"The purpose of the poster was to present my findings from an examination Georgia physicians' administration of the quadrivalent human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine to 11-12 year old females according to the Advisory Council Immunization Practices (ACIP) guidelines, their intention to recommend HPV vaccine to 11-12 year old males, and their perceived knowledge and barriers associated with HPV vaccination," said Dixon.

HPV is the main cause of cervical cancer in women and also causes most cases of genital warts in men and women. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the HPV vaccine for females and males ages 11 through 26.

Dixon completed the research while pursuing a Doctor of Public Health Degree from Georgia Southern University. During the course of her research Dixon contacted 264 physicians throughout the state of Georgia. Approximately one in 10 who responded reported they always vaccinate 11-12 year old females. The number increased to one in five who always vaccinate females ages 13-17 years, suggesting parents or physicians may be delaying vaccination until females are older than 12 years. Approximately one-quarter said they recommend the vaccine to their male patients. More than half reported insufficient insurance coverage for the vaccine as a barrier to vaccinating males and females.

"Findings from this study may serve as a helpful resource for further assessment of HPV vaccination in Georgia and targeting educational and policy interventions," she said. "Other states may also find this data of interest as they move forward with vaccination of males."

Betty T. Dixon DrPH, RN, Director, Nursing and Clinical Services, District 9-1; RADM, Kerry Paige Nesseler, Assitant Surgeon General, United States Public Health Service; Barbara T. Miller RN, BSN, retired county nurse manager, Ware County Health Department; CAPT Joseph M. Tonning, M.D., M.P.H., United States Public Health Service, presently assigned to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Betty Dixon discusses her findings on HPV vaccination with event attendees.

Stroke is an emergency and a brain attack, cutting off vital blood flow and oxygen to the brain. In the United States, stroke is the fourth leading cause of death, killing over 133,000 people each year, and a leading cause of serious, long-term adult disability.

There are two different types of stroke:
• Ischemic stroke occurs when arteries are blocked by blood clots or by the gradual build-up of plaque and other fatty deposits. About 87 percent of all strokes are ischemic.
• Hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessel in the brain breaks leaking blood into the brain. Hemorrhagic strokes account for thirteen percent of all strokes, yet are responsible for more than thirty percent of all stroke deaths.

Reducing Stroke Risk
Many risk factors are beyond your control, including being over age 55, being a male, being African-American, having diabetes, and having a family history of stroke. If you have one or more of these risk factors, it is even more important that you learn about the lifestyle and medical changes you can make to prevent a stroke. However, everyone should do what they can to reduce their risk for stroke - learn more by reading and following the Stroke Prevention Guidelines below.

Medical stroke risk factors include:
Previous stroke, previous episode of TIA (or mini stroke), high cholesterol, high blood pressure, heart disease, atrial fibrillation and carotid artery disease. These risk factors can be controlled and managed with the help of a healthcare professional.

Lifestyle stroke risk factors include:
Smoking, being overweight and drinking too much alcohol. You can control these risk factors by quitting smoking, exercising regularly, watching what and how much you eat and limiting alcohol consumption.

Stroke Prevention Guidelines
1. Know blood pressure (hypertension)
High blood pressure is a major stroke risk factor if left untreated. Have blood pressure checked yearly by a doctor or at health fairs, a local pharmacy or supermarket or with an automatic blood pressure machine.

2. Identify atrial fibrillation (Afib)
Afib is an abnormal heartbeat that can increase stroke risk by 500 percent. Afib can cause blood to pool in the heart and may form a clot and cause a stroke. A doctor must diagnose and treat Afib.

3. Stop smoking
Smoking doubles the risk of stroke. It damages blood vessel walls, speeds up artery clogging, raises blood pressure and makes the heart work harder. Stopping smoking today will immediately begin to decrease risk.

4. Control alcohol use
Alcohol use has been linked to stroke in many studies. Most doctors recommend not drinking or drinking only in moderation - no more than two drinks each day. Remember that alcohol can negatively interact with other drugs you are taking.

5. Know cholesterol levels
Cholesterol is a fatty substance in blood that is made by the body. It also comes in food. High cholesterol levels can clog arteries and cause a stroke. See a doctor if your total cholesterol level is more than 200.

6. Control diabetes
Many people with diabetes have health problems that are also stroke risk factors. Your doctor can prescribe a nutrition program, lifestyle changes and medicine to help control your diabetes.

