The Whitfield County Health Department recently announced their Employees of the Year 2010.  These employees were selected for this honor by their peers, and Whitfield County Health Department Manager, Cheryl Wheeler, presented their awards.

Pictured from left to right are  Mandy Kranz - WIC Nutritionist, Melissa Nelson - RN in the Women's Clinic, Karen Penland - RN in Children's Clinic, Cheryl Wheeler, Nurse Manager, Amanda Heafner - RN in Medical Access Clinic

The Babies Can't Wait (BCW) Program is Georgia’s statewide early intervention system for infants and toddlers with special needs, aged birth to three, and their families. The Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH) Division of Public Health (DPH) is the lead agency for administration of the BCW system.
As required under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Part C section 34 CFR §§303.110-303.113, “the State must publish its Part C application or policy in a manner that will ensure circulation throughout the State at least 60-days prior to the date on which the application or policy is submitted and allow an opportunity for public comments on the application or policy for at least 30 days during that 60-day publication period. In order to meet this requirement, BCW invites interested persons to participate in a 60-day public comment period for the Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2011 Annual State Application under Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Data Policy, Transition Policy, Service Coordination Policy, Individualized Family Service Plan Policy, Evaluation & Assessment Policy and Hearing Loss Eligibility Memo from March 10, 2011 to May 10, 2011.

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Join us for Teen Health Awareness Day - *Thursday, April 7, 2011 from 11 - 3pm at the Whitfield County Health Department.  This fun-filled event is for all teens and preteens ... and PARENTS too!

The Event Will Include:
- Health Education - STD Testing - HIV Testing
- Access to all Whitfield County Health Centers
- Local Healthcare Provider Information
- Info on what's available for teens in Dalton!

You Dont' Want to Miss:
- Refreshments - Popcorn, Hotdogs, Drinks
- Fun Inflatables
- DJ!
- Chance to WIN a GUITAR HERO!!

Sponsored by the North Georgia Health District Teen Health Program

Participating Agencies: Dalton Parks and Recreation Department, United Way of Northwest Georgia, Murray County DFACS, Looper Speech and Hearing Center, G-YUPP Teen Advocates, DARE & PACE Unit, Northwest Georgia Healthcare Partnership, and the Dalton Police Department.

*RAIN DATE IS APRIL 14TH, 3 - 6PM

"One challenge for women is that their heart disease symptoms can be different from symptoms in men.  Fortunately, women can take steps to understand their unique symptoms of heart disease and to begin to reduce their risk," said Dr. Kimberly Redding, Director of DCH's Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Programs.  "Women and men can decrease their chances of heart disease by adopting a healthy lifestyle that includes a diet of lean meats and poultry, low-fat dairy products, lower salt, sugar and alcohol intake and incorporating physical activity into their daily routine."  Read More...

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Public health departments within the North Georgia Health District will soon begin distributing influenza vaccine to residents in Cherokee, Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, Pickens and Whitfield Counties.

With over 160 million doses of flu vaccine expected to be available nationwide for the 2010-2011 Flu Season, health officials are encouraging everyone over six months of age to get a flu shot as early as possible to be well protected. It takes about two weeks for the vaccine to become effective, and even if a flu shot is taken as early as September, it will continue to provide protection until the end of the flu season next spring.

North Georgia Health District takes aim at lowering tobacco usage rates and health-related problems here in North Georgia. Watch the local news story below to learn how you can access resources that will help you or a loved one quit for good!

http://www.wdnntv.com/?p=1807

The summer is over but travel plans continue as many North Georgians busily arrange for holiday vacations, business trips, family visits, response to international disaster or mission trips. Traveling any distance requires much preparation; however, traveling internationally can become quite complicated when it comes to health issues, and assistance is needed. That assistance is readily available for all North Georgians at the new Gilmer County International Travel Clinic.

Since international travel continues to grow significantly, including travel to developing areas of the world where visits were once rare, it is important that the traveler be prepared for possible exposure to various diseases. Generally, the risk of becoming ill during international travel depends on the region visited, but also, it depends on other factors such as age, health condition, length of stay and the activities planned. New or reemerging infectious diseases rarely seen currently in this part of the world may put the traveler at risk if exposed.

Free, online 8-week fitness program sponsored by UGA Cooperative Extension. Visit www.walkgeorgia.org to register for the fall session by September 8. Fall dates are September 5 - October 30, 2010. Individuals or teams of four people may participate.

Are you considering having a baby or are between the childbearing ages of 14‐50? Did you know that half of all pregnancies are unplanned? Whether you’re planning a new addition to your family or simply the age at which you could potentially become pregnant, think about adding a folic acid supplement to your daily routine.