Georgia Coastal Health District

November 19, 2014 – New information from the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) shows fewer young people are using tobacco in the state. In fact, the rates are falling steadily and significantly.

Over the past decade, rates of youth who have used any form of tobacco have dropped from 26.1 percent in 2003 to 19.4 percent in 2013. The percentage of high school students who smoked cigarettes on at least one day during the 30 days before the survey, declined from 20.9 percent to 12.8 percent.

Adult smoking rates are also falling, down from 21.2 percent in 2011 to 18.8 percent in 2013. That’s a prevalence rate slightly lower than the U.S. average of 19.0 percent.

More than 1.5 million Georgians aged 18 and older smoke cigarettes. Another 315,000 adults in Georgia use some form of smokeless tobacco like chewing tobacco, snuff, or snus.

“Each year, 11,000 Georgians die from tobacco-related diseases – that’s more than alcohol, cocaine and heroin, AIDS, murders, suicides, auto accidents and fires combined,” said Jean O’Connor, JD, DrPH, chronic disease prevention director, Georgia Department of Public Health. “Tobacco users die on average 10 years earlier than non-tobacco users, so keeping youth from starting to use tobacco is one of the best ways to protect them from tobacco-related illness.”

Tobacco use is the number one preventable cause of death in Georgia. Annually, tobacco-related illness costs more than $5 billion dollars in direct healthcare costs and indirect costs, such as lost wages.

More than half of Georgians who use tobacco want to quit. Quitting is the most important step current tobacco users can take to protect their health and the health of their families. Tobacco use and secondhand smoke cause heart disease, lung disease, cancer, stroke, and diabetes. The benefits of quitting start immediately. Within 20 minutes of quitting, a tobacco user’s heart rate decreases.

The Georgia Department of Public Health and its partners have set goals to decrease youth smoking to less than 10 percent and adult smoking to less than 15 percent of the population by 2020. To achieve these goals, DPH and its partners are encouraging businesses, schools, and government agencies to create tobacco-free environments and to support tobacco users who want to quit.

Tobacco users across Georgia can work toward meeting those goals with a quit attempt during the Great American Smokeout, Thursday, Nov. 20. The day encourages smokers to quit or to use the day to make a quit plan. Help is available. Talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or call the Georgia Tobacco Quit Line. The Quitline is currently offering free nicotine replacement therapy to Medicaid participants, the uninsured, and certain other groups that qualify.

English: 1-877-270-STOP (877-270-7867)
Spanish: 1-877-2NO-FUME (877-266-3863)
Hearing Impaired: 1-877-777-6534

The Georgia Tobacco Quitline is a free, confidential and effective service available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (including holidays) to help Georgians quit smoking or using any forms of tobacco, including electronic cigarettes or other electronic nicotine delivery devices.

The following statement is from Diane Z. Weems, M.D.
District Health Director, Coastal Health District
Today, public health was contacted regarding an individual complaining of flu-like symptoms who had recently returned from Nigeria. In an overabundance of caution, the individual was transported to a local hospital. After further investigation of the individual’s travel history, it was determined that this person does not meet the criteria for being at risk from Ebola based on the travel dates to that country. The World Health Organization declared Nigeria Ebola-free on October 20.*
*According to WHO recommendations, the end of an Ebola virus disease outbreak in a country can be declared once 42 days have passed and no new cases have been detected. The 42 days represents twice the maximum incubation period for Ebola (21 days). This 42-day period starts from the last day that any person in the country had contact with a confirmed or probable Ebola case.
For credible information on Ebola:
www.cdc.gov/ebola
www.dph.ga.gov/ebola

July 21, 2014 – Coastal Health District officials want to remind residents to take precautions to avoid mosquitoes which are not only a nuisance but can carry disease such as West Nile Virus (WNV), Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), and chikungunya.
WNV is transmitted by the bite of infected mosquitoes. About 80 percent of people infected with WNV will not show any symptoms at all; however, cases can range from mild to severe. Mosquitoes that carry the West Nile Virus are more likely to bite during the evening, night, and early morning. EEE is a mosquito-borne virus that causes swelling of the brain. In horses, it is fatal 70 to 90 percent of the time. Horse and large animal owners are encouraged to vaccinate their animals against the virus and to clean out watering sources, such as buckets and troughs, every three-to-four days to prevent mosquitoes from breeding there. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), most people with chikungunya will develop some symptoms which could include fever, joint and muscle pain, headache, and a rash. There is no specific treatment and most who get it feel better within a week. Unlike the mosquitoes that carry WNV, the mosquitoes that spread the chikungunya virus bite mostly during the daytime.
Mosquito Prevention
The best way to prevent mosquito-related diseases is to avoid mosquito bites. Mosquitoes breed in standing water which is why it is important to remove water-holding containers (buckets, barrels, flower pots, tarps, etc.; drill holes in tire swings so water drains out; keep children’s wading pools empty and on their sides when they’re not being used; change water frequently in pet dishes; change bird bath water at least twice a week; and avoid using saucers under outdoor potted plants.
In addition, following these tips can help lessen the risk of getting bitten by mosquitoes:
• DRAIN all standing water.
• Avoid DAWN and DUSK when mosquitoes are most active.
• DRESS appropriately in long sleeves and pants.
• DEFEND or DEET yourself against mosquitoes with an effective repellent. Repellents containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, and oil of lemon eucalyptus and para-menthane-diol products provide long lasting protection.
• DOORS and windows should be in good condition.