Don't see graphics and text from DPH?Click here Follow Us! Health Officials Report on TB Outbreak, MERS Scare The major outbreak of tuberculosis that has struck Atlanta homeless shelters this year actually began in 2009, a Georgia health Submit your story suggestions, ideas, comments or a story of your own! official said Tuesday. This year, there have been 14 active TB cases at shelters with the same genetic makeup identified in 2009 in four homeless TB cases, said Dr. Patrick O'Neal, director of health In This Issue protection for the Department of Public Health. Health Officials Report on TB Outbreak, MERS Scare The outbreak in 2009 was followed by another four cases in 2010, two in 2011 and three Blood Type Option on Georgia each the next two years. Driver's License Georgia's Children Have Access O'Neal told the agency's board Tuesday that to Free Meals This Summer more than half of this year's cases involve 'Good to Great' Rolls Out Statewide Georgia 5-Star Hospital Recognition patients who are also HIV-positive. All cases have proved resistant to treatment with the TB drug isoniazid (INH). O'Neal added that it's likely that more TB Virtual Pets Help Increase cases will surface this year. The homeless are Physical Activity "an extremely vulnerable population," he Dr. Pat O'Neal reports to the Board of PHEVENTS said. Public Health the status of the TB outbreak. The Fulton County Department of Health and First Lady Sandra Deal and the Wellness and the CDC are assisting Public Health in aggressively tackling the TB Georgia Children's Cabinet invite threat, he said. all State employees to join them for a SPLASH Water Safety Event. Mon., June 16 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Blood Type Option on Georgia Driver's License, State ID Freight Depot Plaza, 65 Martin Luther King, Jr., Drive, S.E. Georgia Department of (outside the Freight Depot) Driver Services (DDS) Commissioner Rob Enjoy ice-cream as you learn Mikell, under the about tips to keep your family direction of Governor safe this summer! Nathan Deal, is providing a new emergency Looking for DPH events? preparedness initiative Visit the Events Schedule for customers obtaining on our website. a driver's license or state identification PHTRAINING card. Customers may request that their 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 blood type be printed on the back of their permanent card. This addition is completely optional and may help medical personnel On the application for issuance or renewal of a driver's license or ID card, customers will indicate if they would like their blood type printed on the back of their permanent card. A customer who indicates yes will then select their blood type. The customer's permanent license or ID will have their blood type printed on the back of the card under Medical Information. Two for Tuesdays. This series during an emergency. provides an opportunity for programs to explore new ideas, share knowledge and highlight teams and their work. On June 10, DPH staff will present on learning and collaboration "In an emergency situation, medical personnel need up-to-date health information to quickly and efficiently treat injuries," said Governor Deal. "To better assist these first responders, our Department of Driver Services is now giving Georgians the option to include their blood type on their license or identification cards. This technologies. To learn more and is yet another example of our continued commitment to the safety and well-being to register, click here. of our state's drivers." Manager Fundamentals for Success Tues. - Wednes., June 17-18 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. HR - Training Room 16th Floor "I am grateful for the support of Governor Deal and the partnership with Dr. Brenda Fitzgerald, Commissioner, Department of Public Health (DPH), to inform our customers of this new option," said Commissioner Mikell. "It is completely optional but may serve as an important medical alert for those that utilize it." Procurement Services: Navigating the Process Thurs., June 19 9:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. HR - Training Room 16th Floor Excel Intermediate Functions Fri., June 20 10:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Excel Data Management and Pivot Tables Fri., June 20 1:30-4:30 p.m. Performance Management for Everyone Mon., June 23 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. HR - Training Room 16th Floor Performance Management for Supervisors Tues., June 24 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. HR - Training Room 16th Floor Performance Management for Everyone Tues., June 24 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. HR - Training Room 16th Floor Georgia's Children Have Access to Free Meals This Summer The Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL) announced last week that free meals are available throughout the state for eligible children age 18 and under (and some eligible adults) as a part of the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). The SFSP provides free meals in low-income areas during the summer months when students are out of school. More than First Lady Sandra Deal kicks off the Summer Food Service 60 percent of Georgia's school- Program across Georgia at the Lucky Shoals Park in aged children are eligible for Gwinnett County free or reduced lunch. Through the SFSP, these children can receive free meals during the summer when they may not have daily access to well-balanced meals. The Summer Food Service Program is funded by the U.S. Department of Agricultural and administered in Georgia by DECAL. For employees not at 2 Peachtree, classes can be