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National Public Health Week
April 1-7
Public health is in all aspects of our lives. Here are some tips to make sure you are leading a safe and healthy life for you and your fmaily. Be sure to check back every day for more tips.
For more information on National Public Health Week click here.
Empowering a Healthy Community
- Stay up to date on recommended vaccinations for yourself and your loved ones.
- Support local farmers markets and other access points to fresh fruits and vegetables. It's not only good for your health; it's good for the local economy too.
- Encourage local restaurants to provide nutrition information on their menus.
- Inquire about volunteer opportunities at community health centers.
Protecting You While You're on the Move
- Always buckle your seat belt no matter how short the trip and don't be shy about reminding others to do the same.
- Be an alert pedstrian - always be mindful when using intersections.
- Get involved with efforts to promote safe biking and walking to school, such as your local Safe Routes to School Program.
- That text message can wait! Don't text while driving.
- If possible, choose to walk to bike to daily destinations, such as to work or school. Choosing biking or walking over driving is an easy way to integrate routine physical activity into your life.
Creating a Healthy Workplace
- Practice fire safety drills and prepare your workplace for an unexpected emergency or disaster.
- Participate in workplace safety trainings and take advantage or workplace wellness efforts, such as flu shot clinics or exercise programs.
- Educate employees about workplace safety regulations and train employees to recognize unsafe or unhealthy settings. Depending on your workforce, make sure safety training is available in multiple languages.
- Create a work environment in which workers feel comfortable reporting unsafe work conditions or workplace abuse.
- Even our homes can be workplaces. If you employ domestic workers, such as health care aides, nannies or house cleaners, learn what it means to be a responsible employer.
Providing a Safe Environment for Children at School
- Encourage local leaders to support transportation planning decisions that incorporate safe routes to walk and bike to school. Get involved in your local Safe Routes to School Program or organize an event during International Walk to School Day.
- Advocate for smoke- and tobacco-free policies at schools as well as on college campuses.
- Speak up about the importance of physical education in school.
- Encourage your child's school to stop stocking soda and junk food in school vending machines and to put restrictions on the types of foods sole in schools that are outside official school meal programs.
- Involve the larger community in recognizing bullying and developing community-wide responses to bullying.
Ensuring a Safe, Healthy Home for Your Family
- Smoke alarms can double your chance of surviving a fire, so install alarms on every floor of your home and test that they're working monthly. While you're at it, install a carbon monoxide alarm on every floor of your home as well.
- Gather your household for a night of emergency preparedness: Make plans for putting together an emergency stockpile kit, create a crisis communication plan, designate an emergency meeting place, and hole household emergency drills.
- Stock your kitchen with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetabls and cut down on high-sugar and high-fat items.
- Put this number on your fridger and in your cell phone: 1-800-222-1222. It will automatically connect you to your regional poison control center and often life-saving information.
- Assess your home, or the home of a loved one, for factors that could contribute to a fall, such as poor lighting, uneven flooring and clutter.
Community Health Needs Assessment & Health Improvement Plan (CHNA/HIP)
Every five years, the Lee County Board of Health has the responsibility of leading community-wide discussions with local community partners about the county's health needs, and what needs to be done to address them. A county-wide survey was completed in July, with over 1200 residents participating. From those surveys, the focus was narrowed down to these four priority health areas to address in the next five years:
Obesity
Addictive Behaviors
Injury Prevention
Health Care Awareness & Access
To review the full CHNA/HIP report click here.
2012-2013 Annual CHNA/HIP Review
Emergency Preparedness
The Lee County Health Department wants to make sure everyone is prepared for any kind of emergency that could occur in their state, community, neighborhood, or even in their own home.
The Emergency Preparedness Cards are for families to fill out. The card has space to write meeting places and emergency numbers. Call the health department to receive these FREE cards.
