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Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent flu

The Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department recommends everyone at least 6 months old get a flu vaccination. The vaccination is the most effective way to avoid getting the flu, a contagious respiratory illness.

Depending on the severity of the influenza ...

Health Department receives national award for breastfeeding support to WIC families

Lawrence – The Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department is one of only 16 agencies across the country to receive the Gold Premiere Award of Excellence for its breastfeeding support to WIC families.

Leaders with the U.S. Department of Agriculture ...

Nationwide tuberculin shortage makes TB skin testing unavailable

Due to a current nationwide shortage of tuberculin used for tuberculosis skin testing, TB skin testing is largely unavailable.

The Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department’s Clinic continues to offer blood testing, known as interferon gamma rele...

Douglas County rises in health rankings to 17th in Kansas

(Lawrence) – Douglas County improved six spots to No. 17 in Kansas, according to the County Health Rankings report released today by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute. The county retur...

SCRIPT program to help pregnant mothers quit smoking

Lawrence, Kansas – Smoking during pregnancy can cause several complications for the health of both the mother and child. However, a new evidence-based program will help Douglas County expectant mothers quit smoking and offer healthier futures for them and...

Partnership to provide free health app to Douglas County residents

LAWRENCE — Douglas County, in partnership with the Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department and Kansas Department of Health and Environment, will provide for free the MyStrength app to Douglas County residents.

MyStrength offers individuals supp...

Lawrence youth to celebrate anti-tobacco Kick Butts Day

(Lawrence) – Several Lawrence kids and teens will spend part of their spring break this week drawing attention to the harmful effects of tobacco use and picking up cigarette butts in downtown Lawrence.

“It’s important for our ...

Longtime Clinic Supervisor retires after 23 years of building many relationships

When Clinic Supervisor Kathy Colson last April was named the recipient of the Kay Kent Excellence in Public Health Service Award, she talked about her job interview with the award’s namesake, Kay, who asked her if she viewed the nursing position...

New CMA enjoys working with people, helping them

When Ange Ericksen started as a new Certified Medical Assistant on Nov. 25, she was a familiar face around the Health Department’s Clinic.

Ange had served most recently as Heartland Community Health Center’s medication program assistant...

Advanced Practice Registered Nurse celebrates 25 years with Health Department

With the 25^th anniversary of her start with the Health Department in November, Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Sue McDaneld reflects on two things that have kept her here: the mission and the people.

“I’ve loved the agency and its fo...

Marginalized Douglas County residents identify barriers to quality employment

“Implicit bias is so powerful. Immediately you walk up, and people are already making assumptions about you.” 

 “I’m who I am, but I can’t be completely who I am because of who I work with.” 

 "Because I'm a woman of...

Hepatitis A and Meningitis vaccines now required for 2019-20 School Year

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has approved two new vaccines — Meningococcal and Hepatitis A — now required for school-age children for the 2019-20 school year.

“We received many comments and input from all vi...

Kansas Supreme Court OKs local Tobacco 21 policies

The Kansas Supreme Court on Friday ruled that local governments could institute ordinances that ban the sale of cigarettes and other tobacco products to people under 21, known as Tobacco 21 legislation.

“It’s really exciting because the Supreme Court clear...

Douglas County, Health Department offering new online resource for wellness, mental health

Douglas County and eight community agencies now offer residents a new online resource for wellness and mental health. Livongo for Behavioral Health by myStrength, an innovative leader in digital behavioral health care, provides digital self-care resources...

Community Forum Focuses on Vaping Among Youth

Electronic cigarettes, otherwise known as e-cigarettes or vapes, have become extremely popular among young people in recent years. The National Youth Tobacco Survey showed an alarming 78% increase in vaping from just 11% in 2017 to 20.8% in 2018.

It&rs...

Health Department urges residents to be aware of bats

The Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department has recently received an increase in the number of calls regarding bats. Public health officials urge residents to take precaution if they encounter them because bats are the main cause of human rabies cases i...