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What does Madison County Public Health do?

The Madison Press - 4/4/2017

Health District, Health Department, or Public Health. Whatever name you use, have you ever wondered exactly what your Health Department does for you — even if you have never been inside the building?

If you did ask someone on the street what the Health Department does, they would probably say “inspect restaurants” or “give flu shots.” These are both critical public health jobs, but it only scratches the surface of what they do every day.

Madison County Public Health (MCPH) protects and improves community well-being by preventing disease, illness and injury and impacting social, economic and environmental factors fundamental to excellent health. The first week of April is National Public Health Week. Here are some of the things that Madison County Public Health does beyond restaurant inspections and flu shots:

• Track and investigate health problems and hazards in the community. MCPH gathers and analyzes data on the community’s health to determine risks and problems. This information drives specific programs and activities designed to control multiple threats: both communicable and chronic diseases; food, water, insect and other “vector-borne” outbreaks; biological, chemical and radiological hazards; and public health disasters.

• Prepare for and respond to public health emergencies. As a result of extensive and ongoing preparation, MCPH can respond quickly and effectively to disease outbreaks and other public health events. MCPH staff are trained to respond to increases in the incidence of diseases, natural disasters, and acts of terrorism. They keep the public informed and can serve as the information hub for community hospitals, physicians, and other health care providers.

• Develop, apply and enforce policies, laws and regulations that improve health and ensure safety. Acting on their knowledge about their community, MCPH creates data-driven policies to meet health needs and address emerging issues. They help craft sound health policies by providing expertise to local, state and federal decision makers. LHDs also inform individuals and organizations about public health laws while monitoring and enforcing compliance.

• Lead efforts to mobilize communities around important health issues. With local and state government agencies, businesses, schools, and the media, MCPH helps to lead locally organized health promotion and disease prevention campaigns and projects. MCPH also educates and encourages people to lead healthy lives through community forums; public workshops and presentations; and public service announcements.

• Achieve excellence in public health practice through a trained workforce, evaluation, and evidence-based programs. LHDs recruit and develop skilled workers with expertise in core public health competencies. They ensure that public health workers update their knowledge and skills through continuing education, training and leadership development activities. They regularly evaluate the effectiveness of all programs and activities using evidence-based standards and strive to adapt successful interventions from other communities.