Hi there,
Welcome to summer! It’s finally time to enjoy all Oakland County has to offer outside. Before you head outdoors, Michigan residents are being urged to take precautions against mosquito bites as mosquitos recently collected in Saginaw County have tested positive for Jamestown Canyon virus (JCV). These are the first infected mosquitos in the state detected for 2024. Visit our website for more information about how to reduce the risk of mosquito borne disease.
Each June, we embrace PRIDE Month and Juneteeth. There is more information about the history and local celebration events below. In Public Health, we recognize the important intersection related to health disparities that impact both the LGBTQIA+ community and People of Color. Oakland County Health & Human Services is committed to equity and ensuring everyone has a fair opportunity to thrive. We recognize there are many factors that influence a person's well-being, including access to fair paying jobs, quality education, safe and affordable housing, safe environments, healthy foods, and health care. In addition to these factors, we recognize that racism and other forms of discrimination greatly impact a person's opportunities and health outcomes. Let us all continue to advocate for health equity! Learn more here.
Even though school is ending for many, it is not too soon to beat the rush and make sure your child meets their kindergarten health-related entry requirements for a smooth and successful start. We developed a Kindergarten Readiness guide to help you! Here's what Michigan law requires:
- A dental screening before or after the school year starts. Schedule an appointment with your child’s dentist, or if your child lives or attends school in Oakland County and doesn't have a dentist, reach out to us for a free screening.
- Hearing and Vision screenings are required for kindergarten entry by a health department technician, physician, or eye doctor. For residents of Oakland County, we offer free screenings.
- Certain vaccines are also necessary for school attendance. Vaccines can prevent or lessen the severity of some illnesses for your child and help protect the community. Need help or don’t have a health care provider? Immunizations are also available at our Health Division offices.
For more information about these services, call 1-800-848-5533. Together we can make sure that your child is prepared and protected for their exciting journey ahead.
In good health,
Leigh-Anne Stafford, Director, Health and Human Services
Keeping Beachgoers Safe in Oakland County
In Oakland County, it’s a common pastime to spend the summer out on a lake soaking up the sun. To make sure our lakes are safe for public use, we strive to conduct water collection and beach surveying at up to 100 beaches on many different lakes throughout Oakland County. Through our Beach Monitoring Program, beaches are sampled at least weekly and tested for E. coli bacteria.
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E. coli bacteria can cause:
- Stomach cramps
- Nausea
- Fever
- Skin issues
- Respiratory issues
- E. coli bacteria can also indicate the presence of other harmful organisms.
If a beach doesn’t meet the water quality standard, it will be closed until satisfactory samples are obtained. Sampling results can be found here. An advisory may be issued recommending beachgoers avoid swimming at that location until the results are confirmed. Beach advisories and closures are listed on our website.
Concerned homeowners who swim at private beaches are encouraged to conduct their own bacteria sampling. Sampling kits are $12 and are available at our Health Centers for Oakland County residents to test water located in Oakland County. Also, the area sampled needs to be a beach or intended for swimming.
Enjoy the Great Outdoors!
June is Great Outdoors Month, a month-long celebration of responsible, healthy outdoor recreation. There is no better time to enjoy the beautiful scenery Michigan has to offer! Being active outdoors is a great way to get in physical activity, reduce stress, and relax.
Here are a few ways you can enjoy the outdoors for FREE during the month of June:
Free Fishing Weekend on June 8 and 9
- All fishing license fees will be waived for two days. Michigan residents and out-of-state visitors may enjoy fishing on both inland and Great Lakes waters for all species of fish. All fishing regulations still apply. A Recreation Passport will NOT be required for entry into state parks and boating access sites during Free Fishing Weekends.
Free entry to National Parks on June 19
- All National Park Service sites that charge an entrance fee will offer free admission to everyone.
Free entry to Oakland County Parks on June 19
- Oakland County Parks Free Entry Days allows visitors to enjoy free daily park entry with access to trails, dog parks, playgrounds, fishing spots and beaches in honor of Juneteeth.
Know you HIV status
National HIV Testing Day (NHTD) is on June 27 each year. This is a day to encourage people to get tested for HIV, know their status, and get linked to care and treatment. Today, there are more HIV testing options available than ever before. Knowing your status empowers you to take steps to stay healthy, no matter the result.
Our HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Program offers free rapid HIV testing. An HIV self-test (or rapid self-test) is an antibody test that can be used at home or in a private location. Results are ready within 20 minutes. The HIV self-test can detect HIV at three months or later from time of infection, and has been shown to be 99% accurate, when used correctly.
If you test positive on the HIV self-test, you will need further testing for confirmation. Oakland County provides follow-up HIV testing at no cost. We can also help connect you to care no matter your insurance status or if you live out-of-county.
Anyone 18 years and older can order your free test today! If you have questions, you may call 248-424-7910 or email hivservices@oakgov.com.
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Celebrate Pride Month and Juneteenth in Oakland County
Pride Month
June marks Pride Month and commemorates the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan as the turning point for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered, and Queer (LGBTQ) civil rights. Pride is a celebration of generations of LGBTQIA+ people who have bravely fought to live openly and authentically.
LGBTQIA+ individuals experience more difficulty accessing and receiving culturally competent and relevant healthcare. More LGBTQIA+ people report living with chronic health conditions and/or disabilities compared to non-LGBTQIA+ persons (KFF, 2023). Having a trusted healthcare provider increases the likelihood that someone will continue to access healthcare to help manage health conditions and receive recommended preventative healthcare.
OCHD kicked off Pride month at Ferndale Pride on June 1 and staff will continue to be at Pride events all month, providing health information, vaccinations, and outreach about our services. We encourage you to celebrate Pride this month at one of the many events happening around Oakland County. No matter where you live, there is likely a celebration happening near you. Find one here.
Juneteenth
This month, we also honor Juneteenth, which commemorates June 19, 1865 when the Union Army freed the last remaining slaves in Confederate Texas. This day marks the historic and continued fight of Black and African American residents for racial equity. Oakland County will celebrate Juneteenth on June 12. This event is sponsored by the Oakland County Equity Council. This Council’s mission is to create a culture that respects diversity, equity and inclusion and ensures that Oakland County residents receive services in a culturally sensitive manner.
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.
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