Health

HIV crisis facing black women in metro Atlanta

Wednesday, May 9th, 2012, 12:26pm

ATLANTA -- 11Alive News is sounding the alarm.

Research shows African-American women, many living in Atlanta, are being infected with HIV -- so much so that the new cases are being compared to African countries.

Data collected in 2009 from the health departments in Clayton, Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, Douglas and Gwinnett counties indicates infection rates of HIV and AIDS, respectively, as follows: (This is for women and men combined, all races.)

Fulton: 4,213 and 7,342

DeKalb: 3,257 and 3,983

Clayton: 847 and 943

Cobb and Douglas: 1,030 and 1,288

Gwinnett: 884 and 1,041

In another study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control, black women make up 60 percent of all new HIV cases among women. That's 15 times higher than white women and four percent higher than Hispanic women.

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Fulton Health Services Launches F.A.I.R. to Address Asthma Awareness

Submitted by AprilMajors on Friday, April 13th, 6:43 am

Asthma is a serious, costly, but controllable chronic disease. The Fulton County Department of Health Services is launching the Fulton Asthma Improvement and Reduction (F.A.I.R.) Initiative to focus on the state of asthma in Fulton County. According to the American Lung Association, 24,657 children and nearly 55,000 adults suffer from asthma in Fulton County.

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Fulton County Kicks off Spring SPARC Atlanta Health Screening Clinics for Older Adults

Submitted by FeleciaChurch on Thursday, April 12th, 7:07 am

Older adults in need of preventive health care screenings at no cost or at a lower cost can take advantage of upcoming SPARC (Sickness Prevention Achieved through Regional Collaboration) clinics that begin Saturday, April 14, 2012. The 2012 spring clinics headed by the Fulton County Department of Housing and Human Services Office of Aging will feature immunizations and routine health screenings such as tests for cholesterol levels, blood glucose and blood pressure.

The clinic dates, times and locations are listed below.

Saturday, April 14, 2012
10:00am-2:00pm
East Point Fire Station
2757 East Point Street
East Point, GA 30344

Wednesday,April 18, 2012
10:00 am -2:00pm
Cosby Spears Memorial Towers
355 North Avenue NE
Atlanta, GA 30308

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Fulton County Health Services Encourages Residents to “Get Their Plate in Shape”

Submitted by AprilMajors on Wednesday, March 21st, 9:39 am

March is National Nutrition Month® when everyone is encouraged to focus attention on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits. According to the CDC, approximately 16% of all children in the United States are overweight. Citizens can fight obesity by making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits. Fulton County Health Services encourages everyone to think about what goes on their plate or in their bowl.

According to the 2010 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee, children, teens and adults have diets deficient in dietary fiber, vitamin D, calcium and potassium. Food variety supplies different nutrients, so to maximize the nutritional value of your meal, include healthful choices when preparing your plate.

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics offer the following tips to “Get Your Plate in Shape”:

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Feb. 2-Take Aim at Cancer Presents: Innovations in Lung Cancer Research, Treatment and Patient Care

Submitted by Debbie Fitzgerald

Tuesday, January 31st, 2012, 8:22am

Leading MD Anderson Oncology Chief to Speak at The Lovett School at 7pm

ATLANTA (January 27, 2012) Lung cancer is the No. 1 cause of cancer-related death in both men and women in the U.S. according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In 2007 (most recent statistics), lung cancer accounted for more deaths than breast cancer, prostate cancer and colon cancer combined. But there’s good news: We’re closer than ever before to eradicating this deadly disease.

Take Aim at Cancer, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization benefiting targeted therapy and lung cancer research, is pleased to present this free educational event that is open to the public. It will be held on Thursday, February 2, 2012 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Dr. Edward Kim of MD Anderson to speak on Feb. 2

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Fulton Health Services Believe “Testing Makes Us Stronger”

Submitted by AprilMajors on Friday, January 27th, 1:04 pm

FREE HIV testing available for residents

On February 2 and February 3, Fulton Health Services will provide FREE HIV testing to residents wanting to know their status. A new HIV campaign, “Testing Makes Us Stronger”, targets African-American men to encourage them to be tested for the disease.

In Fulton County, the number of HIV infected persons represents more than 30% of all of the HIV infections in the 28-county Atlanta Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Free testing will be available at the following MARTA stations:

Thursday, February 2, 2012

11:00 am – 3:00pm

North Avenue MARTA Station located as 713 West Peachtree Street in Atlanta, GA 30308

Friday, February 3, 2012

11:00 am – 3:00pm

Lindberg MARTA Station located at 224 Piedmont Road, NE in Atlanta, GA 30324

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Grand Opening of the West End Family Life and Community Center

Submitted by Marc Richardson, Where U Live Producer

Saturday, January 21st, 2012, 10:57am

Atlanta - The grand opening of the West End Family Life and Community Center is scheduled to take place this Sunday, January 22, 2012 at 3:00 pm at 1191 Donnelly Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30310. The center will implement a menu of programs designed to meet the needs of youth, adults, and seniors of the West End Community.

Some of the invited guests include: Ciommissioner Andrea Boone of the City of Atlanta, The Honorable Donzella James (D-GA), State Rep. Rashad Taylor, Councilmember Cleta Winslow - District 4, among others.

Formerly the West End Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club, the building was recently purchased and renovated by the West End Seventh Day Adventist Church of the South Atlantic Conference of Seventh-day Adventist.

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