Submitted Photo Photo is of a member of the Chautauqua County Health Department staff.
Health departments across the country are joining in to celebrate National Public Health Week (NPHW), April 1-7. The Chautauqua County Health Department is emphasizing the NPHW theme, “Protect, Connect, Thrive: We Are All Public Health.” We all have a role to play in our society: individuals, families, communities, and public health workers. “Public Health.” The first step to helping improve our health and well-being is to understand the power we have in coming together, participating in our communities, and making choices to protect ourselves and our neighbors.
“Our personal and public health is undoubtedly linked to community engagement. Connecting with your neighbors and becoming an active member of your community creates a deeper sense of responsibility, understanding, and equity. , creates a desire for inclusivity and responsiveness to the needs of those around them.” Chautauqua County Public Health Director Lacey Wilson said. “We are truly better and stronger together. “Three cords are not easily broken.” Our personal health outcomes are compared to our social engagement. When we make positive choices for ourselves and our communities, we help those around us thrive. ”
The Chautauqua County Health Department provides countywide health services that ensure coverage of six core service areas, including chronic disease prevention, emergency preparedness and response, family health, infectious disease surveillance, and community and environmental health. They are tasked with facilitating the system. This work is carried out through her two central departments, Community Health and Environmental Health, and also ensures that robust communication and support systems are in place. Below are some of the ongoing and need-based efforts that the Department of Health is providing directly and in collaboration with local partner agencies.
citizen participation
This year, the Health Department is working closely with the Chautauqua County Office of Planning and Economic Development to provide technical assistance to municipalities that will increase and improve green space throughout the county. Recognizing that physical activity and fresh air are essential to our health, the goal of this initiative is to ensure that all residents have safe and equitable access to beautiful natural and built outdoor resources. It is to do. Residents will soon have the opportunity to make their voices heard by taking part in research about these resources and how access to them can be improved within their towns and villages. The survey is available on the Department of Health's website HealthyCHQ.com and on Facebook @healthyCHQ.
healthy neighborhoods
The Chautauqua County Health Department is leading a strategic and collaborative approach to addiction and substance abuse reduction and prevention, improving outcomes for individuals directly affected by addiction and targeting local predatory This will lead to the intensive dismantling of illegal drug markets, and will also lead to improvements in drug safety. neighborhood. The department works with many partners across the county to develop workgroups and initiatives to prevent overdoses, support treatment and recovery, encourage prevention, and raise awareness about the dangers of drug use. I'm organizing. To learn more about Chautauqua County's continued efforts to combat drug addiction, visit combataddictionchq.com, a website that provides support and resources to those struggling with substance use disorders.
New tools and innovations
The Department is developing a new Communications and Outreach Division to improve dialogue and find innovative ways to share public health information with communities at critical times and places. This new division will continue our efforts to engage county residents in new and meaningful ways to provide reliable, fact-based public health information and align with the health department's vision of preventing disease, promoting health, and protecting health. It will expand your purpose. So that members of our community know where and how to find us.
reproductive and sexual health
The Department of Health partners with Chautauqua Center (TCC) to provide reproductive services including contraception, pregnancy testing, education, counseling, STD/STI testing and treatment, HIV testing, and HPV vaccination services. These services are available to individuals of reproductive age, regardless of sexual orientation, preference, ability to pay, or race.
Emergency and environmental preparedness
From preparing for extreme weather events such as wildfires to water availability during drought conditions, our emergency preparedness team continually plans to respond appropriately during any disaster that may occur in Chautauqua County. We are implementing our strategy. Their team maintains communication with other regional agencies that work together to respond in an efficient manner to reduce the impact of such disasters. Emergency preparedness staff are constantly working to improve procedures and responses to ensure that necessary actions are taken in the event of an emergency.
The future of public health
In addition to the six core areas coordinated by local health departments, we also serve as Access to Health. “Safety net” To fill the gap in services available in the community. The Chautauqua County Health Department strives to stay aware of the emerging needs of our residents and is committed to continuing our efforts to prevent disease, promote health, and protect the health of our communities. For more information, please visit www.HealthyCHQ.com.
