PHWEEK 10-28-2013: Video Helps Gov't Agencies Work Smarter Follow Us! Video Helps Gov't Agencies Work Smarter Cutting-edge video technology can help government in Georgia Submit your story suggestions, ideas, comments or a story of your own! work smarter and save money, according to some of the industry's top experts. And some state agencies are already using the In This Issue Video Helps Gov't Agencies Work Smarter technology as a collaborative tool to improve services, like the Georgia Department of Public Health's (DPH) Suleima Salgado (at left), DPH telehealth director, moderated a panel discussion on how video technology can improve government. Clayton Parks Declared Tobacco- growing telehealth network. Free Zones Social Platform Connects, Rewards On Tuesday, video technology experts convened at the Georgia Fitness Lovers Technology Authority in Atlanta for a panel discussion on the optimal FDA, NACCHO Programs Help Improve Retail Food Regulation use of video technology in government, sponsored by the Technology Association of Georgia (TAG). The panelists said video systems are increasing in quality and user-friendliness, and more companies are PHEVENTS using them to interact in real time, cutting down on the cost and time of travel. Looking for DPH events? Visit the Events Schedule on our "We're pushing a lot of traffic onto the video domain that used to be website. traffic at [Atlanta's] Hartsfield-Jackson airport," said panelist Scott Walker, president and chief executive officer of Waveguide PHTRAINING Consulting, an Atlanta-based technology consulting firm. Two for Tuesdays Join the Office of Learning and Development the second Tuesday of each month from 11:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m. for the learning series Two for Tuesdays. This series provides an opportunity for programs to explore new ideas, share knowledge and highlight teams and their work. On Nov. 12, staff from the Office of Maternal and Child Health will present. To learn more and to register, click here. Introduction to Public Health Test your public health knowledge in this newly designed course. New and seasoned employees are invited to learn about all areas of public health and how individual roles support DPH's goals. The final course for 2013 will be offered Nov. 26. To learn more and to register, visit SABA or email Donna Dunn at dgdunn@dhr.state.ga.us. Word Tables and Forms Tues., Oct. 29 1:30-4:00 p.m. PowerPoint Clip Art and Graphics Thurs., Oct. 31 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Clayton Parks Declared Tobacco-Free Zones First and secondhand smoke can have serious health consequences for children, particularly those with asthma. For that reason, the Clayton County Board of Health and Clayton County Parks and the Recreation department teamed up to install "Young Lungs at Play" signs at all Clayton County parks, declaring that each park is a tobacco-free zone. "We want to do everything we can to protect our children, particularly those with asthma who are at greater risk from second hand smoke," said This sign went up in all 32 of Clayton County's parks, part of an effort to keep secondhand smoke away from kids. Clayton County District Health Director Alpha Fowler Bryan, M.D. "Asthma attacks sent 52,000 Georgians to the emergency room between 2006 and 2010, and many asthma attacks are triggered by second hand smoke. The 'Young Lungs at Play' signs are just another layer of defense in the fight to keep our children healthy and out of the hospital." PowerPoint Intermediate Thurs., Oct. 31 1:30-4:00 p.m Access Basics Tues., Nov. 5 1:30-4:30 p.m. The signs, which are posted prominently at all 32 county park properties, are part of the aggressive steps the county has taken over the last four years to limit smoking in places where children congregate. Access Form and Report Design Social Platform Connects, Rewards Thurs., Nov. 7 10:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Fitness Lovers For employees not at 2 Peachtree, classes can be attended remotely -however, remote attendees must be registered 48 hours prior to class. Register for all classes through SABA Whether training for a marathon or looking for motivation to take a (2 Peachtree attendees register for daily walk, fitness "Instructor-Led" and remote attendees register for "Virtual" classes). Contact Lisa Miller if you have questions. enthusiasts can turn to a new tool that uses the power of community and a little friendly competition to get people moving. cMEcompete is a new social media platform designed to connect individuals to a community of fitness. Free Online Courses Available from Lynda.com State employees got an introduction to the platform and the Georgia DPH has purchased a limited number Department of Public Health's (DPH) cMEcompete community at the of licenses for Lynda.com, an online Capitol Hill Fitness Center's open house on Thursday. library of high-quality, easy-to-use instructional videos on the latest software, creative and business skills. Licenses are available for check out on a first come, first served basis. To check out a license, simply email Lisa Miller Dan Popovic, the platform's creator who also founded the Atlanta Beltline Running Series, developed cMEcompete when he got heavily involved in planning running events. He couldn't find a social media platform that allowed him to connect with fellow runners in the way he wanted. from your public health email account. Submit Calendar Entries to communications@dhr.state.ga.us FDA, NACCHO Programs Help Improve PHNEWS Your Flu Shot May Also Help Your Heart Hunting the Nightmare Bacteria Stroke affecting younger people Retail Food Regulation Public health restaurant inspections play a vital role in protecting diners from foodborne illness. But for those programs to work properly, they need to be reliable, consistent and responsive. Do inspectors look for the same criteria when investigating a restaurant? How are rules enforced and violations reported? Do food safety specialists communicate clearly with the epidemiologists investigating outbreaks? worldwide, study shows Study: Flavored small cigars are popular with kids To guide the health departments that operate these sometimescomplicated programs, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) offers its Voluntary National Retail Food Regulatory Program Standards, a set of nine areas that can help a food regulation program operate more effectively. PHRECIPE The program aims to help health departments take a critical look at their retail food regulation and find ways to improve it. Mushroom Steak Fajitas Serves 4 Prep and Cook Time: 45 min. Click Here for Full Recipe PHWEEK Director of Communications Ryan Deal Editor Carrie Gann Content Coordinator Connie F. 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