Disasters Happen. Prepare Now. Learn How.

Information Contributed by Ready.Gov 

National Preparedness Month (NPM), recognized each September, is a  reminder that we all must prepare now and throughout the year. This year NPM is focused on planning, with an overarching theme: Disasters Happen. Prepare Now. Learn How

Throughout the year, take time to learn lifesaving skills − such as CPR and first aid. Check your insurance policies and coverage for the hazards you may face, such as flood, earthquakes, and tornados. Make sure to consider the costs associated with disasters and save for an emergency. Also, know how to take practical safety steps like shutting off water and gas.

The devastating hurricanes and wildfires of 2017 reminded the nation of the importance of preparing for disasters. Often, we will be the first ones in our communities to take action after a disaster strikes and before first responders arrive, so it is important to prepare in advance to help yourself and your community.

https://www.ready.gov/september

Wednesday, August 29 to Friday, August 31, 9 am – 1 pm, Gwinnett County Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Supplemental Nutrition Program is hosting a farmer’s market outside of the Lilburn Square WIC Center, located at 5342 Lawrenceville Hwy, Lilburn, GA 30047.

“The program gives our clients the chance to interact with local farmers and learn about wholesome eating,” said Julie Alvarez, the manager of Lilburn WIC with the Gwinnett County Health Departments. “The produce available is Georgia-grown, so it gets to stay local and help families in need.”

The farmer’s market is just one way to keep the Lilburn community engaged with the WIC program. Recently, the Health Department announced that the Lilburn Square WIC Center would merge with the Norcross Health Center to better serve clients in the area. The Norcross Health Center has more space that can be utilized for the WIC program.

“We are excited about the move,” said Alvarez. “It’s only four miles away from our current location, and all the friendly faces our clients are used to will be moving to the new location – still servings our current clients while expanding our reach.”

The farmer’s market is open to all Gwinnett County WIC clients. Special WIC-certified farmer’s market vouchers are printed for clients that bring their WIC ID, which gives participants access to free fruits and vegetables from local farmers.

Prevent West Nile Virus

The easiest and best way to avoid West Nile Virus is to prevent mosquito bites is to Tip N’ Toss. After every rain fall, tip and toss standing water and debris around your property. Preventing mosquito bites begins with the Five D’s of West Nile prevention:

When emptying containers that can hold standing water, don’t forget about items such as:

Pet Water Bowls	Clogged Gutters	Toys and other containers that may catch rain water

Symptoms of WNV include headache, fever, neck discomfort, muscle and joint aches, swollen lymph nodes and a rash that usually develop three to 15 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. The elderly, those with compromised immune systems, or those with other underlying conditions are at greater risk for complications from the disease.

The CDC has put together answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about West Nile Virus.  Information is available in both English and Spanish:

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/q&a.htm

Download a PDF of Mosquito Control: Tip n’ Toss.

As of October 1^st, the Lilburn WIC Office has moved to the Norcross Health Center located at 5030 Georgia Belle Court.

If you have any more questions, call us at 770-513-9738

Information contributed by World Hepatitis Alliance Toolkit: 

World Hepatitis Day (WHD) takes places every year on 28 July bringing the world together under a single theme to raise awareness of the global burden of viral hepatitis and to influence real change.

One of just four disease-specific global awareness days officially endorsed by the World Health Organization (WHO), WHD unites patient organisations, governments, medical professionals, civil society, industry and the general public to boost the global profile of viral hepatitis.

Patient advocates across the world joined together for the first WHD on 19 May 2008. Following the adoption of a World Health Assembly resolution in 2010, WHD was given global endorsement as the primary focus for national and international awareness-raising efforts. The date was chosen to honour Nobel Laureate Baruch Samuel Blumberg who discovered the hepatitis B virus and was born on 28 July. The resolution resolves that “28 July shall be designated as WHD in order to provide an opportunity for education and greater understanding of viral hepatitis as a global public health problem, and to stimulate the strengthening of preventive and control measures of this disease in Member States.”

Over the last decade, the World Hepatitis Alliance has spearheaded the initiative, resulting in the day evolving and exceeding all expectations: from the first community-led day in 2008, to a truly global celebration marked in almost every country in the world.

Helpful Links:

• World Hepatitis Alliance 
• No hep 
• Missing Millions 

Every year, thousands of Gwinnett, Newton and Rockdale County children prepare to enter Kindergarten/school with the familiar rush to purchase school supplies, tour new classrooms and be introduced to new teachers and friends.

