Georgia Coastal Health District

The Coastal Health District has been selected by the Georgia Department of Public Health to pilot eWIC, a new electronic system for issuing food benefits through the Women, Infant, and Children (WIC) program. Until now, WIC participants used paper vouchers to purchase approved foods. The new system allows participants to use an eWIC card, which functions like a debit card, to purchase WIC-approved foods.

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“Using cards rather than paper vouchers will make shopping much more convenient for our WIC participants,” said Coastal Health District Nutrition Services Director, Pat Mobley, RDN, LD. “We’re thrilled to be able to pilot this program in Georgia.”

A phased approach will be used to distribute the new cards. Participants can continue to use paper vouchers until they receive an eWIC card.

“We’re excited about this technology upgrade but it’s going to take some time to shift from vouchers to cards,” said Mobley. “We appreciate everyone’s patience and want to reassure our WIC participants that we are working diligently to make sure the transition goes as smoothly as possible.”

Georgia WIC is a special supplemental nutrition program that provides nutrition education, breastfeeding education and support, referrals, and nutritional supplements to thousands of income eligible families throughout Georgia.

Income-eligible families include pregnant women, breastfeeding woman, postpartum women, infants, and children up to age five. Custodial/single fathers, legal guardians, and foster parents of an infant or child can also receive WIC Benefits for the eligible infant or child.

For more information about WIC, including eligibility requirements, please visit our WIC webpage.

The Coastal Health District HIV Prevention Program, in partnership with Walgreens, will hold free HIV testing events on Monday, June 27, to commemorate National HIV Testing Day (NHTD). This year’s NHTD events will be held at these Walgreens locations in Chatham and Glynn counties:

• 2109 E. Victory Drive, Savannah
• 11509 Abercorn Street, Savannah
• 4210 Augusta Road, Garden City
• 4575 Altama Avenue, Brunswick

All testing is free and confidential and results will be available in about one minute. A follow-up visit will be scheduled for anyone who tests positive and counseling will be made available to those individuals. Individuals who get tested at any of the Coastal Health District NHTD event locations on June 27 will receive a $10 gift card.

This year’s theme is “HIV Testing is Self-care.” Self-care to promote physical and mental health has been a predominant theme during the pandemic. This National HIV Testing Day, we encourage people to get tested and know their HIV status to help them stay healthy. Getting tested for HIV has never been easier. In addition to free testing at health departments and outreach events, we now offer free self-test kits that can be used at home.

National HIV Testing Day is an opportunity to raise awareness, encourage people to get the facts, tested, get involved, and get linked to care and treatment services.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone between the ages of 13 and 64 get tested for HIV at least once as part of routine health care. People at higher risk should get tested more often.

As a reminder, HIV testing is always free by appointment at all health departments in Bryan, Camden, Chatham, Effingham, Glynn, Liberty, Long, and McIntosh counties and available Monday through Friday during regular health department hours of operation.

For more information on Coastal Health District HIV services, please visit our website at coastalhealthdistrict.org/hiv.

A bat found outside of a barracks building on Hunter Army Airfield has tested positive for rabies.

Several species of wild animals that are native to coastal Georgia – including raccoons, foxes, and bats – can carry rabies. Rabies is a potentially deadly virus that is primarily spread by infected animals. The Chatham County Health Department Environmental Health office offers these tips to protect you and your family from rabies:

• Avoid contact with animals you don’t know.
• Make sure your pets receive the proper immunizations and boosters as advised by your veterinarian.
• Do not handle, feed, or unintentionally attract wild animals with open garbage cans or by leaving pet food out at night.
• Never adopt wild animals or bring them into your home. Do not try to nurse sick animals to health. Call animal control or a properly licensed animal rescue agency for assistance.
• Teach children to never handle unfamiliar animals, wild or domestic, even if they appear friendly. “Love your own, leave other animals alone” is a good principle for children to learn.

Symptoms of rabies in animals include a change in behavior, biting, aggression, showing no fear of natural enemies (such as humans), foaming at the mouth, and paralysis.

If an animal ever bites you, seek medical care immediately and contact Chatham County Animal Services at 912-652-6575 and the Chatham County Environmental Health office at 912-356-2160.

Atlanta – The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) is urging parents unable to find baby formula typically used for their child to contact their pediatrician about appropriate nutritional and safe feeding alternatives. Georgia WIC is working with WIC agencies statewide, local grocers and retailers, and formula manufacturers to help locate formula for clients, especially those in need of specialized formula.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is offering guidance for parents that are having difficulty finding baby formula: 

• Watering down baby formula is dangerous and can cause nutritional imbalances that may lead to serious health problems. Always mix formula as directed by the manufacturer.
• Homemade baby formulas are not advised. While recipes may seem healthy, they are not safe and do not meet your baby’s nutritional needs.
• Buy baby formula online but only from well-recognized distributors and pharmacies. 
• Be leery of ads on social media. You can check out a company’s reputation through the Better Business Bureau (BBB) at www.bbb.org.
• Do not use imported formulas from other countries that are not reviewed by the FDA.
• Only prepare the amount of formula you will use – throw out any infant formula that is left in the bottle after feeding your baby.
• It is recommended that during the shortage you buy no more than a 10-day to two-week supply of formula.

