DCHNOW: a quick look around, 40686

Week of May 23, 2011
Welcome to DCHNOW: the latest news from across the agency, articles on timely topics and updates about what is going on in the organization. Consider this one of your major stops for news on anything DCH. We're happy to have you visit our site and if you would like to give us feedback on anything you find in DCHNOW, please e-mail: dchnow@dch.ga.gov.
Week of May 16, 2011 | Week of May 9, 2011 | Previous Issues Reduce Lead Danger | PH Q & A | Zumba |
Dr. Mangla | Earth Day | Tobacco Use | New HR Director
2.1 Million Awarded to Reduce Lead Danger
Childhood lead poisoning is a serious issue in Georgia. In 2009, almost 1,000 children under the age of six were poisoned by lead. In the same period, 4,907 Savannah children were tested for lead in their blood and 82 children were found to be elevated - the highest number of detected elevated blood levels (EBL) if any city in the state. The number one source of this exposure is leadbased paint hazards in the form of lead dust and deteriorated paint in older homes. Savannah has 46,309 housing units built prior to 1978 and 90 percent of these units contain lead-based paint while at least 25 percent are estimated to contain lead hazards, proving a perfect city for a new program. Read more
Public Health Transition Questions Answered

DCHNOW broke the news last week... The Division of Public Health (DPH) will become a stand alone agency as of July 1, 2011. With the transfer to a new Department of Public Health comes a variety of questions. You posed them. DCH sought answers to them. Read more
Do You Zumba?
From Africa to Atlanta...From Paris to Peachtree ...Zumba fitness is sweeping the world!
This red-hot fusion of high-intensity music and movements made its way to Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH) as part of the Employee Recognition Week activities. Aptly designated Health and Wellness Day, a full day was set aside to remind employees to make exercise a part of a healthy lifestyle. Read more
Lead Epidemiologist First "Health Hero Award" Recipient
When it comes to giving children a bright and healthy future in Georgia, Dr. Anil Mangla, Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH), Division of Public Health, Director of Infectious Disease and Immunization and Acting State Epidemiologist, is a champion for all seasons.
At the Reaching for Higher Ground Spring Conference, the Georgia Head Start Association (GHSA) recognized Dr. Mangla for his commitment to education, well-being and future success of Georgia's children. As the first recipient of the Health Hero Award, Dr. Mangla was recognized for his efforts in blood tests to determine lead levels in Head Start children. Read more
Earth Day Celebration Honors New Atlanta Parks

What better way to celebrate Earth Day than to enjoy nature? The Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH) Chemical Hazards Program (CHP) staff celebrated Earth Day 2011 with a park tour along an Atlanta Beltline redevelopment project. First stop - Historic Fourth Ward Park (H4WP) off of North Avenue in North East Atlanta.
CHP staff enjoyed a bagged lunch while basking in the panoramic views of one of the first parks completed by the Atlanta Beltline (beltline.org). H4WP was partly designed by local artists and is a crowning achievement for the partnership between Atlanta Beltline, Inc., and the Atlanta Department of Watershed Management. Read more
Tobacco Use and Stroke: A Deadly Mix
Tobacco use continues to be the most preventable cause of illness and death in the United States. As of 2009, tobacco use causes approximately 400,000 deaths annually in the United States and approximately 10,000 deaths annually in the state, according to the Georgia 2009 Behavior Risk Factor Surveillance Survey.
Additionally, approximately 1.3 million Georgians smoke cigarettes - a major risk factor for stroke. May is Stroke Awareness and Prevention Month, making it the perfect time to highlight the role tobacco plays in the onset of a stroke. Read more
DCH Welcomes New Director of Human Resources
When you have the pleasure of meeting The Georgia Department of Community Health's (DCH) new Director of Human Resources, Jacqueline "Jacqui" Lindsay, you'll immediately be impressed by her calm demeanor and thoughtfu; approach.
With more than 17 years of experience in human resources, in both public and private sectors, the native of Jamaica moved with her family to New York City when she was 11 years old. Read more