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Friends of Disabled Adults and Children Partners with Invacare to Provide Aid in the Wake of Joplin

Submitted by Kimberly E. Stone, Fashion & Philanthropy Contributor
Saturday, August 13th, 2011, 9:37am
Friends of Disabled Adults and Children Partners with Invacare to Provide Aid in the Wake of Joplin

 

When disaster strikes, we should all take the time out to help those less fortunate.  Friends of Disabled Adults and Children (FODAC) is a non-profit organization that helps children, adults and seniors with disabilities. Recently, a natural disaster hit a small town in the United States called Joplin. On May 22, 2011 Joplin, Missouri suffered a massive F5 tornado; leaving thousands of people homeless.  With the assistance of FODAC and Invacare they were able to ship supplies in 24 hours.

The tornado disaster in Joplin has silently removed itself from our television screens and radio stations. But FODAC and Invacare are doing their best to provide help. FODAC does not just drop off materials and leave. They stay and form relationships with the communities that have lost everything. They are creating an atmosphere of hope and longevity.

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Future of State Health Benefit Plan to be secured

Submitted by Beth Sawicki, Where U Live Producer
Saturday, August 13th, 2011, 9:01am
Future of State Health Benefit Plan to be secured

ATLANTA -- The Georgia Department of Community Health has adopted a proposal to secure the future of the State Health Benefit Plan (SHBP).

The initiative introduces a new consumer-directed wellness plan, improves plan administration, eliminates the SHBP's projected deficit for this year and substantially reduces future deficits.

"The board is pleased to endorse this thoughtful and responsible plan that is not afraid to tackle the big issues," said DCH board chairman Ross Mason. "This is a forward-looking plan that provides real bottom line-driven solutions."

SHBP is facing a projected deficit of slightly more than $800 million during the next two years.

"Our major concern is the continued delivery of quality health care services at an affordable cost," said DCH commissioner David Cook.

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Regents vote to hike health costs for employees

Submitted by Associated Press
Wednesday, August 10th, 2011, 2:56pm
Regents vote to hike health costs for employees

ATLANTA -- The Georgia Board of Regents is raising health insurance premiums for employees and cutting coverage for about 700 workers.

The board voted Tuesday to hike rates by 5.2 percent. The university system will save $30 million by limiting access to certain doctors and hospitals.

University system workers, like all state employees, received no pay increase this year.

The board also voted to cut insurance for about 700 part-time employees by raising the minimum number of hours they have to work to qualify for coverage from 20 to 30 per week. The change will save about $1.5 million.

This is the first time since 2008 that insurance premiums have increased.

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DeKalb County cancels all outdoor practices on Thursday

Submitted by Eden Godbee, Where U Live Producer
Thursday, August 4th, 2011, 11:21am
DeKalb County cancels all outdoor practices on Thursday

DECATUR, Ga. -- According to Mark Brock of the DeKalb County Schools Office of Athletics:

Please be aware that all outdoor activities for DeKalb County School System have been moved to 6:00 pm for today, August 4th.

In closing, the Athletic Department monitors the weather and heat index on a daily basis and sends updates to inform schools of any changes.


 

 

 

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The DeKalb County Board of Health Expands Free Nicotine Replacement Therapy Treatment

Submitted by DeKalbCountyGA on Wednesday, August 3rd, 1:17 pm
The DeKalb County Board of Health Expands Free Nicotine Replacement Therapy Treatment

Decatur – Do you smoke cigarettes or chew tobacco?  Have you thought about quitting, or tried to quit?  The good news is that among current adult smokers in the United States, approximately 70 percent report that they want to quit completely and have attempted to quit. In DeKalb County, two out of every five deaths are tobacco related.

To improve the health of DeKalb families, free tobacco cessation medication support is being offered.  The DeKalb County Board of Health is excited about intensifying efforts to support Georgia families.

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Back to school special! $10 for Head Lice Prevention, Detection or Treatment ($25 value)

Submitted by GA Lottery
Monday, August 1st, 2011, 12:15pm
Back to school special! $10 for Head Lice Prevention, Detection or Treatment ($25 value)

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GBI: Prescription drug overdoses rise

Submitted by Associated Press
Saturday, July 23rd, 2011, 7:17am
GBI: Prescription drug overdoses rise

DECATUR, Ga. -- An analysis of autopsies by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation has found a 10 percent increase in the number of prescription overdose deaths in 2010 compared to 2009.

The analysis shows that the number of drug overdose deaths involving only prescription drugs jumped from 508 in 2009 to 560 in 2010. It also showed that 68 other deaths were attributed to a combination of prescription and illicit drugs.

In all, there were 729 drug overdose deaths in 2010. Most of those deaths were found to be accidental, but about nine percent were determined to be suicides.

The analysis of the GBI Medical Examiner's drug overdose autopsies involves 152 counties. The study does not include several Metro Atlanta counties, including Fulton, Cobb, Gwinnett and DeKalb.

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