State's infant mortality rate down 34 percent

ATLANTA -- The Georgia Department of Human Resources, Division of Public Health reports that the state's infant mortality rate has declined by 34 percent since 1990.

Recipe contest for WIC clients

Hoping to promote better eating habits among participants of the Women, Infants and Children program, the Coastal Health District announced this week it is sponsoring a contest "encouraging clients to find great-tasting recipes made with healthy food."

Senator to tour clinic

U.S Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.) will be at the Diversity Health Center in Ludowici on Thursday, March 27, between 2:30 and 3:15 p.m. to tour the new, federally-qualified center, greet constituents and exchange information on issues pertinent to Long County.

Certain behaviors increase cancer risks

Colorectal cancer is equally common in both men and women, and the American Cancer Society tells us that 149,810 cases will be diagnosed in the United States this year.

Dementia care training offered

The Alzheimer's Association is hosting an educational session on Thursday, April 3, from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Workshop on diabetes in Brunswick

BRUNSWICK -- As part of Southeast Georgia Health System's on-going series of free health lectures and workshops, board certified endocrinologist Shenon Badre, MD, will present "Understanding and Managing Your Diabetes."

Rotary gets hospital tour

Flu shots still available

The Liberty County Health Department will continue to offer flu shots through May.

Faculty fights heart disease

In an effort to make its school and community aware that heart disease is the number one cause of death among women, like men, Liberty Elementary School faculty got "all dressed up in red" on Feb. 1.

Feeling ill? You're not alone

Nearly a third of the people going to see Dr. Christopher Blasy in recent days have had the flu, the Hinesville family practice physician estimates.

Faculty works on morale, fitness

Joseph Martin Elementary School staff members started a program, Partners for Fitness, to increase staff moral, and improve their health and mental well-being.

Alzheimer's awareness

Last year, people chuckled when they heard about retired Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor's husband's love "interest" in one of his fellow residents at a nursing home in Phoenix, Ariz.

Forums could reshape area's healthcare

Two community healthcare forums have been set in Liberty County for next week.

Liberty Regional goes digital

X-ray film became a thing of the past at Liberty Regional Medical Center when the radiology department unveiled its new digital imaging storage system last month.

Smoking down in Georgia

ATLANTA - The Georgia Department of Human Resources, Division of Public Health has announce dthat the prevalence of smoking in Georgia decreased by 10 percent in 2006.

Children's caffeine consumption changing

SALT LAKE CITY - Caffeine is a substance many adults depend on to stay awake during long hours and busy days. It turns out, that habit is trickling down to their kids.

Families who eat together, succeed together

Our family has a dinner tradition that began when I was a child. At a preset time, we turn off the technology - television, iPad, Gameboy and computers. And we each do our part in preparing for the meal. The tasks usually include emptying the dishwasher, setting the table and preparing the food. We enjoy our meal and pleasant dinner conversation. At the end of the meal, each of us assists with clearing the table and moving the dishes to the sink.

Mammogram unit to visit Ludowici

The Southeast Georgia Health System Wellness on Wheels mobile-health vehicle will provide screenings from 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesday, April 22, at the IGA supermarket on Highway 84 in Ludowici. All mammograms require a physician's order. Insurance is accepted and financial assistance is available to patients who qualify.

Aromatherapy promoted for depression, PTSD

A crowd consisting of many veterans gathered March 27 at Farmer's Natural Foods in Hinesville for a health seminar on easing symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. The nearly two-hour seminar was facilitated by author Kaliana Schmidt, a natural-emotional-care advocate.

Stewart marks Brain Injury Awareness Month

The Fort Stewart Warrior Restoration Center teamed up with the Fort Stewart Fire Department on March 27 for an event held at the Main Exchange.

Italian trip focuses on dietary choices

I recently was fortunate to be among a group of 24 nutrition and public-health students from Georgia Southern and Armstrong Atlantic State universities who spent a week exploring Verona, Italy, and the Tuscan countryside by day and learning how to prepare Italian dishes by night. It was an especially memorable spring break.

Service dogs help soldiers with PTSD

It's often been said that dogs are man's best friend, and the members of Woof P.A.C.T. (Partners Are Created Together) want to ensure soldiers suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder are never without faithful companions.

YMCA of Coastal Georgia raises $650,000

The YMCA of Coastal Georgia held its 159th annual meeting March 25 at the Armstrong Center on Abercorn Street in Savannah.

Healthy snacks can keep you trim, cool

Healthy snacks often can be difficult to find or make in a pinch, especially when you are starving and a satisfying nibble is nowhere in sight. It is far too easy to reach for junk food when nutritious options aren't accessible.

Leukemia fighters name candidates for honors

Jessica Neeley of Richmond Hill has been selected as a candidate in the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Man and Woman of the Year campaign. Neeley joins other community leaders to see who can raise the most money for the organization in a 10-week time period, which started March 27. Money raised during the campaign will advance LLS's mission to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life for patients and their families.

Public Health Week is coming up

To commemorate National Public Health week on April 7-13, the Coastal Health District has given each day of the week a theme in an effort to send the public several health-related messages.

Obamacare deadline passes

The first open enrollment for health-insurance coverage under the Affordable Care Act ended Monday. State Rep. Al Williams, D-Midway, held two enrollment sessions in Hinesville and Midway on Saturday to register uninsured residents before the deadline.