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Louisiana Observes World No Tobacco Day
The Department of Health and Hospitals’ Tobacco Control Program is encouraging Louisiana residents to observe World No Tobacco Day on May 31, 2008.
LDH News
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National Panel Releases New Guidelines to Help Smokers Quit
Federal health officials issued new guidelines this month for how medical professionals should treat tobacco use and dependence. The 2008 Clinical Practice Guideline – Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence recognizes the need to address youth smoking and highlights, for the first time, counseling as an effective treatment for helping youth smokers quit.
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DHH Readies for Hurricane Season with Air Evacuation Drill
On the eve of hurricane season, an effort spearheaded by the Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) to test a multiple-hospital evacuation plan is underway in New Iberia. DHH is working with local, state and federal partners to test an emergency aviation transport plan to move hospital patients during a crisis event.
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Louisiana Passenger Safety Task Force and Chuck E. Cheese Host a Car Seat Safety Event
The Louisiana Passenger Safety Task Force and Chuck E. Cheese will host a seatbelt fit and car seat check event at Chuck E. Cheese on East Prien Lake Rd., Lake Charles, Saturday, May 31 from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
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Water Quality Advisories Continue for Cameron Beaches
Swim advisories issued last week for the beaches of Cameron Parish remain in effect after test samples continue to show unacceptable levels of bacteria in the water. These sites include Constance, Long, Gulf Breeze, Hackberry, Holly Beaches one through six, Little Florida, Martin and Rutherford beaches. Additionally, Cypremort Point State Park Beach in Iberia/St. Mary parishes remains under advisory.
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Water Quality Advisories Continue for Cameron Beaches
Baton Rouge – Swim advisories issued last week for the beaches of Cameron Parish remain in effect after test samples continue to show unacceptable levels of bacteria in the water. These sites include Constance, Long, Gulf Breeze, Hackberry, Holly Beaches one through six, Little Florida, Martin and Rutherford beaches. Additionally, Cypremort Point State Park Beach has been placed under an advisory.
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May 6 is Legislative Wellness Day at the State Capitol
Baton Rouge – On Tuesday, May 6, legislators at the State Capitol will get a lesson on what they can do to help reverse the obesity epidemic in Louisiana. It’s part of Legislative Wellness Day, an effort by public, private and non-profit organizations to raise awareness about a growing problem, literally, in Louisiana.
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First Case of West Nile Virus Found for 2008
Baton Rouge – The Department of Health and Hospitals has announced the first West Nile virus case of 2008. The case was discovered during a routine screening of a blood donor from Livingston Parish.
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Louisiana Spirit Wins Silver at New Orleans Addy Awards
Baton Rouge – Louisiana Spirit, the crisis counseling program through the Department of Health and Hospitals – Office of Mental Health, was recently honored for its 2007 advertising campaign with three awards at the 2008 New Orleans Addy Awards. The Addy Awards is the world’s largest advertising competition, with over 60,000 entries annually. The entries submitted by Louisiana Spirit included pictures, television and radio commercials encouraging hurricane survivors to continue down the path of recovery.
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DHH Launches Week-Long Initiative to Reach Uninsured
Baton Rouge – The Department of Health and Hospitals will launch an extensive outreach and enrollment campaign April 29 through May 2 during national Cover the Uninsured Week. Activities around the state will focus on increasing awareness and access to public health coverage for uninsured children through the Louisiana Children’s Health Insurance Program (LaCHIP), other Medicaid programs and the new expansion LaCHIP Affordable Plan.
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DHH-LSU Issue Joint Statement on Future of Academic Teaching Hospital in New Orleans
Baton Rouge – Today, Alan Levine, secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals, and Dr. Fred Cerise, Vice President for Health Affairs and Medical Education with Louisiana State University, released the following joint statement:
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“Operation Prepare” Readies Louisiana Residents for Emergencies
Baton Rouge – Over the next two weeks, employees from the Department of Health and Hospitals – Office of Public Health and agency partners will be visiting communities throughout Louisiana to educate citizens firsthand about how to prepare for emergency scenarios.