MEDIA CAMPAIGN MARKS 1ST YEAR OF SMOKE-FREE ACT SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Governor Rod R. Blagojevich announces a new media campaign to highlight the success of the Smoke-free Illinois Act one year after becoming law. Watch These Ads View these television ads marking the one year anniversary of the Smoke-free Illinois Act.   Joe Burton   Owner of Burton’s Tap in Langleyville in Christian County Dr. Robert Cohen   Pulmonary critical care physician at John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital of Cook County

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COMMUNITIES URGED TO STEP UP THE FIGHT AGAINST STDS

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Dr. Damon T. Arnold, state public health director, is reemphasizing the need for educating, testing and treating Illinoisans for sexually transmitted diseases (STD) as the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) releases its 2007 Sexually Transmitted Disease Surveillance report. The report shows reported cases of chlamydia and gonorrhea in the United States exceeded 1.4 million in 2007 and continued increases in syphilis.

NEW DEATH CERTIFICATE SYSTEM MORE EFFICIENT AND ACCURATE

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – To streamline the process and get death certificates to families sooner, Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Damon T. Arnold announced the Division of Vital Records is implementing a new Electronic Death Registration System (EDRS). The system allows physicians, coroners, medical examiners and funeral directors to electronically compile necessary death information, which can then be sent to local registrars for the creation of a death certificate.

JANUARY PROCLAIMED CERVICAL CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

CHICAGO, Ill. – Governor Rod R. Blagojevich declared January Cervical Cancer Awareness Month in Illinois and is urging all women, especially women who smoke, to get screened regularly for cervical cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, women who smoke are almost twice as likely as non-smokers to develop cervical cancer.