The WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Program is a free program offered through the Bell County Health Department, that provides one on one support to pregnant and breastfeeding WIC mothers. A peer counselor will contact you during your pregnancy and assist you with any questions, or concerns you may have with breastfeeding.

This is done through mailings, phone calls, and periodic visits. After delivery, the peer counselor will continue to provide support throughout your breastfeeding experience.

For more information about the free peer counselor program please contact the Bell County Health Department.

The Bell County Health Department provides childhood immunizations through the Kentucky Vaccine Program and most private insurances through Vaxcare.

The Kentucky Vaccine Program (previously known as the VFC program) is a federally-funded and state-operated vaccine supply program that became operational October 1, 1994.

The Kentucky Vaccine Program is intended to help raise childhood immunization levels in the United States, especially among infants and young children.

The groups of children designated to receive vaccines through the Kentucky Vaccine Program include:

• Children enrolled in Medicaid Children who do not have health insurance
• Children who have health insurance which does not cover
  immunizations
• Children who are American Indian or Alaskan Native

PLEASE NOTE: Having a high insurance deductible does not qualify an individual as underinsured.

Kentucky Immunization Program

For information on Kentucky Education Immunization Requirements, click here: https://education.ky.gov/districts/SHS/Pages/Immunization-Information.aspx

For more information on when childhood vaccines are recommended, click here: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/

Adult Vaccines

Bell County Health Department does provide some adult vaccinations.

For more information on the types of adult vaccines provided and charges associated with those vaccines, contact our office.

Reportable Disease Notifications

Physicians, hospitals, and laboratories report communicable diseases as required by 902 KAR 2:020 to the Epidemiology unit of the health department. Qualified health department staff persons provide investigation of the cases and report the communicable diseases to the state office which reports to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Medical Providers, hospitals, or laboratories who are reporting a communicable disease can download and fill out the Kentucky Reportable Disease (EPID 200) Form.

Staff can be reached for reporting or for consultation using the information below:

• During Operating Hours:
  • Phone: 606-337-7046
  • Fax: 606-337-8321
• After Hours:
  • Kentucky Department for Public Health, Division of Epidemiology and Health Planning
  • Phone: 1-888-973-7678 or 1-502-564-3418
  • Fax: 1-502-696-3803

Tuberculosis (TB)

Tuberculosis is a disease caused by tiny germs that are put into the air when a person who is sick with TB disease coughs, laughs, sings, or sneezes. Anyone nearby can breathe in these TB germs and get TB infection.

TB will usually affect the lungs of the infected individual, but it can also sometimes affect other parts of the body. When TB is left untreated, the TB infection can turn into TB disease. TB disease can make you very sick.

What can you do?

1. Get a TB skin test at your healthcare provider or your local health department. The skin test allows the doctor to know if you have ever had TB germs in your body. You may be asked a series of questions for screening purposes before given a TB skin test. If your screening questions show that you have not been at risk for TB infection, you may not actually receive the skin test. You will however, receive the completed screening form in case your employer requires a copy to have in your employee file.
2. Return to the office or clinic in 2 to 3 days (48-72 hours) if you received a TB skin test. This is so the health care provider can read your TB skin test.
3. If you have TB infection or TB disease, you will need to take TB medicine as your health care provider says.

For more information on Tuberculosis (TB), click https://www.cdc.gov/tb/

Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C is a liver disease caused by infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV). The virus is found in the blood of persons who have this disease and is spread by contact with infected blood.

What increases my risk for Hepatitis C infection?

• Having a blood transfusion or organ transplant before July 1992
• Having been treated for clotting problems with a blood product made before 1987
• Having ever been on long-term kidney dialysis
• Having ever injected street drugs, even once many years ago
• If you are a healthcare worker exposed to blood in the workplace through accidental needle stick injuries
• A baby born to infected mothers
• Hepatitis C can also be spread by sexual intercourse, but this does not occur very often.

