- Written by Jennifer King
- Category: Media Releases
Recognizing National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
In recognition of National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NWGHAAD), the North Georgia Health District will conduct Free Rapid HIV Testing at Dalton State College in the Sequoyah Hall foyer on Tuesday, March 15th from 10 AM to 3 PM. Additional free services will include prevention kits and pre- and post-test counseling.
National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day 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, federal, national, and community organizations come together to show support for women and girls impacted by HIV and AIDS. This year marks the 11th observance of National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day.
Today, about one in four people living with HIV in the United States is female. Only about half of women living with HIV are getting care, and only four in 10 of them have the virus under control. Women face unique HIV risks and challenges that can prevent them from getting needed care and treatment. Addressing these issues remains critical to achieving an HIV- and AIDS-free generation.
The 2016 theme is “The Best Defense Is a Good Offense.” Whether you’re actively dating or are in a committed relationship, you can take these simple, effective steps to help prevent HIV infection for you and your partner:
- Use condoms every time you have sex.
- Get an HIV test, which is free and confidential.
- Be monogamous.
- Do not abuse alcohol or drugs
For more information about the free HIV testing at Dalton State College, call (706) 281-2360.
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- Written by Jennifer King
- Category: Media Releases
Beat the back to school rush at the doctor’s office
North Georgia – While no one likes getting shots, getting a shot lasts just seconds; diseases 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 13-19, 2016, to serve as a reminder for parents to talk with their preteens and teens about getting immunized against vaccine-preventable diseases.
“Our preteens are branching out. They go to overnight camps, attend parties and play sports – they are becoming increasingly social. While these are all fun parts of being a teenager, they can also increase their risk for contracting potentially life-threatening diseases,” said Sheila Lovett, director for the Georgia Department of Public Health Immunization Program. "Let’s protect our children by vaccinating them when they are most vulnerable to exposure to vaccine-preventable diseases.”
According to the Georgia Department of Public Health Rule (511-2-2), all students born on or after January 1, 2002, entering or transferring into seventh grade and any “new entrant” into eighth -12th 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 home schools).
These vaccines are available at county public health departments in the North Georgia Health District. Health department locations and phone numbers are as follows:
Cherokee: 1219 Univeter Road, Canton, GA 30115 - (770) 345-7371 / 7545 North Main Street, Woodstock, GA 30188 - (770) 928-0133
Fannin: 95 Ouida Street, Blue Ridge, GA - (706) 632-3023
Gilmer: 28 Southside Church Street, Ellijay, GA 30540 - (706) 635-4363
Murray: 709 Old Dalton-Ellijay Road, Chatsworth, GA 30705 - (706) 695-4585
Pickens: 60 Health Way, Jasper, GA 30143 - (706) 253-2821
Whitfield: 800 Professional Boulevard, Dalton, GA 30720 - (706) 226-2621
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.
Marie Smith, Immunization and Child Health Coordinator for the North Georgia Health District, said, “Immunization is the most effective measure against infection so we are reminding parents to talk with their preteens about gettingvaccinated. We are also stressing the importance of vaccination in our communities to better ensure that diseases such as pertussis, HPV, meningococcal meningitis and influenza become less of a threat to our children.”
The CDC currently recommends the following vaccines for preteens and teens:
- Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis (Tdap)
- Influenza (flu)
- Human Papillomavirus (HPV) - three doses
- 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. Speak with your physician today to find out if your preteen is up-to-date and if not, make a date to vaccinate.
For more information, click here.
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- Written by Jennifer King
- Category: Media Releases
Transforming us from Good to GREAT!
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- Written by Jennifer King
- Category: Media Releases
Please view these Attachments: Part C Grant Application 2016 / Public Notice 2016 / PROPOSED Conditions for Category 1 Eligibility
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