South Health District

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,” […]

“Being a healthy adult is directly tied to being physically active and eating nutritiously,” says William Grow, MD, FACP, district health director.

Childhood and adolescence are critical periods for developing movement skills, learning healthy habits, and establishing a firm foundation for lifelong health and well-being.

If you have not gotten your flu vaccine for the 2018-2019 flu season, do not delay any longer. Flu activity is higher today than it was at this point last year which was classified as a high severity season across all age groups by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Last year Georgia experienced one of the worst flu seasons in recent history. Don’t fall victim to the flu this year, vaccinate before it’s too late. National Influenza Vaccination Week (NIVW) is Dec. 2-8, and DPH encourages all Georgians 6 months of age and older to get a yearly flu vaccine.

In collaboration with Valdosta State University, the ID program will host a World AIDS Day event on Friday, November 30 from 11:30 am – 1 pm at VSU in the University Center, Cypress Room.

During Georgia’s last flu season, five children died and hundreds were hospitalized. It was the worst flu season in the state on record. Nationally, 177 children died from flu- associated complications, and 80 percent were not appropriately vaccinated against the flu for their age.