Northern Kentucky Health Department

Free Testing Offered as Part of National HIV Testing Day
Free, rapid HIV tests will be available at four Northern Kentucky locations in observance of National HIV Testing Day. Testing will be done on Thursday, June 27, at the Boone County Health Center, Campbell County Health Center and Kenton County Health Center; and on Friday, June 28, at the City Heights Health Fair. Learn more.

Changes to Medicaid Impact Services for Children
In the past, the Health Department has provided well-child health care to those children covered by Medicaid. But, a shift in reimbursement guidelines mean that children are now required to get well care at their regular doctors. It’s estimated that 1,800 families throughout Boone, Campbell, Grant and Kenton counties will be affected. Learn more.

2013 Awards of Excellence in Public Health
Congratulations to the winners of the 2013 Awards of Excellence in Public Health: Christina Rust, for her efforts to immunize against whooping cough; and Mark Ihrig, for on-going support in disaster preparedness. Learn more.

Flu Season Ends with Record Numbers
Tracking of flu cases in Northern Kentucky ended May 25, 2013. A total of 3,492 cases of flu were reported. This makes the 2012-2013 season the highest ever. Eight deaths were reported.

Low-Cost Hepatitis B Vaccine Available for High Risk Groups
Northern Kentucky residents who are considered high-risk for contracting hepatitis B are now eligible for low-cost vaccine at the Health Department. The vaccine consists of three doses given over a six-month period. Cost is on a sliding-fee scale based on the patient’s income and family size, with no one turned away for inability to pay. The vaccine is available by appointment at the Health Department’s four county health centers through a grant from the Kentucky Department for Public Health. Adults age 19 and older in high-risk groups are targeted for vaccination and include: men and women who are sexually active with multiple partners; men who have sex with men; individuals diagnosed with type I or type II diabetes, hepatitis C, HIV or a sexually transmitted disease; individuals seeking treatment for substance abuse; and household or sexual contacts of a person infected with hepatitis B. Those interested in vaccination can be screened further by health center staff when scheduling an appointment.

Eleven Schools Recognized for Excellence in School Heatlh
Many schools in Northern Kentucky are actively shaping the health and wellness of their students and staff. The Health Department supports these efforts through its school health initiatives. As a part of this, the Award of Excellence in School Health was developed to recognize and celebrate schools in Northern Kentucky that have policies, programs, and the infrastructure to support and promote school health. This year, 11 Northern Kentucky schools will be recognized with either a gold, silver or bronze level Award of Excellence in School Health. Read the news releae, including info about all 11 winners.

Supermarket Tours with Diabetes Educators
The Northern Kentucky Diabetes Coalition is hosting free supermarket tours to provide real-time nutrition information to those with diabetes. A tour is planned for 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 20, at Meijer, 5400 Alexandria Pike, Cold Spring, Ky. Participants will have a chance to sample healthy foods, get personalized tips for healthy shopping, learn to read labels and learn how carbohydrate counting can be incorporated into grocery shopping. Health information will also be available in the pharmacy. All participants will receive a reusable shopping bag filled with information and product samples. Registration is required to guarantee a space. Please email your name, contact info and which tour time you prefer to NKYDiabetesCoalition@gmail.com or call Julie Shapero at 859.363.2116 or Joan Geohegan at 859.363.2115.

Public Health Accreditation: One of First in Nation
The Health Department was one of eleven in the nation to be accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, the independent organization that administers the national public health accreditation program.To achieve accreditation status, the Health Department had to undergo a rigorous, multi-faceted, peer-reviewed assessment process. It had to assure that it is providing the 10 Essential Public Health Services, and demonstrate that the agency supports efforts for quality improvement. Learn more.

Healthy Challenge 2013
A school-wide program for all students and staff, the Healthy Challenge is offered by the Health Department for National Nutrition Month every year in March. The theme of National Nutrition Month this year is "Eat Right, Every Day," and the Healthy Challenge will focus on helping families use the US Department of Agriculture's My Plate guidelines. The goal of the challenge this year will again be to eat five servings of fruits or vegetables each day and consume zero sugar-sweetened beverages each day for seven days (juice and milk are exempt). Learn more.

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 9 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 20, 2013, at the Health Department's District Office. Learn more.

Walking School Bus/Safe Routes to School in Erlanger
As part of Kentucky's Safe Routes to School program, children in Erlanger are getting to/from school using what's called a Walking School Bus. The children are physically active and arrive at school safely, with adult supervison. Learn more.

Annual Report Now Posted
In fiscal year 2011-2012, the Health Department was efficient, ready to respond, proactive, able to lead and able to follow. See how by reading our most recent annual report.

Health Centers Now Accept Credit, Debit Cards
Clients of the Health Department’s county health centers now have the option of paying any fees associated with their services by credit or debit card. The health centers began accepting Visa, Mastercard, Discover and several debit-card networks such as Jeanie and Pulse, on July 2. In the first month that the Health Department accepted credit/debit cards, fee collection was double that of the same month the previous year.

Radon Test Kits Available Again
The Health Department is once again offering free radon test kits to residents of Boone, Campbell, Grant or Kenton Counties. Radon gas is known to be a cancer-causing agent. According to the U. S. Surgeon General, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer deaths in the United States, after cigarette use. Learn more and request a kit.

Whooping Cough Vaccination Urged

Northern Kentucky continues to see cases of whooping cough, with 122 reported in 2012. So, it's still important to protect your family and any infants you may come in contact with by getting vaccinated for just $4 at the county health centers.

TRUST: Tobacco Retailer Training
Kentucky is educating tobacco retailer employees to prevent the sale of cigarettes to underage youth. As part of this effort, state tobacco prevention specialists have developed a FREE program called Tobacco Retailer Underage Sales Training (TRUST). According to the Food and Drug Administration, having employees trained through a program that follows FDA guidelines such as TRUST could reduce fines to store owners if they were found in violation of federal tobacco laws.

Concerned About Bedbugs?
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. Learn more.

Paternity Acknowledgement
Parents who are not married and who did not have the father's name listed on the birth certificate at the hospital may want to legally establish paternity by completing a paternity affidavit at the Health Department's county health centers. The process is free and can be done by appointment. Please call the health center most convenient to you and ask for the clerical coordinator. Please note: Both parents must be at the appointment to complete the affidavit and must bring proof of identity. Also note: the Health Department does NOT provide paternity testing. For more information on paternity affidavits, please call 1.888.675.7425.

HIV/AIDS Case Management Program
The HIV/AIDS Case Management program provides support, referrals and guidance for persons living with HIV/AIDS and members of their households as part of the Kentucky HIV/AIDS Care Coordinator program. Assistance is available to people living in Boone, Campbell, Carroll, Grant, Gallatin, Kenton, Owen and Pendleton Counties. Learn more.

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.

What's Going Around?
Find out about illnesses that are currently circulating at a higher rate than usual in Northern Kentucky (Boone, Campbell, Grant and Kenton Counties) on the What's Going Around page.

Find-it-Fast

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

Have Mold in Your Home?
Mold in houses, apartments and condominiums is a potentially serious health risk. If you have mold in your dwelling, you can fix the problem and keep it from coming back. Learn more.

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.

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

District Board of Health
The Northern Kentucky District Board of Health and Executive Committee has announced meeting dates for 2013. Please check the Board of Health Web page for dates, times, and locations. For more information call 859.341.4264.

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.