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Health Department seeks nominations for Douglas County Health Champion awards

During National Public Health Week, April 6-12, the Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department will recognize Douglas County residents who model, encourage and promote health in the community.  

As part of the week’s celebration, Director...

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...

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 ...

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 ...

Providers urged to take prevention, treatment steps regarding syphilis cases

Due to the recent increasing rates of syphilis nationally and in Kansas, healthcare providers in Douglas County are encouraged to take steps in both prevention and treatment of the sexually transmitted disease.

In recent months, the Centers for Disease Con...

Advancing Black Maternal Child Health focus groups part of steps to address disparities

LAWRENCE — In Douglas County, the rate of babies born at a low birthweight is twice as high among Black mothers than those of all other racial groups, according to the Douglas County Health Equity Report.

The Lawrence-Douglas County Health Depart...

Once a Healthy Families client, Frendida seeks to give back in new role

When Frendida Zamora’s family moved to Lawrence in May of 2007, she was pregnant with her son, and many things for the family were in flux.

“I didn’t have a job or health insurance. It was too expensive to get on my husband&am...

New Clinic Manager is excited to educate patients in public health clinic setting

Theresa Condiff has spent 20 years in her career mostly as a nurse in emergency rooms, including at the University of Kansas Hospital in her hometown of Kansas City.

While she’s experienced the satisfaction of helping people who have immediate he...

Douglas County advances in prestigious Culture of Health Prize consideration

Douglas County has advanced to the next round in the annual Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Culture of Health Prize.

Out of 136 applicants, we are one of only 35 to reach Phase II.

The annual prize elevates the compelling stories of community members through...

Community Liaison appointed to Affordable Housing Advisory Board

Lawrence Mayor Lisa Larsen recently appointed Community Liaison Christina Gentry to serve on the city’s Affordable Housing Advisory Board.

Christina said she’s honored Larsen selected her and that on the advisory board she would be able...

Federal Tobacco 21 legislation likely an important "floor-level" protection for youth

With Congress electing to include raising the minimum age from 18 to 21 to purchase all tobacco products, including electronic cigarettes, those who have worked on local Tobacco 21 policies said the development at the federal level is significant and that...

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...

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...

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...