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- Written by: Jennifer King, Public Information Officer
- Category: Press Room
The Fall 2024 issue of our North Georgia Health District e-Newsletter, EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS, has arrived, and it’s packed with exciting updates! Dive into the highlights of our dedicated Emergency Preparedness Department team, who have worked tirelessly this fall to ensure our community stays safe and ready for disasters.
This issue features our latest fall campaigns, vital Region A North Georgia Healthcare Coalition updates, and the latest news from our NGHD Community Overdose Response Program. Plus, don’t miss this edition's special Emergency Preparedness "Shout-Out" and a fun Word Search Puzzle to test your emergency preparedness knowledge!
Get inspired and informed—click on the NGHD Emergency Preparedness e-Newsletter Fall 2024 Issue to fully explore it, and don’t forget to share it with your friends and family! Enjoy!
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- Written by: Jennifer King, Public Information Officer
- Category: Press Room
We will be CLOSED on Monday, November 11, 2024, in honor of Veterans Day. This applies to our district office in Dalton and all public health departments, programs, and services – including WIC and Environmental Health – in Cherokee, Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, Pickens, and Whitfield counties. This also includes The Living Bridge Center clinics in Canton, Dalton, and Gainesville.- Hits: 154
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- Written by: Jennifer King, Public Information Officer
- Category: Press Room
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North GA — In honor of World AIDS Day, The Living Bridge Center (our Ryan White program) is proud to offer Free Rapid HIV Testing in North Georgia on Tuesday, December 3, 2024, from 9 AM to
1 PM. Join us at one of three convenient locations:
- Whitfield County Health Department
- Address: 800 Professional Boulevard, Dalton, GA 30720
- Phone: (706) 281-2360
- The Living Bridge Center South
- Address: 130 Riverstone Terrace, Suite 102, Canton, GA 30114
- Phone: (470) 863-5700
- The Living Bridge Center East
- Address: 1498 Jesse Jewell Pkwy, SE, #C, Gainesville, GA 30501
- Phone: (770) 744-4806
Appointments are not needed, and walk-ins are welcome! Anyone who gets tested will receive a free T-Shirt and Goodie Bag as a thank-you.
This important event is part of a global initiative to raise awareness about HIV and AIDS, which began with the first World AIDS Day (WAD) in 1988. This year’s WAD theme in North Georgia, “A Stronger Community,” highlights the importance of HIV testing in building a healthier, more informed society and it encourages community collaboration in preventing the spread of HIV.
Why Testing Matters:
Getting tested for HIV is the only way to know your status. By knowing your HIV status, you gain powerful information that can help keep both you and your partner healthy. If your test is positive, effective treatments are available that can help you live a long and fulfilling life while protecting others. If your test is negative, knowing allows you to take proactive steps to prevent HIV.
Testing strengthens our community in several ways:
- Awareness: Regular HIV testing helps reduce stigma and encourages open conversations about sexual health.
- Collaboration: Testing is made possible through partnerships with local health departments and community advocates, uniting efforts to combat the spread of HIV.
- Healthier Lives: By knowing their status, individuals can seek treatment or prevention strategies, leading to improved public health outcomes.
- Support Systems: Engaging in testing fosters a network of support, encouraging individuals to seek further resources and assistance.
Who Should Get Tested?
Everyone ages 13 to 64 should be tested for HIV at least once as part of routine health care. Certain individuals may need more frequent testing, including:
- Men who have sex with men
- Individuals who have had sex with someone living with HIV
- Those with multiple sexual partners
- Individuals who have shared needles or syringes
- Anyone with a history of sexually transmitted infections, hepatitis, or tuberculosis
For more information about HIV testing, treatment, and prevention, visit The Living Bridge Center section of the North Georgia Health District website at https://nghd.org/tlbc-home.
Take action for your health and the health of the community. Join us December 3rd. Get HIV tested. Know your status. Help create a stronger community in North Georgia!
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- Written by: Jennifer King, Public Information Officer
- Category: Press Room
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North Georgia – This fall, the annual Drive-Thru Flu Shot Clinics successfully immunized *677 residents against the flu. This initiative provides vital protection and plays a critical role in curbing the spread of the virus within families and communities.
Since the inception of the Drive-thru Flu Shot Clinics districtwide in 2007, the North Georgia Health District's Emergency Preparedness team, along with dedicated nurses and Infectious Disease specialists, have joined forces with the Cherokee, Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, Pickens, and Whitfield County Health Departments to make flu shots accessible and convenient. These drive-thru clinics offer a unique opportunity for community members to receive vaccinations while allowing health officials to refine their emergency response strategies for vaccine distribution during public health crises.
Local partners—ranging from law enforcement to Emergency Management Agencies, Emergency Medical Services, Community Emergency Response Teams (CERTs), businesses, and first responders—have rallied together to ensure the success of this initiative. The collaborative effort underscores the importance of community engagement in safeguarding public health.
Flu vaccines are widely available throughout the region, with options at doctors’ offices, pharmacies, and grocery stores. Additionally, every county health department within the North Georgia Health District offers flu shots at little to no cost, depending on individual healthcare coverage. No appointment is necessary during regular clinic hours, making it easier than ever to protect yourself and your loved ones.
The Georgia Department of Public Health reminds residents that flu symptoms can vary greatly and may include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headaches, chills, and fatigue. Vulnerable populations—including those aged 65 and older, individuals with chronic health conditions, pregnant women, and young children—are at heightened risk for serious flu-related complications.
To further combat the flu and other viruses, the public is encouraged to adopt the following preventive measures:
- Wash hands frequently with soap and warm water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or the elbow to prevent germ spread.
- Avoid touching your face to minimize the risk of infection.
- Steer clear of close contact with anyone showing symptoms of illness.
- Regularly clean and disinfect commonly-touched surfaces.
- Stay home if experiencing flu-like symptoms and remain isolated for at least 24 hours after a fever subsides without medication.
For comprehensive information about influenza, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) at http://www.cdc.gov/flu.
To learn more about flu vaccines, discover our local public health services (including influenza vaccines and other preventive vaccinations), or locate your nearest county health department in the North Georgia Health District, visit our homepage at www.nghd.org. Together, let's keep our communities healthy and thriving this flu season!
*Of the 677 residents vaccinated this year at the Drive-thru Flu Shot Clinics in North Georgia, the county health departments provided the following doses:
Cherokee County....... 92
Fannin County.......... 110
Gilmer County............ 61
Murray County......... 123
Pickens County............ 55
Whitfield County......... 236
*** The North Georgia Health District and each County Health Department wish to extend our heartfelt gratitude to all media, community partners, and businesses who help promote and support our annual Drive-thru Flu Shot Clinics... Thank you! ***
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- Closed Monday, Oct. 14th for Federal Holiday
- Our Latest Public Health Weather Related Facility Closures & Delays
- IT'S TIME for Breast Cancer Awareness and Screening in North Georgia
- Arm Against the Flu at a Drive-Thru Near You in October
- North Georgia Health District 1-2 WIC Program Honored with Breastfeeding Award of Excellence
- 10TH ANNUAL EXPRESS YOUR SUPERPOWER 5K/10K
- September is National Preparedness Month
- Raccoon Attacks Chatsworth Residents. Health Officials Warn: Avoid Handling Wild Animals, Maintain Rabies Vaccinations.
- Shannon Bradburn Awarded as our 2024 Environmental Health Specialist All-Star
- District’s Emory Epidemiology Fellow Teresa Costa Honored with Community Engagement Award