For a complete list of AAP guidance and tips for finding formula during the shortage, visit healthychildren.org. Parents should not hesitate to talk to their pediatrician with any concerns about their baby’s health and nutrition. 

WIC clients who need help finding formula or who have questions should contact their local WIC office or call 1-800-228-9173.

Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr is warning Georgia consumers to beware of price gouging and other scams in response to the nationwide baby formula shortage. Consumers can report scams and suspected price gouging to the Consumer Protection Division (CPD) by calling 404-651-8600 or 1-800-869-1123. Georgians can also file a complaint online by visiting CPD’s website.

DPH will continue to monitor all information coming from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and formula manufacturers regarding the shortage and work to ensure Georgia babies have access to food and nutrition they need to grow healthy and strong.

Atlanta – There is no safe amount of lead in a child’s blood. Even small amounts of lead can result in damage to the brain and nervous system, cause behavioral problems, learning difficulties and other medical issues – all of which may be permanent. However, legislation passed by the General Assembly and signed into law by Governor Kemp, bolsters protection for Georgia children who may be exposed to lead.

The amount of lead in blood is referred to as the blood lead level, which is measured in micrograms of lead per deciliter of blood (μg/dL). The new Georgia legislation lowers the threshold for confirmed lead poisoning from 20 to 3.5 micrograms of lead per deciliter. The level is now consistent with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

“DPH is extremely grateful to the members of the General Assembly and the Governor for their decisive action which allows for a more robust program for identifying and preventing cases of lead poisoning, and protecting the children of Georgia,” said Kathleen E. Toomey, M.D., M.P.H., commissioner, Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH).

Those most at risk include children under six years of age, children living at or below the federal poverty level, pregnant women, and those who live in older housing. Often, there are no obvious symptoms of lead exposure.

A simple blood test can detect lead poisoning. A small amount of blood is taken from a finger or heel prick or from a vein in the arm. Based on your child’s blood lead test results, healthcare providers can recommend follow-up actions and care. DPH strongly urges parents to have their children tested for lead.

Lead can be found in many places in a child’s environment, but lead exposure is preventable. The key is stopping children from coming into contact with lead.

“With passage of this important legislation and added funding, DPH will hire 18 additional lead inspectors statewide to investigate cases of lead exposure, educate families on ways to reduce exposure, and work with property owners to eliminate and reduce the source of lead.  This will protect more Georgia children and families” said Chris Rustin, DrPH, MS, REHS, DPH deputy commissioner.

For more information about lead poisoning or preventing exposure to lead please visit:  https://dph.georgia.gov/environmental-health/healthy-homes-and-lead-poisoning-prevention or https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/prevention/health-effects.htm.

National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW) is April 24 – 30. Each year, NIIW focuses on the positive impact of vaccination on the lives of infants and children.

On-time vaccination is critical to help provide protection against potentially life-threatening diseases. We want to remind parents of the importance of staying up to date with routinely recommended vaccines following disruptions from COVID-19.

As a parent, you want to protect your little one from harm. Vaccinating your child according to the recommended immunization schedule gives him or her the best protection against 14 serious childhood illnesses — like measles and whooping cough — before the age of 2.

During NIIW, the Coastal Health District encourages our community members to schedule children’s routine well-child visits and vaccinations.

Review the 2021 easy-to-read immunization schedule recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and if you’re pregnant, now is a great time to find a doctor for your baby and schedule a visit to discuss any questions you have about vaccines.

Have questions about immunizations? Contact your local health department.

The Coastal Health District Chronic Disease Prevention Program is working with community partners throughout the district’s eight counties to remind retailers about Georgia’s Tobacco 21 law. Passed in July 2020, the Tobacco 21 law makes it illegal to sell or barter – directly or indirectly – any cigarettes, tobacco products, tobacco related objects, alternative nicotine products, or vapor products to anyone under the age of 21. The law also makes it unlawful for any person to purchase those products for an individual under 21 and for any individual to use a vape product within a school safety zone.

An alarming increase in the use of tobacco products, e-cigarettes, and flavored delivery systems among youth and young adults in our communities prompted the renewed effort to draw attention to the law (O.C.G.A. § 16-12-171).

“The law went into effect in the summer of 2020 and like so many other things, it may have been overshadowed by the pandemic,” said Coastal Health District Chronic Disease Prevention Director, Cristina Gibson. “We want to make sure licensed tobacco retailers understand that when it comes to keeping youth and young adults tobacco free, they play a pivotal role.”

Non-compliance with the law will result in a misdemeanor.

There is help for those who want to quit using tobacco. Georgia residents 13 years and older who want to quit smoking, vaping, or using tobacco, can call the Georgia Tobacco Quit Line.

• 1-877-270-7867 (English)
• 1-877-266-3863 (Spanish)
• 1-877-777-6534 (Hearing Impaired)

The Quit Line is a free evidence-based public health service that provides counseling and support 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Nicotine replacement therapies in the form of gum or patch are also available through the Quit Line. Anyone who wants to quit the use of vape products can enroll in This is Quitting by texting VAPEFREEGA to 88709. This is Quitting is also a free service.

For additional information on the Tobacco 21 law, please visit our website at https://coastalhealthdistrict.org/tobacco21law.