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Overdose Awareness Day is August 31, 2022
August 31st is International Overdose Awareness Day. This day hopes to bring awareness to the impacts of alcohol, opioids and other substances that result in overdoses. There will be many events around the county to remember those lost, and to reflect on how we can support those in grief and those in recovery. In Orange County in 2021 there were 29 (19.5 rate per 100,000 residents) overdose deaths. Sadly, alcohol overdoses, resulting in death, are on the rise in North Carolina. According to the 2020 NCDHHS data, alcohol is the 3rd leading cause of overdose deaths. Over 90% of these deaths are unintentional.
LEARN MORE about the Overdose Awareness Day events.
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September is Suicide Prevention Month
From 2016 to 2020, 206 Orange and Durham County community members lost their lives to suicide. Throughout the month of September, the Orange County Health Department and Durham County Department of Public Health will host events to support survivors, to share how to recognize the signs and symptoms of suicide, and to teach what to do if a loved one is in danger. Events include:
Adult Mental Health First Aid Training for the Community: On Friday, September 16th from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm at the Whitted Human Services Center at 300 W. Tryon St., Hillsborough. This training is for community members, family members, friends, students and other people who have been affected by suicide or want to prevent suicide. The training will cover common signs and symptoms of mental health and substance abuse challenges as well as how to connect people with help. The training is free, and lunch is included. Please register at this link: https://www.orangecountync.gov/MHFA Adult Mental Health First Aid Training for Professional Partners: On Friday, September 23rd from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm at the Whitted Human Services Center at 300 W. Tryon St., Hillsborough. This training is for employers, police officers, hospital staff, first responders, public health workers, local government staff, and school employees who want to learn to identify, understand, and respond to the signs of mental health and substance use challenges. The training is free, and lunch is included. Please register at this link: https://www.orangecountync.gov/MHFA-Partners Suicide Prevention and Awareness Walk: On Thursday, September 29th from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm at Leigh Farm Park located at 370 Leigh Farm Road, Durham NC 27707. The event is hosted by Orange County Health Department, Durham County Department of Public Health, Alliance Health, Insight Humans Services and Healthy Carolinians of Orange County. Prior to the walk, community members will gather to hear featured speaker, Rwenshaun Miller, who believes that mental wellness begins with a conversation. Miller is an award-winning psychotherapist whose personal mission is to shift our society into one that acknowledges, addresses, and treats mental health challenges.
To donate shoes or for questions about the events, email Willa Robinson Allen at wrobinson@dconc.gov for Durham County or Ashley Rawlinson at arawlinson@orangecountync.gov for Orange County or call (919) 245-2440.
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Should I Worry About the Polio Case in New York?
So far, there's been just one case of paralysis reported in New York — but the same form of polio has been known to trigger outbreaks across the globe, including 415 cases of infection in Nigeria last year, per Reuters. Afghanistan and Pakistan are among the only nations where polio spread remains uncontrolled.
There isn't a cure for polio, but current vaccinations provide an overwhelming amount of protection that renders serious polio infections very unlikely — which is why anyone who has been vaccinated in their lifetime shouldn't worry too much.
"Those who have received all of their childhood vaccinations, and children who are up-to-date on their routine vaccinations, don't need to worry about contracting paralytic polio — or seek a booster vaccine," says Shira Doron, M.D., infectious disease physician and hospital epidemiologist at Tufts Medical Center.
"The routine childhood vaccination regimen in the U.S. consists of 4 doses of an inactivated polio vaccine… three doses are considered 99 to 100% effective against paralytic polio," she adds.
Source: https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/health/a40942961/when-to-get-polio-vaccine-booster/
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FDA Warns Manufacturer for Marketing Illegal Flavored Nicotine GummiesThe FDA issued a warning letter for marketing illegal flavored nicotine gummies called “Krave Nic." These gummies resemble kid-friendly food or candy products and have the potential to cause severe nicotine toxicity or even death among young children.
READ MORE
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Free FreshStart Classes to Begin Sept. 6
Free virtual Freshstart classes begin on Tuesday, September 6 and will continue for 4 weeks. In this class participants will learn to make a plan to quit tobacco and will get free patches, gums and lozenges to maintain their quit. To register, call Rita Krosner at (919) 245-2424 or email smokefree@orangecountync.gov.
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COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics Vaccines are free, and no ID is required! If you are coming for your second dose, or a booster please bring your vaccination card with the record of your previous doses. Visit our COVID-19 Vaccine page for the most up-to-date information: www.orangecountync.gov/getyourshot.
Ages 6 months and up can be vaccinated! To make an appointment call (919) 913-8088 or visit https://takemyshot.nc.gov.
Chapel Hill Southern Human Services Center 2501 Homestead Rd, Chapel Hill, NC Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 8:30am - 4:30pm Appointments only. ***Ages 6 months and up. ***Moderna, J&J, and Pfizer vaccines are available.
Hillsborough Bonnie B. Davis Environment & Agricultural Center 1020 US Hwy 70 W., Hillsborough, NC Friday and Saturday 8:00 am - 4:00 pm Appointments encouraged but walk-ins also accepted. ***Ages 6 months and up. ***Moderna and Pfizer vaccines are available.
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North Carolina COVID-19 Cases The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) reports 3,098,923 COVID-19 cases, 25,843 deaths and 1,283 hospitalizations. 65% of North Carolina's population is up to date on their COVID-19 vaccination.
There are currently 34,587 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 143 deaths in Orange County.
Orange County COVID-19 vaccinations: Percentage of Population Vaccinated with at least One Dose: 81% Percentage of Population Vaccinated with Two Doses or one Dose J&J: 78% Percentage of Population Vaccinated with One Booster/ Additional Dose: 60%
For more information regarding live updates (NCDHHS updates the site every day around noon), please visit the NCDHHS website.
Orange County Health Department also has a COVID-19 dashboard webpage, with information on COVID-19 data in the county.
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