8/7/23 @ 4:50 p.m. - Project Opioid Jax, Callahan First Baptist Church, LSF Health Systems, Community Coalition Alliance and the Nassau County Coalition for Community Health have partnered to bring an Overdose Awareness Seminar which will discuss the overdose crisis in Nassau County and what we can all do to help.

The event will take place on Thursday, August 31st from 5:30-8:00 p.m. at the Callahan Baptist Church located at 45090 Green Avenue. Guest speakers include Undersheriff, Jon Hooper; Nassau County's Assistant Fire Chief, Greg Roland; Dr. Scott Miles of Coast Community Health; and Nassau County School Superintendent, Dr. Kathy Burns. There is no cost to participate, however registration is required. 

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer 

6/26/23 @ 2:15 p.m. - The Department of Health- Nassau has issued a Press Release commemorating National HIV Testing Day which is observed annually on June 27th. This year's theme is "Take the Test and Take the Next Step", which emphasizes knowing your HIV status. The Release includes information on HIV prevention, as well as information on where to get tested. 

If you have any questions, please contact Jennifer Bothast with DOH-Nassau at (904) 832-2644 or via e-mail at Jennifer.Bothast@flhealth.gov. 

-Sabrina Robertson
​ Public Information Officer

6/23/23 @ 11:30 a.m. - The Department of Health-Nassau has issued a Press Release in recognition of National Cancer Survivor Month and celebrating cancer survivors. It also includes information about the Cancer Connect Collaborative, a team of medical professionals assembled in February 2023 to analyze and rethink Florida's approach to combating cancer. 

If you have any questions, please contact Jennifer Bothast with the Department of Health-Nassau at (904) 832-2644 or via e-mail at Jennifer.Bothast@flhealth.gov. 

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

6/21/23 @ 5:00 p.m. - The Department of Health-Nassau has issued a Press Release related to Men's Health Month and the importance of regular checkup, as well as being aware of lifestyle risks that can affect overall health. Click here to learn more. 

If you have any questions, please contact Jennifer Bothast with DOH-Nassau at (904) 832-2644 or via email at jennifer.bothast@flhealth.gov. 

-Sabrina Robertson
​ Public Information Officer

5/25/23 @ 9:30 a.m. - Department of Health-Nassau is conducting a Community Health Assessment (CHA) to identify factors that affect the health of our community, and to determine available resources to addresses those factors. The information gathered is also used to prioritize issues and make decisions on programs and health improvement plans that serve our county. 

Please consider taking this community health survey. The survey has about 29 questions (not all questions may pertain to you but you are able to skip them) and only takes a few minutes to complete. All responses are important, fully confidential and anonymous. And if you finish the survey and provide your email address at the end, you will be entered into a drawing to win an iPad. 

If you have any questions, please contact Barb Baptista, Community Engagement & Minority Health Liaison for DOH-Nassau at (904) 557-9168 or via email at Barbara.Baptista@flhealth.gov. 

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

5/24/23 @ 11:30 a.m. - The Department of Health-Nassau has issued a Press Release encouraging residents and visitors to enjoy a safe and healthy Memorial Day weekend. The release includes tips on water safety, sun safety, and food safety. 

If you have any questions, please contact Jennifer Bothast at (904) 832-2644 or via email at Jennifer.Bothast@flhealth.gov. 

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

5/16/23 @ 1:00 p.m. 

The Department of Health-Nassau has issued a Press Release encouraging residents to begin preparing now to protect their health heading into hurricane season. This includes signing up for the Florida Special Needs Registry, cataloging a list of medications, updating contact lists, and more. 

If you have any questions, please reach out Jennifer Bothast of DOH-Nassau at (904) 832-2644 or via e-mail at Jennifer.Bothast@flhealth.gov. 

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

5/9/23 @ 3:00 p.m. - The Department of Health-Nassau has issued a Press Release related to National Water Safety Month in an effort to prevent drownings. 

