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| December 19, 2011- In This Issue |
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Home
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TV Features PH Leadership |
Gov, commitment to HIV |
Volunteer Makes Difference |
PH Leaders Named Rock Stars |
School Nurses Fight Diabetes |
PH Meets Mobile Tech |
Immigrants at Greater Risk |
PHBRIEFS |
PHRECIPE |
PHTECHTIP
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PHEVENTS
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PHNEWS
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PHPOLL
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The University of Georgia's Public
Health Impact TV recently visited 2
Peachtree to interview Commissioner
Fitzgerald about the creation of the
Georgia Department of Public Health.
District 2 Health Director David
Westfall, M.D., was also featured.
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The University of Georgia's Public Health Impact
TV recently filmed a two-part series about
public health in the state of Georgia and the
creation of the new Georgia Department of Public
Health (DPH). The series features interviews
with Commissioner Brenda Fitzgerald, M.D., and
District 2 Health Director David Westfall, M.D.
During her interview, Commissioner Fitzgerald
discussed the functions of public health and how
the Department works to protect the lives of the
people of Georgia through everything from
disaster response to immunization programs to
restaurant inspections.
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DPH staff met with Governor Deal to
recognize the importance of his World AIDS
Day Proclamation. Pictured left to right:
Stacy Muckleroy, HIV Prevention Consultant;
J. Patrick O'Neal M.D., Director of Health
Protection; Governor Nathan Deal; Michelle
Allen, State STD Office Director; William
Lyons, State HIV Office Director; Donato
Clarke, Special Projects Coordinator.
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Two weeks after renewing Georgia's commitment to
preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS, developing and
delivering more effective treatment and finding a cure
in honor of World AIDS Day, Governor Nathan Deal met
with key members of Department of Public Health (DPH)
HIV Unit including J. Patrick O'Neal, M.D., Director of
Health Protection. After the group posed for a photo in
the Capitol Rotunda, they reflected on the importance of
this proclamation.
In a
2010 publication, CDC's National Center for HIV/AIDS,
Viral Hepatitis, STD and TB Prevention stated that
Georgia reported 38,300 AIDS cases to CDC, cumulatively,
from the beginning of the epidemic through December
2008. Georgia also ranked 6th highest among the 50
states in cumulative reported AIDS cases and reports
3,000 new HIV cases each year.
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McIntosh County Health Department
volunteer, Sharon Dunwody, answers the
phone and directs clients at the front
desk.
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When Sharon Dunwody first walked into the McIntosh
County Health Department, the staff thought she was
simply a client seeking services. As it turned out,
Dunwody was there to offer assistance, not receive
it. "I just came in one day and asked if they could
use somebody to help," said Dunwody.
Close to three years later, she is still
volunteering at the McIntosh County Health
Department on Highway 57 in Townsend, Georgia.
Every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 8
a.m. to 4 p.m., Dunwody is the first person
clients see when they come into the health
department. She greets clients, answers phones,
transfers calls and handles filing.
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Public Health Leaders Named
Rock Stars
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Connie Russell, District Program Director, and Lloyd
Hofer, M.D., District Health Director, for Gwinnett,
Newton, and Rockdale County Health Departments
accept their awards for being Community Rock Stars.
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On the evening of December 6, the Gwinnett Coalition for Health
and Human Services recognized those who had generously
contributed to their success over the past 20 years. Lloyd
Hofer, M.D., District Health Director, and Connie Russell,
District Program Director, for the Gwinnett, Newton, and
Rockdale County Health Departments (GNRHD) were honored with a
Community Rock Star award.
The Gwinnett Coalition defined a Community Rock Star as
"someone who demonstrates through their consistent and
persistent actions that volunteerism and philanthropy are at
the forefront of their list of priorities rather than an
afterthought."
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School Nurses Fight Diabetes
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With the number of cases of type 2 diabetes
in children rising, school nurses play an crucial
role in managing routine care-such as insulin
injections-and recognizing emergency situations.
School nurses also educate students, teachers
and staff on how to prevent this chronic disease.
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Georgia school nurses are on the front line in providing
essential care during school hours that allows children with
diabetes to stay in class and learn. With obesity, a
contributing cause of type 2 diabetes, rising at epidemic rates
among adolescents, the school nurses also provide wellness
education to children, teachers and staff about how to avoid
developing this debilitating - but, in most cases, preventable -
chronic disease year-round. This especially is important in
November, which is American Diabetes Month.
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New gadgets and mobile technology can help
you and your family stay healthy and safe in
the new year.
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According to our last PHPOLL, 60% of respondents want to
avoid the holiday weight gain this year by increasing their
exercise time or watching portions sizes. PHWEEK has
gathered a collection of the latest gadgets and technology
to assist in the effort to stave off holiday weight gain and
stay healthy and safe in the New Year.
Stay Active:
The
FitBit is a device that lets you monitor your
physical activity. Equipped with a 3D motion sensor
(similar to Nintendo Wii) it tracks calories burned,
steps taken, distance travelled and sleep quality on a
detailed minute-by-minute basis. The little device needs
to be clipped on and beams data back to the wireless
base station which automatically syncs the data with the
FitBit's online dashboard.
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Minority immigrants are at higher risk of experiencing poor
health outcomes the longer they stay in the U.S., according to
new research released recently at the American Public Health
Association's 139th Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C.
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Holiday Giving
The holiday season is a great time to give back to your community by
providing donations or volunteering. During the month of December,
PHWEEK will provide a sampling of the opportunities available to
you. Also check out
www.handsonnetwork.org for more opportunities in your area.
Children's Restoration Network (CRN)
Dec. 16 - Dec. 24
CRN is looking for volunteers to assist with toy and gift
collections, gift wrapping, delivering gifts and throwing
Christmas-themed parties for homeless children.
Toys for Tots
Dec. 15 - Dec. 22
Volunteers are needed to help at the Toys for Tots Warehouse
with sorting, bagging, pulling orders, deliveries, and other
projects as they arise. Volunteer by visiting
volunteermatch.org or
toysfortots.org.
Safe Christmas - SafeRide America
Dec. 23 - Dec. 26
Volunteers can help keep impaired drivers off the road by
driving them and their cars safely to their destinations.
Click here for more info
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Home
|
TV Features PH Leadership |
Gov, commitment to HIV |
Volunteer Makes Difference |
PH Leaders Named Rock Stars |
School Nurses Fight Diabetes |
PH Meets Mobile Tech |
Immigrants at Greater Risk |
PHBRIEFS |
PHRECIPE |
PHTECHTIP
|
PHEVENTS
|
PHNEWS
|
PHPOLL
|
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