7. Manage exercise and diet
Excess weight strains the circulatory system. Exercise five times a week. Maintain a diet low in calories, salt, saturated and trans fats and cholesterol. Eat five servings of fruits and vegetables daily.

8. Treat circulation problems
Fatty deposits can block arteries carrying blood to the brain and lead to a stroke. Other problems such as sickle cell disease or severe anemia should be treated.

9. Act FAST at the first warning sign of stroke
Few in the U.S. know the warning signs of stroke. Learning them - and acting FAST when they occur - could save your life or the life of a loved one.

Use the FAST test to remember warning signs of stroke.
F = FACE Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?
A = ARMS Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
S = SPEECH Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence. Does the speech sound slurred or strange?
T = TIME If you observe any of these signs (independently or together), call 9-1-1 immediately.

If you have any stroke symptoms, seek immediate medical attention. For more information, go to www.stroke.org.

The Expo will also feature a blood drive, fashion show, fingerprinting for the kids, Zumba and Tai Chi classes, a Fire Department smoke house, free facials and chair massages, a Hula Hoop contest, child safety seat installation checks, bouncy houses, and more. Liberty Regional will also host the Lil' Patches Clinic. Children are encouraged to bring in their dolls and stuffed animals for a free check-up. A 3K Fun Run/Walk will start at 9 a.m. and the first 50 to register will receive a free t-shirt.

Long County Health Department staff invites the citizens of Long County to come to a public health education day on Friday, May 11, at the health department. Information on public health services will be available staff will be on hand to answer any questions. As part of this event, Magic Marc, a popular Savannah-based magician, will perform for children and adults alike at 10 a.m. Come on out to the health department to learn more about the services offered there and bring a lawn chair to enjoy the magic show.

For more information, call 545-2107.

Salt marsh mosquito species are transmitters of West Nile Virus (WNV). Mosquitoes become infected with WNV when they feed on infected birds. Infected mosquitoes can then spread WNV to humans and other animals when they bite. Many people who become infected with WNV will have no symptoms, but severe cases can include high fever, headache, neck stiffness, disorientation, coma, and paralysis.

Although peak mosquito season tends to be mid-summer, spring rains can leave standing water which is the perfect mosquito breeding ground. So even though it's still early spring, mosquitoes are already breeding. Coastal Health District residents can help stop mosquito breeding by:

• Removing any standing water from the yard and by bringing indoors or emptying and cleaning all containers, even very small ones. For example, do not leave toys that can retain water outside; remove saucers from under flower pots.
• Clean or remove pool covers.
• Clean pools and add chlorinated water.
• Cover rain barrels with mosquito proof netting.
• Clean rain gutters and rain spouts.
• Empty weekly or remove receptacles that collect rainwater (bird baths, old tires).

Additional Mosquito Management Techniques around the Home:

• Some mosquitoes are attracted to lights. Reduce unnecessary lighting to make yards less attractive.
• "Bug zappers" do not reduce mosquito landing or biting. They attract and kill many insects but few are mosquitoes that attack humans. Many of the insects killed are beneficial because they feed on garden pests.
• Ultrasonic devices, such as those that claim to mimic dragonflies, do not affect mosquito activity.
• Light-colored clothing is less attractive to adult mosquitoes.
• Tightly woven fabrics give some protection against biting.
• DEET is considered to be the most effective mosquito repellent. Highly concentrated versions are available but lower (30 to 40 percent) concentrations usually are just as effective. Products containing DEET concentrations of 10 percent or less should be used on children over the age of 2 months.
• Adult mosquitoes rest in shrubbery and other shaded areas during the day. These areas can be treated with insecticides using a hand-held fogger. This will provide only short-term relief and should be used in conjunction with other mosquito management techniques.

For more information on mosquitoes, go to www.gamosquito.org

Top 10 Mosquito Facts

Life Cycle of a Mosquito

Mosquito Crossword 1

Mosquito Crossword 2

Mosquito Word Find

Five Important Reasons to Vaccinate Your Child

Immunizations can save your child's life. Because of advances in medical science, your child can be protected against more diseases than ever before. Some diseases that once injured or killed thousands of children, have been eliminated completely and others are close to extinction- primarily due to safe and effective vaccines. One example of the great impact that vaccines can have is the elimination of polio in the United States. Polio was once America's most-feared disease, causing death and paralysis across the country, but today, thanks to vaccination, there are no reports of polio in the United States.

