HEALTH

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 78 papillomavirus (HPV), and Hepatitis B, among others, are provided for children.

• Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)-EBT cards to buy nutritious foods (cheese, milk, cereals, etc.) are issued to women who are pregnant or breastfeeding and to children under 5 years of age who are at risk of poor growth, if they meet income guidelines. Breastfeeding classes and support are available to all new mothers.

• Baby and Me Tobacco Free-This program provides support for pregnant women who currently use tobacco products and are interested in quitting. Participants who are able to quit and stay quit receive vouchers for diapers for up to a year following delivery.

• Infectious Disease Control-All health departments provide necessary and timely information to patients, their families, and health care providers about serious infectious diseases. The health department collects and provides information on diseases in the community, investigates and monitors outbreaks, and keeps the community safe through investigation, early detection, and early intervention of diseases that can harm the public.

• Breast and Cervical

Screening-Clinical breast exams, pap smears, and mammograms are provided for those with abnormal breast exams or paps meeting program requirements. Patients are also screened for presumptive eligibility for TennCare, related paperwork is completed, and a referral made for testing or care.

• Sexually Transmitted Disease Control-The health department provides confidential testing, treatment, and partner notification for sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV/AIDS.

• Tuberculosis Control-Diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up services for patients with tuberculosis, and their contacts, are provided at the health department. Medication, when needed, is also available.

• Family Planning-Patients receive a complete physical exam and all appropriate lab tests. Patients are also taught about birth control and may be supplied with a birth control method.

• Prenatal Services-Pregnancy testing and presumptive eligibility screening for TennCare are available.

• Vital Records-Copies of death certificates are issued upon request. Certified copies of birth certificates for persons born in Tennessee with birth year 1949 or after may be requested through the health department daily for a fee of $15.

• General Environ- mental Health-An environmental specialist is responsible for inspecting food service establishments, hotels, motels, public swimming pools, bed and breakfast establishments, child care facilities, organized camps, schools, plants, tattoo and body piercing establishments. Other duties include controlling rabies and West Nile Virus, providing education and training for public facility workers, and monitoring establishments for compliance with the Non-Smoker’s Protection Act. For more information about services provided by the Health Department or to make an appointment, call 423-623-8733. The department is open Mondays-Fridays from 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.

In addition to services provided in the Health Department, a Health Educator is available to work with individuals and groups to provide information on a variety of topics related to a healthy lifestyle. Special emphasis is given to tobacco, obesity, substance abuse, teen pregnancy prevention, rape prevention, and diabetes control. If you are interested in hosting a program or require more information about what subjects the Health Educator can cover, please contact the Cocke County Health Department at 423-623-8733, and ask to speak with the Health Educator.