The Mississippi Department of Health is undergoing a majorinternal and external campaign designed to become more customerfriendly and accessible, an official said.

“We’re trying to become more customer friendly and convenient,”said Liz Sharlot, director of public relations at MSDH.

The state health agency launched a new Web site and telephonehotline this week as part of that campaign. Both will be updatedfrequently on public health issues throughout the state, includinganswers to frequently asked questions on flu shots and any breakingnews or health emergencies.

“The new Web site and the 24/7 information hotline allows us toprovide Mississippi residents quick and easy access to informationcovering a broad range of issues,” said Health Officer Dr. BrianAmy. “From information on vital records, to daycare facilities, toflu shots, launching the information hotline and Web site willallow us to better serve all Mississippians beyond traditionalworking hours.”

The Web site, www.HealthyMS.com, is designed to provide publichealth information to residents in an easy-to-use format withinformation broken down into several categories, Sharlot said.

Services and Programs provides information on disease control,immunizations and screenings for mothers, children andfamilies.

Regulations and Licensure can be used to check the legal andoperating status of childcare centers or health facilities. Thissection can also be used to lodge a complaint against a restaurantor other facility regulated by the health department.

Statistics and Records includes birth certificates, deathcertificates and other statistics and reports.

“Most of those statistical services, like birth and deathcertificates, can be ordered online now,” Sharlot said.

Other features can also be reached through the use of quicklinks. Users can get the latest health-related news and updates,learn about emergency preparedness and response or access otherimportant Web sites, such as the Centers for Disease Control andPrevention, to further research health-related questions.

The new hotline, 1-866-458-4948 (1-866-HLTHYRU), containsrecorded messages, also available in Spanish and Vietnamese, ontopics including food safety, emergency preparedness, breakingnews, communicable diseases, immunizations and public records.Operators are available to assist callers who need additionalinformation.

“In addition, during crisis situations we have the capability toadd up to 20 more people to help with those telephones,” Sharlotsaid. “We recognized that during crises that our phones were oftenalways busy. The Web site and hotline are two of the ways we’retrying to address that.”

The campaign is, in large part, another effort to inform peopleof how the health department can assist them, Sharlot said.

“We have to be public health leaders and we need to be areliable and credible source for information,” she said. “We needto remind everyone that we are here for them.”