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Hi there,
As summer starts to wind down, August becomes a whirlwind of activity at the Health Division! Our community outreach efforts are in full swing, and staff are busy preparing for back-to-school events.
One event that I am very excited to announce is our annual Health & Housing Summer Fest on Tuesday, Aug. 5 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at Normandy Oaks Park in Royal Oak. I hope you will join us! Enjoy food and fun activities for kids while connecting with free health, breastfeeding and housing resources. We are eager to share some of our wonderful community services and connect you to many of our partner agencies as well. You can find the most up-to-date information here. Check out the Oakland County blog weekly, which offers great information about other fun family events and seasonal health and safety guidance.
Our Environmental Health team has been busy making sure beaches are safe. The Beach Monitoring Program began on June 2 and runs for 10 weeks. The County monitors 100 beaches on 70 different lakes. Beaches are sampled at least weekly and tested for E. coli bacteria.
Don’t forget your back-to-school health checklist!
Public health is about more than just the services we offer. We are trusted advocates for health policy as well. Yesterday we convened some of our healthcare partners for an important discussion about the impact of changes to Medicaid eligibility. This meeting enhanced collaboration so together we can continue to help reach individuals in need. Ensuring healthcare access for all is a public health priority.
Lastly, watch as Leigh-Anne Stafford, our director of Health & Human Services, shares highlights from our 2024 Community Update. On behalf of our staff, we are beyond proud to showcase some of the work we do daily to improve public health. These are just a few glimpses of our successes and programs but there is so much more we do. Find out more at oakgov.com/health. Hopefully we will see you at an event in the next few weeks!
In peace and wellness,
Kate Guzmán, Health Officer, Oakland County Health Division
Senior Market Days supports healthier eating habits in older adults
Senior Market Day events begin this month! Oakland County’s Healthy Oakland Partnership (HOP) encourages Oakland County residents to participate in their annual Senior Market Day events. Residents 60 years and older will receive a $5 coupon to spend on produce at participating farmers’ markets. The coupons are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis and must be used during the event. Distribution ends 30 minutes before the market closes, and no registration is necessary.
Get connected to breastfeeding support services
August is National Breastfeeding Awareness Month, a time to celebrate the benefits of breastfeeding and promote lactation resources. Breast milk is the best source of nutrition for most babies. It also can help protect you and your baby against some short- and long-term illnesses. Learn more HERE.
We are hosting an event on Aug. 19 for professionals to help them support breastfeeding individuals. You must register here to receive the link to join if attending. We will also have a tent for breastfeeding support and resources at our Health & Housing Fest described above!
 Are you looking for breastfeeding support in Oakland County?
End the summer bug free!
As we near the end of summer, it is important to remember bees, ants, mosquitoes and ticks still love the warm weather. While it is not possible to completely avoid all contact with bugs, there are steps you can take to limit your exposure .
The best ways to keep bugs at bay is to:
- Wear insect repellent with the active ingredient DEET or picaridin.
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Avoid scented products. Choose a neutral-scented deodorant and skip the perfume and lotion as fragrances attract mosquitoes, bees and other bugs.
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Drain standing water. Mosquitoes like standing water so be sure to empty birdbaths, flowerpots and kiddie pools.
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Put on protective clothing. Wear long sleeves and pants, especially during yard work or in wooded areas where ticks are common.
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Don’t leave food uncovered outside. To keep bees away, cover any food that’ll be staying outside, and clean up dirty dishes ASAP.
Updated WIC income guidelines help more families qualify for nutritious food
As of June 1, the Women, Infants & Children (WIC) program broadened the income limits and more Oakland County families may now qualify for the program.
WIC provides benefits through the Michigan WIC EBT card to buy specific supplemental foods such as milk, yogurt, eggs, bread, whole wheat pasta, fresh fruit and vegetables and infant formula at certain grocery stores and pharmacies. The monthly food package can range from $70 to $250, depending on family size, life stage and food package selections.
Under the new guidelines, a family of four may now qualify with an annual gross income level of $59,478 ($28.59 per hour) or less. Families who receive Medicaid, SNAP benefits or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families already meet the income qualifications for WIC. Read the full press release HERE.
National Immunization Awareness Month
August is National Immunization Awareness Month when we raise awareness about the importance of vaccination for all ages, talk with healthcare providers, and stay up to date on vaccines. Vaccines help children’s immune systems grow strong to fight preventable diseases, like measles or polio, and keep them healthy so they can continue to play, learn and grow.
A Healthy People 2030 goal is to increase recommended vaccinations for adults, children, and pregnant women. Yet, as we head into back-to-school season and increased exposure to germs and virus, vaccination rates among Oakland County school-aged kids has been declining since 2015, especially among children who are on Medicaid insurance. This disparity is the result of factors such as limited access to providers who accept Medicaid insurance, fewer providers who participate in Vaccine for Children (VFC) due to administrative burden, and difficulty accessing providers who offer vaccines. Oakland County Health Division offers vaccines to anyone, regardless of insurance, and participates in the VFC program so cost is not a barrier. Appointments are not required.
We know the health of people you love is important. Some parents may feel unsure about giving vaccines to their children because of conflicting information available. iVaccinate and VaccintateYourFamily offers accurate information about vaccines for your family. If you know someone hesitant about vaccination for themselves or their children, VoicesForVaccines offers helpful tips to help you have a safe conversation with them, including validating their fears, asking open-ended questions, asking permission to share facts about vaccines, and most importantly, being patient.
Join our team!
There are some jobs open right now working for Oakland County. Health and Human Services is currently hiring Public Health Nurses, student positions and more! Visit www.oakgov.com/jobs to learn more about these positions and to apply.
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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