National Public Health Week is April 3-9

Salem-News.com

(SALEM) - This is National Public Health Week, April 3-9, and the Marion County Health Department is marking the occasion by pointing out some of the programs it conducts to protect the public's health.

Its Environmental Health office inspects restaurants and public drinking water systems, public swimming pools and spas, school lunch programs, daycares, and tourist and traveler facilities. It also investigates food, water and vector-borne diseases, such as West Nile virus.

This is one of the oldest functions of public health, and protection of water and food and proper sewage disposal have been the most significant factors in prevention of diseases and the increase in human life span.

The Early Childhood Program ensures that kids get a good start in life through good nutrition and developmental screening. Home visits and health education by public health nurses and counselors provide assessment and referral as needed and ongoing consultation to the families of children who are at high risk to their health.

The federal Women's, Infants and Children's(WIC) program is part of these Health Department services and has nutrition consultants working with more than 9,000 families in Salem and surrounding areas to make sure that infants receive the proper nutrition and families the health education needed to make good nutritional choices. The WIC program also encourages all new mothers to breastfeed, since breast milk is considered the perfect food.

The Immunization and School Exclusion Prevention program works with public and private schools, daycare facilities, and physicians to ensure that children have vaccinations required to remain in school and daycare. Vaccines provide protection against contagious diseases and diseases that could cause serious medical conditions.

The theme for this year's observance of National Public Health Week is "Designing healthy communities: raising healthy kids." That means access to fresh and healthy food; improved air and water quality; and opportunities for physical activity.

Those interested in helping to keep public health in focus and up to meeting the changing challenges are invited to volunteer to serve on one of the many county community advisory and planning groups. Some of these are: Healthy Active Oregon for Marion County, the Marion County Health Advisory Board, Quality Improvement Committee, Food Advisory Board, Mid-Valley Local Food Connection, Alcohol and Drug Planning Committee, and Marion County Immunization Coalition.

To learn how to get involved, please call Marion County Health Department at (503)588-5357.