South Health District

VALDOSTA ­– The holiday season is just around the corner and this Thanksgiving the Georgia Department of Public Health’s South Health District wants to make sure you and your family are protected from food borne illnesses. Turkey will take the spotlight for most families this Thanksgiving, and whether you fry, bake or smoke your turkey […]

VALDOSTA – World AIDS Day is a global health event held annually on December 1. The event offers an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, show support for those living with HIV/AIDS and to commemorate those who have died. In recognition of World AIDS Day 2019, the Georgia Department of […]

Georgia Department of Public Health’s South Health District named Blake Lowery the 2018 Employee of the Year on October 10. Lowery is an Environmental Health Specialist in Lowndes County. South Health District wants to thank Lowery for his hard work and dedication to the district and communities they serve. Pictured are District Program Manager/Deputy Health […]

October marks the observance of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Awareness month across the United States. Nearly 4,000 infants die suddenly and unexpectedly each year in the United States.  As of 2018, Georgia averages three infant deaths every week due to SIDS and other sleep-related deaths. Many of these deaths result from accidental suffocation, overlay […]

GA Cases of Vaping-Associated Lung Injury Continue to Increase ATLANTA – The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) has identified the state’s second death from a vaping-associated illness. The death did not occur within and the patient was not a resident of the South Health District. The patient had a history of nicotine vaping, but […]

Individuals Urged to Stop Using E-cigarettes, Vaping Devices Atlanta -The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) has identified the state’s first death from a vaping-associated illness. The death did not occur within and the patient was not a resident of the South Health District. The patient had a history of heavy nicotine vaping, but no […]

South Health District recognizes Breast Cancer Awareness Month VALDOSTA – Each year, approximately 245,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer and more than 40,000 women die from it. In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Public Health Officials are committed to educating women about the importance of breast cancer screenings, early detection and healthy living. […]

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed nearly 400 cases of lung illness reported from 36 states. Six deaths have been linked to the illness. All reported cases have a history of e-cigarette product use or vaping. Most patients have reported a history of using e-cigarette products containing THC. Many patients have reported using […]

After a health scare in July 2018 Gwen Huerta, administrative support supervisor for the Irwin County Health Department, made the decision to get healthy. “I wound up in the ER and they weren’t able to get my blood pressure down. It was very, very high, almost to the point they wanted to put me in […]