Dear Lake County Resident:

National Men’s Health Week, one of my favorite health observances, is June 15 to the 21, the week leading up to and including Father’s Day. The purpose of this observance is to heighten the awareness of preventable health problems and encourage early detection and treatment of disease among men and boys.

In recognition of this week, the Health Department has coordinated a free event at the Waukegan Community Church, 1016 Grand Avenue in Waukegan on Saturday, June 20, from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.  Health Department Dietitian Demetrius Willis will discuss the daily steps men can take to be healthier and stronger.  

If you have been overlooking your health or want some advice, this is a great time to learn simple tips that can help you improve your health and stay healthy for many years to come. If you plan to attend this event, please R.S.V.P. to:  lpiotrowski@lakecountyil.gov. Bring your family members as well.

For this Father’s Day, give yourself the gift of good health. Your family will thank you for it.

Sincerely,

Tony Beltran
Executive Director
Lake County Health Department/Community Health Center

The Health Department, the Lake County Stands Against Stigma Coalition and other community partners are holding an outdoor health and resource fair in observance of HIV Testing Day. The event will take place on Saturday, June 27, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., on the front lawn of the Belvidere Medical Building, 2400 Belvidere Rd., Waukegan (near the corner of Belvidere Road and Keller Avenue). In addition to free health and community resources, the event will include free food, children's activities, free testing for HIV (for people 13 and older) and hepatitis C testing (for people 18 and older). A finger stick is used for the HIV and hepatitis C tests. Results are available within 20 minutes. For more information, call (847) 377-8450.

Take a few minutes to learn about avoiding mosquitoes, how to check the inspection report for your favorite restaurant and see the planting of the new outdoor garden areas at Women's Residential Services in Vernon Hills.

This is a great time of year to find locally grown vegetables and fruits by visiting one of the farmers markets located near your home. Click here to see a locator map for the markets. If you need some ideas for food preparation, take a look at this healthy recipe page where you can find many choices including Grilled Vegetables and Fire and Ice Melon Salad.

Are you heading to a beach in Lake County this summer? You may want to make sure it is safe for swimming. Check our web page for swim bans at inland beaches and the beaches we monitor along Lake Michigan. Click here to watch a video about how swim bans are determined. The Health Department is also sending information about Lake Michigan swim bans to the Great Lakes Commission, which created a free phone application called myBeachCast available at http://glin.net/beachcast/.

The Health Department's Animal Care and Control Program is offering low-cost pet vaccination clinics as convenient and affordable ways for Lake County residents to keep their pets up to date with shots and rabies tags. Click here for the schedule.

Thanks to the Lincolnshire Garden Club, women overcoming addiction at the Health Department's Women's Residential Services program are growing flowers and vegetables in gardens that support their own personal goals. Click here to watch a quick clip about the effort.