Social media launch kicks off month-long Public Health Month activities

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 1, 2011

BURLINGTON – A new era of connecting with the community officially begins today at the Alamance County Health Department (ACHD) with the debut of its presence on Facebook and Twitter.

“Really, this isn’t an April Fool’s Day joke,” said Eric Nickens, Jr., ACHD Media and Public Affairs Officer.  “The community, as well as our current clients and patients have desired this form of interaction with us for quite some time.  With the assistance of the county MIS Department, we’re elated to finally make this service available.”

By “Liking” us Facebook and “Following” us on Twitter, residents of Alamance County and beyond can stay informed on the latest events, news, and new services offered by health department.  In addition, the community, as well as current clients and patients can provide the health department with valuable feedback regarding current and potential future programs and services.

April also kicks off North Carolina’s Public Health Month celebration.  Public health is present everywhere, every day and in everybody’s life, but many in our communities are not even aware of this silent force in their lives.  Public health affects us all, ensuring that food served in our restaurants is safe to eat, keeping our water clean, making sure our children are vaccinated against dangerous diseases, and generally contributing to the quality of life in our county.

ACHD will celebrate Public Health Month with a variety of activities throughout the month, including various education programs, a rabies vaccination clinic, and participation in community-wide events, such as Healthy Kids Day at Burlington City Park and the Mebane Dogwood Festival 5K Run.  For a complete summary of activities, please visit the Public Health Month section on the health department’s website.

Since 1938, the staff of the Alamance County Health Department have been working with and serving the public health needs of Alamance County residents, providing clinical, environmental, and community health education programs and services that are critical to the well-being of the community.  For more information about the health department or any of its programs or services, please call (336) 227-0101.

Progress made in overall health outcomes, physical environment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 30, 2011

BURLINGTON – Community mobilization and public awareness of health issues are proving to be the key ingredients in a recipe for better health amongst Alamance County residents.  The annual County Health Rankings, released today by the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, show Alamance County advancing six spots from 26th in 2010 to 20th healthiest in North Carolina.

“This is a remarkable achievement and a testament to just how powerful our community can be when there’s a call to action,” said Alamance County Health Director Barry Bass.  “Through the joint efforts of the health department, Healthy Alamance, and community groups, we are making an impact in the health and lifestyles of Alamance County residents.”   “While we’ve made progress in some areas, there’s much more to accomplish before we can become the healthiest county in North Carolina,” Bass concluded.

Since the release of last year’s rankings, many groups and agencies have joined forces to address some of Alamance County’s major health issues, resulting in:

• Parks and recreation departments throughout the county collaborating with the Alamance County Health Department and Healthy Alamance to develop the Physical Activity and Recreation Challenge (PARC) Passport program.  In its inaugural year, PARC Passport exposed over 5,000 residents to the county’s most popular, as well as undiscovered recreational areas, in an effort to get residents to get up, out, and moving.

• Significant facility renovations and enhancements, such as the addition of a dance/aerobics room, a physical activity arcade, a new walking track, lighting, and outdoor fitness stations at Burlington’s North Park.  The project was funded though a N.C. Health and Wellness Trust Fund FIT Communities grant.  Through the efforts of Healthy Alamance, Burlington Recreation and Parks, and neighborhood residents, park utilization has increased significantly, as well as a renewed sense of community pride in this socio-economically challenged area.

• The development of Mebane’s City Trail systems.  The trails, tentatively scheduled to open in the summer of 2011, are located throughout Mebane and range from approximately 1 to 4 ½ miles in length.  This project was born through a partnership between Mebane on the Move, the City of Mebane, and citizens from the area.

• The Alamance County Area Chamber of Commerce, Alamance Regional Medical Center, and Alamance County Health Department partnering with NC Prevention Partners (NCPP) and Pfizer for the Alamance County Prevention Academy.  The academy, consisting of approximately 25 local businesses and organizations, utilizes NCPP’s WorkHealthy America, an innovative and successfully proven program to help employers reduce healthcare costs while improving employee health.  The program is being provided to the participating businesses and organizations at no charge over the next three years, a value of $6,000 per participating entity.

