National Women’s Health Week is an observance led by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health. The goal is to empower women to make their health a priority. The week also serves as a time to encourage women to take steps to improve their health. The 18th annual National Women’s Health Week kicks off on Mother’s Day, May 14, and is celebrated through May 20, 2017.

What steps can I take for better health?

To improve your physical and mental health, you can:

• Visit a doctor or nurse for a well-woman visit (checkup) and preventive screenings.
• Get active.
• Eat healthy.
• Pay attention to mental health, including getting enough sleep and managing stress.
• Avoid unhealthy behaviors, such as smoking, texting while driving, and not wearing a seatbelt or bicycle helmet.

Find out what additional steps you can take based on your age.

How can I participate in National Women’s Health Week?

The Office on Women’s Health invites women across the country to:

• Spread the word through social media with our easy-to-use resources. Use the #NWHW hashtag.
• Join the National Women’s Health Week Thunderclap(link is external).
• Take the National Women’s Health Week quiz to learn about your health style.
• Organize events or activities.
• Learn what steps you should take for good health based on your age.

For more information about National Women’s Health Week, visit www.womenshealth.gov/nwhw. If you are interested Women’s Health services provided at the Gwinnett, Newton and Rockdale County Health Departments, visit https://www.gnrhealth.com/services/clinical-services/womens-services

Information provided by Womenshealth.gov

This week, May 7^th – 13^th, is your time to prepare for a potential land-falling tropical storm or hurricane. It only takes one storm to change your life and community. Tropical cyclones are among nature’s most powerful and destructive phenomena. If you live in an area prone to tropical cyclones, you need to be prepared. Even areas well away from the coastline can be threatened by dangerous flooding, destructive winds, and tornadoes from these storms. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook to learn daily tips to prepare for hurricanes. Share these with your friends and family to ensure that they’re prepared as well. Also be sure to download the FEMA app to receive safety alerts, tips, and easily find shelter when disaster strikes. Continue reading →

During the nursing graduation pinning ceremony, students take the Florence Nightingale pledge: “I solemnly pledge myself before God and in the presence of this assembly, to pass my life in purity and to practice my profession faithfully. I will abstain from whatever is deleterious and mischievous, and will not take or knowingly administer any harmful drug. I will do all in my power to maintain and elevate the standard of my profession, and will hold in confidence all personal matters committed to my keeping and all family affairs coming to my knowledge in the practice of my calling. With loyalty will I endeavor to aid the physician in his work, and devote myself to the welfare of those committed to my care.”

During National Nurses Week, GNR Health, would like to extend special thanks to our nurses for honoring this oath. Thank you for all that you do! As you continue to provide the highest level of quality care to your patients. You deserve special recognition for your efforts in delivering compassionate care while embodying the principles of ethical practice in your profession.

The American Nurses Association has designated 2017 as the “Year of the Healthy Nurse.” Join us during National Nurses Week, May 6–12, as we explore this year’s theme, “Nursing: the Balance of Mind, Body, and Spirit.” It’s all about celebrating nurses who lead the charge for health and wellness. On May 10^th , Wednesday, at 1:00 PM EDT, there will be a free webinar on “A Nurse’s Guide to Preventing Compassion Fatigue, Moral Distress, and Burnout” For those interested in learning the balance of mind, body, and spirit, be sure to sign up for the Webinar by May 9^th, Tuesday, at 7:00 PM EDT.

Helpful Links

• Register for Free Webinar by May 9^th
• National Nurses Week History
• Florence Nightingale Pledge

Information provided by the American Nurses Association

Mother and Daughter — Image by © Brooke Fasani/Corbis

Lawrenceville, Ga. – Immunization is a shared responsibility. Vaccines are among the most successful and cost-effective public health tools available for preventing disease and death. Vaccines not only help protect our children, but can also help protect entire communities by preventing and reducing the spread of infectious diseases. National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW) is April 22 – April 29, 2017, and the Gwinnett, Newton, & Rockdale County Health Departments (GNR Health Departments) urges Georgians to speak with a health care provider or doctor to make sure their infants are up-to-date on vaccinations.

“One of the best ways to protect our children is to make sure they are up-to-date on their vaccinations, said GNR Health Departments. An equally important way to protect our children is to ensure families and friends are current on their vaccinations to protect the little ones.”

NIIW is a call to action for parents, caregivers and health care providers to ensure that infants are fully vaccinated against 14 vaccine-preventable diseases. Immunization is a shared responsibility.

For children who are underinsured or whose parents/guardians may not be able to afford vaccines, there is an assistance program called Vaccines for Children (VFC), which provides eligible children with vaccines according to the recommended immunization schedule, at no cost for the vaccines. This program has contributed directly to a substantial increase in childhood immunization coverage levels, making a significant contribution to the elimination of disparities in vaccination coverage among young children.

According to the CDC, the United States currently has the safest, most effective vaccine supply in its history. Scientists, doctors, and health care professionals give vaccines to children only after long and careful review. The disease-prevention benefits of getting vaccines are much greater than the possible side effects for most children.

For more information on vaccinations, visit http://dph.georgia.gov/immunization-section.

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More helpful links:

Children Immunizations Schedule:

• English Version
• Spanish Version

Information provided by the Georgia Department of Public Health and Centers for Disease Control & Prevention.

April 10^th is National Youth HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

Greater Than Aids and #endHIV bring you HIV BEATS, an upbeat and informative new series, made in collaboration with YouTube and featuring top social media influencers Todrick Hall, Bob the Drag Queen, Davey Wavey, Zackary Drucker, Catrific, and Amber’s Closet. The campaign connects with our youth about game-changing advances in HIV prevention, testing and treatment.