DOH- NASSAU PROMOTES WATER SAFETY MONTH

Contact:
Jennifer Bothast
Jennifer.Bothast@flhealth.gov
904-832-2644

Nassau, Fla. – The Florida Department of Health in Nassau (DOH-NASSAU) encourages communities to participate in National Water Safety Month in May. Take precautions to prevent drownings.
With pools, lakes, and other surrounding bodies of water in Florida, water safety is critical to prevent drownings. Children ages 1-4 years are more likely to drown in a home swimming pool than children ages 5-19 years, who are more likely to drown in natural bodies of water. Whether you are a parent or a community group member, everyone plays a role in drowning prevention. The goal is to keep water activities fun and safe for all as we move into the summer months.

Tips on Water Safety:

• Always keep your eyes on children in and around water, including pools and open bodies of water. Actively supervising and giving children your undivided attention when they are in or around water can help prevent drownings.
• Never leave a child alone around water.
• If your child is missing, check other pools or surrounding bodies of water.
• Use barriers around water, including fences, self-closing/self-latching gates, and secure doors with alarms. Barriers help prevent young children from wandering into bodies of water, including lakes, pools, ponds, and more.
• Have a phone nearby in case you need to call 911 in an emergency.

Beach and Lake Swimming:

• Swimming in open water is different than swimming in a pool. Even the strongest swimmer can get into trouble swimming in open water. Here are some tips for swimming at the beach or lake:
• Swim It: Always swim with a buddy, and when safety flags and signs give it the all-clear to do so.
• Shore It: If you have a weakened immune system, a cut on your skin, or don’t have a buddy to swim with,
• Stay on dry land.
• Dodge It: If you encounter animals that live near or in the water, stay away. Also, algal blooms like red tide and blue-green algae, which cause skin irritation, burning eyes and throat, and breathing irritations. For current information on red tide or blue-green algae, please visit https://protectingfloridatogether.gov/.

For more information on water safety, visit https://www.floridahealth.gov/programs-and-services/prevention/drowning-prevention/index.html.

For more information or questions, please contact DOH-NASSAU at 904-875-6100.

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 Twitter at @HealthyFla and on Facebook. For more information about the Florida Department of Health please visit www.FloridaHealth.gov.

4/17/23 @ 11:30 a.m. - The Department of Health-Nassau has issued a Press Release in recognition of National Child Abuse Prevention Month. The Press Release includes information on various types of abuse  and the long lasting negative impact abuse has on their lives. 

If you have any questions, please contact Jennifer Bothast at (904) 832-2644 or via e-mail at Jennifer.Bothast@flheath.gov.

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Office

4/4/23 @ 4:15 p.m. - Please see the below Press Release from the Department of Health-Nassau. 

DOH-NASSAU CELEBRATES NATIONAL PUBLIC HEALTH WEEK

Contact: Jennifer Bothast
Jennifer.Bothast@flhealth.gov
904-832-2644
​
[Nassau, Fla.] — This week, The Florida Department of Health in Nassau (DOH-Nassau) celebrates National Public Health Week. This celebration, observed April 3-9, 2023, is a time to champion the health of all Americans. This week, we recognize that everyone should lead healthier lives, regardless of where they live, work, or come from. “Over the past few years, during the COVID-19 pandemic, public health unfortunately lost sight of many of its foundational tenets, such as emotional and mental well-being, the importance of education, and the role of healthy relationships in creating healthy communities,” said State Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo. “As we celebrate National Public Health Week, we should aspire to reconnect with the broad vision that public health truly captures.”

“Healthier living isn’t easy for everyone, but its promotion and protection to all is why the Health Department of Nassau County exists. We want every member of this community to be empowered to live their best life,” said Nassau County Health Officer, Dr. Danso-Odei. Whether you get active through the Keep it Moving Challenge or start other great habits like eating healthier, joining others in these actions can help you effectively develop and maintain healthy habits. To learn more about other healthy habits, visit HealthierYouFL.com. National Public Health Week also recognizes the long history and achievements in public health. Public health professionals across Florida dedicate their lives to helping people and communities get healthy, from improving maternal and child health to improving disease control and prevention to addressing environmental concerns and emergency preparedness. Key public health data related to these efforts, including birth and death vital statistics and population estimates, are available online. You can view county and state reports, health indicators, data query systems, and more on the Florida Department of Health’s FLHealthCHARTS.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.