Friday, August 4

Hi there,

We always welcome August as an opportunity to recognize two public health priorities as it is both National Immunization Awareness and National Breastfeeding Month. 

Let’s start with immunizations! Making sure that you and your family are current on your vaccinations is the best shot against serious illness throughout life.  Staying up-to-date helps prevent disease, outbreaks and keeps our whole community safe.  If you are a parent or guardian, take your child before school starts for the immunizations they need. We want to make it easier for you by offering extended hours at our Pontiac and Southfield offices:

• Pontiac: Aug. 15 & 17 (4-7pm) and Aug. 19 (9am-5pm)
• Southfield: Aug. 14 & 16 (4-7pm)

Appointments are available and walk-ins welcome.  If these dates don’t work for you, we also provide immunizations for all ages Monday 8:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. and Tuesday - Friday 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. A parent or legal guardian must be present with a minor.

It is also National Breastfeeding Month. Each year, we celebrate all our human milk feeding families and everyone who supports them.  We have a variety of services that provide optimal support and information about giving infants a great nutritional start including WIC, home-visiting and nutritionists.  We also have IBCLC’s (International Board-Certified Lactation Consultants), Certified Lactation Counselors and Peer Counselors on staff to assist participants of these programs. Reach out to us at 1-800-848-5533 to learn more.  Please also join our Bridging the Breastfeeding Gap virtual discussion on Aug. 21, for more information below.

I’ll leave you with a request to be kind to one another. Kindness has been shown to increase self-esteem, empathy and compassion and improve mood.  It can control blood pressure and stress levels.  Kind people tend to be healthier and live longer. Visit this resource and discover new ways to Be Kind to Humankind Aug. 25-31!

In good health,

Leigh-Anne Stafford, Director, Health and Human Services

Start the school year off right: Back-to-school health checklist!

Summer is winding down and the new school year is approaching. Make sure your child has a safe and healthy school year by checking these items off your to-do list!

• Stay up to date on routine vaccines. Immunization is the best way to protect your family and community against serious vaccine-preventable diseases, such as measles, mumps and rubella. Vaccines are safe and effective and have played a significant role in preventing the spread of life-threatening diseases in our communities for decades. Follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended immunization schedule. Immunizations are available at our North & South offices for all ages. We welcome appointments and walk-ins.
  
  
• Make sure your child is in attendance on hearing and vision screening days. Hearing and vision screenings are required by Michigan Law (Public Health Code 368 of 1978) and the Health Division provides this service annually in most Oakland County schools at no cost. Screenings help identify vision and hearing difficulties that can affect a child’s school performance, speech and language skills and social development. OCHD Public Health Technicians do not diagnose any conditions but can make parents/guardians aware if a child may need further follow-up from a doctor. Vision screening occurs in pre-school, 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th, and 9th grades. Hearing screening occurs in pre-school, kindergarten, 2nd, and 4th grades. Your child’s school will notify you about scheduled screening dates. Please ensure your student is in attendance on screening days. For more information: visit www.oakgov.com/health, call OCHD’s Hearing and Vision program at 248-424-7070, or contact your child’s school.
  
  
• Schedule a dental screening before your child starts kindergarten. Did you know we offer Kindergarten dental screening for children who live or learn in Oakland County? A new law was passed in Michigan recommending students entering kindergarten have a dental screening before or shortly after their first school year begins. Dental cavities are a common childhood disease. Dental cavities are the most common chronic childhood disease.  Cavities can cause pain and lead to infections in other parts of the body.  Tooth pain can make eating difficult causing children to not get adequate nutrition.  It can also affect speaking, playing, sleeping, going to school, or paying attention in class.  Dental screenings help identify problems and assist families in finding available resources.  Call today to schedule a dental screening for your child! Call 1.800.848.5533 to schedule an appointment or schedule an appointment online.

Join our virtual Bridging the Breastfeeding Gap event Aug. 21

August is National Breastfeeding Month! This year’s theme, “This is Our Why”, focuses on the babies and families who need breastfeeding support.

Join us at our free Bridging the Breastfeeding Gap event as we work to protect, promote, and support breastfeeding. The event will be held virtually on Monday, Aug. 21 at 10 a.m. and will feature a panel discussion about breastfeeding community support and resources.  Speakers include a doula and childbirth educators, International Board-Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLC'S), WIC breastfeeding peer counselor, and a mental health specialist. To receive the event link, please register.

Stop the spread of germs at summer fairs and festivals

As summer continues and Labor Day quickly approaches, thousands of Michiganders will attend fairs and festivals right here in Oakland County. Don’t miss out on all the rides, games, animals, and food by getting sick! Wash your hands throughout your visit to stay healthy and prevent the spread of germs.

Find hand washing stations at fairs/festivals. Hand washing with soap and running water for at least 20 seconds is best. If unavailable, use an alcohol-based hand sanitize that contains at least 60% alcohol.

Always wash your hands after:

• Petting animals, touching the animal enclosure, and exiting animal areas – even if you did not touch an animal.
• Using the restroom.
• Playing a game or going on a ride.
• Changing diapers.
• Removing soiled clothes or shoes.

Also wash your hands before eating and drinking and preparing food or drinks.

Last chance to take our community health survey!

Don’t miss your last chance to take our community health survey. This survey is one of many ways that we collect resident input. The survey is available online and will close Aug. 31st.

Community members 18 years of age or older are asked to share their thoughts on topics ranging from access to medical care and support services to how concerned they are about various health issues within their community. Surveys are available in English, Arabic, Chinese, and Spanish.  Survey results help to prioritize and respond to important health concerns in Oakland County.

For more information visit www.oakgov.com/echo or email echo@oakgov.com.

Michigan supports healthy school meals for all

In 2021, more than 17,000 children in Oakland County didn’t have consistent access to affordable and nutritious food (food insecurity).  Food insecurity doesn’t impact all people equally. People living below the poverty line, single-parent households, and Black and Hispanic households are more likely to experience food insecurity due to lack of affordable, safe, and nutritious foods. Universal school meals are an effective way to address food insecurity and ensure that all children have the nutrition they need to be successful in school. This 2023-24 school year, Michigan students can enjoy a nutritious breakfast and lunch, with no barriers or cost to participate, due to new state funding with “Healthy Meals for All.” Read the full press release HERE.  

During the pandemic, school districts received waivers to provide meals to all students at no cost. Participating districts reported that these waivers increased overall school meal participation and reduced administrative burden and school meal debt.  States across the country responded by maintaining universal meal programs, including Michigan.  Studies demonstrate that universal school meals programs reduce food insecurity for participating children, decrease program stigma, address enrollment barriers for families and foster positive educational and health outcomes. 

More Health Division info

Check out our webpage page for information about our services and various health topics. You can also call our Nurse on Call hotline at 1-800-848-5533 (Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.).

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.