PH Highlights – March 2009

Annual Report

The Iowa County Health Department’s Annual Report from 2008 provides a snap shot of the department’s current programs, statistics, and resources.  The variety of activities from the health department are an indication not only of the laws we work with but also the needs of the community.  The Health Department staff works with many community partners on task forces and committees to improve quality of life in our county.  We are proud to be part of this active and caring community. The Annual Report is included with this mailing or by email.

Community Needs Assessment (CNA) coming soon

The Community Needs Assessment Meeting is May 15^th from 8:00 a.m. to noon at the Dodger Bowl in Dodgeville. A committee has been working on this and you might have answered a survey last fall to help us gather information.  The statistics and data are being put together and will be presented at this meeting.  We will then discuss together the challenges facing Iowa County as well as all the resources we have.  We hope to finish with some formation of a plan of action to go forward to improve our community in at least one area.   Community input is necessary for this process.   We welcome your attendance and would appreciate a preregistration.  Please call Kim Horst at the office at 935-2810.

Immunizations

We have been working with all the medical providers and school nurses to help students (and families) with the new immunization laws.  We will continue to provide some of the immunizations at school-based clinics.  The school nurses have been very instrumental in setting these up and they have gone smoothly.  We appreciate their help.  We have also been providing the Meningococcal and HPV vaccines at the office to adolescents.  These vaccines are still FREE to students under 19 years of age so please refer those clients to us who do not have insurance.

The rate of 2 years old with total recommended vaccines is still lower than the 90% rate the state is striving to achieve.  It is important that immunization records are viewed when children come for an office visit so that catch up vaccines can be provided.  You can always call the Health Department if you are unsure of what vaccination to give.  

Iowa County Health Department Staff:

June Meudt, Director

Ann Thompson, Public Health Nurse

Sue Steudel, Public Health Nurse

Kathy Key, Public Health Assistant

Kim Horst, Health Educator

Troy Moris, Environmental Health Consultant

www.iowacounty.org

935-2810