Georgia PH week [Mar. 12, 2012]

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DPH and Partner Up! for Public Health Announce Public Health Heroes

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In This Issue
Partner Up! for Public Health District Trained in SNS When to Buy Organic Beat Type 2 Diabetes
Shoebox Party for Needy Promoting Fresh Food

The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) and the Partner Up! for Public Health campaign today unveiled a new initiative recognizing Georgia organizations and individuals who make important contributions to the health of their communities. The programs first three honorees are: the Good News Clinics in Gainesville, former Savannah Mayor Otis Johnson, and the Decatur Farm to School Initiative.
Named as the first "Partner Up! for Public Health Heroes" for 2012, the three honorees were selected for effectively addressing different public health challenges in their communities. The Heroes Program is being co-sponsored by DPH and the Partner Up! for Public Health campaign, which is funded by the Healthcare Georgia Foundation and is aimed at building public awareness of the challenges facing the state's public health system.

Get Your Plate in Shape
PHEVENTS
Board of Public Health Meeting
Mar. 13 1 p.m. 5th Floor Board Room 2 Peachtree Street

DPH Commissioner Brenda Fitzgerald, M.D., "The energy and the effectiveness exhibited by these first three Partner Up! for Public Health Heroes is exciting and inspiring to those of us who work in public health. The Department is pleased to join the Partner Up! campaign in recognizing these honorees and hope that their efforts will inspire leaders in other communities to follow their examples. Local leadership and engagement is vital to protecting, promoting and advancing public health at a community level."

Superpuff Saturday: Asthma Day Camp
Apr. 21
9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Northside Baptist Church, Valdosta For children 6-12 years old and their parents
Sponsored by Children's Medical Services & South Health District
Camp offers a fun-filled day of games, food and prizes while increasing your knowledge about asthma, its treatment, how to cope with the illness and special
needs associated with asthma. For more information contact CMS at 800848-5728 or 229-245-4310.
Submit Calendar Entries to askdph@dhr.state.ga.us

North Central Health District Trained in SNS

If there were an aerosolized anthrax attack and masses of people required prophylactic medication, who would provide it? If there were a smallpox outbreak and a vaccination center had to open, who would open it?

CGMC Volunteer, Marilyn Halaska, trains this group on For years, public

dispensing medication.

health departments

and health districts have been planning for a worst case scenario

requiring that every resident receive medication in a 48 hour time

period. That medication would come from the Centers for Disease

Control & Prevention's (CDC) Strategic National Stockpile (SNS)

Program. The SNS program guarantees that during a Public Health

event, stockpiled medication will arrive in a timely manner to try to

prevent as much illness as possible.

After the medication is delivered, what next? On February 21 and

PHPOLL
If you made a New Year's Resolution, are you sticking
with it?

February 23, 2012, the North Central Health District (NCHD) held trainings to answer that question. Approximately 210 people representing the 13 counties in the NCHD attended the training to better understand the purpose and flow of a mass dispensing site (also known as a Point of Dispensing or POD). The trainings were held in actual sites that would be used for mass dispensing in a real event.

Tell us about it at askdph@dhr. state.ga.us
PHRECIPE
Almond-Crusted Chicken with Rainbow Slaw
Servings: 4 Total Time: 30 min Prep Time: 20 min
Click Here for Full Recipe

Report: When to Buy Organic
It is common knowledge that a healthy diet is one that includes five to six servings of fruits and vegetables a day, and many people are becoming more aware of the health benefits of reaching these numbers. Fruits and vegetables promote good health by containing essential vitamins, minerals and fiber that help protect people from chronic disease, but, according to a report from the Environment Working Group (EWG), a research and advocacy group, many fruits and vegetables also contain pesticides.
EWG analyzed pesticide residue testing data from the USDA and the FDA to come up with rankings for popular fresh produce items. The organization released a report in 2011 listing the top contaminated fruits and vegetables. EWG calls the top 12 contaminated fruits and vegetables the "Dirty Dozen" and encourages consumers to buy these items organic (vs. conventionally grown) in order to avoid the pesticides. Some items indicate whether the item to which it refers

