Health

Alabama experiences significant influenza activity early in flu season

Submitted by Donna Wallace-King, Community Web Producer

Friday, January 11th, 2013, 10:10am

Alabama experiences significant influenza activity early in flu season

Like many states in the nation, higher than normal levels of influenza activity are currently being reported in Alabama. Influenza-like illness has been above Alabama’s threshold for significant activity for seven consecutive weeks.

Of the 100 samples tested for the week ending Jan. 5, 53 percent were positive for influenza. Forty-six samples were positive for influenza A, H3; 2 were positive for influenza A, 2009 H1; and 5 were positive for influenza B. Although there are no quantifiable numbers at this point, hospital leaders across the state say they are seeing a significant number of flu patients.

Flu is a very contagious respiratory illness, and the CDC emphasizes that the best way to prevent it is to get vaccinated each year.

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LifeSouth to give free Alabama Championship t-shirts to blood donors

Submitted by Donna Wallace-King, Community Web Producer

Tuesday, January 8th, 2013, 1:47pm

LifeSouth to give free Alabama Championship t-shirts to blood donors

Check this out, Bama fans! Starting on January 11th, LifeSouth will be giving away Alabama National Championship t-shirts to all Alabama blood donors.

January is National Blood Donor Month and LifeSouth is celebrating by holding drawings for an iPad Mini during January and February. Donate today and you will be entered in the drawings.

For more information visit LifeSouth's website or call 1-888-795-2707

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Give the gift of healthier indoor air this holiday season

Submitted by Donna Wallace-King, Community Web Producer

Thursday, December 13th, 2012, 9:18am

Give the gift of healthier indoor air this holiday season

Looking for a thoughtful and inexpensive gift that saves lives? Why not give the gift of healthier indoor air by buying a radon test kit as a stocking stuffer for family and friends? Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States and the leading cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers.

“You can’t see, smell or taste radon, but it could be present at a dangerous level in your home,” cautioned James McNees, director of the Alabama Department of Public Health Office of Radiation Control. “The cold winter months when homes are closed and radon levels are likely to build to their highest concentrations are the perfect time of year to test.”

Radon claims the lives of about 21,000 Americans each year. The Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Surgeon General urge all Americans to protect their health by testing their homes, schools and other buildings for radon.

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Options for adopted children and their birth parents in AL unlike those in most other states

Submitted by Donna Wallace-King, Community Web Producer

Tuesday, November 27th, 2012, 2:59pm

Options for adopted children and their birth parents in AL unlike those in most other states

For the past 12 years, persons born in Alabama who have been adopted and their birth parents have had options they did not previously have and which are available in only a few other states.

The Alabama Legislature amended the vital records law in 2000, to allow birth parents to complete contact information and family medical history forms and have those forms placed in the sealed file of a child he or she put up for adoption. In addition, the law allows adult adoptees, aged 19 or over, to make requests for informational copies of the contents of their sealed birth files.

The contact preference form is considered a private communication from the birth parent to the child, is kept in a sealed envelope, and copies of the form are only given to the adoptee.

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Public can now access information on healthcare-associated infections in Alabama hospitals

Submitted by Donna Wallace-King, Community Web Producer

Thursday, November 15th, 2012, 12:17pm

Public can now access information on healthcare-associated infections in Alabama hospitals

Starting today, Alabamians will have access to information on healthcare-associated infections as reported by the state’s hospitals. The report, published by the Alabama Department of Public Health, provides hospital-specific infection data for several types of infections and can be found at www.adph.org/hai.

“The law requiring hospital infection reporting was passed in 2009 with cooperation from Alabama’s hospitals, ADPH, and the state’s legislature, most notably its sponsor, retired Sen. Bobby Denton,” said Dr. Donald Williamson, state health officer.

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Governor Bentley proclaims November 12-16 as Rural Health Week in Alabama

Submitted by Donna Wallace-King, Community Web Producer

Tuesday, November 13th, 2012, 3:24pm

Governor Bentley proclaims November 12-16 as Rural Health Week in Alabama

Governor Robert Bentley has declared the week of November 12-16, 2011 as Rural Health Week in Alabama. This week includes November 15, which has been declared as National Rural Health Day.

The availability of adequate and quality health care, that is often taken for granted in our more urbanized counties, is far from a reality in many of Alabama’s rural counties. Currently, only five of Alabama’s 55 rural counties are not entirely or partially classified as having a shortage of primary care physician services. All 55 rural counties are classified as shortage areas for the provision of dental and mental health care. Three rural counties do not have a full-time dentist in the entire county. Thirty-six of the 55 rural counties do not have hospitals that deliver babies with other rural hospitals currently considering ceasing this basic service. Seventeen rural counties do not have a dialysis clinic. The availability of emergency medi

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Tips for staying safe from injury during the 'haunting' season

Submitted by Donna Wallace-King, Community Web Producer

Tuesday, October 30th, 2012, 9:42am

Tips for staying safe from injury during the 'haunting' season

Autumn activities such as Halloween and Harvest Day offer opportunities for young people to dress up in costumes and enjoy trick-or-treating. To prevent injuries often associated with these festivities, the Alabama Department of Public Health reminds parents about seasonal safety tips from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and the U.S.

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