Hepatitis C is not spread by:

• Sharing eating utensils or drinking glasses
• Casual contact
• Breastfeeding
• Sneezing
• Food or water
• Coughing
• Hugging or kissing

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A is a vaccine-preventable, communicable disease of the liver caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV). It is usually transmitted person-to-person through the fecal-oral route or consumption of contaminated food or water. Hepatitis A is a self-limited disease that does not result in chronic infection. Most adults with hepatitis A have symptoms, including fatigue, low appetite, stomach pain, nausea, and jaundice, that usually resolve within 2 months of infection; most children less than 6 years of age do not have symptoms or have an unrecognized infection. Antibodies produced in response to hepatitis A infection last for life and protect against reinfection. The best way to prevent hepatitis A infection is to get vaccinated.

How is hepatitis A spread?

Hepatitis A usually spreads when a person unknowingly ingests the virus from objects, food, or drinks contaminated by small, undetected amounts of stool from an infected person. Hepatitis A can also spread from close personal contact with an infected person such as through sex or caring for someone who is ill.

Contamination of food (this can include frozen and undercooked food) by hepatitis A can happen at any point: growing, harvesting, processing, handling, and even after cooking. Contamination of food or water is more likely to occur in countries where hepatitis A is common and in areas where there are poor sanitary conditions or poor personal hygiene. In the United States, chlorination of water kills hepatitis A virus that enters the water supply. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) routinely monitors natural bodies of water used for recreation for fecal contamination so there is no need for monitoring for hepatitis A virus specifically.

Who is at risk for hepatitis A?

Although anyone can get hepatitis A, in the United States, certain groups of people are at higher risk, such as:

• People with direct contact with someone who has hepatitis A
• Travelers to countries where hepatitis A is common
• Men who have sexual contact with men
• People who use drugs, both injection and non-injection drugs
• Household members or caregivers of a recent adoptee from countries where hepatitis A is common
• People with clotting factor disorders, such as hemophilia
• People working with nonhuman primates

For more information on Hepatitis, visit https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis

Contact the Bell County Health Department if you have questions about these or other communicable diseases.

Reportable Disease Notifications

Physicians, hospitals, and laboratories report communicable diseases as required by 902 KAR 2:020 to the Epidemiology unit of the health department. Qualified health department staff persons provide investigation of the cases and report the communicable diseases to the state office which reports to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Medical Providers, hospitals, or laboratories who are reporting a communicable disease can download and fill out the Kentucky Reportable Disease (EPID 200) Form.

Staff can be reached for reporting or for consultation using the information below:

• During Operating Hours:
  • Phone: 606-337-7046
  • Fax: 606-337-8321
• After Hours:
  • Kentucky Department for Public Health, Division of Epidemiology and Health Planning
  • Phone: 1-888-973-7678 or 1-502-564-3418
  • Fax: 1-502-696-3803

Tuberculosis (TB)

Tuberculosis is a disease caused by tiny germs that are put into the air when a person who is sick with TB disease coughs, laughs, sings, or sneezes. Anyone nearby can breathe in these TB germs and get TB infection.

TB will usually affect the lungs of the infected individual, but it can also sometimes affect other parts of the body. When TB is left untreated, the TB infection can turn into TB disease. TB disease can make you very sick.

What can you do?

1. Get a TB skin test at your healthcare provider or your local health department. The skin test allows the doctor to know if you have ever had TB germs in your body. You may be asked a series of questions for screening purposes before given a TB skin test. If your screening questions show that you have not been at risk for TB infection, you may not actually receive the skin test. You will however, receive the completed screening form in case your employer requires a copy to have in your employee file.
2. Return to the office or clinic in 2 to 3 days (48-72 hours) if you received a TB skin test. This is so the health care provider can read your TB skin test.
3. If you have TB infection or TB disease, you will need to take TB medicine as your health care provider says.

For more information on Tuberculosis (TB), click https://www.cdc.gov/tb/

Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C is a liver disease caused by infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV). The virus is found in the blood of persons who have this disease and is spread by contact with infected blood.

What increases my risk for Hepatitis C infection?

