Flu Info: The 2010-2011 flu season is approaching. Learn the latest details.

Attention first-time moms: We'd like to ask you some questions about how you interact with your child. The info from this survey will be used to help plan future programs. Those who complete it will be entered to win a gift card.

Stop Smoking with Cooper-Clayton
Four sessions of the Cooper-Clayton smoking cessation program are starting this fall, with classes offered in Williamstown, Fort Thomas, Florence and Covington (this session was recently added). It's a comprehensive, 13-week program that helps you stop smoking with peer support, educational guidance, and nicotine replacement products (i.e. patch, gum, lozenge). The classes are offered at no charge, although participants must pay for nicotine replacement products, if utilized. Learn more and register online.

 

Diabetes Classes Offered in Cold Spring, Burlington
The Health Department’s diabetes program is holding free classes for people to learn more about diabetes. Two sessions, each with two classes, will be offered: one starting September 25 at the Cold Spring branch of the Campbell County Public Library, and the other starting starting September 27 at the R.C. Durr YMCA in Burlington, Ky. Those who complete the two-week session will receive a diabetes toolkit at the end of the second class. Topics will include: what is diabetes, healthy eating, complications and more. Each class covers a different topic. Learn more and register online.

 

Prevention Pays Women's Cancer Screening Program
Prevention Pays women’s cancer screenings are scheduled at each of the Health Department’s county health centers. The program is coordinated by the Health Department and the Northern Kentucky Women’s Cancer Coalition. On the designated screening days, eligible women will be able to have an annual exam including a pap smear, pelvic exam and clinical breast exam performed by a nurse practitioner, as well as receive a mammogram in the mobile mammography unit from St. Elizabeth Health Care, which will be parked outside the health center. The next screening is scheduled for Friday, September 17, at the Grant County Health Center. Learn more.

Concerned about Bed Bugs?
With the recent news reports about bed bugs in the region, many have questions about the insects. Find out more about bed bugs, how they spread and steps you can take to try to prevent them from infesting your home or business.

Weight Loss Program for Women
Please note: Both sessions of OFF for the fall are now full. Please check this Web site for details about future classes. The “OFF” Program (note Adobe Acrobat is required to open this file) is a 10 week weight-control program designed specifically for woman and taught by Registered Dietitians from the Health Department. This scientifically sound, fat fighting program is based on the national bestseller titled “Outsmarting the Female Fat Cell” by Debra Waterhouse and consists of 10 consecutive weekly sessions focusing on a natural way of eating that works for your body, not against it.  

Low-Cost Sports and School Physicals Available
Families needing affordable sports physicals for their children under age 20 can obtain them at the Grant County Health Center, 234 Barnes Road, Williamstown, Ky. The health center will again offer school physicals, as in years past. Learn more.

Breastfeeding Challenge
On October 2, Northern Kentucky mothers will gather and breastfeeding their children as part of the Northern Kentucky Breastfeeding Challenge 2010. It's part of an international contest to see which site can gather the most breastfeeding moms at once. The event is planned for 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, October 2, at the Boone County Extension Office, 6028 Camp Ernst Road, Burlington, Ky.  Learn more and register online.

Medical Reserve Corps
The Northern Kentucky Medical Reserve Corps is a branch of the federal government’s Medical Reserve Corps program, and its goal is to provide a volunteer pool for the region that can enhance and support first responders, public health agencies and the health care infrastructure during a crisis. Anyone interested in joining the Medical Reserve Corps is invited to attend a two-hour training session from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, October 21, 2010, at the Health Department’s District Office, 610 Medical Village Drive, Edgewood, Ky. A light meal will be provided. 

New Fact Sheets Added
We've added new fact sheets for measles, shingles and head lice to our Web site. View fact sheets.

Avoiding Heat Related Illnesses
High heat and humidity can be a dangerous combination in the summer. A heat emergency is declared when the predicted temperature or heat index exceeds 95 degrees for an expended period of time. Learn more about risk factors for heat related illnesses and how to cope with the heat.

New Food Code

The revised Kentucky Food Code went into effect on May 1, 2010. Learn more about the changes to the food code.

