Health Check (EPSDT) is a preventive health care program for Medicaid members under 21 and PeachCare for KidsTM members under 19 within the Georgia Department of Community Health.
The program offers free well-child services like eye exams, vaccines and dental care.
Doctors and nurses will thoroughly examine the child or teen and give shots against diseases when necessary. They also will ask questions about your child’s health and development. They will talk to your family about how to solve problems or give a referral for special problems.
Health Check providers perform or assist in linking children to other services, like eyeglasses, hearing aids, counseling and prescriptions. They can even help with transportation and appointment scheduling.
Why Participate in Health Check?
Good health is important for children; it helps them get the most out of life.
Children need good eyesight to read and to see what’s happening around them. They need strong healthy bodies to walk, run and play. They need good hearing t o enjoy music, talk with their friends and do well in school. They need dental care early so they can eat and digest food well.
Take children to a doctor or nurse regularly to keep them healthy . Doctors and nurses can find and treat health problems before they become more serious. It’s also important that children get the shots they need to protect them from illnesses like measles, chicken pox and the “flu.”
Health Check Schedule
It is important that your child get regular physical examinations. Babies, children, and adolescents need to be seen at these ages:
Healthy Tips
1. Use your Primary Care Provider (PCP) when possible.
2. It is important to keep your appointment. Call to cancel if you can’t keep it.
3. Take snacks and books with you for young children in case you have to wait for your appointment.
4. Make a list of questions you may have for the doctor.
5. Keep a record of your child’s shots. You can ask the doctor to give you a copy of the record.
6. Ask your nurse or doctor to explain any information you don’t understand.
Age Group
Health Check Schedule
Infancy
Birth - two days
3-5 days of age
By 1 month
2 months
4 months
6 months
9 months
Early Childhood
12 months
15 months
18 months
24 months
30 months
3 years
4 years
Middle Childhood & Adolescence
5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 years
Every year until age 21
An extra exam can be given if needed
Where and How Can Your Child Participate?
Health Check is available in health departments , clinics and doctors’ offices. Ask for it by name.
We want to help you keep your children healthy and strong. :
Finding the nearest health clinic, doctor or dentist; or Arranging a ride to your appointment
Call 770-325-2331 (Local) or 866-211-0950 (Toll Free) if you need help.
Also, check into WIC (Women, Infants, and Children Nutrition Program) to get healthy foods like milk, eggs, etc. visit http://northgawic.com or call 1-866-942-9675 for a location near you.
Para información en Español, por favor llame, sin costo alguno, al 770-325-2331 o al 866- 211-0950.
To get this information in Braille, call 770-325- 2331 (Local) or 866-211-0950 (Toll Free).
Written by Jennifer King, Public Information Officer
Wednesday, December 14 2011
An unvaccinated Boxer belonging to a family on Damascus Road in Pickens County, GA tested positive for rabies on December 6. As a result, environmental health officials had to recommend post rabies exposure treatment to people who most recently handled the dog before it was euthanized on December 5.
Almost thirty people were evaluated for rabies exposure in this case because the dog had been present during a Thanksgiving family gathering. There was no indication of exposure to those persons; however, six other people, including two veterinary technicians and four family members, were considered potentially exposed. Five have begun post-exposure rabies treatments, but one family member has declined to undergo post-exposure preventive treatments.
Written by Jennifer King, Public Information Officer
Tuesday, December 13 2011
WITH THE PEAK OF THE FLU SEASON FAST APPROACHING, FLU SHOTS ARE NOW REDUCED TO $10 AT PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENTS IN CHEROKEE, FANNIN, GILMER, MURRAY, PICKENS AND WHITFIELD COUNTIES!
DON'T LET THE FLU GET THE BEST OF YOU THIS SEASON. COME RIGHT AWAY TO ONE OF THESE HEALTH DEPARTMENTS TO GET YOUR LOW-COST $10 FLU SHOT! YOU MAY PAY WITH CASH, CHECK, MEDICARE, MEDICAID, STATE CIGNA OR STATE UNITED HEALTH CARE INSURANCES - AND NOW, THE HEALTH DEPARTMENTS ARE ACCEPTING BLUE CROSS/BLUE SHIELD BLUECHOICE PPO INSURANCE!
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL YOUR LOCAL COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT AT: CHEROKEE: CANTON (770) 345-7371/WOODSTOCK (770) 928-0133 GILMER (706) 635-4363 / PICKENS (706) 253-2821 FANNIN (706) 632-3023 / MURRAY (706) 695-4585 WHITFIELD (706) 226-2621
Written by Jennifer King, Public Information Officer
Monday, December 05 2011
During this year’s National Influenza Vaccination Week, December 4-10, North Georgia Health District officials remind residents how important it is that they receive an annual flu shot.
Since flu viruses are constantly changing and immunity can decline over time, annual vaccination is needed for optimal protection, even during years when the particular flu viruses the vaccine protects against remain the same as in the previous season.
Getting vaccinated is the single best way for people to protect not only themselves against flu, but their loved ones as well; and an annual flu shot is the most effective tool to continuously prevent the flu and flu-related complications that could become quite serious.
On Thursday, Governor Deal will renew Georgia's commitment to preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS, developing and delivering more effective treatment, and finding a cure, by proclaiming December 1, 2011 to be World AIDS Day in Georgia. Georgia will join countries around the world to recognize World AIDS Day. The first ever global health day, World AIDS Day unites people in the fight against HIV, shows their support for people living with HIV, and commemorates those who have died.
The North Georgia Health District's Living Bridge Center is observing World AIDS Day this year by providing free HIV Testing and Counseling on December 1st from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the lower level of the Pope Student Center at Dalton State College. This particular testing will involve no needles. Instead, the Orasure, or oral test method, will be used. In addition to free HIV testing and counseling, the Living Bridge Center staff will provide participants with goody bags in recognition of World AIDS Day.
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