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 ...

August is National Immunization Awareness Month

As part of back-to-school preparations, making sure your children are vaccinated on time is an important step toward ensuring their long-term health. Vaccination also helps protect the health of classmates, friends, relatives and others in the community.

T...

Open house to celebrate 20th anniversary of Community Health Facility

Lawrence — In planning and conversations leading up to building the Community Health Facility in 1999, leaders in Lawrence and Douglas County focused on a central location for three community health agencies to better coordinate care and public service.

On...

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 ...

Kansas has one severe respiratory illness possibly related to vaping

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is providing consultation to the departments of health in Wisconsin, Illinois, California, Indiana, and Minnesota about a cluster of pulmonary illnesses linked to e-cigarette, or vaping, product use primarily...

New Breastfeeding Peer Counselor is passionate about helping families, addressing food insecurity

As Elena Johnson began in late June as the Health Department’s new Breastfeeding Peer Counselor, she envisioned her experience as a client and her connection to the community driving her new role.

“Being a Native American woman, I think...

New WIC supervisor uses nutrition to connect with families

For new WIC supervisor Christine Ebert, she recalls what she thought about early in her career as she pursued becoming a registered dietitian.

“I knew I wanted to help people, and food is one thing that — regardless of race, religion, c...

Workplace Gardens: Benefitting the Environment and Your Health

By Tina Gustafson

Environmental Health Specialist

How far do you think a tomato travels to reach your plate?

Well, on average it’s about 1,500 miles — or halfway across the country. Think about what goes into that long-distance transport — large amounts of f...

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...

Environmental Health staff busy inspecting pools

The summer months mean the Environmental Health staff of the Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department is busy inspecting nearly 100 pools monthly in the county to keep swimmers safe. 

Watch this video Environmental Health Specialist Tina...

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...

Health Department urges residents to take precautions against heat

Summer is a great time to enjoy outdoor activities like family picnics, playing in the park and swimming. However, families need to be mindful of the potential dangers that come along with hot, humid temperatures: illnesses related to mosquitoes, ticks, h...

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...

Health Department sends condolences to family of Dr. Doug Dechairo

The Lawrence Douglas County Health Department offers condolences to the family of Dr. Douglas Dechairo, who passed away on May 26 after a courageous battle with an aggressive form of lung cancer.

Dr. Dechairo, as director of Watkins Health Service at the U...

Lawrence teen organizes walk to bring awareness to suicide prevention

Lawrence High School junior Jordan Ott recalls feeling many things in the wake of his brother Isaiah’s suicide in 2013.

Jordan, now 17, recalls he was a little bit young to realize exactly what was happening, but it’s a sense of loss th...