Georgia PH week [Apr. 15, 2013]

K 4-15-2013: Georgia Children No Longer Second Most Obese

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Georgia Children No Longer Second Most Obese In Nation
New report reveals 5 percent drop in childhood obesity

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In This Issue
Children No Longer 2nd Most Obese
Power Up for 30 Roles Aid DPH Transformation Telehealth Network Taking Shape
The Power to Protect Intern Lands Second DPH Position
Month of the Young Child

Once known as the state with the second most obese child population in the nation, Georgia now ranks 17th nationally, according to a new report by the Data Resource Center for Child and Adolescent Health. The analysis of data gathered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Health Statistics will be formally released April 16, signaling a significant improvement in the health of Georgia's children.
Funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, Maternal and Child Health Bureau, the report provides an analysis of physical, emotional and behavioral child health indicators in combination with information on family context and neighborhood environment.

App Helps Locate Fresh Local Food



PHEVENTS



Agencies Encourage Schools to Power

2 Peachtree Blood Drive
April 16 10 a.m.-3 p.m. 2 Peachtree, First Floor Fitness Room

Up for 30
Voluntary program adds 30 minutes of physical activity to school day

Click here to reserve an

appointment. If you have registered before, enter your ID and Password

The Georgia

at the login screen. If you have not Departments of

registered before, click the link at Education and Public

first-time users, create a profile, Health have teamed up

then follow the steps for setup. to create Power Up for

STD Snack & Learn
April 16 Noon-1 p.m. 2 Peachtree, Room 7-430 The STD Office will host a video

30, a voluntary program that encourages every elementary school in Georgia to include an additional 30 minutes of

discussion in observance of National physical activity each

STD Awareness Month. Please RSVP day. with Gail Jackson at

gwjackson@dhr.state.ga.us or 404463-3877. Those who RSVP will be
entered into a prize drawing.

This physical activity is in addition to structured

physical education

Intern Lunch & Learns

classes -- not a

Please bring your lunch and join replacement -- and can

DPH's Spring interns as they present be led by any teacher.

their public health projects. On April

16 from noon-1 p.m. in Room 7440CB, intern Shannon Harvey and mentor Hope Dishman will discuss salmonellosis in Georgia and what
happens between the time an

"We are facing an epidemic among our Georgia students -obesity. The data is

outbreak is confirmed and

clear and the message

interviewing cases. Intern Manoj Rema and mentor Ami Gandhi will
discuss perinatal Hepatitis from hospital review data and the prevalence and risk factors associated with Hepatitis C in
Georgia. On April 18 from noon-

cannot be ignored: We must get our students moving more during the school day. Physical activity means higher test scores, increased attention in class and a healthier student population. To make this possible, we need your help," State School Superintendent John Barge, Ph.D., and DPH Commissioner Brenda Fitzgerald, M.D., said in a letter to

12:45 p.m. in Room 7-430C2, intern superintendents.

Erikka Gilliam and mentor Tiffany

Parr-Fowles will discuss the results



of a WIC client study.



Georgia Public Health Association Conference
April 22 and 23

New Roles Aid DPH Transformation
Positions focus on professional development,

Grand Hyatt, Atlanta Join fellow public health

research

professionals for two days of

education, networking, awards and camaraderie at the 84th annual Georgia Public Health Association
Conference. Click here to register.

Two employees at the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) have taken on new roles to guide the department's

Free Exercise Classes

efforts to stay on the cutting

DPH offers group exercise classes edge of public health and

everyday at 2 Peachtree. Classes protect and improve the health

include dance, kickboxing, yoga, walking and more. Classes are open on a first come, first served basis and there is no need to pre-register.

of all Georgians. Donna Dunn, Ph.D., and Luke Fiedorowicz, Ph.D., started their new

Download the monthly schedule at positions this month.

www.health.state.ga.us/wellness.

Luke Fiedorowicz, Ph.D., director of

Submit Calendar Entries to communications@dhr.state.ga.us

"We as an organization are

Science, Research and Academic Affairs

turning from a good department into a great department, and

and Donna Dunn, Ph.D., director Learning and Development.

these areas that Donna and Luke will work on are key components

PHTRAINING

in that transformation," said James Howgate, DPH's chief of staff.

