News
Breastfeeding Welcomed Here Pledge
In partnership with the East Tennessee Breastfeeding Coalition, the Knox County Health Department is encouraging businesses to sign the Breastfeeding Welcome Here Pledge. By doing so, businesses agree to:
- Provide a welcoming environment where
breastfeeding mothers are able to sit anywhere and enjoy a friendly attitude from staff and customers;
- Educate staff about Tennessee law regarding
breastfeeding and how to handle complaints and concerns; and
- Post a window graphic to display the breastfeeding welcomed here status.
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State-required Immunizations for 7th Graders
In Tennessee, students must provide their school with a state immunization certificate proving they have had Tdap and two doses of the varicella vaccine before they may enter seventh grade. Vaccines and immunization certificates are available at pediatrician offices or at the Knox County Health Department. To see if your child has proof of the required immunizations, contact the medical office or clinic where he or she receives vaccinations.
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N.E.A.T. Program Applications now available
Participating sites can now sign-up to be among the first to earn the Nutrition Education Activity Training (N.E.A.T.) approved recognition....more
Knox County Health Department Offering Free Diabetes Management Series
People diagnosed with diabetes must stay vigilant about monitoring and regulating their blood sugar levels - their bodies can't do it automatically. That's why Knox County Health Department (KCHD) offers the only free series of classes on diabetes management three times a year...more
How healthy are Knox County adults?
A new report being released by the Knox County Health Department titled ‘The 2011 Knox County Behavioral Risk Factor Survey’ attempts to answer that question by collecting survey information from 3,574 non-institutionalized, non-incarcerated adults (aged 18+ years) living in Knox County on behaviors and lifestyle factors which could lead to chronic disease or even premature death.
The 238-page report is available for free download HERE or a summary is available HERE.
Knox County Events/Testing Planned Around World Aids Day
According to the most recent data from Tennessee Department of Health (2010), in one year alone, Knoxville and the East Tennessee region saw 22 AIDS related deaths and 80 newly diagnosed HIV infections. Preventing AIDS deaths and raising public awareness to the continuing epidemic is the focus of World AIDS Day, “Getting to Zero” is the theme of World AIDS Day, commemorated around the world and in Knoxville on Saturday, Dec.1...more>>
Together! Healthy Knox unveils action plan
Following up on more than a year of strategic data collection and analysis, Together! Healthy Knox (T!HK) held a special meeting of community leaders Thursday morning to announce its Action Plan Summary....more>>
Knox County Officials Announce
Flu Prevention Initiative With Walgreens
Knox County officials are pleased to announce its partnership with Walgreens to help vaccinate Knox County high school students against the flu. Walgreens has always been active in the community and with the Knox County Schools, and this year they are donating flu vaccinations to the first 3,000 high school students who come into their local Walgreens or Take Care Clinic. Walgreens’ generous donation has a monetary value of $100,000.... more>>
High School Students:
HOW TO GET YOUR WALGREENS FLU VACCINATION
If you want to receive your Influenza Vaccination from Walgreens, here is what you do
Knox County Health Department Looking For Ways To Sustain The In-School Flu Vaccination Program
This year, Knox County Health Department is facing the very real problem of finding ways to sustain the in-school flu vaccination program. Unexpected funding changes at the federal and state levels have increased KCHD’s vaccination costs and — simply put ¾ covering the costs for the in-school immunization against influenza will be a struggle. Public health officials are exploring several options to help underwrite costs, such as billing private insurance, corporate sponsorships and public donations...
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Knox County Teens Still Engaging in Risky Driving Practices
It is prom season in Knox County. This is the time of year when parents, teachers and other concerned community members most often talk to teens about the importance of safe driving. According to a new report by Knox County Health Department, Knox County teens (aged 15 -19 years) are still texting and driving and engaging in other risky driving behaviors resulting in between 600 and 700 emergency room admissions for motor vehicle crashes each year. Motor vehicle crashes also are the leading cause of deaths among teens in Knox County as they are in Tennessee and the United States...
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National Volunteer Week
This is National Volunteer Week. Would you like to give back to your community when they need it most? All types of experience and skill levels are needed. Please follow the link to register -- you can indicate what county or counties you would like to volunteer in...
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Toward Healthier Living
Strategies to Make Active Living and Healthy Eating a Part of Life in Knoxville and Knox County
A Knoxville-Knox County Metropolitan Planning Commission study, funded in part by:
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundations’ Healthy Kids, Healthy Communities initiative through Knox County Health Department.
NEW OPERATING HOURS
Effective Jan. 1, 2012
All Knox County Health Department locations will open at
12:30 p.m.
on the first Wednesday of EACH month.
These Wednesday mornings will be used for KCHD employee training and development.
No other changes in service are planned.
First Wednesdays for 2012
|
Jan. 4
Feb. 1
March 7
April 4
May 2
June 6
|
July 4 (holiday, closed all day)
Aug. 1
Sept. 5
Oct. 3
Nov. 7
Dec. 5
|
2011 Youth Risk Behavior Survey
The 2011 Knox County Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) was made possible through a joint
effort between the Knox County Health Department, Knox County Schools and the Metropolitan
Drug Commission. It was also made possible through the support of Knox County Government,
including the Mayor, County Commission, and the Knox County Board of Health. We are
grateful for the participation of Knox County Schools high school students, teachers, and
principals for their contribution to this report.
Choose My Plate
Say goodbye to the Food Pyramid and say hello to MyPlate, a new and easy way to eat healthy every day....
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Together! Healthy Knox Partnership Unveils Most Pressing Health Issues
Following more than a year of strategic data collection and analysis, the Together! Healthy Knox Partnership (T!HK) held a special meeting of community leaders this morning to announce what the group has identified as Knox County’s most pressing health issues. More than 100 people gathered at the East Tennessee History Center to learn how their respective organizations can take action to improve health in Knox County.
“Health is much more than the absence of illness,” said Dr. Warren Sayre, T!HK chair and administrator at Summit Medical Group. “To affect health broadly, broad participation is required. The Together! Healthy Knox initiative brings together representatives from diverse sectors with a stake in health, whether physical, mental, social or spiritual, and that is the key to successful long-term health improvement,”
more >>
Knox County Health Data
The most current information on health issues facing Knox County residents
Department Information
Department Head:
Martha Buchanan, MD
Mission
In keeping with its vision of “Every Person a Healthy Person,”
The Knox County Health Department’s mission is
“To encourage, promote and assure the development of an active, healthy community through innovative public health practices.”
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