Hi there,
Next week, we will celebrate National Public Health Week (NPHW), April 4-10. During the first full week of April each year, the American Public Health Association brings together communities across the United States to recognize the contributions of public health and highlight issues that are important to improving our nation's health. More than ever, I look forward to showcasing how local public health departments help make communities healthier, stronger and safer!
The fantastic work of our staff and programs goes well beyond the recent shadow of our pandemic response. Everyday stories of public health services are often overlooked because they are often invisible to the public. But public health is where you are:
- Residents avoid illness because a restaurant inspection prevented it.
- A child’s school performance is improved because our vision screening identified a difficulty early on.
- An individual with special health care needs is connected to financial assistance and coordinated care through a home visiting public health nurse. And these are just a few examples of what the Health Division does for Oakland County residents.
Join us this week as we highlight the work of our public health staff in various programs. You can view some of those highlights by following @publichealthOC on Facebook and Twitter. We will also be featured next week on the Oakland County blog, so check it out!
To all the Health Division’s staff and partners, I extend sincere appreciation for all you do to ensure Oakland County has one of the strongest public health systems in the state. Your dedication and the tremendous resilience that has been demonstrated over the last two years is amazing. Thank you for all you do.
In good health,
Leigh-Anne Stafford, Director, Health and Human Services
Spring into good health!
As we approach the warmer months and our days get longer, this is a great opportunity to take control of your health. Use these tips to spring into good health!
- Move more. Check out your local parks and trails for an inexpensive way to get more exercise!
- Add more fruits and veggies to your diet. Make half of your plate fruits and vegetables. Try visiting your local farmer’s market for fresh seasonal foods!
- Avoid tobacco. Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW for free support to quit smoking.
- Drink more water. Choose water over sugary drinks. Add berries, cucumber, lime, or lemon to add a little flavor.
- Get enough sleep. Adults need at least seven hours of sleep each night. Try to keep the room dark, quiet, a comfortable temperature, and remove electronic devices from your room to help improve sleep.
- Learn your health history. If you have a family health history of a chronic disease like cancer, heart disease, or diabetes, you are more likely to get that disease yourself. Share this with your doctor, who can help you take steps to prevent disease and catch it early if it develops.
How to avoid tick bites
Tick exposure can occur year-round, but ticks are most active during warmer months (April - September). There are more than 20 known tick species in Michigan, and several types are known to bite people and pets. Ticks can be carriers of bacteria, viruses or parasites. Not all ticks carry diseases, but tick-related diseases such as Lyme disease do occur in Michigan and can be serious if not properly diagnosed and treated.
How can I prevent tick bites?
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Know where to expect ticks. Ticks live in grassy, brushy, or wooded areas, or even on animals. Avoid wooded and brushy areas with high grass and leaf litter. Walk in the center of trails.
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Use Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) registered insect repellents containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (OLE), para-menthane-diol (PMD) or 2-undecanone. Always follow product instructions. Do not use products containing OLE or PMD on children under 3 years old. Treat clothing and gear with products containing 0.5% permethrin, but do not use permethrin on skin.
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Check your body for ticks after being outdoors. Conduct a full body check upon return from potentially tick-infested areas, including your own backyard.
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Check your clothing, gear, and pets for ticks. Ticks can ride into the home on clothing and pets, then attach to a person later, so carefully examine pets, coats, and daypacks.
Visit our Tick information page to learn more, including what to do if a tick is attached to your skin.
COVID-19 vaccines continue to protect against hospitalization and death among adults
Following recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Oakland County Health Division is offering second COVID-19 booster shots for residents who are at least 50 years old and individuals 12 years and older with weakened immune systems who received a booster dose at least 4 months ago.
Appointments are available and walk-ins are accepted at community clinics and at the Health Division’s Pontiac office, 1200 North Telegraph Rd, Bldg. 34E, and the Southfield office, 27725 Greenfield Rd. Visit www.OaklandCountyVaccine.com or contact Nurse on Call at 800-848-5533 to make an appointment.
COVID-19 vaccination continues to help protect adults against severe illness with COVID-19, including hospitalizations and death, according to two reports released in the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR).
The MMWR provided the following information:
Everyone 5 years and older should continue to stay up-to-date on their COVID-19 vaccinations including booster doses when eligible.
Health Division COVID-19 vaccination sites & info
Check out our Get Vaccinated page for information about upcoming COVID vaccination sites and who is eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine and booster. Appointments are recommended and can be made online or by calling our Nurse on Call hotline at 1-800-848-5533 (Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.).
Visit the state’s COVID-19 vaccine dashboard and the Oakland County Vaccine Hub for updated vaccination data.
Oakgov.com/health is the best place to receive the latest information. Add, update, or opt out of Health Division email or text communications by clicking here.
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