News Release

August 31, 2026

MCHD’s Prevention & Wellness Kiosk finding new home in Tillman’s Corner

MOBILE, Ala. — In November 2024, the Mobile County Health Department’s Overdose Prevention Program worked with LTS Health on a project to supply Prevention & Wellness Kiosks across the community to offer free naloxone kits, condoms, and keyed cable gun locks to enhance community health.

Since that time, five kiosks have been spread throughout Mobile County. Now, a new area will be receiving a kiosk following a business relocation.

Vista Medical is moving from its current home on Spring Hill Avenue in Mobile to a new site at 4400 Rangeline Road in Tillman’s Corner.

“Vista Medical is our highest dispensing site, and we value this continued partnership,” said Danielle Simpson, who oversees MCHD’s Overdose Prevention Program. “We have searched for a location in Tillman’s Corner since 2024, and we are excited to finally deploy a kiosk to provide support.”

As of July 31, the five kiosks have dispensed 359 naloxone kits, 177 keyed cable gun locks, and 91 condoms. Some of the kiosks have also provided 18 two-in-one drink spike tests and six Fentanyl test strips.

“Too often, stigma and lack of access keep people from getting the tools they need to protect themselves and others,” said Dr. Kevin Michaels, Health Officer for Mobile County. “Our goal is to meet people where they are with practical resources that support health, safety, and prevention.”

The other kiosks are located at Shell Health (4321 Downtowner Loop North in Mobile), Semmes Pharmacy (8985 Moffett Road in Semmes) and at MCHD’s Women, Infants & Children (WIC) office at 19255 North Main Street in Citronelle. The kiosk that was previously located at B-Bob’s Bar in Downtown Mobile will soon be transported to another site.

“In recognition of International Overdose Awareness Day on August 31, we encourage residents to visit any designated Prevention & Wellness kiosk to receive two Naloxone kits at no cost,” Simpson said. “Naloxone is a life-saving medication that rapidly reverses the effects of an opioid overdose, making it a critical tool in combating the overdose epidemic.

“We emphasize that carrying Naloxone is legal and that the Good Samaritan law provides immunity to individuals who administer Naloxone in an emergency, protecting them from legal repercussions.”

The MCHD team will also attend tonight’s Overdose Awareness Day & Recovery Month Kickoff Event at the National Maritime Museum of the Gulf. The free event, hosted by the Drug Education Council, will feature musician John McAndrew.

MCHD’s Overdose Prevention team is committed to supporting overdose prevention and harm reduction while guiding individuals through recovery options. For more information, call 251-410-6322 or email OverdosePrevention@mchd.org.

August 18, 2026

Breastfeeding supports healthier beginnings — and lifelong benefits for families

MOBILE, Ala. — Breastfeeding is more than a way to nourish a baby. It is a powerful public-health investment that supports infant growth and development while helping protect the long-term health of mothers.

The Mobile County Health Department encourages families, healthcare providers, employers, and community partners to create supportive environments so that every parent who chooses to breastfeed has access to accurate information, compassionate care, and practical support.

“Breastfeeding can provide meaningful health benefits for both mother and child,” said Dr. Kevin Michaels, Mobile County Health Officer. “Families should never have to navigate feeding decisions alone. When communities support parents—from prenatal care through return to work—we help give babies a healthier start and strengthen the health of the entire family.”

Benefits for mothers

Breastfeeding is associated with important short- and long-term health benefits for mothers, including:

• Lower cancer risk.
• Cardiometabolic protection. Longer breastfeeding duration is associated with lower risks of type 2 diabetes and hypertension
• Postpartum recovery. Breastfeeding stimulates oxytocin release, which supports the uterus returning to its pre-pregnancy size after delivery and can help reduce blood loss. It may also support a return toward pre-pregnancy weight.
• Birth spacing. Exclusive breastfeeding during the first months after birth can delay the return of fertility for some parents, contributing to longer intervals between pregnancies. It should not be relied upon as the only method of pregnancy prevention unless lactational amenorrhea method criteria are fully met.
• Emotional well-being. Breastfeeding has been associated with lower risk of postpartum depression and can promote relaxation and parent-infant bonding.

Benefits for infants and children

Human milk provides nutrition tailored to infants while helping protect against illness during a particularly important period of growth and development.

• Fewer and less severe infections. Breastfeeding helps protect infants against respiratory infections, ear infections, diarrhea, and other gastrointestinal illnesses.
• Respiratory health. Breastfeeding is associated with lower rates of respiratory illness, including infections that can be particularly serious for young infants.
• Lower risk of sudden infant death syndrome. Breastfeeding is associated with lower rates of SIDS.
• Support for healthy growth. Children who are breastfed are less likely to be overweight or obese later in life and may have lower risk of some chronic conditions, including diabetes and asthma.
• Brain development and learning. Breastfeeding supports brain development and is associated with higher performance on intelligence tests and improved school attendance.

Community support matters

Success of breastfeeding is not solely an individual responsibility. It depends on access to prenatal education, skilled lactation support, baby-friendly clinical practices, paid leave, private pumping spaces, flexible work policies, and encouragement from partners, relatives, and community leaders.

The Mobile County Health Department encourages employers and organizations to help make breastfeeding possible by providing reasonable break time, a clean private space that is not a restroom, and a workplace culture that respects the needs of breastfeeding employees.

For breastfeeding assistance, families can speak with their obstetric, pediatric, family-medicine, WIC provider, or lactation educators. For additional encouragement and practical information, watch the Mobile County Health Department’s Wellness Wednesday video on breastfeeding: Wellness Wednesday: Breastfeeding Support.

