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.

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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. 

One in three American adults is at risk for developing Type 2 Diabetes, which is why Gwinnett, Newton, and Rockdale County Health Departments are partnering with Diabetes “You Can Win” Foundation to participate in American Diabetes Association Alert Day®.

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Get prepared during Georgia’s Flood Safety Preparedness Week which runs
March 12th through March 18th

Flooding is a nationwide threat and are among the most frequent and costly natural disasters. Conditions that cause floods include heavy or steady rain for several hours or days that saturate the ground. However, flash floods occur suddenly due to rapidly rising water along a stream or low-lying area. Remember, flooding can occur at any time of the year. Prepare yourself, your family, and your home.

Basic Safety Tips:
• Turn Around, Don’t Drown! ®
• Avoid walking or driving through flood waters.
• Just 6 inches of moving water can knock you down, and 2 feet of water can sweep your vehicle away.
• If there is a chance of flash flooding, move immediately to higher ground. Flash floods are the #1 cause of weather-related deaths in the US.
• If floodwaters rise around your car but the water is not moving, abandon the car and move to higher ground. Do not leave the car and enter moving water.
• Avoid camping or parking along streams, rivers, and creeks during heavy rainfall. These areas can flood quickly and with little warning.

Understand the Difference between a Flood Watch and Floor Warning:

Flood Watch = “Be Aware.” Conditions are right for flooding to occur in your area.

Steps to Take:
• Turn on your TV/radio. You will receive the latest weather updates and emergency instructions.
• Know where to go. You may need to reach higher ground quickly and on foot.
• Build or restock your emergency preparedness kit. Include a flashlight, batteries, cash, and first aid supplies.
• Prepare Your Home
o Bring in outdoor furniture and move important indoor items to the highest possible floor. This will help protect them from flood damage.
o Disconnect electrical appliances and do not touch electrical equipment if you are wet or standing in water. You could be electrocuted.
o If instructed, turn off your gas and electricity at the main switch or valve. This helps prevent fires and explosions.

Flood Warning = “Take Action!” Flooding is either happening or will happen shortly.

Steps to Take:
• Move immediately to higher ground or stay on high ground.
• Evacuate if directed.
• Avoid walking or driving through flood waters.

When it is not flooding: Make a Flood Plan:
• Know your flood risk.
• Make a flood emergency plan.
• Build or restock your emergency preparedness kit, including a flashlight, batteries, cash, and first aid supplies.
• Consider buying flood insurance.
• Familiarize yourself with local emergency plans. Know where to go and how to get there should you need to get to higher ground, the highest level of a building, or to evacuate.
• Stay tuned to your phone alerts, TV, or radio for weather updates, emergency instructions, or evacuation orders.

Information provided by www.ready.gov

“Reproduced with permission of Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp, a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Whitehouse Station, New Jersey, USA. All rights reserved.”

Parents, set a date to vaccinate your preteen                                                               

Let’s face it – nobody likes getting shots – but a shot lasts a second; diseases last much longer.

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February 7^th is National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

February 7, 2017

Greater Than AIDS is releasing a powerful new mini-doc series about how one family is facing HIV together. Presented as part of We Are Family, a campaign that highlights the importance of social support for people living with HIV, these three videos are part of a series of profiles of mothers and sons produced with support from the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

You can access these short videos at:  https://www.greaterthan.org/we-are-family-deondre-and-kathy/

You can also link to online resources on the latest facts about HIV and tips for supporting loved ones at:

https://www.greaterthan.org/we-are-family-love-saves-lives/

January is Cervical Health Awareness Month! The Gwinnett, Newton, and Rockdale County Health Departments encourage every woman to make a New Year’s resolution to talk with their healthcare provider about cervical health! Nearly 12,000 women in the United States are diagnosed with cervical cancer each year, and of those, about one-third will die as a result of the cancer. But the disease is highly preventable and treatable with improved vaccinations and screenings!

The American Sexual Health Association (ASHA) and the National Cervical Cancer Coalition have named January Cervical Health Awareness Month to encourage women in the United States to receive the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine if they are eligible and get the appropriate age-based Pap and HPV tests. We offer both the vaccine and the women’s health screenings at all of our clinic locations, just visit www.gnrhealth.com/locations to find the one closest to you!

September is National Preparedness Month, a good time to assess how ready we are for emergencies such as natural disasters.  Many people ask themselves “Why should I be prepared? Won’t someone come to help me?”   Help will come – but depending on the nature of the event, it may take some time.

The value of preparedness is in making sure you and your family members have the things you need when normal services break down.  This can happen suddenly and dramatically – with a hurricane, a tornado or an ice storm.

What should you have ready in case of an emergency?  You may become bogged down in your planning, but don’t get stuck worrying about getting the “right stuff” into your kit.  Here are two things to remember:

• Something is better than nothing
• Knowing what to stock is as simple as thinking about what you would need if you were stranded for three or more days

A good place to start is with these 10 items:

Check what our Health Department Emergency Preparedness Team has to say about planning for local emergencies.  They also give tips on how to help your family prepare for an emergency and creating a simple emergency kit for your car.

And while you’re thinking about preparing for emergencies – don’t forget the kids.  Sesame Workshop, along with its project partners, created Let’s Get Ready! Planning Together for Emergencies.  Featuring beloved characters from Sesame Street, this website helps children learn how to be prepared in an emergency situation.  Click here for more information.

Additional resources to help prepare for an emergency:

CDC:  http://www.bt.cdc.gov/preparedness/

FEMA:  http://www.ready.gov

GEMA:  http://www.ready.ga.gov/

Red Cross:  http://www.redcross.org/prepare