Dunn, formerly of the Office of Training and Workforce

Introduction to Public Health Development, is now the director of Learning and Development in Think you know what public health human resources. Her new role's focus shifts from facilitating does? Here's an opportunity to know development of public health skills to strengthening all-around

and learn more about the field of professional development throughout DPH. Public Health and specifically how it

works in Georgia. This course is open to all employees new and

Despite the shift, Dunn said her work is still all about learning.

seasoned to learn more about what

we are doing in Georgia and how you role supports the department's

goals. Course dates are April 23, May 21, June 25, July 23, Aug. 27,

Telehealth Network Taking

Shape in Georgia Sept. 24, Oct. 22 and Nov. 26. To
learn more and to register, go to

SABA or email Donna Dunn at

dgdunn@dhr.state.ga.us.

Georgia's telehealth

CPR Training
April 30 8 a.m.-11 a.m. and Noon-1 p.m.
Vital Records Two Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation
(CPR) courses will be held. It is a

program is taking shape around the state, moving the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) closer to its

classroom and video-based instructor-led course that teaches adult CPR and Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) use, as well as

goal of improving health care access to all Georgians.

how to relieve choking in an adult.

The course teaches skills with the During the April

American Heart Association's

meeting of the Board

research-proven Practice-WhileWatching (PWW) technique, which allows instructors to observe the
students, provide feedback and guide the students' learning of skills. To register, go to SABA.
Focus Groups for the Public

of Public Health,

Suleima Salgado,

MBA, DPH's new

director of

Through the WIC Visual Collaboration Project, DPH will

telehealth, briefed board members on

establish 224 telehealth sites at DPH facilities across the state. The blue dots are endpoint locations and the green shading shows completed sites. Click image for

the progress DPH has

larger view.

Health Professional

made in readying

May 16 and 17

public health facilities across the state to launch a telemedicine

9 a.m.-5 p.m.

network that can bring specialized care to underserved areas of

Evergreen Conference Center, Stone Georgia, saving time and money for patients, providers and public

Mountain This two-day course introduces

health staff.

participants to the many applications of focus group in public Most counties in the state have the telecommunications connections health practice, including creating to provide telehealth services, such as nutritional counseling, to

questions, facilitating groups and compiling data. For more
information and to register, visit www.sph.emory.edu/ephtc. Contact Tara Redd,

clients in remote areas using two-way, real-time technology. Now, DPH is working to give this network the capacity to deliver telemedicine, medical services such as dental care or monitoring of high-risk pregnancies.

tredd@emory.edu, with questions.

Register by May 9.

"This has been a work in progress. Everyone has been talking about

it, and it has been one of the commissioner's top priorities," Salgado

Health Literacy and Cultural said. "We're finally at a point where we're ready to deploy this

Competency: Practical Skills for network."

Public Health Practitioners June 3



9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Clarence Brown Conference Center,

Cartersville

The Power to Protect

This one-day course will improve
the communication skills of public National Infant Immunization

health practitioners by teaching strategies to incorporate key

Week is April 20-27

principles of health literacy and

cultural competency into existing

programs. For more information and to register, visit
sph.emory.edu/ephtc. Contact Tara Redd, tredd@emory.edu, with
questions. Register by May 28.

The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) urges all Georgians to protect infants from vaccine-preventable

Analyzing Health Behaviors: diseases by getting them

Practical Skills for the Public vaccinated during

Health Professional

National Infant

June 4

Immunization Week

9 a.m.-5 p.m.

(NIIW) April 20-27.

Clarence Brown Conference Center,

Cartersville This training will provide practical
information on analyzing health behaviors to develop effective interventions. The course will

Since 1994, NIIW provides an invaluable opportunity to remind parents and caregivers

introduce health education intervention planning and an overview of major theories, including stages of change, health belief model and planned behavior change. For more information and
to register, visit

how important it is for children to be vaccinated. It is a call to action for parents, caregivers and healthcare providers to

sph.emory.edu/ephtc. Contact ensure infants are fully

Tara Redd, tredd@emory.edu, with vaccinated against 14 questions. Register by May 28. vaccine-preventable

PowerPoint Basics

diseases.

April 15 1:30-4:30 p.m. Word Formatting & Styles

Districts throughout Georgia are promoting NIIW with a Special KidsDay where vaccines will be available without an appointment,

April 18 10 a.m.-noon

along with other infant safety information such as car seats and home safety.

