Health Archive

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Far- Infrared Sauna; the Warmth of the Sun

– January 30, 2012Posted in: Columns, Nature's Cure

 

What is Far-Infrared heat? Infrared light is part of the sun’s invisible spectrum. One of Far-Infrared light’s characteristics is the ability to easily penetrate human tissue. When this happens, it creates a natural resonance, which has many beneficial properties. The Far-Infrared heat (FIR light waves) penetrates your skin, giving you that wonderful natural warmth. You can be exposed to Far-Infrared heat for hours and it will never cause your skin to burn. Far Infrared heat is completely healthy and safe for all living things.

 

Far-Infrared Sauna Treatment; In today’s world, everyone is exposed to toxins and is carrying a heavy toxic load. Far-infrared sauna therapy is one of the safest and most powerful ways to eliminate toxic metals, toxic chemicals and chronic infections. Fat-soluble chemicals and toxins can be concentrated in the fat storage tissues of the body (primarily adipose tissue). To mobilize and eliminate these unwanted chemicals and toxins low temperature saunas can be very useful.

Detoxification; In one study performed by American researchers, the sweat of people using a conventional sauna was found to be 95 to 97% water while the sweat of those using an infrared thermal system was 80 to 85% water with the non-water portion principally cholesterol, fat soluble toxins, toxic heavy metals (such as mercury and aluminum), sulfuric acid, sodium, ammonia and uric acid. This unusually high concentration of heavy metals and other fat-soluble toxins is not found in the sweat from normal exercise.

Heart Disease; 25 patients were treated in an Infrared Sauna for 15 minutes once a day for 2 weeks. The results showed significantly lowered blood pressure, measureable weight loss, lowered cholesterol, and increased blood flow.

Some other health benefits of Far-Infrared Sauna are:

  • Weight loss: Can help burn up to 600 or more calories in just one 30 minute session.
  • Beauty: Is excellent for increasing blood circulation to the skin, which is essential for beautiful, youthful, glowing skin
  • Scars on skin: Scars fully formed may be gradually softened. Burns and other wounds or incisions may heal with significantly reduced scarring.
  • Cellulite: European beauty specialists confirm that a Far Infrared Sauna will greatly speed any anti-cellulite program.
  • Pain relief: Effective for arthritis, back pain, muscle spasms, headache, etc.
  • Relaxation & Meditation: Stress reduction, relaxation and general wellness.
  • Cardiovascular benefits: Provides cardio training without exertion.

 

Jami Jones is a Natural Health Consultant and owner of Nature’s Cure in Albany.

Tags: Health, Nature's Cure
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County health departments now offering vaccine that prevents shingles

– January 16, 2012Posted in: Health, Press Releases

 

 

Written by Carolyn Maschke

 

A vaccine recommended for people 60 and older to prevent shingles is now available at Southwest District’s 14 county health departments.

“The older a person is, the more severe the effects of shingles typically are,” Southwest Health District Director Dr. Jacqueline Grant said. “The National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend adults 60 years and older get vaccinated against shingles. There is no maximum age for getting the shingles vaccination.”

A single dose of Zostavax® vaccine provides protection against shingles, a painful rash caused when inactive chickenpox virus awakens in the body of someone who once had the disease. Complications can include hearing or vision loss, scarring, muscle weakness, partial paralysis and long-term nerve pain, Grant said.

“Call the Health Department if you are interested in getting Zostavax® so that we can discuss Medicare Part D reimbursement, since the amount of cost-sharing for the vaccine varies,” she said. Other payment options, including Medicaid and some private insurance, are also available.

“Calling ahead is also a good idea to ensure the vaccine is available when you come in and that it is appropriate for you,” she said.

Zostavax® should not be administered to persons with compromised immune systems due to disease or cancer treatment with radiation or chemotherapy. Others who should not receive the vaccine include pregnant women and those who have had a reaction to any component of the vaccine, including gelatin and neomycin.

“Even if you have had shingles, you can still receive the shingles vaccine to help prevent future occurrences of the disease,” Grant said. “No serious problems have been identified with the shingles vaccine. It does not contain thimerosal, a preservative containing mercury.”

The most common side effects include redness, soreness, swelling or itching at the shot site, and headache. There is no documentation of a person getting chickenpox from someone who has received the shingles vaccine, which contains the varicella zoster virus.

For more information about the shingles vaccine, contact your local county health department or go to www.cdc.gov.

