September 20, 2011 - The Georgia Association of Physician Assistants (GAPA) is encouraging all Georgians to “Get Fit with GAPA” this fall. The program is designed to challenge Physician Assistants and their patients to improve nutrition and fitness levels, and have fun while doing both!

August 31, 2011 – As September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, the Georgia Association of Physician Assistants (GAPA) wants to help make Georgians more aware of the importance of early detection and treatment options in fighting and surviving this disease.

August 9, 2011 - Children across Georgia are heading back to school again. As they start the new academic year they’ll be connecting with old and new friends, but they might also find some unwanted friends in the classroom: head lice.

The Georgia Association of Physician Assistants (GAPA) wants to remind parents and school administrators to be on the lookout for these pests that no child wants to bring home or share with their friends at school. As the school year kicks off, it is not uncommon for children, particularly those between the ages of three and 12, to get head lice infestations. Also known as pediculosis capitis, head lice have been a frequent, controversial and frustrating problem for parents for years.

June 22, 2011 - The back-to-school bell will be ringing before you know it across much of Georgia, particularly as many school systems now observe a year-round calendar schedule. Some students will return to class as early as August 1.

August is also National Immunization Awareness Month and the Georgia Association of Physician Assistants (GAPA) wants to remind parents to be sure their children’s immunizations are up-to-date. It’s an important item that should be at the top of every child’s back-to-school list.

May 26, 2011 - Summer is a time of vacations and family fun for most people. But with the rise in gas prices, many Georgians will likely stay close to home this summer and look for leisure-time activities like biking, hiking and swimming.

“Swimming at the pool, beach or lake can be a great way to stay active and keep cool, but we need to remember that these can also be dangerous locations, said Ben Taylor, PA-C, PhD. Taylor is the public information chair of the Georgia Association of Physician Assistants (GAPA) and works in multiple emergency departments in Georgia and South Carolina. “We see all too many illnesses and injuries coming into the emergency room this time of the year, particularly from mishaps or negligence at neighborhood and backyard pools.”

Atlanta, GA – April 20, 2011 - Getting a blood pressure check is part of the routine most patients understand they’ll undergo when they visit their healthcare provider. But some patients, especially those who seem to be healthy, may not routinely see their provider. Therefore, their high blood pressure, or hypertension, could go undetected for years. For that reason it has been labeled “the silent killer.”

The Georgia Association of Physician Assistants (GAPA) wants to encourage all Georgians to set aside a few moments during the month of May, which is Hypertension Awareness Month, for a routine blood pressure check. It’s easy to take advantage of free monitors at pharmacies, community or workplace health fairs and at most health clinics. Better yet, patients can use this opportunity to schedule a routine health exam with their healthcare provider.

Atlanta, GA – March 28, 2011 - April is Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) Awareness Month. The Georgia Association of Physician Assistants (GAPA) is taking this opportunity to raise public awareness about the impact of STDs on the lives of Georgians and the importance of discussing sexual health with their medical providers and partners.

STDs remain a major public health challenge in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that there are approximately 19 million new STD infections each year, which costs the U.S. healthcare system $16.4 billion annually and costs individuals even more in terms of acute and long-term health consequences.

There are many kinds of sexually transmitted diseases and infections. And they are more common than is perceived by the public; more than half of patients seen by health care providers in Georgia will get one at some time in their lives. The good news is that patients can protect themselves and each other from STDs. For those who are sexually active, practicing safer sex reduces the risk of getting sexually transmitted diseases. For those who are considered high risk (by engaging in casual sex or having multiple partners), it is important to get tested in order to alleviate symptoms, prevent transmission and to receive the proper treatment so that additional health issues do not develop as a result of an untreated STD. Not knowing or caring can be a bigger detriment to one’s well-being than most understand.

Atlanta, GA – February 26, 2011 -  As Georgians begin the transition from winter into spring, this is also a good time for parents to think about their children and their overall health status. The Georgia Association of Physician Assistants (GAPA) wants to help parents encourage their children to develop a more active lifestyle after being “stuck” inside during harsh winter months. No matter the season, some kids routinely spend very little time exercising and more time in front of the TV and computer. On top of that, parents find fewer free moments to prepare nutritious, home-cooked meals, and often rely on fat-filled fast food choices. Obesity also runs in families, with children of obese parents at greater risk of developing weight issues than those with thin parents. These problems are especially challenging because parents provide both genes and environment for their children.

Atlanta, GA – September 2010- The average adult takes 15 to 20 breaths a minute – that´s over 20,000 a day. Keeping your lungs healthy is an important part of an overall healthy lifestyle, yet many people still believe that there are little or no effects of smoking on their bodies until they reach middle age.

The summer of 2010 may end up being one of the hottest summers on record. With that in mind, the Georgia Association of Physician Assistants wants to help you avoid the single most serious threat to human life during this time of the year - heat injury.