South Health District

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 – A horse in Lowndes County has tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE). Public Health officials urge South Georgians to always wear mosquito spray whenever outdoors to guard against mosquito-borne illnesses no matter how early in the season it may seem. “It is crucial to remember that it is never too early for […]

Vaccines are constantly being discussed at the national level. These discussions are typically surrounded by statistics and scientific terms that can make things confusing. To clear up some of the confusion surrounding the topic here are some answers to commonly asked questions. What are vaccines and how do they work? The Centers for Disease Control […]

VALDOSTA – The Georgia Department of Public Health’s South Health District is offering a free wellness clinic March 23 in partnership with the Valdosta Mall. During the wellness clinic the community will be able to receive free HIV testing, blood pressure checks and body composition analyzing.  Health testing will be offered from 10 a.m.-noon.  Everyone […]

VALDOSTA – Vaccinations keep preteens safe today so they can have a healthy tomorrow. In an effort to protect every adult and child, local health departments joining the Georgia Department of Public Health in recognizing March 11-15 as Georgia Preteen Vaccine Awareness Week. This week serves as a reminder for parents to talk with their […]

Eating healthy and getting active are two of the most crucial steps a person can take for their personal health. During March the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics recognizes National Nutrition Month which encourages people to make informed food choices and develop sound eating and activity habits. “Making healthy choices is vital all year long,” […]