Through a little early prevention, your child can look forward to a fun, happy and healthy time at school.

Immunizations and Screenings

One key component of preparing for back to school is ensuring your child is up to date with their medical and immunizations requirements. Fees for immunizations start at $15.00. With proper documentation, out of state immunizations records can be transferred onto the required Georgia form 3231 at a cost of $10 per child.

The Gwinnett, Newton, and Rockdale County Health Departments provide children’s health exams which include lab tests, hearing, vision and dental screenings; nutritional and developmental assessments; and physical exams for infants and children up to age 21.

All screenings done through our health centers include:

Hearing Screening – $15
Vision Screening – $15
Dental Screening – $10

Nutrition – $15

Total Cost – $55
Vision, hearing, and dental records can be transferred from another physician (from any state) with proper documentation for $10 per child. All transferred information must contain documented test results for visual acuity, hearing test levels and dental screening results and the exams must have been completed within a calendar year.

To learn more about services available through our health department, please visit our Clinical Services Page or contact one of the following Health Department locations:

• Buford Health Center– 770-614-2401
• Norcross Health Center– 770-638-5700
• Lawrenceville Health Center– 770-339-4283
• Newton Health Center– 770-786-9086
• Rockdale Health Center– 770-785-4345

To view our back to school flyers, please click the following links:

• Gwinnett Back To School
• Newton Back To School
• Rockdale Back To School

In honor of National HIV Testing Day on June 27th, GNR Health Departments is encouraging you to get tested for HIV. We’ll be highlighting the Doing It My Way Campaign from the CDC. Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter for updates.

HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is the virus that causes AIDS. The only way to know if you have HIV is to get tested. Many people with HIV don’t have any symptoms. In the United States, 1 in 8 people living with HIV don’t know they have it.  Even if you don’t feel sick, getting early treatment for HIV is important. Early treatment can help you live a longer, healthier life. Treatment can also make it less likely that you will pass HIV on to other people.

Am I at risk for HIV? HIV is spread through some of the body’s fluids, like blood, semen, vaginal fluids, and breast milk. HIV is passed from one person to another by:

• Having sex (vaginal, anal, or oral) without a condom or dental dam with a person who has HIV
•  Sharing needles with someone who has HIV
• Breastfeeding, pregnancy, or childbirth if the mother has HIV
• Getting a transfusion of blood that’s infected with HIV (very rare in the United States)

In conjunction with National HIV Testing Day, free HIV testing is also available at our testing centers and health clinics.

This Wednesday on June 27th, we are hosting a special HIV testing event. Visit us to get tested, questions answered, and the most up-to date information.

Special event at Walgreens on 5985 Peachtree Parkway, Peachtree Corners, GA from 10AM-7PM

For more information, visit the Gwinnett Health Department website at www.gnrhealth.com or call us at 770.339.4260

Did you know there was a month entirely dedicated to raising awareness for issues impacting the health and wellness of men and boys? The month also coincides with Men’sHealthWeek (June11-17), a special awareness period created by Congress, and the #ShowUsYourBlue campaign on June 16 where men and women are encouraged to wear blue to work that day to show their support for the health and well-being of men boys and men. See our easy list of things to do to be active, aware, all month long.

1. June is Men’s Health Month–spread the word and make sure every loved male in your life is living well
2. Early screenings! They will not only save money in the long run but also save your life and/or make life easier to manage if diseases are caught early on
3. Exercise, its summertime! Why do you think most TV shows and football are off? So men can finally go out and move around. (Note: there is no true correlation between summer broadcast schedule and reason to exercise) You shouldn’t need a reason to get at least 30 minutes of exercising in, just help your heart and just do it like Nike says.
4. Father’s Day is coming up! Why not give your father figure in your life the gift of knowledge along with your gift. There are many resources at www.menshealthnetwork.net that help educate you and your father about risks of prostate cancer and other diseases that maybe prevalent to you.
5. Keep reading this blog and others like it for the latest on how to improve and support men’s health.
6. Remember that anyone can assist in the men’s health movement, and help is not limited by gender basis. Anyone can be supportive and help men make that first step towards a better life. Everyone should be an ally!

Helpful Links

• Men’s Health Network 
• Men’s Health Resource Center 
• Men’s Health – Medline