• The expansion of the air quality flag and vehicle anti-idling programs to all campuses within the Alamance-Burlington School System (ABSS).  This awareness initiative between the Healthy Alamance Pediatric Asthma Coalition, ABSS, and the Alamance County Health Department, has expanded with funding from the North Carolina Asthma Program.  Expansion funding currently provides asthma education to childcare providers and will debut Know the Code, an awareness campaign to familiarize Alamance County residents with what each air quality color means.

This is the second year of the County Health Rankings, the most comprehensive report of its kind to rank the overall health of nearly every county in all 50 states by using a standard way to measure how healthy people are and how long they live. The Rankings helps everyone see how where people live, learn, work and play influence how healthy they are and how long they live.

For more information, please visit www.countyhealthrankings.org.

Recent clinic changes increasing efficiency, cutting door-to-door time by 25%

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 17, 2011

BURLINGTON – A special team, comprised of Alamance County Health Department (ACHD) staff, have been on a mission.  While maintaining a full clinic schedule and other critical operations, their assignment has involved quick thinking and precise steps to ensure the efficient use of resources while improving overall client and patient satisfaction.  Enter the ACHD Quality Improvement (QI) Team.

The Alamance County Health Department is one of nine counties throughout the state involved in Phase II of the NC CPHQ Public Health QI 101 initiative.  Over the past few months, with the assistance of consultants from the N.C. Center for Public Health Quality (NC CPHQ) and N.C. State University’s Industrial Extension Service, the QI Team received training and applied their knowledge to pinpoint and eliminate wasteful activities to increase efficiency.

In less than two weeks since the team implemented changes in the Women’s Health Clinic, they’re already seeing remarkable improvements.  Total door-to-door time (which includes check-in, waiting room, time with provider, lab, and check-out) has decreased by 25% from two hours to one hour and thirty minutes.  Additionally, with the relocation of the Women’s Health check-in area and reconfiguration of rooms and equipment, the distance a patient travels during a clinic visit has been reduced by half.  Additional areas of the health department are already being evaluated for future phases of the ACHD QI Project.

“Time is money,” said Kathy Brooks, QI Project Lead.  “This philosophy not only applies to the business world, but affects the patients that we see daily, since thirty minutes can mean the difference in the size of one’s paycheck.  By reducing waste and increasing our efficiency, we’re allowing our patients get the healthcare they need while keeping disruptions to their daily routine at a minimum.”

The NC CPHQ is a partnership between the North Carolina Public Health Foundation (NCPHF) and the North Carolina Division of Public Health (DPH), funded by Blue Cross Blue Shield Foundation of North Carolina, The Duke Endowment, The Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust and The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  NC CPHQ collaborates with state and local partners to provide training in QI methods and tools and develops, leads, and supports strategic QI initiatives for the Division of Public Health and local public health agencies in North Carolina.

Rabid skunk killed by unvaccinated dog in Pleasant Grove

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 3, 2011

BURLINGTON – The North Carolina State Laboratory of Public Health in Raleigh confirmed Alamance County’s second rabies case for the year late Wednesday afternoon.

The animal control division of the Alamance County Sherriff’s Office animal control was called on Monday to a residence on John Lewis Road in the Pleasant Grove area of northern Alamance County.  On arrival, they found a skunk that had been attacked and killed by the owner’s dog.  The dog was not up-to-date on its rabies vaccination and was transported to Burlington Animal Control on Wednesday afternoon, where it is being held for euthanization.

“Rabies is a fatal illness, for animals, as well as humans,” said Carl Carroll, Alamance County Health Department Environmental Health Director with.  “Pet owners must take their responsibility for keeping vaccinations up-to-date very seriously.”

Dog and cat owners can take advantage of two upcoming rabies vaccination clinics in Alamance County.  A fee may apply for vaccinations given at community clinics.

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For more information regarding low-cost rabies vaccination providers or for questions about the laws regarding rabies vaccination for animals, please contact the health department’s Environmental Health division at (336) 570-6367.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 5, 2011

BURLINGTON – Not even a healthy dose of liquid sunshine could dampen the spirits of over 75 area dental professionals and community volunteers taking part in the eighth annual Alamance-Caswell Give Kids a Smile event, held today at the Alamance County Health Department’s Children’s Dental Center.

Throughout the morning, 80 children streamed through the treatment area and came away with much more than free dental care and gym bags filled with giveaway provided by local businesses.

