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.

Kim Bennett, RN, Cherokee County Health Department Nursing Supervisor, provides TB education to a new patientDalton (GA) - March 24th is World TB Day. This date commemorates the day in 1882 when Dr. Robert Koch stunned the scientific community by announcing his discovery of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacteria that causes tuberculosis (TB). On this day, the North Georgia Health District joins other health officials worldwide in not only recognizing this early significant event in TB-control efforts, but we raise awareness about the devastating impact that TB disease has on the economy and health of our world today.Pickens County Health Department TB Nurse Caroline Garrett, RN, is reading a Tuberculin Skin Test (TST)

TB is the second leading killer of adults in the world and is the leading  cause of death in people who are infected with HIV. There were 10,528 reported cases of TB in the US in 2011, and Georgia reported 347 of those new cases. There have been 17 cases in the 6 counties of the North Georgia Health District in the past two reported years.

For the second year in a row the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the global Stop TB Partnership have chosen "Stop TB in my lifetime" as the slogan for World TB Day. This theme encourages people of all ages, all over the world, to make an individual call for the elimination of TB.

Dalton (GA) - The North Georgia Health District, part of the Georgia Department of Public Health, is proud to promote National Severe Weather Preparedness Week, March 3-9, 2013. During this week, we are asking everyone who lives or works in Cherokee, Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, Pickens and Whitfield Counties to Be a Force of Nature and better prepare for severe weather threats in our area.

As part of weather-readiness, we as individuals can Be a Force of Nature by knowing the risk, taking action and serving as an example.

Sponsored by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Severe Weather Preparedness Week is a nationwide effort to increase awareness of severe weather and to motivate individuals, families, businesses, and communities to take actions that will prepare them in the event of severe weather.

Each year, individuals are killed or seriously injured by tornadoes and other types of severe weather, despite advance warning. In 2012, there were more than 450 weather-related fatalities and nearly 2,600 injuries. Severe weather knows no boundaries and affects every individual.

According to David Huskey, district director of Emergency Preparedness, "We are committed to working with leaders in all six of our counties to ensure the safety of each community; however, each individual has an important role to play in this, as well. By taking a few steps now, you can be better prepared and assist in saving lives."