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January 2025

Dashboard Provides Weekly Snapshot of Respiratory Viruses

Residents can check the latest respiratory virus season statistics on the Department of Health’s respiratory virus dashboard, which is updated weekly.

Screenshot of respiratory virus dashboard as of January 4, 2025.

Visit DOH at the 2025 PA Farm Show!


The Department of Health will be at the 2025 PA Farm Show. Visit our booth, next to the carousel in the main hall near the Cameron Street Lobby, to:

·    See EMS professionals demonstrate how to respond to emergencies, including performing CPR, administering naloxone, and stopping bleeding when people are injured

·    Get information to prevent Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses

·    Find out how to order a birth or death certificate online

·    Get your free flu shot

·    And more!

Visitors interact with "Bemmy" the animated ambulance at DOH's Farm Show booth.

Birth and Death Certificate Fee Waivers for Veterans Expanded

More veterans and their families are now eligible for free birth and death certificates from the Department of Health. Legislation signed by Governor Shapiro in October 2024, expands the veteran fee waiver for birth and death certificate applications to include all veterans who were discharged, or released, from service under conditions other than dishonorable. Previously, the fee waivers were only available for members of the military who were in active service or who were honorably discharged.

 

Normally, there is a non-refundable $20 fee per copy, but with this law, up to 10 free copies are available for most veterans. The law, as before, also applies when the applicant is the spouse or widow(er) of the active military service member or eligible veteran. The fee waiver may be applied to applications for oneself, spouse, and dependent children. 

 

Read more.

Students Invited to Enter Art Contest

Later this month, the Shapiro Administration will be inviting first through sixth grade students to enter the 2025 Lyme Art Contest by creating a short video or poster focusing on the theme: “Protect. Check. Remove.” 

 

The annual contest helps students, scout troops, and community youth programs learn how to prevent Lyme disease by educating them about ticks, including where they live, how to prevent bites, and how to remove ticks that bite.

The deadline for entries is 11:59 PM, March 14, 2024. Contest information will be posted on the Department of Health’s website later this month.


Officials from the Departments of Health (DOH), Education (PDE), Environmental Protection (DEP), and Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) encourage young students to participate in the contest and help raise awareness of this disease.

Image promoting the annual Lyme disease prevention art contest for first through sixth graders.

Municipalities Can Apply for Active Transportation Planning Funding

Starting January 15, municipal leaders interested in creating active transportation opportunities for their residents can apply for funding through the WalkWorks Active Transportation Planning (ATP) Program from DOH and the Pennsylvania Downtown Center.


This funding opportunity provides grants and technical assistance to communities throughout the Commonwealth to develop active transportation plans, which aim to increase physical activity by connecting everyday destinations such as residential and commercial areas, healthcare facilities, schools, parks, and libraries through improved pedestrian, bicycle, and public transit networks.



The WalkWorks Active Transportation Planning Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) will be released on January 15 for the grant period of July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026. Applications will be accepted through March 21 at 5 PM. For additional information about WalkWorks and access to the FOA (on and after January 15), please visit the program homepage.

Free COVID-19 Over the Counter Test Kits Available to Organizations

Organizations interested in receiving free COVID-19 test kits are encouraged to sign up through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Health Partner Ordering Portal (HPOP).

 

Eligible organizations include all health care entities (including private doctors’ offices, hospitals, chain and independent pharmacies, public clinics, etc.), as well as long-term care facilities, skilled nursing facilities, non-profit organizations, schools, daycares, libraries, FQHCs, and government agencies. The only requirement is that registered entities make the tests received through HPOP available to the public at no cost. 

 

DOH’s COVID testing team is available via email (RA-DHPA_HPOP@pa.gov) to provide technical assistance.

Where's Your Nearest State Health Center?

The Clinton County State Health Center recently relocated to 300 Bellefonte Avenue Suite 100, Lock Haven, PA 17745 from 215 East Church Street, Lock Haven, PA 17745.



Locate your nearest State Health Center on the DOH website.

Deep Dive

Throughout the year, the Department of Health publishes reports on a variety of public health topics.



Learn more about:


January Health Awareness Events

National Blood Donor Month

National Birth Defects Awareness Month 

Cervical Health Awareness Month

World Folic Acid Awareness Week – January 1-7

Radon Awareness Week – January 27-31

National Pharmacist Day – January 12

Cesarean Section Day — January 14

Maternal Health Awareness Day – January 23

Image with text: Every 4.5 minutes a baby is born with a birth defect in the U.S.  National Birth Defect Awareness Month.

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Pennsylvania Department of Health | 1-877-PA-HEALTH | health.pa.gov
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