Vaccination is very safe and effective. Vaccines are only given to children after a long and careful review by scientists, doctors, and healthcare professionals. Vaccines will involve some discomfort and may cause pain, redness, or tenderness at the site of injection but this is minimal compared to the pain, discomfort, and trauma of the diseases these vaccines prevent. Serious side effects following vaccination, such as severe allergic reaction, are very rare. The disease-prevention benefits of getting vaccines are much greater than the possible side effects for almost all children.

Immunization protects others you care about. Children in the U.S. still get vaccine-preventable diseases. In fact, we have seen resurgences of measles and whooping cough (pertussis) over the past few years. In 2010 the U.S. had over 21,000 cases of whooping cough reported and 26 deaths, most in children younger than 6 months. Unfortunately, some babies are too young to be completely vaccinated and some people may not be able to receive certain vaccinations due to severe allergies, weakened immune systems from conditions like leukemia, or other reasons. To help keep them safe, it is important that you and your children who are able to get vaccinated are fully immunized. This not only protects your family, but also helps prevent the spread of these diseases to your friends and loved ones.

Immunizations can save your family time and money. A child with a vaccine-preventable disease can be denied attendance at schools or daycare facilities. Some vaccine-preventable diseases can result in prolonged disabilities and can take a financial toll because of lost time at work, medical bills or long-term disability care. In contrast, getting vaccinated against these diseases is a good investment and usually covered by insurance. The Vaccines for Children program is a federally funded program that provides vaccines at no cost to children from low-income families. To find out more about the VFC program, visit http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/programs/vfc/ , ask your child's health care professional, or call your local health department.

Immunization protects future generations. Vaccines have reduced and, in some cases, eliminated many diseases that killed or severely disabled people just a few generations ago. For example, smallpox vaccination eradicated that disease worldwide. Your children don't have to get smallpox shots any more because the disease no longer exists. By vaccinating children against rubella (German measles), the risk that pregnant women will pass this virus on to their fetus or newborn has been dramatically decreased, and birth defects associated with that virus no longer are seen in the United States. If we continue vaccinating now, and vaccinating completely, parents in the future may be able to trust that some diseases of today will no longer be around to harm their children in the future.

Click here for recommended vaccinations for infants and children.

Facts About Infant Immunization
FACT: National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW) is an annual celebration of the importance immunizations play in keeping children and communities healthy. NIIW 2012 is April 21 - April 28.
FACT: Vaccines are safe, and scientists continually work to make sure they become even safer.
FACT: Approximately 1 million children in the United States are not adequately immunized, and nearly 12,000 children are born every day in need of protection from disease.
FACT: Most childhood vaccines produce immunity 90 percent to 100 percent of the time. Without immunizations, your child is at greater risk of catching one of the vaccine-preventable diseases.
FACT: There are 10 routine childhood vaccines that protect children from the 14 vaccine-preventable diseases:
• DTaP: Protects against Diphtheria, Tetanus & Pertussis
• MMR: Protects against Measles, Mumps & Rubella
• HepA: Protects against Hepatitis A
• HepB: Protects against Hepatitis B
• Hib: Protects against Haemophilus influenzae type b
• Flu: Protects against Influenza
• PCV13: Protects against Pneumococcal disease
• Polio: Protects against Polio
• RV: Protects against Rotavirus
• Varicella: Protects against Chickenpox
FACT: Children traveling abroad may need other vaccines along with the 10 recommended above, depending on the countries they are visiting. These vaccines could include Japanese encephalitis, typhoid, meningococcal or yellow fever.
FACT: Worldwide, there are estimated to be 20 million cases of measles and 197,000 deaths from measles each year.
FACT: Measles transmission has been interrupted in the United States through vaccination, but it is still common in many parts of the world, including Europe.
FACT: Infants 6-11 months of age should receive at least one dose of MMR before traveling outside of the United States
FACT: Pertussis (whooping cough) in infants is frequently severe and often fatal. In 2010, 4,298 cases of pertussis were reported in the United States among infants less than 12 months of age; 25 of these infants died from pertussis.
FACT: Many infants who get pertussis are infected by older siblings, parents or caregivers who might not even know they have the disease. Vaccination with Tdap is particularly important for family members and caregivers of infants who are in close contact with young babies.
FACT: In Georgia, one infant death due to pertussis infection is reported each year.
FACT: Influenza (flu) vaccine is recommended every August to May for children 6 months of age and older.
FACT: Hospitalization rates for flu are high among children, especially those under 1 year.
FACT: Rates of hepatitis B have dropped significantly since vaccinating children became prevalent in 1991.
FACT: Before the varicella (chickenpox) vaccine, almost every child in the United States (about 4 million annually) contracted chickenpox.
FACT: Among infants less than a year old who get chickenpox, about 4 in 100,000 die.
FACT: Mumps in approximately 1 in 10 children can lead to meningitis. Occasionally mumps can also lead to encephalitis, deafness (about 1 in 20,000 children) or death (about 1 in 10,000 children).
FACT: Many health care providers monitor the newly vaccinated child for about 15 or 20 minutes, in the unlikely event of an allergic reaction or in case the child becomes dizzy or faints.
FACT: Disease levels in the United States have declined since vaccinations began:

April is STD Awareness month, an annual observance to call attention to the impact of STDs and promote STD testing across the United States. Regardless of race or gender, data show that sexually active teens and young adults are at an increased risk for STDs when compared to older adults. Every year in the United States, there are an estimated 19 million new infections. Estimates suggest that even though young people represent only 25 percent of the sexually experienced population, nearly half of all STD cases occur in young people aged 15 to 24.

The good news is that most STDs are treatable, and many are curable - early detection through testing is key. Yet, stigma, inconsistent or incorrect condom use, access to health care, and a combination of other factors contribute to high rates of STDs among teens and young adults.

Undetected and untreated STDs can increase a person's risk for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and cause other serious health consequences, such as infertility. STD screening can help detect disease early and, when combined with appropriate treatment, is one of the most effective tools available to protect one's health and prevent the spread of STDs to others.

Vaccinations against viral diseases that are sexually transmitted also are important tools for prevention. For example, the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine offers the greatest health benefit to persons who receive all 3 doses before they become sexually active.

Health departments in Bryan, Camden, Chatham, Effingham, Glynn, Liberty, Long, and McIntosh counties offer STD testing. Contact your local health department today for more information.

Get the facts on STDs.

If we take small actions, our communities, homes and families will see the large benefits of preventive care and grow the movement. These preventive measures can help create a healthier nation and reach our goal of becoming the healthiest nation in just one generation.

Everyone has a role to play, and each action, no matter how small, can make a big difference in a community. We are met with a real and growing public health problem. If we fail to embrace preventive measures to limit disease and early death, the toll, measured in lives lost and health care dollars spent, is only going to get worse in the years to come. Fortunately, we know that many diseases and deaths can be prevented. If Americans did the simple things -- exercised more frequently, had healthier diets, avoided alcohol, tobacco and other drugs, practiced proper hand-washing and food preparation, practiced safe sex and provided proper treatment to those suffering from mental illnesses -- we could dramatically reduce the burden of disease and death moving forward, helping to save lives.

For example, reducing foodborne illness by just 10 percent would keep about 5 million Americans from getting sick each year. Cigarette smoking, which is the most common form of tobacco use, causes approximately 443,000 deaths and costs about $96 billion in medical expenditures and $97 billion in productivity losses in the United States each year. Of course, we can't make significant improvements unless all Americans play a part in creating a healthier nation. That means everyone needs to take small steps to improve the well-being and health of their own communities.

This week, the American Public Health Association (APHA) is encouraging all Americans to work together to make small changes to their lives to help prevent chronic diseases and communicable diseases to create a healthier America. From April 2-8, APHA recognizes National Public Health Week, an opportunity to empower our families, friends, neighbors and, perhaps most importantly, ourselves to live healthier lives. Take a moment and make just one positive change a day that will help you live a healthier life. These seemingly small actions can have a big impact when they're spread throughout an entire family, community and nation. Increasing awareness on how to live longer lives is the first step in helping us create a healthier nation -- but there is more you can do beyond taking these actions. Raise awareness of the importance of taking preventive measures within your community during National Public Health Week. Your community will be healthier and happier as a result.

When live baby poultry carry Salmonella they don't appear to be sick, but they can still spread the germs to people. People can be exposed to Salmonella by holding, cuddling, or kissing the birds and by touching things where the birds live, such as cages or feed and water bowls. Salmonella can make people sick with diarrhea, vomiting, fever, and/or abdominal cramps. Sometimes, people can become so sick from a Salmonella infection that they have to go to the hospital. Young children, elderly persons, and those with weakened immune systems are more likely than others to develop severe illness. When this occurs, Salmonella may spread from the intestines to the bloodstream and then to other body sites and can cause death unless the person is treated promptly with antibiotics.

