Starting today, Alabamians will have access to information on healthcare-associated infections as reported by the state’s hospitals. The report, published by the Alabama Department of Public Health, provides hospital-specific infection data for several types of infections and can be found at www.adph.org/hai.

“The law requiring hospital infection reporting was passed in 2009 with cooperation from Alabama’s hospitals, ADPH, and the state’s legislature, most notably its sponsor, retired Sen. Bobby Denton,” said Dr. Donald Williamson, state health officer.

Governor Robert Bentley has declared the week of November 12-16, 2011 as Rural Health Week in Alabama.  This week includes November 15, which has been declared as National Rural Health Day.

The availability of adequate and quality health care, that is often taken for granted in our more urbanized counties, is far from a reality in many of Alabama’s rural counties.  Currently, only five of Alabama’s 55 rural counties are not entirely or partially classified as having a shortage of primary care physician services.  All 55 rural counties are classified as shortage areas for the provision of dental and mental health care.  Three rural counties do not have a full-time dentist in the entire county.  Thirty-six of the 55 rural counties do not have hospitals that deliver babies with other rural hospitals currently considering ceasing this basic service.  Seventeen rural counties do not have a dialysis clinic.  The availability of emergency medi

Autumn activities such as Halloween and Harvest Day offer opportunities for young people to dress up in costumes and enjoy trick-or-treating. To prevent injuries often associated with these festivities, the Alabama Department of Public Health reminds parents about seasonal safety tips from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and the U.S.