Georgia PH week [Nov. 12, 2013]

PHWEEK 11-12-2013: Georgia Lowers Preterm Birth Rate

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Georgia Lowers Preterm Birth Rate


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The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) and the March of Dimes are reporting a drop in the state's preterm birth rate for the second year in a row, meaning fewer babies risk the health complications of being born too soon.

In This Issue

A preliminary analysis of data collected around

Georgia Lowers Preterm Birth Rate
District Targets Teen Pregnancy
Center Expands Diabetes Care for Rural Georgians

the state indicates that the preterm birth rate fell to 10.9 percent in 2012, down from 11.6 percent in 2011.

DPH Commissioner Brenda Fitzgerald, M.D., center, visited the NICU at the Medical Center of Central
Georgia with Sheila Ryan, state director of the March of Dimes, and Mitch Rodriguez, M.D., after the first-
ever statewide Prematurity Awareness Summit.

Double Duty: DPH Employees Serve

as Fitness Instructors

The drop earned Georgia a C on the March of Dimes' 2013 Premature

Stormant Named YMCA Volunteer Birth Report Card, marking the first time the state has ever received

of the Year.

a grade higher than a D or F.

PHBRIEF



DPH Launches Online Data District Targets Teen Pregnancy with

Request System

Family Planning

Offered through the Public Health

Information Portal, the Data Request System is the first online public The Northeast Health District

health data request system for the considers family planning one of

state of Georgia. It is now the only its top public health priorities.

way DPH will accept and process It is the third most common

data requests. The system will allow users to enter data requests and
receive systematic updates and email

reason clients visit health departments throughout the

notification when the data file is district, after immunizations

ready. To learn more about the and Women, Infants and

request process, including video Children (WIC) services.

tutorials, user manuals and FAQs,

visit the PHIP page on the DPH website. For more information,
contact Demetrice Jordan at datarequest@dhr.state.ga.us
PHEVENTS

The district's family planning program emphasizes spacing of births and having children when they are wanted. One of its main goals is to prevent teen pregnancies.

Ryan Melton, Shirley Aaron and Holly Cirri spread the word about Parent Talk, the Northeast Health District's program to encourage parents to talk with their children about sex.

Looking for DPH events?

"There is nothing we do in public health that is more important or

Visit the Events Schedule on our more effective than family planning," said Northeast District Health

website.

Director Claude Burnett, M.D.

PHTRAINING

Center Expands Diabetes Care for Rural

Georgians Two for Tuesdays
Join the Office of Human Resources

on 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


More than 700,000 adults in Georgia live with diabetes - nearly 10 percent of the state's population. And in rural areas of the state, diabetes is not only more common but there are far fewer resources to assist Georgians with better managing their condition daily.

highlight teams and their work. On

Nov. 12, staff from the Office of Residents in Washington County living with diabetes faced the same

Maternal and Child Health will challenges, at least until three months ago. But now Washington

present. To learn more and to register, click here.
Introduction to Public Health Test your public health knowledge in

County residents and people in neighboring counties have access to some of the highest quality diabetes care and diabetes selfmanagement education resources in the state, found in the small town of Tennille, Ga.

this newly designed course. New and seasoned employees are invited to Located about halfway between Macon and Augusta, the Tennille

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.

Community Health Center is now one of only three in the state with both a nationally accredited diabetes self-management program and status as a federally qualified health center. That means that patients with any type of health insurance (or none at all) can receive routine medical care from their doctor and also learn skills to better manage their diabetes all in one medical home.

Access Intermediate Queries Tues., Nov. 19
10:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Access Advanced Queries Tues., Nov.19 2:00-4:30 p.m.


Double Duty: DPH Employees Serve as Fitness Instructors

Access Tables and Database Design
Thurs., Nov. 21 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Every Monday, Kimberly Stringer gets to work before 7 a.m. The early arrival isn't to take care of her duties as deputy

For employees not at 2 Peachtree, director of government

classes can be attended remotely -- relations at the Georgia

however, remote attendees must be Department of Public

registered 48 hours prior to class. Health (DPH). She's here

Register for all classes through SABA (2 Peachtree attendees register for

for boot camp.

"Instructor-Led" and remote attendees register for "Virtual" classes). Contact Lisa Miller if you

"Having a morning class makes sure I still get my

Kimberly Stringer is one of 18 DPH employees who

have questions.
Free Online Courses Available from Lynda.com

workouts in during the week, even during busy times," she said.

double as fitness instructors at the Capitol Hill Fitness Center.

DPH has purchased a limited number of licenses for Lynda.com, an online library of high-quality, easy-to-use
instructional videos on the latest software, creative and business

Stringer teaches two fitness classes each week at DPH: the Monday boot camp class and a body flex class on Thursdays. She's one of a handful of DPH employees who, at least once per week, trade dress shoes and computer keyboards for sneakers and sweat bands to lead

skills. Licenses are available for their colleagues in fitness classes.

check out on a first come, first

served basis. To check out a license, simply email Lisa Miller from your

public health email account.
Submit Calendar Entries to communications@dhr.state.ga.us

Stormant Named YMCA Volunteer of the Year

PHNEWS
New CDC Report Shows Colorectal Cancer Tests are Underused
Financially Strained, More Seniors Are Unable to Get Dental Care

Todd and Amy Stormant of Canton are receiving the YMCA of Metro Atlanta's 2013 Volunteers of the Year award for their service at the G. Cecil Pruett Community Center/Cherokee Outdoor YMCAs. Their work was honored at the annual volunteer recognition dinner Monday, November 4, 2013.

Savannah Smoke-Free Ordinance Does Not Negatively Impact Business
FDA Moves to Ban Trans-Fats, Citing Health Concerns
PHRECIPE

A registered and licensed dietician, Todd Stormant works in the Georgia Department of Public Health as a Women, Infants, and Children Nutrition Unit Manager. Amy Stormant is the owner of a photography and video company, AMAM Productions. Todd and Amy have two children.

Todd Stormant, WIC nutrition unit

"The Stormants are stellar volunteers and advocates of the Y through their soccer coaching and relationship

manager, and his wife, Amy, were honored for their service at their
local YMCA.

building," says John Hicks, executive director of the Pruett Family Y in

Canton. "Amy and Todd championed the Striker Soccer Academy

program. They worked with Y staff to merge into the existing and

substantial academy program based out of the Northwest Y in

Kennesaw. They have grown a committed soccer team, introduced a

pre-academy program and continue to be strong advocates of the Y in

our community."

Sweet Potato Pancakes with Balsamic Maple Mushrooms
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. Smith
Sr. Graphic Designer Ginny Jacobs
Interim Web Developer Jimmy Clanton, Jr.
Editorial & Design Team Tammy Beasley Eric Jens Nancy Nydam Sandra Roberts
Georgia Public Health Observances | November 2013

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