K 4-15-2013: Georgia Children No Longer Second Most Obese Follow Us! Georgia Children No Longer Second Most Obese In Nation New report reveals 5 percent drop in childhood obesity Submit your story suggestions, ideas, comments or a story of your own! 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 Forward email This email was sent to gadocs@uga.edu by communications@dhr.state.ga.us | Update Profile/Email Address | Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribeTM | Privacy Policy. Georgia Department of Public Health | 2 Peachtree Street, NW | Atlanta | GA | 30303