S.C. Department of Public Health

DPH has worked to get a supply of medical oxygen tanks into South Carolina for those in need in certain counties. These tanks have been given to county emergency management divisions who will determine the best distribution plan to those in need. If you live in one of the following counties and are dependent on oxygen, you can contact your county’s emergency management division for more information: –Aiken: (844)-965-1386 –Anderson: (864) 276-8620 –Cherokee: (864) 487-2587 –Edgefield: (803) 336-9878 –Oconee: (864) 638-4200 –Pickens: (864) 898-5945 –Saluda: (864) 445-2529 extension 1 –Spartanburg: (864) 595-5365 Individuals with oxygen concentrators who do not have access to power needed to use their concentrators at home may be eligible for a medical needs shelter. To find out if you are eligible for a medical needs shelter, call the DPH Care Line at 1-855-472-3432.

DPH is expanding the hours of its public information Care Line beginning today. Care Line representatives will be available to answer questions about any DPH public health department services that are interrupted due to Hurricane Helene and provide other storm-related information. The Care Line number is 1-855-472-3432 and will be open for calls 24 hours a day beginning Friday, Sept 27, until 6 p.m. Monday, Sept. 30. DPH will notify residents when the Care Line resumes its regular hours and services. For more information about Hurricane Helene, visit scemd.org. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gnXA7Nv4

In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, we honor the rich cultures, contributions and resilience of South Carolina's Hispanic and Latino communities. At DPH, we are committed to advancing health equity, ensuring that everyone — regardless of race, ethnicity or background — has the opportunity to maximize their health. By working together, we can break down barriers, promote culturally responsive care and foster better health for all. This month and every month, let’s continue to work toward a future where everyone can thrive. #HispanicHeritageMonth #HealthEquity

DPH is #hiring a Licensed Practical Nurse Inspector/Investigator to join its Healthcare Quality team! This position is responsible for triaging complaints; handling incident and accident reports; conducting inspections, surveys and investigations; and ensuring that activities and services are in compliance with standards for licensed and certified facilities. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eGVUqgec #SCCareers #jobs

In observation of World Environmental Health Day, the South Carolina Department of Public Health’s South Carolina Tracking Program is partnering with Benedict College faculty and students to pilot a poster project highlighting the connection between public and environmental health. World Environmental Health Day (WEHD) is observed annually on Sept. 26 to educate communities and raise awareness of risks and issues in environmental health and encourage discussions on the steps people can take to protect the environment and ensure their safety. Read news release: https://lnkd.in/e2ZNk6B9 #WorldEnvironmentalHealthDay

For National Women's Health and Fitness Day, we are celebrating the power of women taking charge of their wellbeing through health and fitness! Regular physical activity is one of the keys to feeling your best. Whether you're just getting started or a seasoned pro, we’ve got resources to help you stay active and healthy. Explore our SNAP-Ed Physical Activity Resources for easy workouts, ideas and tips for women of all ages: https://lnkd.in/eiZedkXT #NationalWomensHealthAndFitnessDay

If you have a project idea that supports an activity benefitting nursing home residents, you may qualify for Civil Money Penalty (CMP) Reinvestment funding! Funding may be used for but isn’t limited to: ✅ Training or technical assistance ✅ Assistance to support and protect residents of a facility that closes or is decertified ✅ Culture change/quality of life ✅ Projects that support resident and family councils and other consumer involvement ✅ Resident transition due to facility closure or downsizing Learn more and get your project funded: https://lnkd.in/ePvKTp9J #grants #qualityofcare #nursinghome #healthcare

Congratulations to our Upstate WIC team on receiving the 2024 Breastfeeding Award of Excellence for exemplary breastfeeding promotion and support activities from the U.S. Department of Agriculture! 🎉 The award, which recognizes local WIC agencies that have provided exemplary breastfeeding promotion and support activities, has three levels: Gold, Premiere and Elite, with Elite being the highest. The Upstate team won the Gold Award. The award helps promote successful models and inspire other local agencies to strengthen their breastfeeding promotion and support activities, in hopes of increasing breastfeeding initiation and duration rates among WIC participants. We are proud of our Upstate Peer Counselor team for getting the gold! 🥇

This #FeatureFriday, we are shouting out the South Carolina Central Cancer Registry (SCCCR) team, which was recently recognized as a Registry of Distinction by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for excelling in data timeliness and quality! “Being recognized as a Registry of Distinction is a big deal," said Stephanie Chiodini, SCCCR Program Manager. "It means we’re doing things right, that our data is trusted and valued. It’s validation for all the hard work our team puts in every day.” Since 1994, SCCCR has evolved from a small team with a vision to one of the nation’s leading cancer registries. The data they maintain plays a vital role in tracking cancer trends, shaping prevention programs, and reducing cancer rates in the state. Recent key initiatives involving SCCCR include: 📊 Inaugural statewide childhood cancer report (released on Sept. 4) 💻 Facilitating electronic self-reporting for smaller facilities 🤝 Collaborating with health networks to improve data reporting 🧪 Onboarding labs for electronic pathology reporting (ePath) Their recognition by the CDC as a registry of distinction highlights the tireless work of the SCCCR team and their commitment to ensuring South Carolina’s cancer data remains reliable, accurate, and impactful. It is both a celebration of past achievements and a stepping stone for future innovations in cancer prevention and control! Visit the SCCCR's webpage to learn more about their work: https://lnkd.in/egxvG9fh

We are #hiring a Community Health Worker in Aiken to help increase awareness and referrals for the Baby&Me Tobacco Free program and the SC QuitLine. This role plays a vital part in reducing barriers to healthcare access for at-risk populations, addressing social determinants of health and connecting clients to essential resources. By building strong community partnerships and advocating for patients, this Community Health Worker will make a meaningful impact on improving public health and promoting healthier, more self-sufficient communities. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eg59dkUe #SCCareers #jobs