Each of the ten counties in Rome District 1-1 offers a variety of health services for adults, children and the community. The services are a combination of those described below and other services specific to the county needs.

• BreastTest/BreastTest & More
• Diagnostic, Screening & Preventive Services
• Early Periodic Screening,Diagnosis & Treatment: Health Check
• Environmental Health
• Family Planning Services 
• Newborn Screening for Metabolic and Sickle Cell Disorders
• Hearing and Vision Screenings
• Immunizations
• Mobile Health Units
• Nutritional Counseling
• Perinatal Case Management
• Primary Care
• School Health
• Scoliosis Screening
• STD and HIV/AIDS Services
• Stroke & Heart Attack Prevention Program (SHAPP)
• Vital Records
• Women, Infant & Children Clinic (WIC)

BreastTest / BreastTest & More

The BreastTest program makes mammograms and other services available for women 50 and older who have not had a mammogram in the last year and who meet financial need criteria. BreastTest and More provides:

• mammograms
• pap smears
• breast exams

This is an adult health program for Medicaid recipients providing:

• physical exams
• immunizations
• sexually transmitted disease (STD) diagnosis and treatment
• HIV follow-up

Early Periodic Screening, Diagnosis & Treatment: Health Check

Health Check is a program for children 0-21 years of age. Children receive a variety of services such as:

• hearing and vision screening
• growth development analysis
• nurse's examinations
• lab work
• referrals and follow-up of abnormalities

The Environmental Health Program is a special county-based program. It is responsible for a variety of tasks related to disease prevention and health promotion.

Environmentalists conduct inspections of:

• food service facilities
• tourist accommodations
• personal care homes
• institutions
• residential and commercial septic tank systems including pre-construction site evaluations and follow-up inspections

Environmentalists test:

• well water as requested by homeowners
• swimming waters and swimming pools for cleanliness and chemical balance

• investigating animal bites and processing specimens for rabies testing
• responding to complaints about sewage, food service practices, rodent control and other environmental health threats
• serving as a resource for other issues such as childhood lead poisoning, radon, and indoor air quality

The Family Planning Clinic provides medical, social, and educational services for those who wish to space or limit the number of children they have. Services are available to any person of childbearing age. Medicaid is accepted.

For more information, see the statewide Family Planning pages.

The Newborn Screening for Metabolic and Sickle Cell Disorders Program follows up on all newborns with abnormal metabolic tests. Families of infants with abnormal lab results are notified and given information about follow-up.

Health departments provide hearing and vision screenings for children as required for admission to school. Staff refer those with abnormal screening tests to their primary health care provider for diagnosis.

Health departments provide immunization to children to protect them against serious childhood diseases such as hepatitis B., diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, H. influenzae type B, polio, measles, mumps, rubella and varicella (chicken pox). Health departments also provide vaccinations for adults including pneumonia and influenza vaccinations.

Mobile Health units bring prevention and health care to the community. Each is operated collaboratively between community organizations including local health departments. Services may include immunizations, child health checks, blood pressure checks, pregnancy tests, hearing and/or vision screening, clinical breast exams, and pap smears.

Mobile health units serve five counties in our district:

• Catoosa, Dade and Walker Counties: "Mobile Health Care Van," a collaboration between Hutcheson Medical Center and the local health departments
• Gordon County: "Wellness on Wheels," a collaboration between Gordon Hospital and community organizations.
• Walker County: "Family Connection Health Train," a collaboration between Walker County Family Connection and the Walker County Health Department.

Nutritional counseling is available by request for individuals with obesity, high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, as well as for prenatal and postnatal women and for children.

This program helps coordinate prenatal services by providing a link to services such as:

• medical care
• transportation
• counseling
• improving the clients' physical environment

Medicaid eligibility required.

A certified nurse practitioner, working in consultation with a physician, staffs Gordon County Health Department's Primary Care Unit. Services include:

• diagnosis and treatment of common minor illnesses and STDs
• annual physical exams such as employment physicals and cancer detection

  Two Special Primary Care Sites

  • Gordon County Health Department: Jail Clinic

    Since April 1997, Gordon County Health Department has had a primary care partnership with the local jail. It provides services such as:

    • immunizations
    • stroke/heart attack prevention
    • lab testing
    • screening and investigation of contagious diseases

  • Rome: Teen Plus Center

    Teen Plus is a non-traditional center emphasizing pregnancy prevention services and targeting teens who have had one or more pregnancies to prevent subsequent pregnancies. Adolescent health is also a priority. Services include:

    • contraceptive care
    • family planning
    • women's health
    • pregnancy testing
    • STD diagnosis and treatment

    The Rome/Floyd County Teen Plus Center is centrally located in the downtown Forest Building.

School Health in District 1-1 represents a partnership between Boards of Health and Boards of Education. The public health nurse in the school setting provides specific services such as health screenings and collaborates with community groups to promote comprehensive school health.

Scoliosis is a condition of the spine which, if undetected, can lead to unacceptable appearance, changes in the pulmonary system and early degenerative arthritis of the spine.

This program provides:

• education
• treatment for STDs
• epidemiology follow-up for clients with STDs

STDs can cause mild health problems to serious, life-threatening complications such as cervical and other genital cancers, infertility, pregnancy related problems and infant complications. Both, men and women with STDs are at a greater risk of transmitting or acquiring HIV through unprotected sex.

Local Health Departments and District Epidemiologists work together and have a three-fold focus for HIV/AIDS services - prevention, testing and counseling, and treatment.

• HIV Prevention involves HIV prevention education to sexually active clients. HIV prevention education to health care and other workers includes information about post-exposure prophylaxis.
• HIV testing and counseling services are available in all health departments for voluntary and court-ordered testing. Partner notification is part of this service.
• Treatment involves linking patients to needed resources such as assistance in obtaining medical care, prescription medications and medical insurance premium payments.

District 1-1 Public Health participates in a multi-county HIV Care Consortium which helps identify HIV/AIDS related needs and resources in communities.

SHAPP is a high blood pressure clinic for individuals who are 18 years of age or older. Clients receive medical care for controlling their high blood pressure. Medical care includes blood pressure monitoring and regular exams.

Some Health Departments have a Vitals Records Department which provides birth and death certificates for a nominal fee.

Proper nutrition helps prevent birth defects and promotes healthy growth during crucial periods of development for children. WIC is a national supplemental nutrition program for pregnant women and children under five years of age. Eligible individuals are entitled to receive a supplementary food supply of cheese, milk, orange juice, baby formula, and cereal. Participants are also referred to appropriate public health and other health services as well as to nutritional, health, and breast-feeding education and assistance.