August 17, 2026

MCHD to observe HIV Awareness Events

MOBILE, Ala. — The Mobile County Health Department’s Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) Surveillance & Control team will be recognizing Southern HIV/AIDS Awareness Day and National Faith HIV/AIDS Awareness Day with special events.

“Since the two awareness days are only a few days apart, we will have a ‘Faith, Health and Community HIV Awareness Week’ while giving each date its own focus,” said Cherrite Peterson, the Public Health Administrator II for the team. “The goals are to know your status, know your options, and end the stigma.”

On Aug. 20, the “Mobile Strong: Awareness, Prevention, Testing, Treatment” event will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Newburn Public Health Center (248 Cox Street in Mobile). The purpose will be to increase HIV awareness, normalize routine testing, connect residents with prevention and treatment resources, and address HIV stigma in Southern communities. Activities will include:

• Free/confidential HIV testing
• STI testing or referrals, if available
• PrEP/PEP education and referrals
• Condom and safer-sex supply distribution
• HIV prevention/resource table
• “Know Your Status” awareness and display
• HIV myths vs. facts activity
• Community health partners and resource vendors
• Giveaways for participants who complete testing/education
• Light refreshments
• Brief educational sessions throughout the event.

On Aug. 25, the “Faith in Action: Love with stigma, knowledge without fear” event will again return to the Newburn Public Health Center from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.  This event should feel different from the previous observance. Rather than primarily being a testing event, this will be a faith-and-community conversation about HIV, compassion, stigma, prevention, and healing. Program will include:

• Welcome and opening prayer
• Purpose of National Faith HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
• Brief presentation: “HIV Today: What Our Faith Communities Need to Know”
• HIV 101: transmission, testing, prevention and treatment
• Discussion of stigma within families, churches and communities
• Faith Leaders Panel: “How the Church Can Respond to HIV”
• Testimonial or lived-experience speaker, if available
• PrEP/PEP and U=U education
• Confidential HIV testing available before and after the program
• Community resources and referrals
• Closing prayer and call to action.

August 17, 2026

World Mosquito Day observed on Thursday

MOBILE, Ala. — As World Mosquito Day approaches, the Mobile County Health Department (MCHD) is reminding residents that the observance is not a celebration, but a call to action. The day commemorates British physician Sir Ronald Ross’s 1897 discovery that female Anopheles mosquitoes transmit malaria—an insight that continues to shape global public health efforts today.

In Mobile County, the presence of Anopheles, Culex, and Aedes mosquito species underscores the ongoing risk of mosquito-borne diseases. In recent years, Gulf Coast communities have reported cases of Zika, Dengue, West Nile virus, and Chikungunya — diseases that can have serious health impacts.

Many mosquito risks are preventable. Everyday actions, such as allowing standing water to collect in buckets, containers, or yard debris, create breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Failing to use EPA-approved insect repellents or to wear protective clothing, such as long sleeves and pants, can further increase exposure risk.

“World Mosquito Day is a reminder that prevention starts at home,” said Dr. Kevin Michaels, Health Officer for Mobile County. “Simple steps can significantly reduce the risk of mosquito-borne illness for individuals and the community.”

Residents are encouraged to:

• Eliminate standing water around homes, including in flowerpots, gutters, tarps, and outdoor containers.
• Use EPA-approved mosquito repellents when outdoors.
• Wear long sleeves and pants, especially during peak mosquito activity times at dawn and dusk.
• Ensure window and door screens are intact to prevent mosquitoes from entering homes.

MCHD actively conducts mosquito surveillance and control activities throughout the county. Residents who are experiencing significant mosquito activity in their area may request mosquito spraying services by contacting the Mobile County Health Department or submitting a request through the department’s website.

Our online portal is now available to help the public request assistance from Vector Services and receive feedback on their request to deal with mosquitoes or rodents. To learn more, visit https://mchd.org/vector-control. From there, you can find a link and a QR code to access the new online portal for ordering services.

The telephone numbers for those without internet access are 251-690-8124 for Mosquito Control and 251-690-8819 for Rodent Control.

By taking proactive measures and working together, the community can reduce mosquito populations and limit the spread of disease.

August 14, 2026

Family Health selected for Direct Relief preparedness plan

MOBILE, Ala. — With the arrival of the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season, Direct Relief is strengthening healthcare preparedness across hurricane-prone regions through pre-positioned emergency medical supplies, resilient power infrastructure investments, and regional emergency response partnerships designed to help healthcare providers maintain continuity of care during disasters.

Direct Relief is pre-positioning emergency medical supply stockpiles with 72 healthcare providers across the Southeast, Gulf Coast, Puerto Rico, and Hawaii, and staging 14 large international stockpiles across the Caribbean. The organization used FEMA natural hazards risk data to identify areas with heightened vulnerability and expand preparedness coverage into additional coastal communities.

Family Health has received Hurricane Preparedness Packs and Back Packs that could be used as healthcare providers prepare for potential disruptions caused by severe weather, prolonged outages, and supply chain interruptions should a storm strike on the Alabama Gulf Coast.

The emergency stockpiles, known as Hurricane Preparedness Packs, contain medicines and medical supplies commonly needed following disasters, including treatments for diabetes, hypertension, asthma, infections, allergic reactions, and wound care. Each domestic stockpile is designed to support approximately 500 patients for 30 days, while larger international stockpiles can support approximately 3,000 patients over the same period.

Direct Relief accepts no government funding, allowing the organization to sustain long-term preparedness and recovery efforts independently of public-sector funding cycles.