NASHVILLE – Tim Jones, MD, has been named the 2017 recipient of the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists’ Pumphandle Award. Jones serves as Tennessee state epidemiologist and assistant commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Health Communicable and Environmental Disease and Emergency Preparedness, or CEDEP division. 

Immunizations Save Teaching Time, Reduce Misery and Save Lives

NASHVILLE – To prevent the spread of diseases and to keep our kids of all ages and their classmates safe, healthy and in school learning, all students in Tennessee, from kindergarten to college, must have proof of immunizations before they can start school. State leaders of health and education say it’s best to get those important vaccines now to avoid longer wait times later and to ensure a smooth beginning to the 2017 school year.

Misuse of the Powerful Drug & Its Derivatives Causing Overdoses and Deaths

NASHVILLE – Fentanyl: It’s here; it’s deadly and not just illegal users are at risk. Along with fentanyl there are other, more powerful drugs like carfentanil that are being used in counterfeiting legal drugs like Percocet and even counterfeiting of illegal heroin. That’s the message leaders from the Tennessee Department of Health, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services and Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security provided today during a press conference at TBI headquarters in Nashville.

NASHVILLE – Fentanyl and fentanyl derivatives are powerful synthetic opioid drugs often imported and used by criminals to create counterfeit pills or to mix with other illegal drugs such as heroin and marijuana. Fentanyl and fentanyl derivatives are extremely potent and pose significant health risks both to those using them and to those who may be accidentally exposed to them. Increased public awareness about the growing threat of fentanyl and fentanyl derivatives can save lives.

 Simple Tests to Detect Colon Cancer Can Save Your Life

NASHVILLE – Let’s just get this right out of the way:  Few people want to talk about their colon. As body parts go, it doesn’t match the heart, eyes or brain for attracting poetic verse and many are unaware of its importance. What does matter, especially for those 50 years or older, is that among the cancers affecting both men and women, colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States.  

Additional information submitted by hospital systems, process moves forward

NASHVILLE – Tennessee Department of Health Commissioner John Dreyzehner, MD, MPH, FACOEM, in consultation with Tennessee Attorney General Herbert H. Slatery III today announced the Certificate of Public Advantage application from Mountain States Health Alliance and Wellmont Health System has been deemed complete and the COPA process will move forward.

Fight the Bite to Prevent Spread of Serious Illnesses

NASHVILLE – Ticks and mosquitoes are now out in force and looking for food. The meal of choice for both is blood, creating opportunities to spread a variety of serious illnesses such as Zika Virus Disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever as they move from one bite victim to another.

May is High Blood Pressure Education Month

NASHVILLE – Your heart powers your life. It will beat almost three billion times and pump about 42 million gallons of blood through your body during your lifetime. Your heart allows you to love, laugh and live your life to the fullest. It works nonstop to take care of you and you should take care of it. May is National High Blood Pressure Education Month and the Tennessee Department of Health wants adults to get to know their blood pressure numbers and how to keep them healthy.

Misuse and Accidental Use of Powerful Drug Can be Fatal

NASHVILLE – Fentanyl, an exceptionally powerful drug used legally to treat extreme pain, has found its way to the illegal drug market, and it is killing people. According to three departments and one agency of Tennessee State Government, overdose deaths associated with fentanyl are increasing in the state and law enforcement officials have found the drug in counterfeit versions of commonly misused pain relief pills

National Youth Violence Prevention Week is Apr. 3-7, 2017

NASHVILLE – Athletic coaches play an influential role in the lives of young athletes and are often in a position to positively influence how their athletes think and behave both on and off the field or court. The Tennessee Department of Health is now partnering with coaches to implement the “Coaching Boys into Men” program as part of our efforts to reduce violence

NASHVILLE – Tennessee Health Commissioner John Dreyzehner, MD, MPH, will join other state and local officials Tuesday, April 4, at the open house in recognition of the newly-expanded Bradley County Health Department Dental Clinic in Cleveland.

TDH, Tennessee Department of Correction Named TB Elimination Champions

NASHVILLE – There were 9,287 tuberculosis cases in the U.S. and 103 in Tennessee in 2016, the lowest numbers ever recorded. Despite these encouraging figures, the Tennessee Department of Health reminds all Tennesseans TB is still here, but is treatable, curable and preventable. 

Rabies Tag Numbers Can Provide a Path Home for Some Tennessee Pets

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Health has created a web-based resource to use rabies vaccination tags to help reunite lost pets with their owners. Those who find stray pets wearing TDH rabies tags can now use this tool on the TDH website to search for and identify the veterinarians who vaccinated the animals, who can then help with information to find the owners. 

Shelby County Nursing Home Cited for Violations

NASHVILLE – Tennessee Health Commissioner John Dreyzehner, MD, MPH, has suspended new admissions of residents to Signature Healthcare at Saint Francis effective March 24, 2017 and imposed six civil monetary penalties in the amount of $2,000 each for a total amount of $12,000. 

Spring Break, Mission Trips, Business & Other Travel Warrants Protections

NASHVILLE – In 2016, 63 travelers returned to Tennessee infected with Zika virus. In each of those cases, the Tennessee Department of Health and the Tennessee medical community worked quickly to ensure the virus would not spread to others.

Many Tennesseans are now planning for spring breaks, mission trips and other travel to warmer locations where mosquito populations are known to transmit Zika. TDH reminds Tennesseans that mosquito bite precautions are vital to protecting their health and the health of others where they live, work, play and pray when returning.