How do people get Salmonella infections from live baby poultry?
Live poultry may have Salmonella germs in their droppings and on their bodies (feathers, feet, and beaks) even when they appear healthy and clean. The germs can also get on cages, coops, and other things in the area where birds live and roam. Additionally, germs can be found on the hands, shoes, and clothing of those who handle the birds, or work or play in areas where birds live and roam. People become infected with Salmonella when they put their hands or other things that have been in contact with droppings in or around their mouth.

Young children are especially at risk for illness because their immune systems are still developing and because they are more likely than others to put their fingers or other items into their mouths. It is important to wash your hands immediately after touching poultry or anything in the area where they live and roam, because the germs on your hands can easily spread to other people or things.

How do I reduce the risk of Salmonella infection from live baby poultry?
• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water right after touching live baby poultry or anything in the area where they live and roam. Use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not readily available.
• Adults should supervise hand washing for young children.
• Don't let children younger than 5 years of age handle or touch chicks, ducklings, or other live poultry.
• Don't snuggle or kiss the birds, touch your mouth, or eat or drink around live baby poultry.
• Don't let live baby poultry inside the house, in bathrooms, or especially in areas where food or drink is prepared, served, or stored, such as kitchens or outdoor patios. Keep live poultry outside.
• Don't eat or drink in the area where the birds live or roam.
• Don't clean any equipment or materials associated with raising or caring for live poultry, such as cages or feed or water containers, inside the house.
• Don't give live baby poultry as gifts to young children.

Are there any restrictions about owning live poultry?
Rules and regulations vary by city, county, and state ordinances, so check with your local government to determine restrictions about owning live poultry.

For more information and an educational brochure, visit CDC's Healthy Pets Healthy People website at www.cdc.gov/healthypets/resources/posters.htm

Anyone interested in volunteering or in need of more information please call Cristina Gibson at 912-484-1885.

Today, Seifried focuses her efforts into supporting poison control centers. She feels that had her family had access to the education, outreach, and support that today's poison centers offer, her family might have eluded terrible heartbreak and devastation.

The nation celebrates the 50th anniversary of National Poison Prevention Week March 18 through 24, 2012. National Poison Prevention Week was first proclaimed by President Kennedy in 1962 to raise awareness about the dangers of poisoning. Much progress has been made in poisoning prevention in the years since. In 1972, for example, more than 200 children in the U.S. died as a result of poisoning. By 2007, that number dropped to 39. However, there is still much work to be done: poisoning is now the leading cause of death from unintentional injuries in the United States - ahead of motor vehicle crashes and guns.

Just one phone number--1-800-222-1222--will put you in touch with your local poison center. According to the American Association of Poison Control Centers, 57 poison centers are in operation throughout the country, assuring coverage in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Federated States of Micronesia. These centers take calls 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Calls to the center are free and confidential and are answered by experts in poisoning treatment and prevention. Callers have access to poison advice in more than 150 languages.

In 2011, federal budget cuts reduced funding for poison control centers by 36 percent. Poison centers, which handle about 4 million calls a year, are now in jeopardy; further cuts will make it difficult for poison centers to continue providing life-saving services.

Poison centers are for everyone. Parents and babysitters call poison centers when young children have become exposed to toxic substances. Seniors use poison centers when they fear they may have made an error in taking their medicine. And doctors, nurses, pharmacists and emergency room staff place 1,400 calls daily to the Poison Help number for treatment advice on drug- or poison-related cases. Poison centers are also a highly cost-effective source of health care. For every dollar spent on poison centers, 7 dollars are saved in unnecessary health-care costs. On average, 70 percent of callers are able to be treated at home, thus avoiding the far more costly hospital or doctor's office visits. Poison centers also provide outreach to their communities, taking proactive steps to reduce both the number and severity of poison exposures. It is estimated that poison center services, in addition to saving lives, are three times as cost-effective as child safety seats, bicycle helmets and smoke detectors and are as cost-effective as childhood immunizations.

