Mobile dental unit to visit county

Help a Child Smile will visit the Liberty County Division of Family and Children Services at 9 a.m. this coming Tuesday.

Smoking ban precedes major drop in heart attacks

ATLANTA - A smoking ban in one Colorado city led to a dramatic drop in heart attack hospitalizations, according to a new study that is considered the best and longest-term research to show such a link.

The rate of hospitalized cases dropped 41 percent three years after the ban of workplace smoking in Pueblo, Colo., took effect. There was no such drop in two neighboring areas, and researchers believe it's a clear sign the ban was responsible.

Do what you need to to make holiday special

It's interesting to hear the different answers you get when you ask folks what the best things about Christmas are.The large majority of answers revolve around family and friends and sharing the holidays with them. This was certainly true in a recent worldwide Internet poll. Family was the No. 1 answer for almost half of all participants, with enjoyment of the time off for the holidays the next favorite, following closely behind were the joy of giving and opportunity for the expression of faith. While some would rearrange those priorities, most would agree that these are high on ...

Hearing aid funds ready for children

The Coastal Health District's Universal Newborn Hearing and Screening Initiative has funds available for the purchase of hearing aid devices for infants and children who meet certain qualifications. The Coastal Health District is comprised of Bryan, Camden, Chatham, Effingham, Glynn, Liberty, Long and McIntosh counties.

Cancer expected to be world's top killer by 2010

ATLANTA - Cancer will overtake heart disease as the world's top killer by 2010, part of a trend that should more than double global cancer cases and deaths by 2030, international health experts said in a report released Tuesday.

Rising tobacco use in developing countries is believed to be a huge reason for the shift, particularly in China and India, where 40 percent of the world's smokers now live.

World AIDS Day sheds light on disease

A public information campaign promoting HIV testing in the United States recently won the 2008 National Public Service Announcements Emmy Award from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. Created by the Kaiser Family Foundation, HBO, the National Basketball Association and the Global Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria, the winning PSA encourages viewers to get tested using famous people in a spectular promotion.

FDA finds traces of melamine in formula

Traces of the industrial chemical melamine have been detected in samples of top-selling U.S. infant formula, but federal regulators insist the products are safe.

The Food and Drug Administration said last month it was unable to identify any melamine exposure level as safe for infants, but a top official said it would be a "dangerous overreaction" for parents to stop feeding infant formula to babies who depend on it.

Benefits of exercise praised

In an era of national uncertainty and instability when it comes to insurance and healthcare costs, Dr. Daniel Cooke's presentation last week to Hinesville Rotarians concerning the health benefits of exercise couldn't be more timely.

Hospital getting new filing system

Liberty Regional Medical Center will soon be installing an electronic filing system that officials hope will be more efficient than the current system.

Restaurant sanitation scores from mid-October

Every eating establishment in the county is inspected and receives letter and number grade. The purpose of making inspections is to determine compliance with the Rules of Department Of Human Resources Public Health, Chapter 290-5-14 Food Service. The scores and grade are from inspections performed by environmentalist of Liberty County Environmental Health Department. The county manager of the Environmental Health Department is Linus R. Woodard.

State hopes to head off lead from trashed TVs

ATLANTA - The Georgia Department of Human Resources, Division of Public Health is partnering with the Georgia Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program, the Georgia Recycling Coalition and others to promote reusing and recycling analog televisions which will be replaced due to the digital TV transition in February.

Free diabetes tests at Liberty Regional

American Diabetes Month is a time to communicate the seriousness of diabetes and the importance of proper diabetes control.

Food Lion offering flu shots

Food Lion stores have partnered with Maxim Health Systems to make flu shots available to customers this fall. The program aims to increase the number of people who get vaccinated, a step determined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as the single most effective way to prevent flu.

Health officials warn of lead poisoning

Coastal Health District encourages parents and caregivers in Bryan, Camden, Chatham, Effingham, Glynn, Liberty, Long and McIntosh counties to do all they can to keep children from being exposed to lead.

Officials practice reacting to pandemic

In addition to staging its signature drive-through flu immunization clinics, the Liberty County Health Department partnered with Fort Stewart last week to plan, set up and run a point of distribution exercise in case the need to respond to a pandemic ever arises.

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.