Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Main Number: 410-996-5550

 

 









Spring is the perfect time to be on the watch for Lyme Disease
Lyme disease is the most common tick-borne disease in Maryland. But Lyme disease is not the only infection that ticks can spread. Ticks may carry other infectious organisms that cause diseases such as Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF), ehrlichiosis and babesiosis. 

We are entering the time of year when tick bites are most common. Look for ticks in late spring through early fall, when they are most active.The best preventative measure is to avoid areas where ticks live - tall grass, brush and wooded areas - especially in the early spring and early summer.People in these areas should check themselves, their children and their pets daily for ticks. 

RECOGNIZE THE SYMPTOMS
Many tick-borne diseases have similar early symptoms, including fever, headache, fatigue, and possible rash. Signs and symptoms vary.

Download the proclamation.

Read more about Lyme disease here and at the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene website.  This poster can help you identify what to look for. You can also read more using our Maryland Get Ticked Off! brochure .

May is Hepatitis Awareness Month: Are you at risk?
A silent epidemic: An estimated 3 – 5 million Americans are living with chronic, lifelong hepatitis B or hepatitis C virus infection. Most of them do not know that they are infected. 

How can hepatitis be prevented?


Viral hepatitis can be prevented by taking the following steps and encouraging others to do the same:

  • Get vaccinated for hepatitis A and hepatitis B
  • Practice good hygiene
  • Practice safe sex
  • Use only clean needles for tattoos and body piercings
  • Do not share needles
  • Do not share razors, toothbrushes, or other personal items
  • Get medical care if you are exposed to blood or needle sticks
Are you at risk? Take the survey.
Get the Fact Sheet about Hepatitis C
Are you a Baby Boomer? Here's why you should get tested.

Mark Your Calendar! May 19: National Hepatitis Testing Day

Get help to quit smoking
The Maryland Tobacco Quitline, 1-800-QUIT-NOW, provides FREE evidence-based tobacco use cessation counseling, in English and Spanish, and other languages via translation services to assist Marylanders ages 13 and older with quitting tobacco use.

Quit Coaches are available 24 hours a day, seven days per week, including people especially trained to assist pregnant callers.  In addition to telephone-based counseling, callers who are 18 years of age and older also have free access to the new Web Coach, which is an interactive online cessation tool that can be paired with phone and text services. Text2Quit, includes tailored text messages sent to the caller's mobile device.

 Marylanders can enroll for these FREE services by calling 1-800-784-8669 or online at www.quitnow.net/maryland.


B-HIPP - Improving Access to Quality Mental Health for Maryland Youth
B‐HIPP is a free service available to any Maryland primary care provider of children (regardless of insurance coverage), such as:
  • Pediatricians;
  • Family Physicians;
  • Nurse Practitioners; and
  • Physician's Assistants.

Download a copy of the brochure.


The Cecil County Local Health Improvement Coalition

The Cecil County Community Health Advisory Committee (CHAC), is a partnership of organizations, government groups and individuals committed to improve the overall quality of health in our community.  

Read the final Local Health Improvement Plan (LHIP) narrative for Cecil County. For the latest news from the Cecil County Community Health Advisory Committee, click here.

No means to pay for health care? We can help.
CECIL COMMUNITY HEALTH CARE CENTER
John M. Byers Health Center, 401 Bow Street, Elkton

The ability to pay should not be a barrier 
to treatment or quality medical care.

Cecil County Drug Awareness Forum
How can I tell if my child is using drugs? Can I stop my teen from drinking at parties? Where can I go for treatment? Isn't it better for teens to drink at home than elsewhere? How can the police help? The Cecil County Drug Awareness Forum is a series that explores ways concerned citizens and parents can be pro-active when fighting drug addiction and drug trafficking in our communities.

Previous Forum Topics

  • Community Policing: 

    Cecil County Sheriff Barry Janney & Harford County Sheriff Jesse Bane
  • Heroin Alert: An impassioned presentation from Marie Allen, a mother whose 21-year old daughter died of a heroin overdose. 

  • Drug Awareness Forum: A Conversation on Substance Abuse in Cecil County Prevention, enforcement and treatment options in Cecil County.  Click here for a list of local resources. Presentation by Sgt. Gerrold Widdoes.

  • Prescription Drug Abuse: A Public Health Problem. Presentation by DHMH's Deputy Secretary Fran Phillips and Chief Medical Officer Laura Herrera to Union Hospital's medical staff.  Click here for a copy of the presentation.
  • 6 Parenting Practices to Help Reduce the Chance Your Child will Develop a Drug or Alcohol Problem 
  • Click here for a copy of the workbook
  • Gangs in our Community (November 10, 2011)
  •  A Conversation on Substance Abuse in Cecil County (September 22 , 2011). Materials  on prevention, enforcement and treatment options in Cecil County. Topics include: 1. An overview of drug abuse  in Cecil County, 2. drug abuse prevention tips for parents, 3. photos from the event and 4. and introduction to and presentations on treatment options and drug enforcement issues in Cecil County.

Looking for Mental Health or Substance Abuse Services? Search No More.

It's here! The new Behavioral Health Providers List is a referral and resource list of mental health and substance abuse outpatient providers located in Cecil County and surrounding areas.

If you can't find what you need, you can also contact the Mental Health Core Service Agency, 410-996-5112 or the Alcohol and Drug Recovery Center, 410-996-5106.

For Behavioral Health Crisis Assistance:
1-888-407-8018


 

Interpreting services are available free of charge to all clients receiving Cecil County Health Department services.

Se ofrecen servicios de intérpretes gratuitos a todos los clientes que reciban servicios del Departamento de Salud del Condado de Cecil. En Español 410-996-5550 Extension 4680

May is Hepatitis Awareness Month
May is Hepatitis Awareness Month.  Learn more: http://www.cdc.gov/Hepatitis/HepAwarenessMonth.htm

Federal Grants Vendor Certification
US Federal Contractor Registration





 

 

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Cecil County Health Department
John M. Byers Health Center • 401 Bow Street • Elkton, MD 21921
(410) 996-5550 • Public Health Emergency Number: (410) 392-2008