The Santa Rosa County Health Department is celebrating National Public Health Week from April 6-12, an initiative of the American Public Health Association, by informing residents of the numerous beneficial programs which are available.
“We are trying to address the issues that affect the overall health in the community,” said Debbie Stilphen, who works as an operations analyst for the health department. “I think a lot of people think the health department is just a place where they can bring their kids to get their shots. They don’t realize that we do a lot of community outreach.”
Whether a resident is concerned about their weight or want to quit smoking, Stilphen said there are several programs available.
One example is the National Diabetes Prevention Program, which is series of weekly classes, instructed by life coach, aiming to teach adults to make healthier decisions. The local health department also offers a program with the West Florida Area Health Education Center to help tobacco smokers to quit the habit.
Among other programs offered through the county health department are family planning services, testing for sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy, preventative dental care, the supplemental nutrition program Women, Infants and Children (W.I.C) and several other health beneficial programs.
The health department also offers environmental programs, like swimming pool and septic tank inspections, the monitoring of public/private water supplies, identifying food-borne disease outbreak and the reviewing the cleanliness and operating procedures of day care facilities and foster homes.
The department will be promoting healthy activity on Saturday, April 18 with the ‘Walk for Mommy & Me.’ The event, which is also sponsored by the Florida Department of Health at Santa Rosa County and the WIC Program, is part of Florida’s Healthiest Weight Campaign. The event, which will promote a healthy lifestyle through physical activity and good nutrition, will also feature children’s activities, prize drawings, and vendors giving out information and incentives.
For more information on this event contact 983-5250. For more information on the many programs offered through the county health department, contact Stilphen at PIO.CHD57@flhealth.gov, or visit the website at santarosa.floridahealth.gov.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Santa Rosa Health Department recognizes National Public Health Week