Hot Topic

Area flu vaccination clinics begin November 27th. Find out where you can get the vaccine in your county...

Bacterial meningitis is an infection of the fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. The bacteria that cause meningitis are contagious, and with a confirmed case of bacterial meningitis in Chatham County, it may be helpful for people to know the signs and symptoms of the disease.

Protect Your Skin!
April brings beachgoers to the Georgia Coast. Before you head out into the sun, learn how to appropriately protect yourself from Skin Cancer.

Breastfeeding gives your baby the perfect nutrtion for a healthy start to life. Find out more about the benefits of breastfeeding for the whole family, and about lactation services available in the Coastal Health District.

January is National Cervical Health Awareness Month. Get some simple facts about cervical cancer, and learn how early detection can save lives.

Real date or a play date? Change majors or change diapers? Too often, teens don't think about the long-term consequences when they make decisions about sex and contraception. Get the information you need to choose responsibly through a new teen pregnancy prevention campaign.

Memorial Day marks the symbolic beginning of summer, which is always a great time to fire up the grill and enjoy a meal with friends and family. But before you toss something tasty on the barbecue, read these tips to make sure your next gathering is a healthy one.

Feeling burned out on tradtional exercise methods? Try dancing your way into health! Find out more at a Day of Dance event Saturday, Feb. 24th.

One in three Americans born in 2000 will develop diabetes in their lifetime, and there are presently over 20 million people in the United States who have diabetes today. Diabetes is a dangerous disease if left untreated, but there are steps you can take to prevent diabetes, or reduce its impact on your health.

Exercise sounds like such a
chore … but it doesn’t have to be. Exercise just means moving your body and increasing your heart rate, and dance can be a fun way to get healthy. That's why the Chatham County Health Department is sponsoring “Let’s Dance!” Savannah Saturdays, a series of
FREE dance classes every Saturday from August 25th through October 27th.

It may not be the easiest topic to discuss, but with colorectal cancer the second leading cause of cancer deaths in Georgia and the United States - can you afford to be shy? Learn more about risk factors, prevention, and when you should call your doctor.

Did you know that most Georgia mosquitoes begin distributing eggs the first of April? Unlike the Easter bunny, though, they're not colored, candy or harmless.

Fireworks are often the centerpiece of July 4th celebrations, but much safer when left to the professionals.

Did you know getting plenty of folic acid before and during pregnancy can reduce the risk of birth defects for your baby? See why some doctors say every woman needs folic acid, and find out how to get enough in your diet.

Locally grown fruits and vegetables will be available all summer at your County Health Departments. Read more...

Make sure your chid's health is in check. Read more...

Want to avoid the flu bug this year? The best protection you can get is your annual flu shot. The counties of the Coastal Health District will begin offering flu vaccinations this month. Check this hot topic to find out when your county will begin offering flu shots, and to download the client information form for the drive-through clinic in Camden County.

During National Nutrition Month, we encourage you to go 100% Fad Free and develop lifelong habits based on proven, science-based approaches to healthy eating.

On November 16th take part in the Smokeout by smoking less or quitting for the day, or encourage your friends or family members to quit for the day. Read more about Smokeout activities happening in your county...

June 1st marked the beginning of hurricane season, and if you haven't begun preparing already, you should start now. Living along the coast has a lot of perks, but also comes with a responsibility to be ready if a storm ever comes our way.

June 27th is National HIV Testing Day. Getting tested is your first step toward taking responsibility for your health and the health of your partners. Find out where you can get a free test.

With so many recent toy recalls due to lead-based paint and materials, many parents may be eyeing their children's toybox with anxiety. Is lead poisoning a real threat? What can you do to help protect your children? We hope to provide some answers.

Do you know the signs and symptoms of a heart attack or stroke? February is American Heart Month, and a great time to learn how to take care of your heart so it can take care of you.

You may be hearing a lot about a certain antibiotic-resistant staph infection occurring throughout our nation called "MRSA." Learn more about what the bacteria is, and how you can reduce your risks.

Okay, so maybe it's been a long time since you've been able to do a backbend like this - but that doesn't mean you can't make exercise fun again. Walking is one of the easiest forms of exercise, and it can be enjoyable, too.

For many families, sex education comes in the form of one "Big Talk." But research shows children typically make healthier choices about sexual activity when their parents have ongoing, frequent and open discussions with their children about sex.

Eat your colors every day to stay healthy and fit. March is national nutrition month. What better way to celebrate than to focus on your own diet and start making healthy choices...(read more)

Vaccination reqiurements have been expanded for children in Georgia. Find out how the new rules may affect your child.

Beginning July 1st, Georgia has expanded vaccination requirements for children to attend school and daycare. Don't wait until the first day of school to find out if your child is up to date!

