- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:, July 31, 2024 COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) has partnered with Greenwood Counts Community Consortium (GC3) Food and Hunger Alliance and the United Way of the Lakelands to develop a food resource card to help address food insecurity in Greenwood County. The card features a QR code that directs users to the Greenwood Food Resource Map on the United Way of…, said Ashlee Redfern, DPH Certified Community Health Worker, . "Access to food is a fundamental need that improves overall health and well-being in a community. Inadequate nutrition and food insecurity is tied to poor outcomes for both physical and mental health. Our Food and Hunger Alliance is attempting to improve knowledge of available food resources with these cards to help those who are at a higher risk for food insecurity.” Since October, 564 food…, said Justo Chalaire, Director of Community Impact and Evaluation for the United Way of the Lakelands, . “With that in mind, GC3 started compiling accurate food resource information which informed a digital Food Resource Map created by the United Way of the Lakelands. It has been a tremendous team effort with DPH and other GC3 members distributing food resource cards in their areas of influence and consistently sending United Way updated information.” Outreach requests can be sent to DPH’s…
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- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:, August 6, 2024 COLUMBIA, S.C. – August is National Breastfeeding Month, and the South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) is celebrating the continued increase in the number of breastfed infants in its Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Nutrition Program and encouraging breastfeeding year-round to improve the health of babies across the Palmetto State. In addition to nutrition education and…, 26.9%, of infants participating in the program were either fully or partially breastfed. Breastfeeding rates increased to, 28.1% , in August 2023 and, 29.7% , in May 2024. "We’re delighted about the continued increase in breastfeeding rates within our WIC program, which gives more of South Carolina’s babies a healthy start at the beginning of their lives,”, said Dr. Brannon Traxler, DPH Deputy Director Health Promotion and Services and Chief Medical Officer, . “Breastfeeding provides all the nutrients a baby needs for healthy growth and development and, we encourage all mothers to breastfeed their infants, when possible.” WIC offers resources and collaborates with local organizations to help strengthen breastfeeding promotion and education to help close disparities., These initiatives include: , Utilizing educational messages, training, tools and other resources reflective of local culture, ethnicity, language and literacy levels, Assigning peer counselors who reflect a WIC participant’s language, race, ethnicity and socioeconomic characteristics, when possible, Participating in the Maternal Outcomes Matter Shower Tour (M.O.M.S.). The tour aims to improve maternal health outcomes,…, Breastfeeding has many benefits including: , Breastmilk reduces the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), diabetes and obesity, Breastfeeding reduces the risk of cancer, postpartum depression and low iron for mothers, Breastmilk helps babies develop a higher IQ and improves brain development, Breastmilk promotes lower blood pressure and cholesterol later in life, and Breastfeeding helps a uterus return to its normal size. To…
- COLUMBIA, S.C., – The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) is encouraging residents to practice critical safety precautions when handling fireworks so they can protect themselves and their children during Fourth of July festivities. While fireworks are a source of fun and celebration, they can also cause serious or permanent injury and death if not used properly. “Preventable injuries and deaths…, said Karilyn Tremblay, DPH Injury Prevention and Aging Programs Director., “We urge South Carolinians to exercise caution and stay safe while enjoying the Fourth.” Injuries related to fireworks have significantly increased since 2007, according to a , 2023 report, from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). The report shows eight deaths and 9,700 fireworks-related injuries occurred in 2023. Of those injuries, 66 percent occurred in the one-month span surrounding July 4. Burns were the most frequently estimated type of injury, making up 42 percent of all fireworks injuries treated in emergency departments. The best way to prevent fireworks…, However, if you do light up fireworks at home, the CPSC offers tips on how to stay safe when using fireworks:, Never allow children to play with or ignite fireworks, including sparklers. Sparklers burn at temperatures of about 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit—hot enough to melt some metals. Make sure fireworks are legal in your area, and only purchase and set off fireworks that are labeled for consumer (not professional) use. Never use fireworks while impaired by alcohol or drugs. Keep a bucket of water or a…, CPSC, and the , National Council on Fireworks Safety’s, pages for more information on staying safe during Fourth of July weekend. Have a very happy and safe Independence Day! ###, For media requests, please email, media@dph.sc.gov, or call 803-898-7769.
