellent opportunity for lactation professionals in this area to hear about and discuss different aspects of helping mothers overcome barriers and issues that they face when breastfeeding."

To learn more about breastfeeding or about this year’s conference, log onto to the Northwest Georgia Breastfeeding Coalition’s website at www.nwgabfcoalition.com.

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To view more photos of this event, click on  https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.487366137984822.1073741828.130708733650566&type=3#!/media/set/?set=a.487366137984822.1073741828.130708733650566&type=1

Dr. Richard Spanjer of Dalton (right) receives the 2013 Breastfeeding Friendly Physician of the Year Award from Arlene Toole of the Georgia Breastfeeding Coalition and the Georgia Chapter of the American Academy of PediatricsDalton (GA) - On March 26, 2013, the Georgia Breastfeeding Coalition (GBC) honored pediatrician, Richard Spanjer, MD, at the GBC Annual Meeting Dinner with the 2013 Breastfeeding Friendly Physician of the Year Award.

The Georgia Breastfeeding Coalition and the Georgia Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics present this physician award each year to a doctor who supports breastfeeding by educating moms and engaging in research and legislation related to lactation and who has community and peer support programs as well as a baby-friendly office.

Dr. Richard Spanjer has done all the above while serving the families of Dalton and the surrounding area for over 35 years. According to his many admiring patient families, Dr Spanjer is known for his kindness and consideration and his unflagging belief in the benefits of breastfeeding.

"Dr. Spanjer was chosen from over 30 other nominees for this honor," said Arlene Toole of the Georgia Breastfeeding Coalition and the Georgia Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Ellijay (GA) - On March 2 in Gilmer County, a female Pit Bull Terrier attacked a raccoon that has now tested positive for rabies. The attack occurred on Dalrymple Circle in a neighborhood off Highway 52 West in Ellijay.

The dog was not current on its rabies vaccination; therefore, it is now undergoing a six-month strict quarantine.

There was no human exposure.

Gilmer County Environmental Manager Andrea Martin said their office was notified of the incident by the VCA Appalachian Animal Hospital on March 7 and the positive rabies test result was reported by the Georgia Department of Public Health Laboratory on March 13.

Health officials urge residents to maintain current rabies vaccinations in their pets, not only for the sake of the pet, but also, to protect themselves and their family members from rabies.