4/11/19 @ 11:50 a.m. - Press Release from the Nassau County Department of Health:

Contact:                                                                                                       Mary von Mohr
mary.vonmohr@flhealth.gov
904-557-9133

Fernandina Beach, Fla. —The Florida Department of Health in Nassau County is recruiting volunteers to help with two workgroups of the Nassau Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP).

The Community Support workgroup is developing an intergenerational program for Nassau Seniors and Teens to come together and share talents, resources and support.  “Bridging the Years - Teens and Seniors Mixing It Up!” is slowly coming together.  We hope to launch this new program in the Fall of this year.  We need your ideas and suggestions for implementation.  We also need persons to coordinate.

The Health Disparities workgroup is focused on reducing health disparities across our county.  This workgroup will provide targeted health education to various sectors, including Nassau faith-based organizations. The workgroup is also seeking volunteers to champion the “Best Babies Zone” community project.  This new project will focus on reducing infant mortality by following the framework of the national model. Volunteers need to be passionate about improving the health of infants, women, and families located in targeted areas of Amelia Island.

All volunteers are welcome regardless of experience or education. Health is everyone’s responsibility. Working together, everyone can make Nassau County a healthier place to live, learn, work and play. To learn more about the CHIP workgroups call Mary von Mohr at 904-557-9133 or email at mary.vonmohr@flhealth.gov.

About the Florida Department of Health
The department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at @HealthyFla. For more information about the Florida Department of Health, please visit www.FloridaHealth.gov.

 4/2/19 @ 9:30 a.m. -  Public Health Week takes place April 1-April 7, 2019. This year's theme is "Creating the Healthiest Nation: For Science. For Action. For Health". The Nassau County Health Department works in collaboration with local governments, non-profit organization and many other stakeholders to improve the health of all people in Nassau County by creating policies and programs to encourage healthier lifestyles.

For more information on National Public Health Week and the initiatives of the Nassau County Health Department to provide opportunities for healthier lifestyles, please see the attached Press Release.

If you have any questions, please contact Mary von Mohr at (904) 557-9133 or via email at mary.vonmohr@flhealth.gov.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

1/23/19 @ 8:20 a.m. - The Department of Health issued the attached Press Release yesterday after a cat near Kings Ferry tested positive for rabies. The alert will remain in affect for 60 days and includes the following boundaries in Nassau County:

• St. Marys River to the North
• Prospect Landing, Murrhee Road and US Highway 1 to the West
• Lessie Road to the East
• W. County Road 108 to the South.

The press release includes information on how to protect yourselves and your pets, as well as signs to look for that may indicate an animal has been exposed.

If you have any questions, please contact Emily Cason with the Department of Health at (904) 875-6100 or via email at Emily.Cason@flhealth.gov.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

1/18/19 @ 8:15 a.m. - The Health Department has issued a Press Release regarding Partnership for a Healthier Nassau's new Community Health Improvement Plan for years 2019-2021. The unveiling of the new plan will take place on Wednesday, January 30, 2019 from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. at the Red Bean Center.

At the meeting, there will be a special presentation by guest speaker, State Attorney Melissa Nelson, who will share her vision of health for our community. Other key leaders will speak on the progress that has been made to improve the health in Nassau County and will also introduce a new project, Nassau Age-Friendly in Public Health.

What: Unveiling of New Community Health Improvement Plan
When: Wednesday, January 30, 2019 from 2:00-4:00 p.m.
Where: FSCJ Red Bean Center, Nassau Room (Building 30, Room T-126), 76346 William Burgess Blvd., Yulee, FL 32097

If you have any questions, please contact Mary von Mohr with the Nassau County Department of Health at (904) 557-9133 or via e-mail at Mary.VonMohr@flhealth.gov.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

1/2/19 @ 2:20 p.m. - The Nassau County Department of Health has issued the attached warning after a raccoon in western Nassau County tested positive for rabies. The Press Release includes steps you can take to protect yourself, as well as signs to look for that indicate an animal might be infected.