 

Tags: Carolyn Maschke, Health, Shingles, Vaccine
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REGISTRATION OPEN FOR 2012 FAITH AND HEALTH SUMMIT

– January 9, 2012Posted in: Press Releases

 

 

Special to the Journal

 

The Georgia Department of Public Health (Cardiovascular Health Initiative, Nutrition and Physical Activity Initiative, Tobacco Use Prevention Program) welcomes Pastors, Faith-based Wellness Leaders, Parrish Nurses, Community Educators and others who are interested in working with the faith community to improve health to the 4th Annual “Changing Faith, Changing Health, Changing Lives” Summit on January 26-28, 2012 at Epworth By the sea, St. Simons, Island, GA.

This conference aims to increase knowledge and awareness among faith leaders about the importance of establishing wellness ministries for primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease and other chronic illnesses.  This conference fosters an atmosphere conducive to the sharing of knowledge and ideas related to the successful implementation of environmental and policy changes to promote healthy lifestyle behaviors.

The conference begins on Thursday, January 26th at 2 p.m. and ends on Saturday at January 28th at 11:30 a.m. Scholarships covering lodging costs ONLY are available on a first come first serve basis for individuals who reside in counties located in the following Health Districts: Valdosta, Macon, Columbus, Dublin, Albany, Augusta, Waycross, Rome, LaGrange and Savannah. The scholarships cover lodging and meals only.

For more information contact A’Keti Avila (706) 998-0823, visit the Live Healthy Georgia website at www.livehealthygeorgia.org/events or register online at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/gafaithsummit.

 

Tags: Faith, FAITH AND HEALTH SUMMIT, Health
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Energize Yourself with D-Ribose

– January 6, 2012Posted in: Columns, Health, Nature's Cure

 

 

D-Ribose is a special sugar made in your body that does not come from food. It helps relieve fatigue, soreness, and stiffness after exercise. Sugars we are familiar with are table sugar (sucrose), corn sugar (glucose), milk sugar (lactose), honey (mostly fructose) and others are used by the body as fuel. These sugars are consumed and with the help of the oxygen we breathe, are burned by the body for energy. When these sugars are consumed excessively, however, they become toxic acting as energy loan sharks in the body.

D-ribose has a negative value on the glycemic index. When taken your body recognizes it that is different from other sugars and preserves it for the vital work of actually making the special energy molecule (ATP) that powers your heart, muscles and brain and every other tissue in your body.

ATP, or adenosine triphosphate, is the energy storage unit for all living things. Think of it as a capsule, ready to take in energy and transport it to wherever your body needs it. When a process in your body needs fuel to function, the capsule splits open and energy is instantly available for use.

When the heart does not have enough energy it does not relax between beats. This means it can’t fill completely with blood. Because of this the heart cannot function properly and pump enough blood to the body. When this happens your tissue becomes oxygen starved. This can cause a heart attack or you may have symptoms of heart failure such as ankle swelling shortness of breath while exercising or lying flat.

It is harder for the heart to relax than to contract. If the heart does not relax completely over time the muscle will become very hard and will eventually stop.

D-Ribose is used to generate ATP. Supplementing your diet with additional D-Ribose should increase the rate at which ATP is generated, leading to an improvement in exercise performance and faster muscle growth. ATP is constantly being broken down and “recreated”. In the process, it provides energy for every move you make and every chemical reaction that occurs in human body.

Why should I use D-Ribose?

Supplementing with D-Ribose is an effective way to increase energy levels (ATP) within the muscle cell, enhance muscular performance, and aid in recovery after high intensity exercise. You will produce more energy during short, intense bursts of activity, like weight training and sprinting. All muscles in the body rely on a constant supply of ATP for the energy they need to function properly. When we place great energy demands on our heart or skeletal muscles through intense physical exercise, our muscles become deprived of oxygen due to diminished blood flow. This oxygen deprivation leads to a drastic decrease in muscle ATP/energy levels. Studies have shown that muscle ATP stores can be decreased by as much as 60-70% following exhaustive exercise and that it can take over 72 HOURS for these ATP stores to be adequately replenished. During this recuperation period, muscular strength and endurance maybe GREATLY diminished. D-Ribose has been shown to dramatically enhance the rate at which ATP is replenished in the muscles decreasing the recovery time from 72 HOURS to as little as 12 HOURS! D-Ribose is absorbed VERY efficiently with 95% of what you consume delivered to the bloodstream. D-Ribose will have no effect on heart rate or blood pressure and should be taken approximately 1 hour before exercise and immediately after. Also, D-Ribose, when taken with Creatine Monohydrate, has a synergistic effect on muscle strength, endurance, and recovery making this combo one of the most potent weapons in an athlete’s arsenal. Finally, D-Ribose also gives the body a SUDDEN JOLT of energy when taken, and will thus help as a preworkout supplement.

