ACHIEVE

Video Added: 12/13/11

Look around your neighborhood- are you seeing lots of places to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables- places to get plenty of exercise- and smoke free zones.

There are some neighborhoods without healthy food options and the Volusia County Health Department is teaming up with community partners to make some changes.

Stefany Strong has details in this segment of Community Health Matters.
 

Stay Safe at the Office

Video Added: 12/13/11

Whether it’s picking up a pile of discarded papers, closing a file cabinet drawer or replacing a faulty electrical cord, a safe environment is a productive environment.

In this segment of Community Health Matters- Stefany Strong shows us how to stay safe at the workplace.
 

Prescription Drug Abuse

Video Added: 12/8/11

Prescription drug abuse is a major problem in our society.

The Substance Abuse Task Force for Volusia and Flagler Counties hosted a news conference recently to announce the launch of a new, community-based initiative designed to help combat the prescription drug epidemic.

Stefany Strong has details in this segment of Community Health Matters.

Naegleria

Video Added: 12/8/11

The Volusia County Health Department reminds you to avoid swimming in ponds, lakes, and rivers when the water is warm because there is an increased risk of amoeba.

An amoeba infection could develop when these parasites enter the human body through the nose, making their way to the brain.

Stefany Strong explains how you can stay safe in this segment of Community Health Matters.

Dieldrin Testing at State Lab

Video Added: 10/26/11

One role of public health is protecting drinking water.

The Volusia County Health Department collects private drinking water samples for testing at the state’s Environmental Chemistry Lab in Jacksonville.

Stefany Strong takes us to the lab to get a closer look at how the testing process in this segment of Community Health Matters.

Spotlight on DOH State Lab

Video Added: 10/26/11

Hundreds of thousands of new babies are born in Florida each year, but what many Floridians do not realize is that each one of those babies receives special testing within their first 48 hours of life called Newborn Screening.

And those screenings are all done by the Florida Department of Health’s laboratory in Jacksonville. Stefany Strong takes us on a road trip up to the state lab to show you what services they offer to protect your health.
 

Drowning Prevention Billboards

Video Added: 09/09/11

It’s been a tragic swim season so far this summer with Volusia County leading the state in toddler drowning deaths at eight.

The Volusia Flagler Family YMCA and Drowning Prevention Task Force recently launched a billboard campaign aimed at saving lives.

Stefany Strong explains in this segment of Community Health Matters.

Primary Amoebic Encephalitis or PAM Public Service Announcement - Orange CHD

Video Added: 08/11/11

Please view this public service announcement about Naegleria fowleri infection.

Naegleria fowleri causes the disease primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), a brain infection that leads to the destruction of brain tissue. In its early stages, symptoms of PAM may be similar to symptoms of bacterial meningitis.

Initial symptoms of PAM start 1 to 7 days after infection. The initial symptoms include headache, fever, nausea, vomiting, and stiff neck. Later symptoms include confusion, lack of attention to people and surroundings, loss of balance, seizures, and hallucinations. After the start of symptoms, the disease progresses rapidly and usually causes death within 1 to 12 days.

Water Safety Education

Video Added: 07/25/11

In an effort to provide water safety education to community members, the Volusia Flagler Family YMCA is partnering with the U.S Consumer Product Safety Commission’s Pool Safely campaign.

Stefany Strong takes us by the Y to see the swimming lessons and lifesaving demonstrations up close and personal- in this segment of Community Health Matters.

Well Testing

Video Added: 07/12/11

The Volusia County Health Department is currently collecting samples from private drinking water wells in the Deland Country Club Estates area - after a pesticide was detected in the water.

The pesticide is called dieldrin (de-el-drin) and it has also been detected in other parts of the state.

Stefany strong has details in this segment of Community Health Matters.

Let's Move Volusia's Youth

Video Added: 07/12/11

In Volusia County 10 percent of middle school students and 9 percent of high school students were obese compared to 11 percent statewide according to 2009 statistics.

Leaders are coming together to tackle the problem of childhood obesity by launching Let’s Move Volusia’s Youth- a physical activity and nutrition effort to improve the health of kids.

Public Information Officer Stefany Strong explains in this segment of Community Health Matters.