PHBRIEFS
March is Endometriosis Awareness Month
Endometriosis, for which there is no absolute cure, affects over 176 million women and girls globally with staggering societal costs soaring past $100 billion
annually. "We continue to find endometriosis is routinely
misunderstood, under-diagnosed and ineffectively treated, despite being one
of the most prevalent causes of hysterectomy, infertility and pelvic pain in women and girls around the world," said Michelle E. Marvel, Endometriosis
Research Center (ERC) Founder and Executive Director. "Despite hallmark symptoms, the average delay in diagnosis remains an astounding 6 or more years, and a woman will seek counsel from at least 5 physicians on average before her
pain is adequately addressed," she added.
ERC strongly advocates for early intervention, timely diagnosis and efficacy of treatment. To get involved and learn more, visit the organization at
www.endocenter.org
Food Safety Alerts Now on Twitter
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection serviced just launched Twitter accounts for specific states that can share news of recalls on poultry, meat and other food products
for those specific regions. "These new Twitter feeds provide yet another
mechanism for us to provide consumers with critical updates and relevant
information they need to protect their families from foodborne illness," USDA
Under Secretary for Food Safety Elisabeth Hagen, M.D., said in a

is imported or grown in the U.S. For example, imported grapes make the list but domestically grown grapes do not. The fruits and vegetables that make up the "Dirty Dozen" are:

How I'll Beat Type 2 Diabetes: A Story of Change

Standing at 6'4", there are very few things that are above his height or beyond his reach. That is until he was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. He found himself in uncharted waters according to his life plans.

As a retired Petty

Lawsey S. Thomas Sr., MSHRM, Deputy Director of Human Resources has his blood drawn for InSTEP (Insulin
Support, Tips and Exercise Program) by Fulton County Public Health Nurse, Marva Monroe.

Officer of the U. S. Navy, an Eagle Scout, and an area coordinator for

north Georgia Pathfinders, Lawsey S. Thomas Sr., MSHRM, Deputy

Director of Human Resources, has always been prepared for his

greatest challenges and seized opportunities to develop as a leader

for his country and community. "Type 2 diabetes was totally

avoidable," said Thomas, the youngest of 11 children. "My two

sisters had type 2 diabetes but I did not know until I was diagnosed,"

he said. The Georgia Department of Public Health(DPH) is urging

people like Thomas to know their health risks of diabetes and to

take steps to better manage their health - to avoid diabetes or

manage the disease. People living with diabetes can take steps to

control the disease and lower the risk complications according to

the National Diabetes Education Program.

statement. "The immediacy of information-sharing through social media
is unparalleled, and we believe these timely, targeted updates will better
protect public health."
Every state will now have its own Twitter alert handle using the state's two-letter abbreviation followed by "_FSISAlert."
Georgia's handle is @GA_FSISAlert

"I was first diagnosed in 2000," Thomas said. "My first doctor told me that I would be on medications for type 2 diabetes for the rest of my life. But, after speaking with my new primary doctor and attending a recent lunch-n-learn for employees at 2 Peachtree, I now know that I can manage my diabetes with a healthier diet, daily exercise, and medication," said Mr. Thomas.

PHTRAINING
Community Needs Assessment for the Public Health Practitioner
Mar. 15- Mar. 16 Macon Training Center Macon, GA This two-day course focuses on the basics of community needs assessment.
RSVP: March 12, 2012 For complete training details and to register click here. Click on Upcoming
Events. Email Tara Redd with questions
Performance Management Process
Mar. 22 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. 2 Peachtree St., 7th floor, room 2 1-day course for new supervisors and managers to learn the four phases of the Performance Management Process (PMP)
To register in SABA, click here
Health Communications Skills for the Public Health Practitioner
Mar. 29-30 Dolce Atlanta-Peachtree
Peachtree City, GA This hands-on two-day training course will provide practical tools and strategies

Shoebox Party for Needy Moms and Children - A Good Deed

It has been said

that, "Those who

bring sunshine to

the lives of others

cannot keep it from

themselves." That's

exactly what the

Health Promotion

and Disease

Prevention Programs (HPDPP) staff, employees from Chronic Disease

HPDPP employees and staff decorated 50 shoeboxes filled with toiletries for needy women and children.

Epidemiology Section and the Office of Training & Workforce

Development did on Valentine's Day at the Georgia Department of

Public (DPH). They filled shoeboxes to bring love and needed

supplies to the lives of needy mothers and their children. They held

a shoebox party to support the United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta's

Shoebox Project. This event allowed staff to continue their

monthly teambuilding activities and help some of Georgia's needy

families. There were lots of decorative boxes, toiletries, laughter

and Valentine's treats.