What doses of D-Ribose should be taken? While there is no definitive guide on how much D-Ribose should be taken, most experts agree that large amounts should be taken as a “loading phase” for the first week of supplementation when the body is most responsive. For this loading phase 3 grams taken 3-4 times a day should be sufficient. Then, once the muscles are saturated with D-Ribose, a maintenance dose can be consumed. This should range from 6-9 grams a day.

What side effects are caused by D-Ribose? As of yet, no known side effects have been reported from the use of D-Ribose. D-Ribose is a natural nutrient produced by our bodies and is believed to be safe.

Jami Jones is a natural health consultant and owner of Nature’s Cure, in Albany.

 

Tags: Health, Healthy living, Jami Jones, Nature's Cure
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Smaller sibling protein calls the shots in cell division

– January 4, 2012Posted in: Health, Press Releases

 

 

Special to the Journal

 

Scientists have found at least one instance when the smaller sibling gets to call the shots and cancer patients may one day benefit.

The protein Chk1 has long been known to be a checkpoint in cell development: it keeps normal cells and damaged cells from dividing until their DNA has been fully replicated or repaired. Now scientists at Georgia Health Sciences University and the California Institute of Technology have discovered a shorter form they’ve dubbed Chk1-S (“S” stands for short) that essentially neutralizes its longer sibling so cell division can proceed.

That shorter form is in higher levels in cancer cells as well as fetal tissue, both of which require accelerated cell division. But the scientists also have shown that very high levels of Chk1-S actually reduce tumor growth and prompt premature cell division and death in other cells.

“Chk1 is needed for division of all cells, even cancer cells, so if you inhibit it completely by over-expressing Chk1-S, those cells also will not grow,” said Dr. Navjotsingh Pabla, a postdoctoral fellow at Caltech. Chk1-S expression is nearly zero in normal, non-dividing cells.

These findings, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, point toward the short form’s potential to help diagnose and/or treat cancer, they said. Chk1 inhibitors, which promote abnormal cell division – and likely cell death – to occur before DNA replication/repair is complete, already are being tested on patients.

“Chk1-S is only expressed at a time when DNA is replicated or repaired so it binds to its sibling protein, Chk1, antagonizing it so now the cell can divide,” said Dr. Zheng Dong, cell biologist at GHSU and the Charlie Norwood Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Augusta. “The question that has been hanging on for many years is: How is Chk1 regulated?”

They found that significantly increasing levels of Chk1-S induces cell division regardless of whether DNA replication or repair is complete. Incomplete DNA replication or repair can result in spontaneous cell suicide but also can result in chromosomal or genetic defects leading to cancer cell production. Additionally, cancer cells purposefully mutate to resist treatment. Pabla speculates that expression of the shorter version may be awry in cancer cells. “We are very interested in pursuing that.”

“It’s exciting to have found an important regulator of such an important protein that we think may contribute to cancer as well as its treatment,” Dong said.

Chk1 and Chk1-S are made by the same gene they are just spliced differently. One way Chk1 gets turned on is by phosphorylation, or adding phosphate, which can activate or deactivate a protein. The level of phosphorylation of Chk1 is particularly dramatic when DNA repair is needed. Chk1, in turn, works to temporarily halt the cell cycle by phosphorylating another protein. Interestingly, Chk1-S cannot bind to its sibling when Chk1 is phosphorylated. It’s known that mental retardation can result from mutation of ATR, a DNA damage-sensing protein that phosphorylates Chk1.

While the biggest burst of cell division occurs during development, it continues lifelong in areas such as the blood, skin and gastrointestinal tract where cell turnover is high. “Lots of tissues need to regenerate,” said Dong.

Dong is a Regents Professor at GHSU and a faculty member in the university’s Medical College of Georgia and College of Graduate Studies. He is a Research Career Scientist and Director of Research Development at the Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center. Pabla worked at GHSU with Dong on the study.

 

Tags: Health
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Fighting To Stop Cancer in Southwest Georgia

– December 27, 2011Posted in: Health

 

 

Written by Walter Johnson

 

As 2011 draws closer to its end, two organizations dedicated to fighting cancer in Albany and southwest Georgia are looking forward to 2012.

