Honoring

Dalton, GA – Free Rapid HIV Testing will be available in Dalton, Georgia at The Living Bridge Center and at the Whitfield County Health Department’s Medical Access Clinic and Women’s Health Clinic on Friday, March 9th from 8 AM to 12 PM. No appointment is necessary – walk-ins are welcome! This event is being held in observance of the annual *National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. Currently, about one in four people living with HIV in the United States is female. Only about half of these women and girls are getting care, and only four in 10 have the virus under control. The first step in treating HIV is to GET TESTED! The Living Bridge Center is located at 1200 W. Waugh Street in Dalton, and the Whitfield County Health Department is at 800 Professional Boulevard in Dalton. For more information about the Free Rapid HIV Testing event at these locations on March 9th, call (706) 281-2360.

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*National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NWGHAAD) is an annual observance that sheds light on the impact of HIV and AIDS on women and girls. Every year on March 10, and throughout the month of March, national and community organizations come together to show support for women and girls impacted by HIV and AIDS. NWGHAAD is led by the Office on Women’s Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Learn more at https://www.womenshealth.gov/nwghaad.

North GA – Nearly 1,100 north Georgians have been vaccinated against the flu since early February when health departments in Cherokee, Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, Pickens and Whitfield Counties began providing flu vaccinations at no cost to clients. Now that the Georgia Department of Public Health reported the number of flu-related deaths in Georgia has risen to 98, local health officials are urgently encouraging anyone who has not yet been vaccinated to do so as quickly as possible. The virus continues to be widespread. 

No-cost flu vaccine is still available at the north Georgia county health departments, including high dose flu vaccine for people ages 65 and older. Healthcare plans are billed for clients who have coverage and there is no charge to anyone who is not insured. No appointment is necessary – “Walk-ins” are welcome. Addresses and phone numbers for the participating health departments are as follows:

Cherokee County Health Department: 1219 Univeter Road, Canton, GA 30115, (770) 345-7371 and 7545 North Main Street, Suite 100, Woodstock, GA 30188, (770) 928-0133 

   Fannin County Health Department: 95 Ouida Street, Blue Ridge, GA 30513, (706) 632-3023 

Gilmer County Health Department: 28 Southside Church Street, Ellijay, GA 30540, (706) 635-4363 

Murray County Health Department: 709 Old Dalton-Ellijay Road, Chatsworth, GA 30705, (706) 695-4585 

Pickens County Health Department:  60 Health Way, Jasper, GA 30143, (706) 253-2821 

Whitfield County Health Department: 800 Professional Boulevard, Dalton, GA 30720, (706) 226-2621

More information about preventing the spread of flu, such as frequent handwashing and covering coughs and sneezes, is on the North Georgia Health District website at http://nghd.org/pr/34-/938-widespread-flu-in-georgia.html.

North GA – Health departments in Cherokee, Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, Pickens and Whitfield Counties continue to provide flu shots at no cost to residents and are urging anyone who has not yet been vaccinated to come in right away. Over 900 north Georgians have been vaccinated against influenza at these health departments since the no-cost-to-client initiative recently began in response to ongoing widespread flu activity. Vaccine is still available, including high dose flu vaccine for people ages 65 and older. Healthcare plans are billed for clients who have coverage and there is no charge to anyone who is not insured. No appointment is necessary – “Walk-ins” are welcome. 

Locations and phone numbers for the no-cost-to-client flu shots at county health departments in north Georgia are:

Cherokee County Health Department: 1219 Univeter Road, Canton, GA 30115, (770) 345-7371 and 7545 North Main Street, Suite 100, Woodstock, GA 30188, (770) 928-0133

Fannin County Health Department: 95 Ouida Street, Blue Ridge, GA 30513, (706) 632-3023

Gilmer County Health Department: 28 Southside Church Street, Ellijay, GA 30540, (706) 635-4363

Murray County Health Department: 709 Old Dalton-Ellijay Road, Chatsworth, GA 30705, (706) 695-4585

Pickens County Health Department:  60 Health Way, Jasper, GA 30143, (706) 253-2821

Whitfield County Health Department: 800 Professional Boulevard, Dalton, GA 30720, (706) 226-2621

More information about preventing the spread of flu, such as frequent handwashing and covering coughs and sneezes, is on the North Georgia Health District website at http://nghd.org/pr/34-/938-widespread-flu-in-georgia.html.

 Your One-Stop-Spot for School Students’ State Health Requirements!

Prepare your child for the upcoming school year! The Cherokee County Health Department is conducting a Kindergarten Round-Up Health Clinic on Tuesday, March 6th from 2 to 6 p.m. Locations for the health clinic will be at the public health department offices in both Canton and Woodstock. The required Hearing, Dental, Vision and Nutrition Screenings will be available for a total of $50. Immunizations will be provided to school-age children for $21.90 each (for uninsured or underinsured). Medicaid (including Amerigroup, CareSource, Peachstate and Wellcare), Peachcare for Kids, HUMANA, AETNA, United Health Care, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Ambetter, CIGNA and Coventry are accepted. The health department location in Canton is 1219 Univeter Road and the address in Woodstock is 7545 North Main Street. For more information, please call (770) 345-7371 in Canton or (770) 928-0133 in Woodstock.

North GA – Since health departments in north Georgia began providing flu shots at no cost to clients this week, 640 residents have taken advantage of the offer and others are urged to do the same while supplies last. This number contrasts favorably to the total of 190 flu shots provided by the health departments during the previous week. 

Flu activity continues to be widespread in the U.S., and last week, the number of flu-related deaths in Georgia sharply increased, prompting public health departments in Cherokee, Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, Pickens and Whitfield Counties to begin providing flu shots at no cost to residents who have not yet been vaccinated. Healthcare plans are billed for clients who have coverage and there is no charge to anyone who is not insured. No appointment is necessary – “Walk-ins” are welcome.

