Free Hepatitis C Testing for Northern Kentucky Residents
In response to a substantial increase in the number of hepatitis C cases in the region, the Health Department and Kentucky Department for Public Health will offer free blood tests for hepatitis C at the Health Department’s four county health centers. Since 2010, cases of the contagious liver disease have increased by more than 80 percent. May is hepatitis awareness month. Find out if you are at risk.

Pediatrician, Nurse Advocacy Center Recognized
The 2012 Awards of Excellence in Public Health are being given to Northern Kentucky University Nurse Advocacy Center for the Underserved for their efforts to improve access to health care and to pediatrician Dr. Christopher Bolling for his efforts to reduce childhood obesity.

Save the Date: Aug. 18--Immunization Awareness Night with Florence Freedom
Join the Let’s Immunize Northern Kentucky coalition and the Health Department for Cover Your Bases, a fun evening at the ballpark to promote immunizations. The Freedom will take on the Southern Illinois Miners at 6:05 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 18, at Freedom Park in Florence. Look for activities to promote immunizations, such as videos, games and an informational booth, during the game. To purchase tickets, visit http://www.florencefreedom.com.

School Health Workshop
The Health Department, along with the Let's Immunize Northern Kentucky coalition, is offering a free school health workshop from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, August 1, 2012, in Community Room C of the Florence Government Building, 8100 Ewing Blvd., Florence, Ky. Learn more and register.

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, visit  http://www.ky-paternity.com/.

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.

Wash Hands, Stay Home to Prevent Spread of Norovirus
The Health Department is getting reports of a rise in illness with vomiting and diarrhea, consistent with symptoms of the Norovirus. With the disease circulating in the community, it's important to take steps--like hand washing and staying home if sick--to prevent further infection.

Immunization Rates Improve at Health Centers
In 2010, the Health Department decided to make childhood immunizations a priority and devote staff and time resources to immunization follow-up. The move proved successful a year later, with the 2011 immunization rates for children seen at the county health centers at or above 90 percent—the benchmark set by the state and federal government.

Health Department, Fiscal Court Partner to Study Oral Health
A new project by Health Department and the Boone County Fiscal Court aims to address oral health care access in the region. At its January 24 meeting, the fiscal court unanimously approved $1,500 in funding for the project, which will be used as a stipend for a public health graduate student intern.

HIV Continuing Education Class
The Health Department is offering a continuing education course on HIV for health care providers at 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 21, 2012, at the Health Department District Office, 610 Medical Village Drive, Edgewood. The course covers 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. Learn more and register.

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 21, 2012, at the Health Department's District Office, 610 Medical Village Drive, Edgewood, Ky. A light breakfast will be provided. Learn more.

Blood-Borne Pathogen Training
At its December 7 meeting, the Northern Kentucky District Board of Health passed new regulations for blood-borne pathogen education for tattoo and body piercers. The rules are designed to protect customers and artists from diseases transmitted through the blood, including Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and HIV. Learn more.

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.

Prevention Pays Women's Cancer Screening Program
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 Healthcare, which will be parked outside the health center. Eligible women can receive a $10 gift card. Learn more.

 

OFF Program
The “OFF” Program is a 12 week weight-control program designed specifically for women 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 consecutive weekly sessions focusing on a natural way of eating that works for your body, not against it. Registration for this course is now closed. Please check this Web page in the future for information on upcoming classes. 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.

New Diabetes Support Group Location
The Health Department has begun holding a diabetes support group in Kenton County that meets on the first Wednesday of each month. Learn more about this support group and others.

Prevent Bedbugs in Your Home and Work Place
We all have the potential to be exposed to bedbugs, both in our homes and work place. Take action to prevent the spread of these pests.

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.

Kenton County's Smoke-free Law
On December 21, 2010, the Kenton County Fiscal Court passed ordinance number 451.15 into law, prohibiting smoking in public buildings, establishments in public buildings and places of employment. On April 15, 2011, this law went into effect and smoking became completely prohibited indoors at most places of employment. This includes, but is not limited to: offices, work areas, restrooms, conference rooms, classrooms, break rooms, cafeterias and other common areas. Find resources for businesses, residents and visitors to Kenton County who may have questions about the smoke-free ordinance.

Breastfeeding Bags

The Northern Kentucky Breastfeeding Coalition, of which the Health Department is a member, is distributing bags to pregnant women through the Pre Admission Education Program with St. Elizabeth Healthcare. Women should receive the bag when they come in for education with a nurse, at approximately 20 to 30 weeks of gestation. Women receiving a bag also have a chance to win a $50 gift card! Learn more.

Born Learning/Success by 6
The Health Department is partnering with the United Way of Greater Cincinnati, United Way Success By 6®, Vision 2015, Citi and numerous additional community partners to bring the bornlearning public engagement campaign to Northern Kentucky to help parents, caregivers and the entire community create quality early learning opportunities for young children. To learn more about the campaign, visit the national bornlearning campaign Web site, or the United Way of Greater Cincinnati's Success by 6 Web site. text4baby

Text4baby
The Health Department is proud to announce a partnership with the text4baby program, which provides pregnant mothers and new moms with important health messages throughout their pregnancy and for the first year of the child's life. 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 2012. 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.