Be sure to access these short videos at: https://www.greaterthan.org/hivbeats/

Helpful Links:

• Things You Can Do
• Know the Facts
• Know the Stats

Information provided by Greater Than Aids & the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 

Continued focus on Zika prevention needed

Atlanta, Georgia (April 4, 2017) – Of the 250 pregnant women who had confirmed Zika infection in 2016, 24 – or about 1 in 10 of them – had a fetus or baby with Zika-related birth defects, according to a new Vital Signs report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This report is the first to provide the analysis of a subgroup of pregnant women in the U.S. with clear, confirmed test results of Zika virus infection. Continue reading →

According to the American Public Health Association, “Public Health promotes and protects the health of people and the communities where they live, learn, work and play.” This means public health is a part of our daily lives whether we realize it or not. From the first responders to sanitarians, most people have been affected by works of Public Health. Here at GNR Health Departments, we are proud to observe National Public Health Week (NPHW)!

NPHW celebrates all areas of public health through the power of prevention, advocating for health and fair policies, and sharing strategies for successful partnerships. Some of the ways NPHW encourages communities to get involved is through the Generation Public Health Movement, the 1 Billion Steps challenge, and local activities.

This year NPHW promotes the Generation Public Health movement, where people who are passionate about better health in their communities can come together to create the healthiest nation in one generation!  Building a nation of safe communities, helping all Americans achieve at least a high school education, and providing quality of health care for everyone are just a few things that the Generation Public Health movement has been working on in the past year. Click on the Generation Pubic Health link below to learn more about their work, movement, partners and how you can get involved.

Another way to create a healthy nation is to take steps…literally. NPHW encourages communities to walk together and achieve 1 billion steps together by the end of this week.  This 1 Billion Steps Challenge started back in January as a way to encourage communities from all walks of life to come together and take a walk. Be sure to check out the American Public Health Association’s webpage to get involved in this easy and fun challenge. If you need more steps for the challenge or simply want to enjoy a nice walk, be sure to register for the Walk the Talk event on Saturday April 8^th, 2017 from 9:00 AM- 10:00 AM at George Pierce Park located at 55 Buford Hwy NE, Suwanee, GA 30024. During this walk, you can chat and exercise with healthcare professionals from Salude and learn more about staying active, eating healthy, and being positive.

Helpful Links

• National Public Health Week Brochure
• What is Public Health?
• Generation Public Health
• 1 Billion Steps Challenge
• Live Healthy Gwinnett

Information provided by American Public Health Association, National Public Health Week Organization, and Live Healthy Gwinnett 

This April, GNR Health is joining with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to support STD Awareness Month! Nearly 20 million new sexually transmitted infections occur in the United States every year costing the American healthcare system nearly $16 billion in direct medical costs alone, says a report by CDC.

The high incidence of STIs in the general population suggests that many Americans are at risk of exposure to STDs, underscoring the need for prevention. This is especially the case for Syphilis.

During 2014-2015, syphilis rates increased in every region, a majority of age groups, and across almost every race/ethnicity. Men in general, and gay and bisexual men specifically, continue to face the highest levels of syphilis. In recent years, syphilis has also risen among women. One of the most disturbing trends is back-to-back years of increasing rates among babies who were miscarried, stillborn, or born with syphilis, also known as congenital syphilis. An increase in reports where syphilis affects the eye (i.e., ocular syphilis) has also occurred across the U.S. These cases can, and have, led to permanent blindness.

Despite this news, there are effective ways to prevent, diagnose, and treat STDs. STD screening and early diagnoses are essential in preventing transmission and the long term health consequences of STDs.

We encourage you to come to one of our GNR health centers to receive services for STD testing, treatment and follow-up! We provide services at the following locations:

• Buford Center : 770.614.2401
• Lawrenceville Center : 770.339.4283
• Norcross Center : 770.638.5700
• Lilburn WIC : 678.924.1546
• Newton Center : 770.786.9086
• Rockdale Center : 770.785.4345

Remember…

Abstaining from sex, reducing the number of sexual partners, and consistently and correctly using condoms are all effective prevention strategies. Safe, effective vaccines are also available to prevent hepatitis B and some types of the human papillomavirus (HPV) that cause disease and cancer. And for all individuals who are sexually active – particularly young people – STI screening and prompt treatment (if infected) are critical to protect a person’s health and prevent transmission to others.

Helpful Links

• CDC
• American Sexual Health Association
• Georgia Department of Public Health

ATLANTA (March 30, 2017)– A fire on I-85 and Piedmont Road in Atlanta is sending smoke and burned particles into the air. The wind is now pushing that smoke into areas beyond the immediate area of the fire. There has been no significant toxicity identified in the smoke.

Continue reading →

World TB Day is a time to recognize achievements in tuberculosis (TB) prevention and control, and renew our commitment to ending this devastating disease in the United States.

Let’s look at the facts:

Georgia reported 321 new TB cases in 2015. Gwinnett was among the four counties in the Atlanta Metropolitan area which reported a high number of TB cases.

Make sure to visit one of our local health departments in the Gwinnett, Newton, & Rockdale area to get tested and treatment for TB!

And Remember:

• TB is preventable and curable. Yet, too many people in the United States still suffer from this disease. • TB elimination would have widespread health, economic, and social benefits for our country.
• A typical TB case in the United States costs $18,000 to treat and requires at least 180 days of medication, plus x-rays, lab tests, and follow-up and testing of contacts.
• Anyone can get TB. People with TB disease can be found in every state; in rural areas and cities; in schools, workplaces, homes; and in many other places where people are in close contact.
• Ending TB in the United States requires maintaining and strengthening current TB control priorities while increasing efforts to identify and treat latent TB infection among high-risk populations

Helpful Links 

• Stop TB
• GaDPH World TB Day
• CDC World TB Day

Information provided by the Georgia Department of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.