With so much attention focused on the holidays this time of year, it’s easy to forget what’s just around the corner – the peak of flu season. The good news is that it's not too late to get a flu shot.

March is National Nutrition Month and this year's theme is Nutrition: It’s a Matter of Fact. The American Dietetic Association is reminding consumers to focus on the total balance of foods consumed, rather than one food or meal during a 24 hour time period.

The tropics may be quiet right now, but it's June and that means it's hurricane season. Storms can develop quickly, which is why we all need to prepare now
before a hurricane threatens our coast. Check out these tips to protect yourself, your family, your pets and your property.

Parents-to-be hope for a healthy baby, but they can actually do more than just hope. There are steps parents can take to reduce the risk of having a child with a birth defect.

As a mother, you have always been there for your daughter. Did you know a virus is responsible for some types of cervical cancer in women? Giving your daughter a vaccine to prevent human papillomavirus now is something you can do to protect her for many years to come!

Assess the health status of your heart, and learn how you can reduce your risk of heart disease.

As the weather warms, many of us will head outside to enjoy the beach, the pool, the playground and the park. But before you bask in that coastal Georgia sunshine, take a few moments to protect your skin. Not only can sunburn be a real pain, it can be dangerous - even deadly.

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, and a great time to focus on steps you can take to protect your children from predators.

The Georgia Department of Agriculture announced today that it is quarantining all PetSmart stores in the state and a Superpetz store in Martinez due to psittacosis, a bird disease that can be transferred to humans.

For any animal lover, it may be hard to resist the sight of a baby raccoon or any other stray animal wandering through our backyards. But unfortunately, it can be impossible to tell if that unknown animal might be infected with the deadly rabies virus and could pass that virus to you. Learn more about preventing rabies infection in your pets and family.

The end of October brings more than just fall colors and trick-or-treating. October 23-31 is National Red Ribbon Week! It's a time when people like you pledge to stay drug free and join the fight against drug use.

Few things help beat the heat like a dip in the pool, which has long been a favorite summertime activity of many children. But adult supervision is critical for swimming safety. Learn more about keeping your kids safe in the water.

Halloween is supposed to be a spooky night, but parents don’t have to be scared about their kids’ safety if they follow some simple safety tips.

Hurricane preparedness is important for everyone, but critical for our residents with special needs. Find out more about how you can prepare, and if our Special Needs Registry is right for you.

The Coastal Health District is home to a lot of great young people. Check out our new web feature, which shines a spotlight on some of our fantastic teens.

It's hot outside! When the temperature rises, so does your risk for heat-related illness. Heat exhaustion and heat stroke are serious, and can even be deadly. Find out how to stay cool and safe despite this summer sizzle.

June 27th is National HIV Testing Day, an annual event highlighting the need for HIV testing and counseling. “Take control. Take the test,” is this year’s nation-wide message. Find out more about free HIV tests offered in our area that day.

Fight the bite.
Late summer and early fall mark the season when most West Nile encephalitis cases occur. Learn how to protect yourself.

Your bags are packed and you're ready for your next summer vacation. But before you load up the car or hop on that plane or train, have you packed your travel health kit? Find out how to assemble your own travel health kit to help keep you healthy on your trip.

The Chatham County Health Department is screening passengers of the Chatham Area Transit's Teleride transportation system for possible exposure to tuberculosis. Learn more about TB and the screening process.

When it's time to carve the turkey on Thanksgiving Day, you want to be sure your family's meal not only
tastes good, but is
safe to eat too. We can help.

As children approach their teen years, research shows many of them don't visit the doctor for preventive healthcare, only making an appointment when they're sick. But our preteens need check-ups too, and three very important vaccinations.

Want to stay healthy? Then handwashing is just what the doctor ordered. This is National Handwashing Awareness Week, a perfect time to highlight the benefits of handwashing. Washing your hands is easy to do, and it's one of the best ways to stop the spread of germs and prevent illness.

You've taken the first step, and decided it's time to stop smoking. But you know you'll need some help to kick this tough habit. Find out how you can get free nicotine replacement therapy tools through a new pilot program.

This Friday, February 2nd, is National Wear Red Day, and a time for all Americans to show their support for women’s heart disease awareness. Heart Disease is the number one killer in women, with one in three American women dying from the disease. Learn about important steps you can take to protect yourself.

West Nile Virus has been found in mosquitoes in Chatham County, which means we all need to take extra precautions to avoid mosquito bites.

The Coastal Health District is asking residents to take precautions to avoid health problems related to the smoky conditions caused by the current wildfires in nearby Ware County.

December 1st is World AIDS Day, and several events are planned in the coastal Georgia area to raise awareness about the issue and encourage prevention, testing, and treatment.

World Breastfeeding Week is August 1-7, and it's a good time to talk about the importance of breastfeeding. This year's emphasis is on ensuring every newborn receives colostrum, the "very first food".