Wildfire Smoke Effects

Video Added: 07/12/11

You may have noticed the strong smell of smoke--- or even spotted it as Volusia County firefighters continue to battle multiple wildfires burning throughout the area.

The wildfire smoke is a problem for first responders- citizens and drivers who come in contact with it during the day.

The Volusia County Health Department offers health advice to those who may be impacted by wildfire smoke.

 

Venomous Snakes

Video Added: 06/20/11

It has been estimated that 7,000–8,000 people per year receive venomous snakebites in the United States, and about 5 of those people die. The number of deaths would be much higher if people did not seek medical care. If you are bitten by a venomous snake- you’ll need the anti-venom to save your life.

There are only about six laboratories in the United States responsible for producing snake venom- and DeLand is home to one of those facilities- MEDTOXIN Venom Laboratories located at the Reptile Discovery Center.

Stefany Strong takes a closer look at how producing snake venom is just one step along the way in the production of anti- venom in this segment of Community Health Matters.

Pool Safety

Video Added: 06/20/11

Public Information Officer Stefany Strong reminds us that pool safety is everyone’s responsibility. It only takes a second for a small child to wander unsupervised outside- and before you know it- into the family pool.

Dental Sealant Program

Video Added: 05/19/11

The Volusia County Health Department and Volusia County Schools are partnering to bring oral health care to local second graders. The school based dental sealant program is possible because of a grant from the Florida Department of Health.

Public Information Officer Stefany Strong takes us to Westside Elementary School to see how the program works in this segment of Community Health Matters.

County Health Rankings for 2011

Video Added: 04/21/11

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation collaborated with the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute to develop and release County Health Rankings for each state’s counties. These rankings provide snapshots of community health for over 3,000 counties throughout the country. In every state, people will be comparing how counties rank on their health outcomes and health factors, based on a wide variety of measures from mortality and quality of life to high school graduation rates, unemployment rates, obesity rates, and air quality.

Public Information Officer Stefany Strong takes a closer look at the health of Volusia County in this segment of Community Health Matters.

Sharps Disposal Program

Video Added: 04/18/11

The Community Used Sharps Disposal Program is provided as a public service to protect public health and provide a safe environment for citizens of Volusia and Flagler Counties.

Public Information Officer Stefany Strong introduces us to the Community Used Sharps Disposal Program at the Volusia County Health Department.

Septic Tank Inspections

Video Added: 04/13/11

The Volusia County Health Department is responsible for inspecting septic tanks in the county.

Public Information Officer Stefany Strong takes us along for a septic tank inspection with Environmental Health Specialist II Kurt Jennings.

Safe Drinking Water Act Program

Video Added: 03/11/11

Whether you’re a tourist or a local resident- you’re counting on Volusia County’s drinking water supply.

Few things in life are as important as having access to a safe, plentiful supply of drinking water.

In this segment of Community Health Matters - Health Department Public Information Officer takes a closer look at the Safe Drinking Water Act Program and how the health department works to make sure the water you drink is safe.

Water Treatment Plant Tour

Video Added: 02/22/11

The Volusia County Health Department is responsible for inspecting local public water systems to make sure they are in compliance with state and federal laws.

Public Information Officer Stefany Strong takes us along for a tour of the Port Orange Water Treatment Plant as Environmental Specialist Pat Carrico does her inspection.
 

Healthy Smiles

Video Added: 02/15/11

Public Information Officer Stefany Strong explains the "A Healthy Smile for You and Your Family" campaign.  The campaign targets women and children and promotes healthy smiles and good oral health care.

Flu Shots 2010

Video Added: 12/03/10

In this segment of Community Health Matters, we learn the importance of getting flu vaccinations.

Healthy Beaches Program 2010

Video Added: 07/29/10

Public Information Officer Stefany Strong takes us out to the beach to follow Environmental Health Specialist, Eric Maday - for today’s water sampling run.

Public Swimming Pool Inspections

Video Added: 07/29/10

Public Information Officer Stefany Strong takes us out to a local public swimming pool to follow Environmental Health Specialist, Suzanne Grubbs - for a swimming pool inspection.

Never Leave Your Child Alone Campaign

Video added: 07/08/10

Public Information Officer Stefany Strong takes us to a safety demonstration by the Daytona Beach Fire Department that shows you first hand what goes on during a child heat related rescue call.