If you have any questions, please contact Emily Cason at (904) 875-6100 or via email at Emily.Cason@flhealth.gov.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

11/14/18 @ 1:45 p.m. - The Florida Department of Health has issued the attached Press Release regarding their new Flu Free Florida Initiative "Windows Down, Sleeves Up". This campaign serves as a reminder to residents to get their flu shot before the height of the upcoming flu season.

Part of the initiative also includes an upcoming event featuring FREE Flu Shots for the first 300 people in attendance. This event will take place on Friday, November 30, 2018 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Journey Church located at 95707 Amelia Concourse, Fernandina Beach. All participants must be over the age of 13.

For additional information about influenza or influenza-like illnesses in Florida, please visit the Florida Department of Health Website. You may also contact your local Health Department at (904) 875-6100.

11/2/18 @ 2:40 p.m. - The Health Department just issued the attached Press Release reminding residents to remain diligent in their personal mosquito protection efforts by remembering to "Drain and Cover" following the third confirmed case of West Nile Virus Infection in Nassau County.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Kim Geib with the Nassau County Department of Health at (904) 875-6100 or via e-mail at Kim.Geib@flhealth.gov.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

10/5/18 @ 10:30 a.m. - Over the last six months, Partnership for a Healthier Nassau has completed four county-wide assessments which included community meetings, focus groups, survey collection and data review. The results of their findings were presented at the Nassau Health Summit held on September 26, 2018. More than fifty people were in attendance to review the data and vote on areas in which they believed to be most important. The top five issue areas include:

1. Housing: affordable housing/resources and continuum of care retirement communities (CCRC)
2. Access to Care: hours, cost, provider shortage, competitive pay for providers
3. Behavioral Health and Substance Abuse: affordable and accessible care, care for the socially isolated
4. Health Disparities: in the areas of cancer (breast, colorectal, prostate), heart disease, infant mortality, low birth weight, chronic diseases (stroke, diabetes) and HIV
5. Community Support: to enhance help to caregivers and parents, address the Yulee and Westside area by creating new "community systems for connection" and address affordable childcare

Over the next three months, goals and action steps will be created by local workgroups. Parnership for a Healthier Nassau is seeking new members for the workgroups. New goals related to the top five issues will be included in the Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) which is scheduled to launch in January 2019.

Attached is a Message from the Florida Department of Health Nassau which explains more about this process and the overall efforts of Partnership for a Healthier Nassau.

If you are interested in getting involved, please contact Mary von Mohr at (904) 557-9133 or via e-mail at mary.vonmohr@flhealth.gov. To stay informed, visit the Health Department's page dedicated to Community Health Planning. There you will also find a survey where you can express your ideas to help shape the Local Health Improvement Plan for 2019-2021.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

9/17/18 @ 1:50 p.m. - Attached is a Press Release from the Florida Department of Health reminding residents to take precautionary measures to prevent mosquito-borne illness after a second human case of West Nile illness has been confirmed in Nassau County.

The Department of Health continues to advise the public to remain diligent in their personal mosquito protection efforts by remembering to "Drain and Cover".

Please read the Press Release for methods that can be used to avoid being bitten.

Questions should be directed to Jason Miller with the Department of Health at (904) 875-6100 or via email at Jason.Miller@flhealth.gov.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

9/13/18 @ 9:00 a.m. - The Nassau County Health Improvement Coalition has coordinated a 5K Health Walk/Run in recognition of World Heart Day. This is a free, non-timed event to raise awareness on cardiovascular disease prevention. All participants who complete the 5K will receive free shoelaces and will be entered into a drawing for a door prize.

Other activities taking place during the event include:

• * Hands Only CPR Training (with free Friends & Family training kit)
• * Walk With Me Program Information
• * Drain & Cover, Spill the Water Information (to prevent mosquito exposure)
• * "5210 - Let's Go" Healthiest Weight activity

What: World Heart Day 5K Walk/Run
When: Saturday, September 29, 2018 at 10:00 a.m.
Where: Ewing Park, Callahan, FL 32011

For additional information, please contact J. Miller at (904) 556-9156 or visit the Health Department's Website.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office