Southwest Georgia Cancer Coalition President and CEO Diane Fletcher said she took her current job to help reduce cancer rates in the region.

“I found it to be an opportunity to really make a difference in local communities,” said Fletcher.  “When I learned about the high rates of cancer in southwest Georgia, I was an oncology nurse, I had done research, education, and worked in hospitals, and it just seemed to be a good fit for my background, and wanted to try to change the statistics in our local communities here.”

Communications and Development Manager Mandy Flynn finds working for the coalition to be very personal, as many of her family members either have been diagnosed with cancer, or have succumbed to the disease.

“Cancer, unfortunately, has touched our family greatly,” Flynn said. “My father died of cancer, my grandparents, aunts, and uncles, and one of my sisters has had breast cancer, and (also), another form of cancer, and she’s doing great now.

“So, cancer is really a part of our lives, and I wanted to help any way that I could,” Flynn added.

As a senior community manager for the Albany chapter of the American Cancer Society, Jessica Davis is also helping to make a difference in the fight against cancer.

“I wanted to make a difference in my community,” Davis said. “American Cancer Society is helping people (to) stay well, with steps to prevent cancer, get well.

“They’re in our corner, around the clock, to help you get through every step of your cancer experience,” Davis added. “They’re finding cures through research, and they’re fighting back with lawmakers, and rallying communities worldwide to join the fight against cancer.”

 

Leading healthier lives

     Fletcher says the best part of her job is to help people live healthier lives, through practicing healthy lifestyles.

“I really enjoy the opportunity to change people’s lives,” Fletcher said, “to help them to learn how to live healthier, for example, to stop smoking, to exercise, to eat a healthier diet.

“All the things that you and I and everybody else knows that we should do, (but) we often don’t follow that,” explained Fletcher. “A lot of what we do at the cancer coalition is teaching individuals about how to change their lives.

“So I very much enjoy that, and also helping people to get the care they need if they are at risk for cancer, and (are) diagnosed with cancer, and we refer them to the local cancer centers, where they can be treated, or we provide screenings for individuals who are uninsured.”

 

Challenges facing the Coalition

     The challenges that the Southwest Georgia Cancer Coalition faces, according to Fletcher, are numerous, especially trying to get the funding needed to help continue its work in battling cancer.

“The biggest challenge is that we cover a broad area, 31 counties, (in southwest and south central Georgia),” Fletcher said. “So, it’s such a large area, with about 700,000 residents.

“So, probably, the biggest challenge is reaching all of the individuals and families that need to be educated, or need services.

“The other challenge is resources, because, particularly in this economy, we receive funding from a number of different sources, and as we all know, the federal budget, the state budget, individuals, and foundations, everybody has been watching their dollars more, so we are limited by what we can provide by the resources that we have, the funding, and the other support.

“So, there’s a lot of need in the area, it’s a large area, and I wish we had millions of dollars, because we could do everything that we could do, and that’s the challenge.”

Flynn said much of the funding that the coalition receives comes not only from public and private resources, but also from everyday citizens.

“A lot of our funding comes from different sources, we get funding through the state of Georgia,” said Flynn.  “We also get funding through private foundations, and grants that we apply for.”

“But much of our funding,” Flynn explained, “comes from private donations, and just regular people, who believe in our mission, and our cause.”

 

The newest grants and the “Bunko” tournament

Recently, the coalition received a new grant from the state government that will control tobacco use in southwest Georgia.  It includes a media campaign which allows people to use to Georgia Tobacco Quit Line to help them quit smoking.

“The new grant that we received,” Fletcher explained, “(which) is from the Georgia Department of Public Health, it’s through state funding, and it’s particularly, we are to use that for better tobacco control, especially to help people quit smoking, or not to smoke at all.”

As for the “Bunko” tournament, it’s simply a good game of dice for a good cause, added Fletcher.

“It’s a simple game of dice, it’s not gambling,” Fletcher said. “It’s just a very simple game that people play, and it’s really just, the ‘Bunko’, doing that is just a way to bring individuals together for a fun-filled social evening, but that they know what they’re donating by their registration fee, by items we have donated from local businesses, to the auction, they know that every penny that is raised through those events, helps to support the cancer coalition.”

 

Focused on finding a cure

     As the Southwest Georgia Cancer Coalition prepares to celebrate its 10th anniversary, Fletcher says the organization is focused on finding a cure for cancer in the region.

     “Everything that we do is focused on finding the answers here,” Fletcher said. “Finding out why the rates of cancer are higher than average (in southwest Georgia).

