Where can I get a flu shot?

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March is National Nutrition Month

As a parent or caretaker, you play a major role in your child’s eating habits. Studies show that parents influence their child’s behavior more than anyone else!

This month, try the following tricks to improve your family’s diet:

• Involve your kids in grocery shopping and meal preparation.
• As a family, try a different fruit or vegetable every week.
• Have your kids find healthy recipes online and in cookbooks, or work together to come up with your own creations.
• Set a positive example by eating (and enjoying!) a wide variety of fruits and vegetables.

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Health Rankings for Escambia
The Univ. of Wisconsin today released county health rankings for each state in the nation. You can read Health Department Director Dr. John Lanza's statement (20.7kb; pdf) on Escambia's rankings, the summary report on Florida's counties (737.2kb; pdf), or visit www.countyhealthranking.com for more detailed information.

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H1N1 Vaccine Availability Extended to All
The H1N1 vaccine will now be made available to anyone 6 months and older who would like to receive it.

Vaccine Available at Local Pharmacies
Many local pharmacies now have, or will soon have, the H1N1 vaccine.

For local information regarding vaccine availability, please call our Regional Distribution Center at 850.595.6727.

For general information or questions about H1N1, please call the statewide toll free information line at 1.877.352.3581.
Last updated: 12/28/09

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February is American Heart Month

Keeping your heart healthy is up to you! Heart disease is a lifelong condition and the number one killer in America. Once you have it, you cannot get rid of it.

There are many ways to lower your risk of getting this disease:

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Role of Public Health In Escambia (279kb; pdf)

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Health Alert for Water Related Activities (39.6kb; pdf) 3/12/10

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Restriction on Striped Mullet from Escambia Bay
A fish consumption advisory (55.4kb; pdf) has been issued for Escambia Bay (Upper and Lower). Residents should eat no more than one 6-ounce meal (cooked weight) of skinless striped mullet from the Escambia Bay (Upper and Lower) per week due to increased levels of chemicals known as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB). Map of the Area (1.7mb; jpg) Final Report from Dept. of Health (5.19mb;pdf) 10/01/09

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Whooping Cough
Pertussis or Whooping Cough is named after the “whoop” sound children and adults make when they try to breathe in during or after a severe coughing spell. Grandparents and parents should be vaccinated to prevent spreading the disease to babies. Babies also need a series of shots to protect them from Pertussis. Please see the Pertussis article (19.1kb; pdf) for more information.
High School Student Pertussis Flyer (314.5kb; pdf)
Pertussis Billboard (71kb; jpg)
Pertussis Radio Address (2.4mb; mp3)/Text Version (6.4kb; pdf) 8/18/09

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How Environment Affects Health
The CDC's new Environmental Public Health Tracking Network and the state-level Florida network can help you find out how the environment may be affecting your health and your family or community. These networks offers information for hazards and health conditions such as asthma, cancer, and water contaminants. This fact sheet (34.1kb; pdf) tells you more about the Florida network. 7/13/09

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New WIC Foods
Starting in October, the WIC program will offer better food choices for you and your family including fruits, vegetables, whole wheat bread, brown rice, corn tortillas, whole grain cereal and baby foods. Children over the age of two will receive 1% or fat free milk. Happier and healthier children…made a little easier by the WIC program.
Listen to the Radio Advertisement (1.9mb; mp3)/Text Version (35.7kb; pdf) 9/14/09

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Sources for Discounted or Free Medications
Check this list of local agencies and companies for help in getting the medications that you need (36kb; pdf)

Sources for Discounted or Free Clinic Services    4/29/09

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