A unique feature of Alamance-Caswell Give Kids a Smile is the Adopt-A-Smile initiative.  During the dental examination, if a child is found to have more extensive and immediate dental treatment needs beyond what can be provided on the day of the event, participating dentists will adopt the child into their private practice at no cost to the parent or guardian.  Over the course of today’s five hour event, 29 children were adopted.

Additional figures from today’s event include:

Funding to expand CenteringPregnancy® services, obtain program accreditation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 2, 2011

BURLINGTON – Expecting mothers receiving prenatal services at the Alamance County Health Department (ACHD) will greatly benefit from enhanced prenatal care and support services thanks to a March of Dimes  grant that will address unmet maternal and child health needs.

The March of Dimes North Carolina Chapter recently awarded one of its 2011 Community Awards to ACHD.  The $41,565.00 grant award will be used to expand the health department’s CenteringPregnancy® program and assist in obtaining accreditation from the Centering Healthcare Institute.

“These grants address significant maternal and child health issues such as access to care, prenatal support, and infant mortality prevention that are of concern in our community,” said Marcia Swartz, March of Dimes Program Services Chair.

CenteringPregnancy®, a new option at the Maternity Clinic at ACHD, is an innovative prenatal program that  allows patients to see the same provider throughout their pregnancies, participate in their own care, eliminate wait time, and meet other pregnant women with similar due dates.  Women are given the chance to discuss topics important to them during their pregnancies and form friendships and support that last beyond the pregnancy, while at the same time receiving high quality prenatal check-ups.  CenteringPregnancy® has been implemented in a wide range of settings nationally from private OB offices to local health departments and has been associated with lower preterm delivery rates, increased breastfeeding rates, and higher patient satisfaction.

With the expansion funding, ACHD will now plan to provide four Centering groups during in the 2011 calendar year.  Each Centering group consists of 10-12 participants and their support persons.  Any pregnant woman who seeks care through the ACHD and has no high risk conditions will be eligible to participate in Centering.

“We are exceedingly fortunate to have this program at the health department,” said Dr. Kathleen Shapley-Quinn, Alamance County Health Department Medical Director.  “CenteringPregnancy® has been proven, in multiple locations around the country, to improve outcome of some of the most vulnerable babies, as well as creating supportive communities for pregnant women.  It is programs like this which will help us continue to improve the health of women and children in our community.”

The March of Dimes is a national voluntary health agency whose mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. Founded in 1938, the March of Dimes funds programs of research, community services, education, and advocacy to save babies and in 2003 launched a campaign to address the increasing rate of premature birth. For more information, visit the March of Dimes website at marchofdimes.com or its Spanish language website at nacersano.org.

For more information about CenteringPregnancy® or other services provided by the ACHD Maternity Clinic, please call (336) 227-0101.

Records from 2007 reveal another rabies case at the same location

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 1, 2011

BURLINGTON – The North Carolina State Laboratory of Public Health in Raleigh confirmed Alamance County’s first rabies case for the year late Tuesday afternoon.

The rabid raccoon was found fighting with a dog at a residence on Mt. Herman-Rock Creek Road in southern Alamance County on Sunday.  The animal control division of the Alamance County Sherriff’s Office was called to investigate.  The dog had not been vaccinated against rabies and has been euthanized.  According to records, another rabies case occurred in the area back in August 2010 and at the same location in 2007.

“It is unfortunate that this dog was not currently vaccinated,” said Carl Carroll, Director of Environmental Health with the Alamance County Health Department.  “It is extremely important for all dog and cat owners to keep their pets rabies vaccinations up to date.  Given that there have been three documented cases in the area, all residents should be even more vigilant and take precautions.”

Rabies vaccinations for dogs and cats are normally less than $20.00 at most veterinarian offices. These shots must be kept up to date.  If a dog or cat is exposed to a known or expected rabid animal, North Carolina General Statues require that the dog or cat be euthanized or quarantined for six months at an approved animal control facility or a veterinarian’s office at the owner’s expense.

Once the rabies virus enters the body through a bite from a rabid animal, it travels along the nerves to the brain.  Depending on the individual dog or cat, signs of rabies may manifest in as little as a few weeks or as long as six months.  In animals, rabies is almost always fatal.  However, there are shots that humans can get once they have a rabies exposure, but those shots are very expensive, usually averaging $3,000 or more for the post-exposure series.