• Having a blood transfusion or organ transplant before July 1992
• Having been treated for clotting problems with a blood product made before 1987
• Having ever been on long-term kidney dialysis
• Having ever injected street drugs, even once many years ago
• If you are a healthcare worker exposed to blood in the workplace through accidental needle stick injuries
• A baby born to infected mothers
• Hepatitis C can also be spread by sexual intercourse, but this does not occur very often.

Hepatitis C is not spread by:

• Sharing eating utensils or drinking glasses
• Casual contact
• Breastfeeding
• Sneezing
• Food or water
• Coughing
• Hugging or kissing

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A is a vaccine-preventable, communicable disease of the liver caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV). It is usually transmitted person-to-person through the fecal-oral route or consumption of contaminated food or water. Hepatitis A is a self-limited disease that does not result in chronic infection. Most adults with hepatitis A have symptoms, including fatigue, low appetite, stomach pain, nausea, and jaundice, that usually resolve within 2 months of infection; most children less than 6 years of age do not have symptoms or have an unrecognized infection. Antibodies produced in response to hepatitis A infection last for life and protect against reinfection. The best way to prevent hepatitis A infection is to get vaccinated.

How is hepatitis A spread?

Hepatitis A usually spreads when a person unknowingly ingests the virus from objects, food, or drinks contaminated by small, undetected amounts of stool from an infected person. Hepatitis A can also spread from close personal contact with an infected person such as through sex or caring for someone who is ill.

Contamination of food (this can include frozen and undercooked food) by hepatitis A can happen at any point: growing, harvesting, processing, handling, and even after cooking. Contamination of food or water is more likely to occur in countries where hepatitis A is common and in areas where there are poor sanitary conditions or poor personal hygiene. In the United States, chlorination of water kills hepatitis A virus that enters the water supply. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) routinely monitors natural bodies of water used for recreation for fecal contamination so there is no need for monitoring for hepatitis A virus specifically.

Who is at risk for hepatitis A?

Although anyone can get hepatitis A, in the United States, certain groups of people are at higher risk, such as:

• People with direct contact with someone who has hepatitis A
• Travelers to countries where hepatitis A is common
• Men who have sexual contact with men
• People who use drugs, both injection and non-injection drugs
• Household members or caregivers of a recent adoptee from countries where hepatitis A is common
• People with clotting factor disorders, such as hemophilia
• People working with nonhuman primates

For more information on Hepatitis, visit https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis

Contact the Bell County Health Department if you have questions about these or other communicable diseases.

The following are examples that the environmental staff of the Bell County Health Department is responsible for in terms of administration and enforcement of environmental health laws in regards to the following program areas:

Food Service Program

The food service program is designed to assure that safe, correctly prepared food is served to the public in clean, healthy and environmentally efficient manner. There are approximately 190 food service establishments (including restaurants, school cafeterias, day care centers, nursing homes, hospitals, delicatessens, ice cream shops, bars, and bed and breakfast) that are permitted within Bell County. There are also approximately 65 temporary concessions inspected and permitted at festivals and events every year.  Food Service establishments are inspected a minimum of twice annually with follow-ups conducted as needed or in an emergency basis.  Routine annual food service training classes are provided online through Kentucky TRAIN. Click here for more info.

Retail Markets

This program covers all establishments dealing in the retail sale of foods to the public and includes supermarkets, meat and seafood markets, neighborhood groceries, convenience stores, drug and discount stores.  These establishments are inspected using a multiple point item inspection form developed by the state in accordance with FDA Food Code. 

Hotel – Motel Program

Hotels and motels are permitted establishments that are required to be inspected to ensure the health and safety of the general public.  Annual inspections are conducted on these establishments.  Any hotel scoring a failing grade of 85 or below (or any hotel guilty of critical violations) are subject to subsequent follow-up inspections and/or enforcement actions

Mobile – Home Recreational Vehicle Parks

Two or more mobile home spaces on a common piece of property available to the general public is considered to be a mobile home park and must be permitted and inspected on an annual basis.  

