DCHNOW: a quick look around, 40721

Week of June 27, 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 June 27, 2011
Wildfires Burn | Finished Training | Workforce Wellness | Violence Against Women | Sharpening The Saw |Smog and Danger
DCH Responds as Wildfires Burn
With extremely dry conditions and daily temperatures rising into the upper 90s, firefighters are having a difficult time battling several large wildfires in Southeast Georgia. In Ware and Charlton counties, part of Southeast Health District (9-2), wildfires have burned more than 300,000 acres. The largest wildfire, known as the Honey Prairie Fire located primarily in the Okefenokee Swamp Refuge, has burned nearly 270,000 acres. Read more

A Plan for Success How One DCH Division Finished Training
With the June 30, 2011 deadline looming to complete mandatory ethics and privacy training, many divisions are looking for a timely completion for a plan of action (POA) that works. With the "Refreshed and Ready" campaign theme centered on summertime, idea seekers might consider how Healthcare Facility Regulation (HFR) turned "lemonade into lemons." Read more

Practice What We Preach: DCH Workforce Wellness Coming Soon
Every day, Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH) employees focus on improving the health of Georgians. It's ironic when considering how many of us spend the majority of our work day sitting at our desks with little or no physical activity, eating processed food and gulping down soft drinks or coffee by the gallon. Read more

Against Women, Girls

New CDC Partnership Combats Violence

With all the tireless work being done, how can it be that violence against women remains so prevalent? Why are one in 11 teens reporting being a victim of physical dating violence each year? And why are about one in five high school girls being physically or sexually abused by a dating partner? The answer likely lies in more work to be done. Read more

Sharpening the Saw - The Habit of Self-Renewal

For those of you who have taken Stephen Covey's course with me as a trainer, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, you may know that I have a dirty little secret. It's something I am not proud of, and as a certified 7 Habits trainer, I ought to know better, but I can't help myself.
Before you begin to wonder if you should call our friends in Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities for a consult, let me assure you, it is not an addiction. Okay--I must confess: I am not good at sharpening the saw. Read more
Extended Heat Brings Smog and Danger
Since May 1, 2011, Atlanta has had 23 days with temperatures soaring to 90 degrees or above, 19 days where smog alerts were issued and 17 of those days were declared "Code Orange." (See the grid below).
Smog, a combination of smoke and fog, becomes more of a problem during the warmer months because higher temperatures increase the dispersion of volatile organic compounds and nitrogen oxide emissions. These compounds and emissions react with sunlight to form ozone and particulate matter. Read more