The Shoebox Project began in 2007 by Women's Legacy, a United

on how health communication can be used in public health practice. RSVP: Mar. 23
For complete training details and to register click here. Click on Upcoming
Events. Email Tara Redd with questions
Larval Mosquito ID class
Apr. 16-17 Chatham County Mosquito Control
facility, Savannah Free mosquito ID classes open to environmental health specialists, mosquito control techs, PCOs, and anyone else with an interest in learning
to ID mosquitoes To sign up, email Rosmarie Kelly
Submit Calendar Entries to askdph@dhr.state.ga.us
PHTECHTIP
Some VISIO Tips
When the Connector Tool is enabled, dragging Shapes in from a Stencil will
also automatically join them. Alternatively, to join Shapes, click the workspace shape, click the other shape in the stencil, then click the blue arrow on the workspace shape. If you anchor a connector to the shape core rather than
an anchor point, dragging the shape around also moves the connector.
Right click on a connector (a line) and set to Straight or Curved.
Straight lines have their "jumping" of crossed connectors enabled via the
Format -> Behavior dialog. When using the Ellipse Tool, hold down
Shift to draw a regular circle. If you group shapes together (Shift+Ctrl +G, very useful) but want to edit the
group, go to Edit -> Open Group.

Way affinity group. The annual service project is aimed at providing basic needs for homeless women and children, while raising awareness about the alarming growth of this often overlooked segment of the homeless population. Last year, over 18,000 shoeboxes were collected and distributed to more than 60 agencies. Families with children are among the fastest-growing segments of the homeless population. More than 45,500 children experience homelessness each year in Georgia.
Incentives Vital in Promoting Fresh
Food
A program in Georgia is seeing rapid growth, and with that growth, Georgians who receive federal and state nutrition benefits are seeing an increase in their access to fresh produce. Wholesome Wave Georgia (WWG) creates a simple incentive to encourage federal and state nutrition benefit recipients to spend their dollars at producer-only farmers markets. All WWG partner markets are producer only, with emphasis on local and organic farming practices. We strive to connect farmers to all consumers, regardless of income. We work to protect local, sustainable, family farms and allow them to benefit from our incentive program.
WWG leverages existing government food nutrition programs to encourage shopping at farmers markets. Every state and federal nutrition benefit dollar spent at WWG partner farmers markets becomes two dollars for patrons and for local food producers. WWG collects private, or other, funds and distribute them to WWG's network of partner farmers markets, who use the funds to double the value of benefits for those receiving them.

Ctrl+D will duplicate your selection on the Workspace.

Replace Sodium and Empty Calories

-by Lisa Miller, Human Resources Information Systems, DPH
PHNEWS

with Wholesome Foods to 'Get Your Plate in Shape' during National Nutrition Month

American Cancer Society seeking participants in prevention study
CDC: Deadly and preventable C. difficile infections at all-time high
Immaturity Mistaken for ADHD?
Augusta, Macon hospitals build health information exchange
Salad bars coming to US to combat obesity
FDA approves first influenza vaccine that protects against 4 strains
Moms' Antidepressants May Affect Babies' Head Size: Study
GIS siting of emergency vehicles improves response time
PHWEEK

Grocery store shelves and restaurant menus are often crowded with foods containing solid fats, added sugars and high levels of sodium. During National Nutrition Month, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (formerly the American Dietetic Association) is helping Americans understand how to get the most nutrients they need from the foods they eat, all surrounding this year's theme: "Get Your Plate in Shape."
"When people eat foods that have added sugars and solid fats, they are consuming extra calories they don't need," says registered dietitian and Academy Spokesperson Angela Ginn. "These 'empty calories' are found in a number of foods and drinks and offer littleto-no nutritional benefits."

Foods high in solid fats (like sausage, shortening and cream) and added sugars (such as regular soda and pastries) should be considered occasional treats rather than regular options. Eating these foods on a regular basis can cause you to consume more calories than your body needs in one day.

Editor Kimberly Stringer
Content Coordinator Connie F. Smith
Graphic Designer Jimmy Clanton, Jr.
Digital Properties Manager Bobbi Powell
Editorial & Design Team Charles Gary Ginny Jacobs
Sandra Roberts Suleima Salgado
Director of Communications Ryan Deal

Public Health Observances for March 2012

Workplace Eye Wellness Month Click Here for more information

National Colorectal Cancer Awareness
Click Here for more information

National Nutrition Month
Click Here for more information

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