Schools

Locally funded schools and school systems are inspected on a semi-annual bases to ensure the safety of all students, faculty, staff and general public.  In addition to the school building, playgrounds, gymnasiums (and locker rooms), and school lunch cafeterias are inspected on school properties as well.

Swimming Areas

This program covers public swimming pools/spas, including those operated by communities, subdivisions, camps, schools, institutions, parks, hotels, recreational areas or similar public facilities.  Inspections are conducted twice during the operating season for these establishments.

Tattoo/Body and Ear Piercing Studios

Tattoo studios and tattoo artists operating within the state must comply with Kentucky regulations and obtain a permit for the studio and registration for the artist.  The same is also true for anyone seeking to open/operate/maintain a permitted body and ear piercing studio.  Strict guidelines apply in regard to sanitation and sterilization of instruments.  Compliance with the state plumbing code is also applicable.

State Confinement Facilities

The health department is required to inspect state confinement facilities on a semi – annual basis to assure compliance with current standards.  License applications and bonding requirements are processed by the health department.

Rabies

The health department investigates animal biting incidents involving human exposure. Animals are quarantined for a period of ten days for observation and are released at the end of this period if the animal is living and appears to be in good health.  Incidents involving other animals are handled on a case by case basis with laboratory testing of specimens to check for rabies when necessary.

Onsite Sewage Disposal

All sewage disposal systems installed within the district that underground distribution point must be permitted and inspected by the health department. When planning to buy property for a home in an area not served by a municipal sewage system, the health department will conduct a site evaluation of the property to assure proper sizing of the disposal system.  Existing septic systems are also inspected on newly bought property or on property where a new home is replacing an old home structure.

Family Planning for Women Family Planning includes the following confidential services for women, men and adolescents:

Medical Services:

• Height, weight and blood pressure evaluation
• Pap testing & pelvic exam
• Breast exam
• STD Testing and Treatment Pregnancy Testing & Counseling
• Birth Control Methods
• Emergency Contraception
• Sterilization (male & female)
• Other Lab tests, if needed
• Immunizations, if needed

Education and Counseling:

• Healthy Lifestyle Choices, including: good nutrition, exercise, avoiding harmful substances, and tobacco cessation.
• Self Breast/Testicular Exams
• STD/HIV Risks
• Preconception Health/Folic Acid
• Options Counseling
• Infertility
• Referrals & linkages with community resources

The results of your check-up and lab tests will be explained to you. Family planning staff will help you choose the appropriate method of birth control and teach you ways to stay healthy. Staff members will answer any questions you may have. You will receive birth control method education and counseling, including Natural Family Planning and abstinence education.

Benefits of Family Planning:

• Having children when you want them
• Being able to prepare financially for your children
• Becoming healthier before and during pregnancy
• Not worrying about an unwanted pregnancy
• Making your own decisions about birth control

What is HANDS?

The Health Access Nurturing Development Services (HANDS) program is a voluntary home visitation program for moms, dads and families. We provide information on prenatal care, nutrition, safety and child development, all to help you on your journey to be a successful parent.

Who can participate?

Contact your local health department for more information, but be sure to call soon! Families must be enrolled prenatally or before a child is three months old. All 120 Kentucky Counties can work with first time parents, and now 78 counties can work with families with more than one child.

What can you expect?

Through HANDS, you will receive support, information and activities that will help you and your baby navigate early parenthood together. Our goals are to support healthy child growth and development, ensure safe homes and help parents reach the goals they have for their children and their family.

To get involved, contact your local health department, or visit www.KYHANDS.com to find a HANDS program near you.

The Kentucky Women’s Cancer Screening Program provides free or low cost mammograms and Pap tests through the health department in every county. These services are available every year for women age 21 to 64 who do not have health insurance to cover the cost. If you are age 20 or under, call your local health department to find out what services are available for you.

The program, part of CDC’s National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program, also provides diagnostic services and, if cancer or pre cancer is found, treatment services are available.

