By: Kara Ruge, Marketing & Public Information Officer
It’s National Public Health Week! By definition, Public Health is the science of protecting and improving the health of families and communities through promotion of healthy lifestyles, research for disease and injury prevention and detection, and control of infectious diseases. Overall, public health is concerned with protecting the health of entire populations. Often people have misconceptions about what public health is and does. The Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health would like to address some of those gathered from a recent survey:
- I focus on prevention to stay healthy. I’m not sick. I don’t need Public Health. .
That’s great! Our Department focuses on proactive (preventative) health care vs. reactive health care. Our department encourages this so much so that we have an entire division devoted to it: Chronic Disease Prevention & Health Promotion. - Most services don’t fit the needs of our young family.
We offer many services to keep you and your children safe from many illnesses and dangers.
o Do your children like to go swimming? We conduct routine inspections at all of the public pools in Cerro Gordo County to ensure they are safe for the public to be in.
o Are your children vaccinated?
If not, our walk-in immunization clinic is open Monday through Friday from 10AM-Noon and 12:30-4PM. This is a no-appointment necessary clinic; therefore you can come when it’s convenient for you. If your child has no health insurance or is under-insured, we participate in the Vaccines for Children Program that provides vaccines to children up to 18 years old FREE of charge!
o Has your home been tested for radon or lead?
Cerro Gordo County has above average levels of radon in the majority of homes, old or new. Radon is a radioactive gas and the second leading cause of lung cancer behind tobacco. Our department offers test kits and other testing options for your home. No one wants their children playing, or sleeping in a home with radioactive gas! Same goes for lead. We conduct in-home inspections to ensure children do not have future exposure to lead. Our Lead Hazard Control Program is available to help remove those hazards and provide home repairs such as windows, siding, etc. at little or NO cost to you!
o These are just a few of the young family services we offer. Visit our website for more!
- I don’t need public health services. I have health insurance, a good job, and a primary doctor.
o The Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health is your health department serving all income levels, and accepting most health insurance providers. Receiving immunizations, home care services, sexually transmitted disease and HIV testing, etc. from our department is the same as receiving them from a medical clinic setting. The upside: no “office or appointment fee”. For those who are under-insured or do not have insurance, we work diligently to provide programs ensuring they receive the same services as those with insurance.
- I have no use for any of public health’s services.
o You may not realize it, but Public Health affects you in at least one way each day.
- Eating at a restaurant? Our department inspected it.
- Have a tattoo? Our department inspected the parlor you received it from.
- Drink from a private water well? Our department can/should test the water to ensure its safe to drink.
- Have a septic system? Our department inspects and permits them.
- Hear about a case of pertussis or influenza at your child’s daycare or school? Our department conducts surveillance and investigations to identify increases in cases, root causes, potential exposures, etc. We work to educate staff at these facilities on how to prevent the spread of the illnesses, and keep case numbers to a minimum.
- These are only a few examples. There are so many more!
Every day, Public Health professionals work to protect the health of the entire population. The Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health is one of the top five largest public health departments in Iowa. In February we became only the second health department in Iowa to earn accreditation from the National Public Health Accreditation Board. We are a leader in statewide public health change, and are proud to serve Cerro Gordo County.
The Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health has been serving county residents for over 25 years. We provide over 50 programs and services to the public to ensure they are kept safe and healthy. It is our mission to optimize the health of all people in Cerro Gordo County – that means YOU! We are here to be a resource for you. Know us before you need us!
For more information on how the Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health can be of assistance to you, contact us at 641-421-9300 or visit www.cghealth.com.