attended remotely; however, remote attendees must be registered 48 hours prior to class. Parents and children can find sites in their area where meals will be served by visiting DECAL's website at http://decal.ga.gov/Nutrition/Search.aspx. Additionally, sites can be located by calling 1-855-550-SFSP (7377) or by texting "FOODGA" to 877-877 (standard messaging and data rates apply). Register for all classes through SABA (2 Peachtree attendees register for "Instructor-Led" and remote attendees register for "Virtual" classes). Contact Lisa 'Good to Great' Rolls Out Statewide Miller if you have questions. In a statewide video conference last Free Online Courses Available from Lynda.com DPH has purchased a limited number of licenses for Lynda.com, week, Commissioner Brenda Fitzgerald, M.D., of the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) an online library of high-quality, shared her vision for the 'Good to easy-to-use instructional videos Great' movement and culture change on the latest software, creative within the department. The 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 from your public health statewide roll-out of the concept followed a recent meeting with over 150 state, district, county managers and public health directors. 'Good to email account. Great' is based on Jim Collins' book, Good to Great: Why Some Submit calendar entries to communications@dph.ga.gov by 12 noon on Wednesday. Companies Make the Leap...and Others Don't. Commissioner Brenda Fitzgerald, M.D., and Carole Jakeway discuss statewide roll out for 'Good to Great.' PHNEWS New Georgia Boating Law Will Require Young Boaters To Take Class New York City Soda Fight, in Court, Tests Agency's Power "I believe that every public health employee and health department in every district and county can be great," said Commissioner Fitzgerald. "Because leaders don't depend on circumstances to be great, they depend on their determination. With Jim Collins' framework, public health can be the best it's ever been for the citizens of Georgia." More than 6,500 employees statewide will now have the opportunity to participate in the movement and discussions about 'Good to Great.' Employees also have the opportunity to sign up for "Crucial Conversations" classes to better understand the movement and framework for 'Good to Great.' CDC: Men who shack up less likely to get checkups Study: Red meat possibly linked to breast cancer Nine ways to help your children eat more healthfully in restaurants PHRECIPE Georgia 5-Star Hospital Recognition The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) and Georgia SHAPE are pleased to announce that seven Georgia hospitals have successfully completed the second level of training to become Baby-Friendly 5STAR hospitals. These hospitals promote and support breastfeeding with policies and practices, staff education and post-discharge community referrals. Grilled Asparagus and Shrimp Quinoa Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette Serves 4 Prep and Cook Time: 45 minutes Click Here for Full Recipe PHWEEK At last week's Board of Public Health meeting in Atlanta, representatives from seven hospitals were commended by Board members. Each of the hospitals received recognition for their efforts in becoming a baby-friendly hospital. They are working toward implementing The Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding, as defined by Baby-Friendly USA, the official credentialing agency of the BabyFriendly Hospital Initiative. The hospitals recognized last week are Gwinnett Medical Center in Lawrenceville, Tift Regional Medical Center in Tifton, Kennestone Hospital in Kennesaw, Southeast Georgia Health System in Brunswick, Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital in Albany, Midtown Medical Center in Columbus, and Medical Center of Central Georgia in Macon. Director of Communications Ryan Deal Content Coordinator Connie F. Smith Virtual Pets Help Increase Physical Activity, Reduce Obesity Sr. Graphic Designer Ginny Jacobs Web Developer Jimmy Clanton, Jr. Editorial & Design Team Tammy Beasley Turquoise Griffith Eric Jens Nancy Nydam Sandra Roberts Placing children into a mixed realitypart virtual environment and part real world-has great potential for increasing their physical activity and decreasing their risk of obesity, according to University of Georgia researchers. Sixty-one Georgia 4-H'ers, 9-12 years old, participated in a study designed to increase awareness and reduce childhood obesity. Participants set goals for the amount of physical activity they wanted to complete throughout the day Grace Ahn, an assistant professor of advertising in the Grady College of Journalism and Mass over a course of three days. An activity Communication, is working with students like monitor was worn to track their activity. Doo Yeon Park, left, a master's in advertising student from South Korea, to use a virtual world Children were split into two groups but only one group was allowed to train, to teach students about obesity and health choices. exercise and play with an obese, virtual dog. The pet, and overall game platform, was developed by an interdisciplinary group of UGA researchers from the College of Engineering, Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication and the College of Veterinary Medicine. UGA Extension helped find participants for the study. Georgia Public Health Observances | June 2014 Forward email This email was sent to gadocs@uga.edu by communications@dph.ga.gov | Update Profile/Email Address | Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribeTM | Privacy Policy. Georgia Department of Public Health | 2 Peachtree Street, NW | Atlanta | GA | 30303