Three factors are used to determine eligibility for breast cancer screening:

1. Age (21-64)
2. Uninsured (no Medicaid, no Medicare, no private insurance)
3. Income less than 250 percent of of federal poverty guidelines.
4. For more information, call the Laurel County Health Department.

What screening tests do I need?

• If you are age 18 or older, you may need a yearly:
  • Breast exam by a health professional Pap test and pelvic exam Instruction in breast self-exam
• If you are ago 40 or older you may need a yearly:
  • Breast exam by a health professional Pap test and pelvic exam Mammogram

What is a mammogram?

A mammogram is an x-ray that checks for cancer of the breast. It can find cancers that are too small for your doctor to feel. Having a mammogram every year gives you the best chance of finding breast cancer at its earliest stage. If the cancer is found soon enough, your chances of surviving are very good – about 90 percent.

How is a mammogram done?

You will stand in front of a special x-ray machine. A technologist will place your breast on a clear plastic plate. Another plate will firmly press your breast from above. The plates will flatten the breast, holding it still while the x-ray is being taken. You will feel some pressure. The other breast will be x-rayed in the same way. The steps are then repeated to make a side view of each breast. You will then wait while the technologist check the four x-rays to make sure the pictures do not need to be re-done. Keep in mind that the technologist cannot tell you the results of your mammogram.

What is a Pap test?

A Pap test checks for cancer of the cervix. A Pap test checks for problems that might turn into cervical cancer. The cervix is the opening to the womb, or uterus. Getting a Pap test once a year can give you the best chance of finding any problems when they are easiest to treat. This is the best way to prevent cervical cancer.

What is Cervical Cancer?

Cervical cancer occurs when cells that are not normal grow inside the cervix. The cervix is part of the female reproductive system. It is found in the lower part of the uterus, or womb.

What increases your risk for Cervical Cancer?

• HPV (Human Papillomavirus), a group of common viruses. It causes almost all cervical cancers. HPV is spread through sexual contact. Keep in mind that most women who have HPV do not get cervical cancer. Having the virus increases your risk of getting cervical cancer.
• Having many sexual partners
• Smoking Cigarettes
• Having many pregnancies
• Using birth control pills for five years or longer

Cervical Cancer Symptoms

Most of the time there are no symptoms of cervical cancer at first. As the cancer becomes more advanced, abnormal bleeding from the vagina occurs frequently.

Why should you get screened?

The Pap test actually looks for cells that are not normal before they become cancer. The test also can find cervical cancer in its early stages, when it is easiest to treat. This is important because cervical cancer is almost 100 percent curable when found early.

How smoking can affect your Pap test:

• Women who smoke are more likely to have an abnormal pap smear and cancer of the cervix
• Chemical from tobacco smoke can be detected in cervical secretions of smokers. These chemicals constantly irritate the cervix and may activate HPV, a virus associated with cervical cancer.
• Smoking ties up the body’s immune system. Cells that would normally fight infections and abnormal cells are constantly busy fighting the chemicals in cigarette smoke. This allows abnormal, cancerous cells to grow faster.

Medical Nutrition Therapy one-on-one nutrition counseling provided by a Registered Dietitian (RD).

Counseling can be provided on the following nutrition related topics and diseases:

• Weight Management
• Eating Disorders
• Diabetes – Type 1 and Type 2
• Pregnancy and Weight Gain
• Food Allergies
• Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
• Hypoglycemia
• Cholesterol
• Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)
• Triglycerides
• Underweight
• High-risk Pregnancy
• Pica
• Prematurity
• Infant eating problems
• and others (call to find out more)

The School Health program focuses on acute and chronic illness, health conditions, and injuries, health education, and disease. Call (606) 337-7046 for more information.

School Nurse services:

• Assess and treat students with acute illnesses or injuries (within the scope of practice)
• Coordinate and provide mandatory vision screening in targeted grades
• Serve as a resource for students and staff related to communicable disease and chronically ill students
• Coordinate care and student emergency action plans related to diabetes, seizures, asthma, allergies and use of emergency medications
• Promote health education
• Review immunization records to ensure compliance with Kentucky Immunization laws
• Administer medication per physician order in accordance to state and school policies

An STD is an infection that is passed during sexual intercourse.

