National Public Health Week Highlights and the Release of the DeKalb County Health Dept. Annual Report

With the first week of April coming to an end, the DeKalb County Health Department
(DCHD) is finishing up the promotion of National Public Health Week. National Public Health
Week celebrates the work that local public health departments do to promote health and avoid illness or injury in the communities they serve. If you’ve ever eaten at a restaurant, used a public swimming pool or received a flu shot, you’ve received public health services. This week is also an opportunity to encourage community members to celebrate prevention and advocate for changes in their community.

The American Public Health Association included daily themes to focus on public health
topics including behavioral health, communicable diseases, environmental health, injury and violence prevention, and advocating for everyone’s rights to a healthy life. At DCHD, staff were recognized for their work to promote optimal health for the DeKalb County Community by featuring department pictures on social media. Staff also had the opportunity to participate in three over the lunch programs: Tube resistance exercise, Global Health Lunch and Learn and a Hula Hoop exercise. The exercise classes were facilitated in collaboration with the Kishwaukee YMCA.

During the week, the 2017 DeKalb County Health Department Report was also released
which highlights the ways in which the Health Department works each and every day to help improve health outcomes in our community. Lisa Gonzalez, Health Department Administrator, states that the “Public Health System partners play an essential role in the health department mission to improve the health of all DeKalb County residents.

In 2017, the Health Department partnered with Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Hospital and Valley West Hospital to initiate the 2017-2018 cycle of the Community Health Needs Assessment and Community Health Improvement Plan. The assessment results and final plan are expected to be released to the public by September 2018. Additionally, in 2017, the Department focused on enhancing client education, increasing social media reach and initiating website improvements.

Through a few targeted grant opportunities, the Department was able to provide additional outreach through community campaigns related to maternal and child health, prevention of Zika Virus,family emergency preparedness and tobacco prevention and cessation.”

The 2017 Annual Report provides service delivery highlights from the Public Health
programs that help protect and promote the well being of DeKalb County residents. Some of the 2017 highlights include:
• 17,647 Nutritional certifications for women, infants and children receiving supplemental food
• 10,995 Vaccine doses administered
• 1,957 Medical, educational and social services visits to Family Planning
• 1,386 Food establishment inspections
• 866 Communicable disease investigations
• 516 Emergency kits distributed to community members

For more information about the DeKalb County Health Department Services and highlights
mentioned above, visit health.dekalbcounty.org or follow them on social media.