South Health District

Summer break means swimming! While it might not be fun to think about, it is important to remember that swimming might be a fun way to relax on a hot day but it also means you are encountering other people’s germs. One of the most dangerous germs you can encounter while swimming is Crypto. Crypto, […]

LOWNDES, ECHOLS and BROOKS COUNTY – The Georgia Department of Public Health was awarded funding from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) through its Healthy Start Initiative: Eliminating Disparities in Perinatal Health.  These funds will support the Georgia Strong Families Program (GSP) that will be implemented in South Health District (Valdosta District) and the […]

VALDOSTA – According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention about 1.1 million people in the United States have HIV. Of those 1.1 million, approximately one in eight of them don’t know they have it. June 27 is recognized annually as National HIV Testing Day, a day dedicated to encouraging people to get tested […]

ATLANTA – Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer! The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) wants it to be a safe and healthy summer for all Georgians and visitors to the state. Below are some tips on staying safe while having fun. MOSQUITOES and summer go hand in hand in Georgia. Avoiding mosquito […]

It is easy for a person to say, “I’m not overweight so I don’t need to work out,” but that isn’t the case. It’s no secret that working out is good for weight-loss and muscle gain, however even if you aren’t interested in losing weight or building muscle the benefits of exercise aren’t limited to […]

VALDOSTA – Immunization is a shared responsibility. Vaccines are among the most successful and cost-effective public health tools available for preventing disease and death. Vaccines not only help protect our children, but can also help protect entire communities by preventing and reducing the spread of infectious diseases. National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW) is April 27 […]

DPH urges public to take precautions to avoid infection ATLANTA – The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have confirmed 17 cases of E. coli O103 infection in Georgia. Because this is an ongoing investigation, the number of cases is expected to increase. These illnesses are […]

VALDOSTA – The Superpuff Saturday Asthma Day Camp returns this May. South Health District’s Children’s Medical Services offers the camp as a fun and free way to educate asthmatic children ages 5-12 and their families about asthma. Admission is free and there will be games, prices, face painting, breakfast and lunch. There will also be […]

VALDOSTA – The Baby LUV/PAT Program is hosting a Safe Sleep Group Connection class on May 30, 2019. The educational event will offer tips on safe sleep practices for babies. Pregnant women in their third trimester or mothers with an infant between one day and 12 months will receive a FREE Pack-n-Play if they RSVP […]

VALDOSTA – The Environmental Health Program at Echols County Health Department was recognized for their outstanding commitment to continuous improvement. The program received a Certificate of Achievement from the Food and Drug Administration for completing a self-assessment of the FDA Voluntary National Retail Food Regulatory Program Standards. Dan Reddit, FDA Retail Food Specialist, presented the […]