Health & Safety

Information to assist with healthy living and lifestyle choices; patient, child and elder care.

Free Health Screening March 14

The Habersham County Senior Center will host a health fair on March 14, allowing residents of Habersham County to have free health screenings and...

Nonprofit helps rural Georgians with disabilities get medical equipment

Nonprofits in Georgia are launching a comprehensive program designed to empower individuals with disabilities to achieve independence and secure employment. Friends of Disabled Adults and...

Staffing minimum rules for dementia and nursing homes will not be lowered as proposed

The Georgia Department of Community Health has decided not to move ahead with a proposed rule change on staffing in the state's certified dementia...

Patient groups want antivirals available at no cost for high risk COVID patients

Patient groups want antiviral treatments more available to Georgians at risk from COVID-19. More than 20 organizations, including the AIDS Institute, ALS Association, American...

Widespread flu activity in Georgia

If you have not gotten a flu shot yet, public health officials urge don't wait any longer. Flu activity is widespread throughout Georgia, and...

A newly approved medication can ease postpartum depression in as little as 3 days

For the first time, doctors in Georgia can prescribe an oral treatment that works faster than anything previously available for postpartum depression. Earlier this...

Stronger opioid overdose reversal medicines worsen patients’ withdrawal symptoms

The idea of driving 80 miles per hour down the highway and having the car thrown into reverse — that’s a good comparison to...

Northeast Georgia Medical Center matches new class of fellows in cardiovascular disease

GAINESVILLE, Ga. – Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC) will be joined by more physicians to care for patients with cardiovascular disease. Six new physicians...

More options, less stigma: How Georgians in recovery are breaking barriers to addiction care

For Jocelyn Wallace, a former paramedic from Douglas County, her opioid addiction started like many others — with a prescription to treat her pain...

Former U.S. surgeon general says new ‘fentanyl fighter’ should be available without a prescription

A former surgeon general is advocating for the use of an overdose reversal spray that is stronger and longer-lasting than Narcan. He says Georgia...

Public insurance claim database goes live in Georgia early next year

Early next year, the public will have access to a new tool that makes the cost of health care more transparent — it’s a...

NGHS partnership aims to improve dialysis experience and outcomes

Northeast Georgia Health System (NGHS) has entered a partnership to provide dialysis treatment in a way that may reduce infections and improve recovery time. Northeast...