Happy National Public Health Week (NPHW)! Public health is more than medicine. It ensures that our neighborhoods and environments are safe and free from danger. It protects access to clean water and air, healthy and safe food, rights, and the ability to access critical health services. And the partnerships built in our communities bind us together and enable us to thrive. NPHW is held every April. This year's theme is “Protect, Connect, Thrive: We Are All Public Health,” and each day's theme is:
• Monday, April 1st: Citizen Participation
• Tuesday, April 2nd: Healthy Neighborhoods
• Wednesday, April 3: Climate Change
• Thursday, April 4: New tools and innovations.
• Friday, April 5: Reproductive and Sexual Health
• Saturday, April 6: Emergency Preparedness
• Sunday, April 7: The Future of Public Health
This year, we celebrate the unique ways our local public health departments protect, connect, and thrive Grundy County. The Grundy County Public Health Department (GCPH) is comprised of her administrator, Katie Thornton-Lang, and her new program coordinator, Jordyn Beighly. Carrie Sparks works as the county health officer for the Department of Environmental Health, where she also reports to the local board of health. The GCPH office is located in the Grundy County Annex building just south of the Grundy County Courthouse in Grundy Center.
GCPH participates in and collaborates with various committees, boards, and coalitions in the region to impact health. Other local partnerships include Grundy County Memorial Hospital, county clinics and pharmacies. Through these connections, GCPH can provide referrals and resources to assist community members. GCPH also provides practical experience and mentorship to future public health professionals by hosting public health interns from the University of Iowa.
GCPH's services include a household sharps disposal program in collaboration with other county departments, disease surveillance, vaccine audits of schools and licensed child care centers, instruction in several health education programs in schools, and large community This includes maintaining resource guides and more. Many of these efforts would not be possible without grants, which take hours to report and track. Thank you, Katie and Jordyn, for your efforts in reporting grants that allow Grundy County's many efforts to continue.
The Department of Environmental Health issues septic tank and well permits, works with installers throughout the county to inspect septic systems, conducts water and soil testing, educates the public on environmental health topics, and Radon test kits are available at the Grundy County Courthouse for $7. Thank you Carrie for doing everything you can to keep Grundy County's environment healthy.
The Grundy County Board of Health would like to publicly recognize and thank Katie, Jordyn, and Carrie for their hard work over the past year. We celebrate all the ways we protect, connect and help Grundy County thrive. Thank you for all your hard work and accomplishments over the past year.
Respectfully, Grundy County Board of Health.