The current flu vaccine is highly effective against most influenza strains that are now circulating, and county health departments in north Georgia also have high dose flu vaccine for people ages 65 and older, providing them with increased protection.

It is not too late to get a flu shot. This flu season has not yet peaked and it could last several more weeks. Once vaccinated, it takes about two weeks for the vaccine to reach its full protective potential. Therefore, it is important to receive a flu shot right away.

Locations and phone numbers for the no-cost-to-client flu shots at county health departments in north Georgia are:

Cherokee County Health Department: 1219 Univeter Road, Canton, GA 30115, (770) 345-7371 and 7545 North Main Street, Suite 100, Woodstock, GA 30188, (770) 928-0133

Fannin County Health Department: 95 Ouida Street, Blue Ridge, GA 30513, (706) 632-3023

Gilmer County Health Department: 28 Southside Church Street, Ellijay, GA 30540, (706) 635-4363

Murray County Health Department: 709 Old Dalton-Ellijay Road, Chatsworth, GA 30705, (706) 695-4585

Pickens County Health Department:  60 Health Way, Jasper, GA 30143, (706) 253-2821

Whitfield County Health Department: 800 Professional Boulevard, Dalton, GA 30720, (706) 226-2621

Health officials also remind the public that flu is extremely contagious and can spread easily from person to person; therefore, anyone experiencing flu-like symptoms – such as fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, muscle aches, headaches, fatigue or nausea – is urged to stay home during the severest symptoms and for at least 24 hours after fever is gone. Parents should keep children who are sick with the flu at home from school, and anyone experiencing flu-like symptoms should stay away from places such as hospitals and long-term care facilities where people are more at risk for developing severe complications if sick with the flu.

More information about preventing the spread of flu, such as frequent handwashing and covering coughs and sneezes, is on the North Georgia Health District website at http://nghd.org/pr/34-/938-widespread-flu-in-georgia.html.

By the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Be One in a Million this American Heart Month

February is American Heart Month. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States; one in every three deaths is from heart disease and stroke, equal to 2,200 deaths per day. This month, we are highlighting Million Hearts™, an initiative dedicated to preventing the nation's leading killers and empowering everyone to make heart-healthy choices.

We can fight back against heart disease and stroke.

Launched in September 2011 by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Million Hearts™ is a national initiative that aims to prevent 1 million heart attacks and strokes in the U.S.

Visit your local county health department today! Find locations, phone numbers and hours of operation for health departments in North Georgia at the above LOCATIONS tab.

Take the Million Hearts™ Challenge Today

Prevention starts with everyone. Protect yourself and your loved ones from heart disease and stroke by understanding the risks and taking these steps

• Drive the initiative by challenging your family and friends to take the Million Hearts™ pledge at http://millionhearts.hhs.gov.
• Get up and get active by being physically active for at least 30 minutes on most days of the week.
• Know your ABCS:
  
  • Ask your doctor if you should take an Aspirin every day.
  • Find out if you have high Blood pressure or Cholesterol, and if you do, get effective treatment.
    
  • If you Smoke, get help to quit.
• Make your calories count by eating a heart-healthy diet high in fresh fruits and vegetables and low in sodium and trans fat.
• Take control of your heart health by following your doctor’s prescription instructions.

Together, we can all be one in a million this Heart Month and every month. To learn more, visit http://millionhearts.hhs.gov.

Other Resources

• CDC's Heart Disease Web Site(https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease)
  
• CDC's Stroke Web Site

To access the information referenced above, log onto https://nationalblackaidsday.org/. For information about HIV testing and counseling in our health district, click here http://nghd.org/district-programs/hiv-aids.html.

North GA – Flu Shots are now available at NO COST to residents at public health departments in Cherokee, Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, Pickens and Whitfield Counties. Healthcare plans will be billed on behalf of clients who have coverage and there is no charge to anyone who is not under a healthcare plan. No appointment is necessary – “Walk-ins” are welcome. Residents are urged to take advantage of these no-cost to client flu shots while supplies last.

It is not too late to get a flu shot. In fact, the time is crucial. Georgia, along with 48 other U.S. states, is experiencing widespread influenza activity, with *51 flu-related deaths currently reported in Georgia, including four in north Georgia – and those numbers are expected to increase since the flu season has not yet peaked.

The current flu vaccine effectively protects against three of the four influenza virus strains that are circulating.

Locations and phone numbers for the participating north Georgia county health departments are:

Cherokee County Health Department: 1219 Univeter Road, Canton, GA 30115, (770) 345-7371 and 7545 North Main Street, Suite 100, Woodstock, GA 30188, (770) 928-0133

Fannin County Health Department: 95 Ouida Street, Blue Ridge, GA 30513, (706) 632-3023

Gilmer County Health Department: 28 Southside Church Street, Ellijay, GA 30540, (706) 635-4363

Murray County Health Department: 709 Old Dalton-Ellijay Road, Chatsworth, GA 30705, (706) 695-4585

Pickens County Health Department:  60 Health Way, Jasper, GA 30143, (706) 253-2821

Whitfield County Health Department: 800 Professional Boulevard, Dalton, GA 30720, (706) 226-2621

Health officials also remind the public that flu is extremely contagious and can spread easily from person to person; therefore, anyone experiencing flu-like symptoms – such as fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, muscle aches, headaches, fatigue or nausea – is urged to stay home during the severest symptoms and for at least 24 hours after fever is gone. More information about preventing the spread of flu, such as frequent handwashing and covering coughs and sneezes, is on the North Georgia Health District website at http://nghd.org/pr/34-/938-widespread-flu-in-georgia.html.

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*Updated February 5, 2018