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Florida Health in Walton Celebrates National Public Health Week

By Patti Roberts

March 30, 2018

March 30, 2018

Florida Health in Walton Celebrates National Public Health Week

Contact:
Patti Roberts
Patricia.roberts@flhealth.gov
(850) 401-6353

DeFuniak Springs, Fla.—The Florida Department of Health in Walton is celebrating National Public Health Week (NPHW) from April 2-8. This year’s theme is “Changing Our Future Together,” which highlights the importance of engaging communities and partners in all sectors as public health workers strive to put health within everyone’s reach. This week is also a time to celebrate the contributions of the people who are dedicated to public health.

Currently, the U.S. spends more and gets less when it comes to health care and public health outcomes. This is the defining challenge of our generation,” states Holly Holt, Health Officer and Administrator of DOH-Walton. “This is a task that we, the public health community, are uniquely positioned to help overcome. That’s why, during National Public Health Week, DOH-Walton will be rallying along with the public health community across our Nation to change our future together.” “Working together we can build healthier communities and eventually the healthiest county” said Holt.

 

 Each day of NPHW focuses on a different public health topic that is critical to ensuring healthy communities. Public health workers in DOH-Walton are working to meet the specific needs of our community members guided by our Walton Community Health Improvement Plan (WCHIP). Our WCHIP has focused on strategies that address crucial health areas identified by NPHW such as: 1. Reduce Substance Abuse & Improve Mental Health, 2. Improve Healthy Behaviors and 3. Increase community awareness of Provider Availability and Access to Care.

 

Events and activities are planned throughout the week and month to raise awareness of public health topics of Behavioral Health, Communicable Diseases, Environmental Health, Injury and Violence Prevention and Ensuring the Right to Health.  For more information on the following list, call (850) 892-8015.

 

  • DOH-Walton/Walton Community Health Clinic is partnering with Drug Free America Foundation, Inc. to present the North Florida Regional Opioid Summit April 30-May 1, 2018 in Miramar Beach.
  • DOH-Walton is providing the classroom presentation, throughout the school year, “Draw the Line/Respect the Line” to teach students about pregnancy and communicable diseases and responding to peer pressure from friends in a healthy way.
  • DOH-Walton will host “Hello Baby” event April 24th between 9am – 12pm at the DeFuniak Springs location to help pregnant women and families with young children learn about services that are readily available.
  • In conjunction with Healthy Start Okaloosa-Walton, DOH Walton will host Childbirth Basics and Client Car Seat Safety class for all Healthy Start Clients, on April 9, 5pm to 7pm at the DeFuniak Springs location.
  • DOH-Walton conducts regularly scheduled saltwater beach water quality monitoring at seven sites through the Healthy Beaches Monitoring Program. Samples are collected from March through the end of October.

To learn how the department is celebrating each day of #NPHW, be sure to follow the department on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at @HealthyFla.

To learn more about NPHW and how you can get involved, visit http://www.nphw.org/

About the Florida Department of Health

The department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at @HealthyFla. For more information about the Florida Department of Health please visit www.FloridaHealth.gov.

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