April 1-7, 2019, is National Public Health Week. Generation Public Health is working toward a goal of making the United States the Healthiest Nation in One Generation, by 2030. The Allegany County Department of Health would like to remind Allegany County residents that “Public Health: Starts Here” in Allegany County. Do you wonder what the health department does for the residents of Allegany County? Here are some ways the health department provides services every day, remember:
From the Allegany County Department of Health (ACDOH), Environmental Health Division
· The last time you heard a story about someone who was bitten by a bat while they were sleeping-Public Health was there to have the bat tested for Rabies and get them the vaccinations they needed, remember to Catch that Bat!
· The last time you ate in a restaurant in Allegany County –that restaurant was inspected and issued a permit to operate by Public Health’s Environmental Health Division.
· The next time you drink water from a public water supply-remember that water is safe to drink and protected thanks to your local water operator and environmental health.
· When your family or friends work in an environment without cigarette smoke –clean indoor air was enforced by Public Health’s Environmental Health Division.
· The next time a public health emergency hits Allegany County and the Allegany County Department of Health is ready to help, Emergency Preparedness is at work.
· The next time your child or grandchild eats a lunch at school or swims in the school pool-know that Public Health is working for you by inspecting the kitchen and pool.
· When your child or grandchild drinks water from a drinking fountain at their school, know environmental health is at work monitoring the lead in school drinking water.
From the ACDOH Public Health Nursing Division/Lead Poisoning Prevention/Family Planning/Immunizations Action Plan
· The last time you had a flu shot or your child had a shot for school at the Health Department-Public Health nursing was at work.
· If you see statistics on teenage pregnancy and Allegany County’s are low, Public Health’s Family Planning Program is at work.
· If you have children and grandchildren who have been tested for lead at age 1 and age 2 at the health department or at a Allegany County physician’s office, Public Health’s Lead Prevention Program is working.
ACDOH’s Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program
· The next time a pregnant mom or mom of a new baby tells you they had a healthy pregnancy, their baby was born healthy and they are successfully breastfeeding; Public Health’s WIC program may be at work.
· When a store owner or farmers market vendor tells you they have revenue from WIC checks used at their store or stand and a family with young children tells you they have nutritious food to eat-Public Health’s WIC program is at work.
ACDOH’s Children with Special Health Care Needs/Preschool Special Education/Physically Handicapped Children’s Program/Child Find/Early Intervention Program
· The last time you heard about a child who had a developmental delay or severe disability and received services -the health department’s Children’s programs were at work.
ACDOH’s Prevention Education division
· The next time someone asks you, “What does the Allegany County Department of Health do for Allegany County?” and you can answer that question-Public Health Prevention Education is working.
For more information about what the Allegany County Department of Health’s services and programs, go to www.alleganyco.com click on government and then Health or call 585-268-9250.