If someone is bitten by an animal, they should immediately wash the wound with warm water and soap, seek medical attention, and call animal control personnel or the health department.

For more information regarding low-cost rabies vaccination providers or for questions about the laws regarding rabies vaccination for animals, please contact the health department’s Environmental Health division at (336) 570-6367.

Appointment scheduling for sixth annual event begins January 18

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 30, 2010

BURLINGTON – As a part of National Children’s Dental Access Day, the Alamance County Health Department (ACHD) and the Alamance-Caswell Dental Society are proud to once again partner to Give Kids a Smile.

The event, now in its sixth year locally, will be held on Saturday, February 5, 2011, at the Alamance County Children’s Dental Center, from 8:00 A.M. – 1:00 P.M.  The Children’s Dental Center is located at 1914 McKinney Street, at the corner of North Graham-Hopedale Road and McKinney Street in Burlington, across from Eastlawn Elementary School.  Since the event’s inception, participating dentists have preformed over $150,000 in free dental services for Alamance and Caswell County children in need of dental treatment.

Appointment scheduling for free limited dental exams, cleaning, fluoride, and sealants will begin on Tuesday, January 18, and end on Thursday, January 20.  Anyone residing in Alamance or Caswell County interested in scheduling an appointment for their child(ren), should call the Give Kids a Smile appointment line at (336) 570-4166 between 10:00 AM and noon or 3:00 P.M. and 5:00 P.M.  Individuals speaking Spanish may call (336) 570-4167. Please note that appointments are required and limited to the first 100 children.

To be eligible for Give Kids a Smile, children must: should meet the following criteria:

• Be in Grades K – 8
• Reside in Alamance or Caswell County
• Reside in a family that has a financial need
• Have NO Dental Insurance
• Not be currently enrolled in the N.C. Medicaid or N.C. Health Choice program.

For more information or for further details, please call the Alamance County Children’s Dental Center at (336) 570-6415.

Give Kids a Smile Quick Facts

Pictured from left to right are Cindy Watkins, Executive Director for the Alamance Partnership for Children; Nekaya Harrelson, 2010 ACHD Employee of the Year; and outgoing Board of Health member Dr. Reid Woodard. Not pictured is �You Can Count on Me� Award recipient Stacie Turpin Saunders.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 10, 2011

BURLINGTON – The Alamance County Board of Health recently held its annual awards ceremony at the Alamance County Health Department, recognizing employees, community partners, and Board of Health members for their contributions to public health in Alamance County during 2010.

Each year, the Board of Health recognizes outside agencies, organizations, or individuals that have partnered with the Alamance County Health Department (ACHD) with the Public Health Partnership Award.  Their invaluable partnership has allowed the ACHD to achieve goals that would not have been possible to achieve alone.
The 2010 Public Health Partnership Award was presented to the Alamance Partnership for Children.  The Partnership has been a long time collaborator and partner, whose programming targets populations on a multi-factorial level providing social, emotional, developmental, and health information to those who may be at risk for poor health outcomes for a variety of reasons.  Additionally, their work not only directly affects the children who are involved in The Partnership’s programming, but extends to reach their families and caregivers.

Awards were also presented for Employee of the Year, the Health Director’s “You Can Count on Me” Award, and the Board of Health Service Award.

Nekaya Harrelson, a Public Health Nurse in the health department’s Women’s Health Clinic was recognized as the 2010 Employee of the Year.  The Employee of the Year Award is selected by the Board of Health from nominations submitted by ACHD staff.  Harrelson, a lifetime resident of Alamance County, has been with the ACHD since 2007.

Stacie Turpin-Saunders, a Public Health Educator, received the Health Director’s “You Can Count on Me” Award.  This award is presented to an employee who exemplifies the values of Public Health everywhere, everyday, for everybody.  Turpin-Saunders has been with the ACHD since 2007.

Dr. Reid Woodard was also recognized for his service to the Alamance County Board of Health.  Woodard, a Graham optometrist completing his third and final term on the Board of Health, has served as a member since 2002, most recently as Chairman in 2010 and Vice-Chairman in 2009.