 

Lead-Safe Work Practices
Environmental Protection Agency regulations now require that companies doing remodeling work in buildings containing lead-based paint must be certified in lead-safe work practices. Painters, plumbers and other craftsmen working in any building constructed before 1978, when lead paint was banned, must be certified. The rules cover projects that disturb more than 6 square feet of interior space or 20 square feet of exterior space. Find a certified training program.

 

Find Help Quitting on Facebook
The Health Department's smoking cessation program has launched a Facebook page. From the page, you can learn more about the health benefits of smoke-free air and resources to help you quit smoking. Note: You must first log on with a Facebook account and then you'll be taken to the page.

 

New Retail Food Establishments

The Health Department is responsible for inspecting and regulating any establishment serving food, whether it's a restaurant or a temporary food establishment. Learn more about the steps that need to be taken to open a new permanent or temporary food establishment.

 

Secondhand Smoke: More than annoying. A public health emergency.

The U.S. Surgeon General issued a 2006 report saying that there's no safe level of secondhand smoke. Learn more about the dangers of secondhand smoke, tobacco-free worksites, smoke-free living and tobacco-free schools. Share your thoughts about secondhand smoke as well.

 

HIV Continuing Education Class
The Health Department is offering a continuing education course on HIV for health care providers from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, September 16, in the lower level conference room of the Health Department's District Office, 610 Medical Village Drive, Edgewood, Ky. The course will cover basic medical information about HIV disease, progression, transmission and prevention; management of HIV in the workplace; legal issues; testing strategies; and local resources for HIV testing and case management.

Volunteer with the Health Department
There are a variety of ways in which you can volunteer for the Health Department. Apply online.

Find-it-Fast

The Find-it-Fast page is designed to help you find information about diseases, health topics and services provided by the Health Department quickly.

Diabetes Support Groups 
The Health Department sponsors two adult diabetes support groups. Learn more.

Plan for Food Safety at Public Events
Countless local gatherings, from fairs to festivals to fish fries to customer appreciation days, offer food to attendees. But when food is served to the public, whether for a couple of hours or several days, food safety is also a factor. The Health Department is reminding event planners of the importance of food permits for any event where food is being served to the public, regardless of if the event is free or there is a charge to attend.

Dealing with Tough Economic Times?
With the downturn in the economy, many Northern Kentucky families may find that they need assistance with finances, health expenses or other concerns. The Health Department provides some assistance through programs like WIC (Women, Infants and Children) nutrition supplement program for women, infants and children under age 5; and the HIV/AIDS Case Management program. The state of Kentucky has compiled a directory of resources available to all Kentuckians, which contains details on several programs.

Bed Bugs
Bed bugs are small, flat insects, usually brown or reddish-brown in color. Bed bugs are typically about 1/4 of an inch long. Bed bugs do not fly, but can quickly move across floors, walls and other surfaces. They are typically active at night. Bed bugs are typically found in luggage, clothing, bedding and furniture. They can live in almost any crevice or protected location. Learn more by reading the bed bugs fact sheet.

Community Health Fair Requests
The staff from the Health Department is open to requests to participate in community health fairs in Boone, Campbell, Grant and Kenton counties or serving populations from those counties. A health fair is defined as a community outreach event designed to promote Health Department services and is characterized as brief interactions which include opportunities to share small bits of information and/or educational materials. Learn more about health fairs and request participation from the Health Department using an online form.

Birth and Death Certificates
The Health Department does not provide copies of official birth and death certificates locally. They must be obtained from the Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics. Northern Kentucky residents wishing to obtain an official copy of a birth of death certificate have several options to obtain a birth or death certificate, including by phone, online, mail or in person. Learn more about obtaining a copy of a birth or death certificate.

District Board of Health 
The Northern Kentucky District Board of Health and Executive Committee has announced meeting dates for 2010. Please check the Board of Health Web page for dates, times, and locations. For more information call 859.341.4264, ext. 2001.

Local Board of Health Meetings 
The Boone County, Campbell County, Grant County and Kenton County Local Boards of Health meet periodically. Please check the Meeting Schedule page for times and locations.