- For Immediate Release Dec. 31, 2024, COLUMBIA, S.C., — The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) has confirmed that a skunk and a raccoon – from different counties – have tested positive for rabies. The skunk that tested positive was found near Mirror and Calder lanes in Clover, S.C. No people are known to have been exposed at this time. Three dogs were exposed and will be quarantined as required in the South Carolina Rabies Control…, said Terri McCollister, Rabies Program director, . “However, infected saliva or neural tissue contact with open wounds or areas such as the eyes, nose, or mouth could also potentially transmit rabies.” You cannot tell if an animal has rabies by simply looking at it. Rabies must be confirmed in a laboratory. An exposure is defined as direct contact (such as through broken skin or mucous membranes in the eyes, nose, or mouth) with saliva or…
- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:, Jan. 16, 2025 COLUMBIA, S.C. ― With the new year underway, the South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) is highlighting the availability of free overdose (OD) prevention safety kits at all DPH public health clinics . Drug overdose is the leading cause of unintentional death in the United States. South Carolina has seen a significant increase in opioid-involved overdose deaths over the…, said Emma Kennedy, DPH Injury and Opioid Prevention Section director, . “An overdose can happen to anyone. If you or someone you know uses opioids, having an OD safety kit on hand could save a life.” Each OD safety kit contains: , Naloxone nasal spray, , an easy-to-use medicine that can reverse the effects of opioids. Naloxone only works on opioids and is harmless if opioids are not present., Fentanyl and xylazine test strips, , which can tell you if fentanyl or xylazine are mixed into different kinds of drugs. Xylazine is a powerful sedative that is often mixed with opioids and can cause harmful wounds to the body and increase the risk of fatal overdose. , Easy-to-read instructions , Information on how to spot an opioid overdose, An opioid overdose can occur when someone takes a higher dose of opioids than their body can handle. The signs of an overdose include: unconsciousness snoring/gurgling sound difficulty breathing discolored skin (bluish, gray in fingertips and lips) small pinpoint pupils To learn how to recognize the signs of an overdose and how to administer naloxone nasal spray with an instructional video…
- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:, Nov. 18, 2024 COLUMBIA, S.C. — In observance of National Injury Prevention Day on Monday, Nov. 18, the South Carolina Department of Public Health’s (DPH) Injury and Substance Use Prevention Section is proud to announce the launch of South Carolina’s Injury Data Dashboard . This comprehensive, interactive tool is designed to provide insightful data and analysis on various injury indicators and…, said Emma Kennedy, Director of DPH’s Injury and Substance Use Prevention Section, which developed the dashboard., “The dashboard will allow partners to have injury data at their fingertips for writing grant applications, identifying high injury burden areas and directing resources where they are needed most.” DPH’s Injury Data Dashboard focuses on the following injury data measures: Overall Injury, Motor Vehicle Traffic, Traumatic Brain Injury, Unintentional Falls, Drowning, Homicide/Assault, Suicide/Self-…, said Heather Kirlough, DPH’s Core State Injury Prevention Plan Coordinator, . “South Carolina should be a safe and healthy place for all our community members, and DPH is dedicated to providing statewide services and support.” For more information about Injury Prevention in South Carolina, visit DPH’s Injury and Violence Prevention webpage . ###
- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Oct. 2, 2024 COLUMBIA, S.C. – The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) today wishes to announce the hiring of two new members of the agency’s executive leadership team., Holly Gillam, has been hired as Information Technology Director for the agency, and, Sharon Burke, has been hired as DPH’s Chief Human Resources Officer. “These two hires represent a tremendously positive direction for our agency,” said, Dr. Edward Simmer, Interim Agency Director, . “As interim IT director, Holly already has helped lead us through the enormous challenge of splitting off from the former DHEC to create a new state agency and has great institutional knowledge and professional respect. “Meanwhile, Sharon comes to us with two decades of experience as an HR director in the public and private sector. We are thrilled to have them both in these roles that are so…, Gillam, is a two-time graduate of the University of South Carolina, with both a bachelor’s (cum laude) and master's in technical geography. She began her working career as a part time instructor at Piedmont Technical College while working in the private sector for Westinghouse Electric Corporation (now Siemens) and then Shiloh Steel Fabricators. Gillam joined state government in 1995, working for USC’s…, Gillam said, . “Our agency’s team of IT professionals is second to none in state government.”, Burke, , most recently a resident of Asheville, North Carolina, has more than 20 years of experience as a Chief Human Resources Officer and HR Director, and her strategic leadership has consistently transformed organizations in both the public and private sectors. Burke has successfully led initiatives in talent management, employee engagement, and compensation. Under her leadership, her teams have…, Burke said, . “I have a deep commitment to employee well-being, and I’m incredibly excited about the opportunity to positively impact the department's workforce and, as a result, contribute to the health and welfare of the people of South Carolina.” Gillam’s first day in her new role was Sept. 17. Burke began Oct. 2. Gillam and Burke’s biography and headshot can be found here . ###
- South Carolina Tracking Partners with Benedict College for World Environmental Health Day ObservanceFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:, Sept. 26, 2024 COLUMBIA, S.C. – In observation of World Environmental Health Day, the South Carolina Department of Public Health’s (DPH) South Carolina Tracking Program is partnering with Benedict College faculty and students to pilot a poster project highlighting the connection between public and environmental health. World Environmental Health Day (WEHD) is observed annually on Sept. 26 to…, Counts said, . The Benedict College poster project winner will be announced at 9 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 24, via a radio announcement on WDEK Columbia’s Praise 95.7 FM, and the winning project will be posted on the SC Tracking website as well as WDEK’s Facebook page . DPH plans to roll the poster project competition out statewide in future semesters at other colleges and universities, as the agency continues to…, said Katie O’Shields Free, DPH’s Section director of Epidemiology, Analytics and Data Visualization, . “Our students are our future, so training them now is the first step to ensure we are building a better tomorrow for all South Carolinians.” Benedict College is the second Historically Black College in the nation and the first in South Carolina to receive national accreditation for its Environmental Health Program by the Environmental Health Accreditation Council. ###
- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:, Oct. 24, 2024 COLUMBIA, S.C. — Twice a year, in April and October, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) partners with local law enforcement and other community organizations to host National Prescription Drug Take Back Days. The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) encourages residents to participate in the next National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, Oct. 26, by…, said Julia Horan, DPH prevention coordinator, . National Prescription Drug Take Back Day drop off events run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26. To find a local take back site near you, visit the DEA's Collection Site Locator . Take-back locations will collect tablets, capsules, patches and other solid forms of prescription drugs. Liquids (including intravenous solutions), syringes and other sharps, and illegal drugs will not be…