What is public health?
It is the science of protecting and improving the health of families and communities through promoting healthy lifestyles, research for disease and injury prevention, and detection and control of infectious diseases.
Local Health departments play an important role in this process:
The local health department helps to protect and maintain conditions in communities that support healthier choices and healthier lifestyles (such as diet, exercise, and tobacco). They lead efforts that prevent and reduce effects of chronic conditions, such as diabetes and cancer. They detect and stop outbreaks of diseases like measles, tuberculosis, and foodborne illnesses. They protect children and adults from infectious diseases through immunizations. They also conduct programs that are shown to effectively make communities healthier. They help ensure clean drinking water, access to safe and healthy food. They enforce regulations that keep people safe (such as smoke free air laws, restaurant inspections, and water and sewage treatment). They track and investigate stopping diseases and other public health threats (foodborne illness, HIV/AIDS). They develop emergency plans and respond to disasters when they arise. They mobilize community partners to work together to address public health challenges. They inspect restaurants and vendors to ensure our food is safe. They inform the public about health problems that arise in the community so the community stays safe. The health department offers these and many other programs for the health promotion and safety of the community it serves.
For additional information and details on the services DCGHD provides please visit www.darkecountyhealth.org or stop by our offices at 300 Garst Avenue, Greenville Ohio 45331