What can you do to prevent poisonings?
• Keep medicines and cleaning supplies locked up and away from children. Children act fast. Unfortunately, so do poisons.
• Always use your glasses to read your prescription bottle, and only take medicine with the lights on. These simple actions can prevent accidents.
• Ask visitors to keep purses and luggage containing medicine out of reach of children at all times.
• Install carbon monoxide detectors and check batteries at least twice a year.
• Keep the1- 800-222-1222 number accessible and programmed into your phone. Your local poison center can send you magnets and stickers with the number. Call the Poison Help number even if it's not an emergency. When in doubt, check it out.
• Support legislation that funds local poison centers.

"Philip has been gone for 50 years," says Seifried. "I know there are many other stories just like his. For their sakes, please get involved with your local poison center in promoting poisoning prevention and the Poison Help number. You can make a difference."

The American Association of Poison Control Centers supports the nation's 57 poison centers in their efforts to prevent and treat poison exposures. Poison centers offer free, confidential, expert medical advice 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We take calls in more than 150 languages and from the hearing impaired.

For questions about poison or if you think someone has been exposed to a poison, call 1-800-222-1222 to reach your local poison center.

Information provided by the American Association of Poison Control Centers.

Each day more than 1,200 people die due to smoking. For every one of those deaths, at least two new youths or young adults become regular smokers. And 90 percent of these replacement smokers smoke their first cigarette before they turn age 18. Nationwide, declines in the use of tobacco by youth and young adults have slowed for cigarette smoking and stalled for smokeless tobacco use after years of steady progress.

The comprehensive report provides further scientific evidence on young people's sensitivity to nicotine. The younger they are when they start using tobacco, the more likely they are to get addicted and the more heavily addicted they will become. Nicotine addiction will cause about 3 out of four teens to smoke into adulthood, even if they intend to quit after a few years.

The report finds that tobacco marketing is a key factor in causing young people to start using tobacco, and nicotine addiction keeps them using it. More than $1 million an hour is spent on marketing tobacco products in this country--and 99% of all new smokers come from youth and young adult populations who are enticed to smoke by this marketing. Tobacco companies say their marketing only promotes brand choices among adult smokers -but regardless of intent, it encourages underage youth to smoke. The more young people are exposed to cigarette advertising and promotional activities, the more likely they are to smoke. The report shows tobacco advertising and promotion encourages the myth that smoking makes and keeps you thin. This message is especially appealing to young girls. This report concludes that teen smokers are not thinner than non-smokers.

Images in tobacco marketing make tobacco use look appealing to young people, who want to fit in with their peers. Kids and teens see smoking in their social circles, movies they watch, video games they play, Web sites they visit, and many communities where they live. Smoking is often portrayed as a normal, acceptable, even appealing activity; young people exposed to these images are more likely to smoke. And in 2010, nearly a third of top-grossing movies for children - those with G, PG, or PG-13 ratings - contained images of tobacco use. The report concludes that smoking in movies causes youth to start smoking.

While the long-term health effects of tobacco use are well-known, this report concludes that smoking early in life has substantial health risks that begin almost immediately--even for youth and young adults. For heart disease, we see early damage in most young smokers and those most sensitive die very young. Smoking during youth and adolescence slows down lung growth. Teens who smoke are not only short of breath today - they may end up as adults with lungs that never reach their full capacity. That damage is permanent.

For online copies of the full Surgeon Generals's report, executive summary, and an easy-to-read guide on tobacco use and young people, visit www.surgeongeneral.gov.

During the six 90-minute classes attendees will learn how to utilize community resources, better manage stress, communicate effectively with friends, family, and healthcare providers, cope with difficult emotions, and take better steps to care for themselves.

"Caring for someone with a chronic illness can be stressful and overwhelming," said Janice Guglielmi, CCSP Business Operations Generalist. "These classes will help caregivers better deal with their emotions and the day-to-day struggles they face."

The courses are free and will be held at the CCSP office located at 420 Mall Boulevard in Savannah. Registration is required. For more information or to register call Janice Guglielmi or Brandi Kohari at 912-353-5001.

About CCSP
CCSP helps people who are elderly and/or functionally impaired to continue living in their homes and communities. CCSP offers community-based care as an alternative to nursing home placement. Comprehensive care coordination for coastal Georgia is managed by the Coastal Health District.