Some STDs infect only your sexual and reproductive organs. Others, such as, HIV, hepatitis B, and syphilis, cause general body infections.

Sometimes there are no signs or symptoms with an STD. The symptoms can also appear and then go away. Just because you don’t have symptoms doesn’t mean you don’t have an STD.

STDs can be spread during any type of sexual contact.

HIV and Hepatitis can also be spread through contact with infected blood. If you think you may have an STD, get checked. STDs do not just go away on their own. Bell County Health Department may be able to provide testing for you if you think you may have an STD.

Many STDs can be cured, but others cannot be cured. Even if an STD cannot be cured, it must still be treated to lessen the chances of it being spread to others.

If you think you have an STD, or you have tested positive for an STD, you must tell your sexual partner(s). If they have contracted the STD, they can get sick. They can also spread the STD back to you or to others.

For more information:https://www.cdc.gov/std/

Call the Bell County Health Department for more information on our STD program.

With scheduled check-ups or well-child exams, minor health problems in children can be caught before they become serious. Diseases like chickenpox, mumps and measles can be prevented by immunizations. Any physical, mental developmental problems, hearing and visions issues or problems can be found and treated early.

• Well-Child exams include a complete physical exam (which meets requirements for school entry)
• Also included are developmental and lead screenings for children 0-6 years of age.
• Parents/guardians will be provided counseling on their child’s nutrition, safety and age related issues.

To find out if you may be eligible for the WIC program, contact us at 606 878-7754.

What is WIC?

WIC is a short-term intervention program designed to influence lifetime nutrition and health behavior in low income women who are pregnant or has given birth to an infant 6 months old or less, and infant and children from birth to 5 years of age who need nutritional support.

WIC is a federally funded program, provided by the USDA, and not only provides supplemental nutritious foods, but also offers a health care aspect.

WIC participants are provided nutrition education and services; breastfeeding promotion and education; and access to other educational materials for prenatal and pediatric health-care services.

For more information on the Kentucky WIC Program, visit the following link: https://wicuat.fns.usda.gov/wps/pages/preScreenTool.xhtml

WIC Mobile

WIC Mobile is an online application that allows Kentucky WIC Participants the ability to find retailers near them and obtain a current balance of benefits on their WIC EBT Card.

You can access the online application at this weblink: http://www.kywic.com

The features of this online application include:

• Store Locator: will search 20 of the closest vendors within your zip
  code that accepts WIC.
• Balance Inquiry: provides a list of available food benefits. The participant will log in with their information (eWIC card #, zip code and DOB in the following format: MMDDYY)

WIC App Available for all WIC Participants:

The WIC Program recognizes the need to provide meaningful resources to Kentucky’s current and future generations of families. Access to information on the go is increasingly important to today’s busy families.

The WIC Shopper App, designed by JPMA, Inc., is a great resource for WIC families to use while shopping for healthy and nutritious foods eligible for purchase with a family’s WIC EBT card, and potentially reduce burden to our WIC clinics from having to respond to frequently asked questions about benefits.

Highlighted features of the WIC Shopper App include:

• Access up-to-date household benefit information via their smartphone at any time or place;
• Users can scan a food’s UPC at any WIG-approved retailer and determine if the product is approved and available on their household’s benefits;
• Provides access to delicious and healthy recipes for busy families;
• Allows notification of food recalls and alerts throughout Kentucky;
• Map locations of WIC-approved vendors and local WIC offices; and
• Eliminates unnecessary attention at checkout if a product is unapproved or not available on their household’s benefits.

The WIC Shopper App is available for download to an Apple or Android smartphone. The WIC Shopper app is available free of charge through WIC funding, but data charges may apply to an individual user’s use of the app.

Download WIC Shopper App on Apple App Store

Download WIC Shopper App for Android