“We need to find the best ways to approach this so that we can prevent cancer, we can better control it, and so that individuals here know that we exist exclusively to serve the communities here.

Flynn says she’s looking forward to celebrating the first decade of the coalition’s founding.

“We are just so excited about our 10th anniversary coming up,” she said. “We have so many great things that have gone on the last 10 years.  We serve the population that we serve in our 31 counties.”

“Through our cancer screening program, we have helped people to find early stages of pre-cancers that have been resolved, that hopefully, have prevented them from getting cancer down the road.

“We have been partners with the Emory (University) Prevention Research Center,” Flynn added. “In partnership with (Emory), they have done some amazing things in our community, helping people learn to eat right, (and) exercise, so that, hopefully, they fend off cancer, even better, even easier.

“We’ve done some amazing things that we’re very proud of.”

On The Web: Southwest Georgia Cancer Coalition—http://www.swgacancer.org

American Cancer Society—http://www.cancer.org

 

Tags: American Cancer Society, cancer, Health, Southwest Georgia Cancer Coalition, Walter Johnson
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Georgia ranks near the bottom in vaccinations

– December 12, 2011Posted in: Health

 

 

Special to the Journal

 

Only 40.5% of Georgians were vaccinated against seasonal influenza in 2010-2011, according to a survey by the National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That puts the state at No. 41 out of the 50 states – and places its residents at greater risk of catching an illness that can result in hospitalizations or even death.

“Dec. 4 leads off National Influenza Vaccination Week, a time when we are emphasizing that it is not too late to get protection for yourself and your loved ones,” said Southwest Health District Director Dr. Jacqueline Grant.

“The National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend an annual flu vaccine for everyone 6 months and older as the first and best way to protect against influenza,” she said. “That’s because people of every race, class and environment are equally at risk of infection.”

While flu season starts as early as August, it may last as late as May.

“Right now, we are heading into peak flu season,” Grant said. “Our county health departments have ample supplies of flu vaccine, with both the injectable and nasal mist forms available.”

The flu shots (injected vaccines) do not contain live viruses and are approved for people ages 6 months and older. Nasal spray vaccine is made with live, weakened flu viruses and is approved for healthy people 2 through 49 who are not pregnant.

Children aged 6 months through 8 years require two doses of influenza vaccine (administered four weeks apart) during their first season of vaccination, Grant said.

Flu vaccine is produced using egg protein, and while reports of severe allergic reactions are rare, she recommended those with egg allergies to discuss with their private healthcare providers whether getting the vaccine is appropriate for them.

Among those most at risk of complications from flu are pregnant women, those with chronic diseases, healthcare workers, older adults and the very young, Grant said. “We strongly urge those who fall into these groups to get the protection they need against influenza.”

Flu vaccine cost $25 per dose at county health departments, and a variety of payment options are available. For more information, contact your local health department.

 

Tags: flu shots, Health, vaccinations
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National Influenza Vaccination Week is December 4 – 10, 2011

– December 5, 2011Posted in: Health

It is Not Too Late to Vaccinate: Georgia Department of Public Health Encourages Flu Shots                   

ATLANTA – Flu season has been in full swing since August, but it’s never too late to guard yourself against infection.  Dec. 4 is the first day of National Influenza Vaccination Week, and the Georgia Department of Public Health would like to emphasize the continued importance of flu vaccination for all Georgians.

“People of every race, class and environment are equally susceptible to flu infection,” said Steven Mitchell, immunization director for the Georgia Department of Public Health.  “The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone six months and older receive a flu shot, and failure to get vaccinated accounts for countless needless infections each year.

According to the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, communication lapses between patients and doctors are partly to blame.  A recent survey by the CDC concluded that one in five adults believes vaccines are optional for healthy adults.

Operating under this impression, a significant portion of the population will fail to arm itself against the flu this coming season, putting everyone at higher risk for continued infection and transmission of the disease.  CDC survey results show only 40.5 percent of Georgians were vaccinated in 2010-2011.  In this category, Georgia ranks 41 out of the 50 states.

An influenza vaccination is the best way to prevent flu and potentially serious complications.  National Influenza Vaccination Week emphasizes the importance of flu vaccinations and presents an ideal time to improve Georgia’s rankings.  Flu season starts as early as August but can extend as late as May.  The CDC recommends that everyone get to a doctor’s office, pharmacy or health department and invest in good health through vaccination this winter.