Word Tables & Forms April 18
1:30-4:30 p.m. Groupwise April 19
9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Word Mail Merge April 23
1:30-4:30 p.m. Word Automatic Features
April 24 10 a.m.-noon
PowerPoint Intermediate April 24
1:30-4:30 p.m. Word Columns & Graphics
April 25 1:30-4:30 p.m. PowerPoint ClipArt & Graphics
April 30 10 a.m.-noon

"Vaccination is one of the best ways parents can protect their infants from 14 serious childhood diseases before age two," said Steven Mitchell, director of the Georgia Immunization Program. "Vaccinating your infant is the best way to protect them from serious illnesses like whooping cough and measles. We urge parents to speak with their doctor or healthcare provider and make sure their infant is up to date on their vaccinations."
This is the second consecutive year NIIW will be celebrated as part of World Immunization Week (April 21-28), an initiative of the World Health Organization. During this week, all six World Health Organization regions, including more than 180 member states, territories and areas, will simultaneously promote vaccinations, advance equity in the use of vaccines and universal access to vaccination services.

Intern Lands Second DPH

PowerPoint Tables & Charts April 30
1:30-4:30 p.m.
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 (2 Peachtree attendees register for "Instructor-Led" and remote attendees register for "Virtual" classes). Contact Lisa Miller if you have questions.
Submit Calendar Entries to communications@dhr.state.ga.us
PHNEWS
Healthful Fast Food: Possible, but Edible ?
Judge Orders Morning-After Pill Available for All Ages
7 Ways to Let Salt Go
Advice Shifts on Feeding Baby

Position In Six Months

When Erikka Gilliam began an internship at the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) in December, she didn't know it would turn into an even bigger opportunity for her public health career.

Gilliam, a student at

Emory University's

Rollins School of Public

Health, joined DPH as an

intern for the WIC

program on Dec. 4. The

work she did played a

role in landing her a

second internship at DPH

which starts in May, this

time with the EPIC

Breastfeeding Program,

part of DPH's Maternal

and Child Health Section. Her experience

Erikka Gilliam, an intern for the WIC program since December, will start another DPH internship
this spring.

illustrates the success of

the department's growing intern program

PHRECIPE
Mediterranean Baby Spinach Salad
Prep and Cook Time: 10 minutes Serves 2
Click Here for Full Recipe

Gilliam said DPH has taught her a lot about the practice of public health in the real world.
"I never thought I would learn so much in just a few months," she said.In the WIC program, Gilliam is the lead research assistant, supervising the program's other interns as they conduct telephone surveys of WIC participants, investigating why some clients aren't returning to WIC clinics to pick up food vouchers. Gilliam piloted the survey in December, implemented it in the spring and trained other interns to make the phone calls and record data. Now she's working on compiling a report on the project.

Month of the Young Child Highlights Needs of Young Children

PHWEEK
Editor Nicole Price
Content Coordinator Connie F. Smith
Sr. Graphic Designer Ginny Jacobs
Interim Web Developer Jimmy Clanton, Jr.
Editorial & Design Team Tammy Beasley Carrie Gann Eric Jens Nancy Nydam Sandra Roberts
Director of Communications Ryan Deal

Month of the Young Child is an opportunity for early childhood programs, including child care, Head Start programs, preschools and elementary schools, to hold activities to bring awareness to the needs of young children.
During the month of April, the Office of Child Health encourages all individuals and organizations to play a role in making Georgia a better place for young children and their families.
The Georgia Department of Public Health's (DPH) Office of Child Health, along with Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems/Peach Partners has coordinated several activities for the month of April which are in line with the focus weeks of physical development (April 1-6); social-emotional development (April 7-13); cognitive development (April 14-20); and language and literacy development (April 21-30).
Developing early reading skills is crucial to children's success in school. During the month of April, the Office of Child Health is sponsoring a book drive. Donations of new or gently used books are requested and books can be donated by state office employees and family members. Donation bins are located in the elevator banks of 2 Peachtree.


App Helps Locate Fresh Local Food
The Locavore app is a seasonal, local food network that makes searching for in-season, local food easier.
Based on your phone's GPS location, Locavore will pinpoint farms, farmers' markets and community supported agriculture nearest you. Read all about them on their profile page, find that local item you have been looking for or just check out what's in-season right now.
Locavore is powered by www.LocalDirt.com, an online site where anyone can buy, sell, feature and find local food.
Click here to download.


Georgia Public Health Observances | April 2013

STD Awareness Month

Autism Awareness Month Alcohol Awareness Month
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