CCSP offers community-based services to those people who are:
• Appropriate for a nursing home level of care
• Eligible or potentially eligible for Medicaid
• In need of services provided by the CCSP, and who have physical limitations which restrict his or her ability to perform normal activities and live independently
• Able to live safely in the community with the CCSP services

"Vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean proteins and low-fat dairy products contain the nutrients we need to maintain healthy lifestyles," says registered dietitian and Academy Spokesperson Andrea Giancoli. "Make sure your eating plan includes foods from all the food groups and in appropriate portions. USDA's MyPlate is a great tool to guide and help us be mindful of the foods that make up our balanced eating plan."

Giancoli offers the following recommendations to "Get Your Plate in Shape":

Make half your plate fruits and vegetables.
• Eat a variety of vegetables, especially dark-green, red and orange varieties, as well as beans and peas.
• When buying canned vegetables, choose "reduced sodium" or "no salt added" whenever possible. Rinsing whole varieties like beans, corn and peas can also reduce sodium levels.
• Dried and frozen fruits and those canned in water or their own juice are good options when fresh varieties are not available.
• Make sure every meal and snack has at least one fruit or vegetable or both.
Make at least half your grains whole.
• Choose brown rice, barley and oats and other whole grains for your sides and ingredients.
• Switch to 100-percent whole-grain breads, cereals and crackers.
• Check the ingredients list on food packages to find foods that are made with whole grains.

Switch to fat-free or low-fat milk.
• Fat-free and low-fat milk have the same amount of calcium and other essential nutrients as whole milk, but less fat and fewer calories.
• If you are lactose intolerant, try lactose-free milk or a calcium-fortified soy beverage.

Vary your protein choices.
• Eat a variety of foods each week from the protein food group like seafood, nuts and beans, as well as lean meat, poultry and eggs.
• Eat more plant-based proteins such as nuts, beans, whole grains and whole soy foods like tofu and edamame.
• At least twice a week, make fish and seafood the protein on your plate.
• Keep meat and poultry portions lean and limit to three ounces per meal.

Cut back on sodium and empty calories from solid fats and added sugars.
• Drink water instead of sugary drinks like regular sodas, fruit-flavored drinks and sweetened teas and coffees. Choose 100-percent fruit juice.
• Compare sodium in foods and choose those with the least amount listed on the Nutrition Facts Panel.
• Season foods with spices or herbs instead of salt.
• Select lean cuts of meat or poultry and fat-free or low-fat dairy products.
• Use heart-healthy oils like olive, canola and sunflower oil in place of butter or shortening when cooking.

Giancoli recommends cooking more often at home, where you are in control of what is in your food.

"And don't forget that exercise and healthful eating are crucial to maintaining a healthy lifestyle," Giancoli says. "Choose activities you enjoy like going for a walk with your family, joining a sports team, dancing or playing with your children. If you don't have a full 30 minutes, carve out 10 minutes three times a day. Every bit adds up and health benefits increase the more active you are."

As part of National Nutrition Month, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics' National Nutrition Month website includes of helpful tips, recipes, fun games, promotional tools and nutrition education resources, all designed to spread the message of good nutrition around the "Get Your Plate in Shape" theme.

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (formerly the American Dietetic Association) is the world's largest organization of food and nutrition professionals. The Academy is committed to improving the nation's health and advancing the profession of dietetics through research, education and advocacy. Visit the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics at www.eatright.org.

In an initiative spearheaded by the Chatham County Health Department, volunteers measured fine particle emissions inside of 11 businesses where patrons were smoking in August, 2010, prior to the smoke-free ordinance taking effect. Personal aerosol monitors recorded levels that were deemed "very unhealthy" according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency's Air Quality Index. Air quality recorded in those same locations in November, 2011, almost a year after the ordinance passed, resulted in a "good" rating.

"The bottom line is that secondhand smoke is dangerous and people who frequent public places - including bars and restaurants - in Savannah are now breathing better air," said Diane Weems, M.D., Chief Medical Officer for the Coastal Health District.

According to the report, the study demonstrates that employees and patrons in Savannah bars and restaurants with observed indoor smoking, prior to the smoke-free air law, were exposed to harmful levels of indoor air pollution resulting from indoor smoking. The reduction in exposure to toxic tobacco smoke will result in improved health outcomes for Savannah workers and residents.

"It's our mission to protect the health of the public and Savannah's smoke-free law helps to do just that," said Weems. "This study shows a marked improvement in indoor air quality with the elimination of tobacco smoke and that is going to help keep our citizens healthy."