The Georgia Department of Public Health encourages all Georgians to protect their friends, family and themselves from vaccine-preventable diseases by getting vaccinated.

 

For more information on immunization, visit http://health.state.ga.us/programs/immunization.

 

Tags: flu shots, Health, immunization
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District combats premature births with education, CenteringPregnancy®

– November 23, 2011Posted in: Health

 

Written by Carolyn Maschke

 

Each year, more than half a million babies in the United States are born too soon, placing them at risk of severe health problems and lifelong disabilities, says Southwest Health District Health Director Dr. Jacqueline Grant.

“Among those most at risk are children born in medically underserved communities such as those of rural African American women and Hispanic farmworkers,” said Grant, who is an OB-GYN. “We see these at-risk populations here in our 14-county health district.”

November is Prematurity Awareness Month. “Southwest Health District wants to raise awareness that premature birth is the No. 1 killer of newborns,” Grant said. “We are using this educational opportunity to let people know that our country’s premature birthrate has risen by 36% over the last 25 years. That’s cause for concern.”

Premature births cost society more than $26 billion a year and take a high toll on families, according to the National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“In our health district, one way we are addressing premature births is by offering the CenteringPregnancy® prenatal model of care, which has a proven track record of improving birth outcomes and reducing premature births – especially in underserved minority communities,” Grant said. “We began offering CenteringPregnancy® at the Dougherty County Health Department, and this year we expanded the program to a second site in Colquitt County at the Ellenton Farmworker Program.”

She said CenteringPregnancy® delivers obstetrical care in a group setting, but also allows patients one-on-one time with their healthcare provider. “It empowers women to be proactive with their health and the health of their baby from preconception throughout the birth process and beyond.”

Participants learn about topics such as nutrition and breastfeeding, take their own blood pressure and weight, enjoy healthy snacks and participate in activities designed to prompt discussion. The Centering staff includes a board-certified OB-GYN, nurse-practitioners, certified nurse midwives, nurses and administrative staff.

Additional benefits include access to services such as WIC, pharmacy, perinatal case management (PCM), and postpartum family planning.

For more information, contact the Dougherty program at 229-430-6260 or the Colquitt program at 229-324-2845.

 

Tags: Health, premature births
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Health Department promotes HIV testing

– November 23, 2011Posted in: Health

 

Written by Carolyn Maschke

 

Five of Southwest Health District’s 14 counties are among the top 20 in the state with disproportionately high rates of HIV among women of childbearing age – so Public Health officials are offering free testing opportunities and other events to raise awareness in coming days.

“Baker County has the highest rate of women of reproductive age living with HIV in Georgia,” said Southwest Health District Health Director Dr. Jacqueline Grant. Higher than average rates are also found in Calhoun, Terrell, Decatur, Dougherty and Grady counties, she said.

“Obviously, there are other more populous counties – such as Fulton – that have more women of child-bearing age who have HIV, than Baker. We don’t have as many population-wise, but when you just look at the rates themselves, when you compare apples to apples, the numbers are alarmingly high,” Grant said.

To combat the high numbers as well as observe World Day AIDS Day, the Dougherty County Health Department will offer free confidential HIV testing Dec. 1 from 9 a.m. – noon and 2 p.m. – 5 p.m., said District HIV/AIDS Program Manager Chanel Scott-Dixon. Testing will also be available at Albany State University in collaboration with the university and Teen Maze, she said.

Test results take approximately 20 minutes, and counseling is available, Scott-Dixon said.

Other county health departments are also offering free testing and educational events throughout the week, Grant said.

Only one person out of five is aware they have the HIV infection, according to the National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Women who are not engaged in risky behavior – such as having multiple sex partners or sharing needles – may not be aware that they have the infection and that they can pass it on to their unborn children, Grant said.

“We want to raise awareness about the importance of taking the test and taking control,” said Grant. “All too often, patients don’t get diagnosed until years after they have become infected. Detecting it early and starting treatment at once can prevent full-blown AIDS from developing and prolong lives.”

Since anyone can get HIV/AIDS, the CDC recommends that everyone between the ages of 13 and 64 be tested as a routine part of their medical care, she said, but it is especially important for women to be tested early in pregnancy.

Southwest District’s HIV AIDS program offers education, testing, counseling, contact and partner identification, notification and referral for treatment. “Our services are offered through our 14 county health departments,” Grant said.

For more information about HIV/AIDS, go to www.southwestgeorgiapublichealth.org or contact the Dougherty County Health Department at 430-6200.

 

Tags: Health, HIV, Public Health
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