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Hi there,
The numbers are in, and our Health and Housing Summer Fest on Aug 5 was a resounding success! I want to take a moment to give sincere thanks to our Oakland County Health & Housing staff, partners and sponsors. The event offered a host of health screenings and back-to-school support.
What I witnessed most on this fun summer day was the power of community. Our staff chatting and dancing with residents, gracious excitement by families receiving a needed service or supply, and people helping people. This is public health in action! Here is a snapshot:
- More than 600 people attended
- Distributed 456 backpacks filled with supplies
- 101 vision screenings with 40 pairs of glasses provided on site.
- 50 hearing screenings
- 23 dental screenings
- Children were also treated to 20 fresh haircuts or styles and 70 manicures.
A handful of Immunizations and lead screenings were also provided, and families had the opportunity to enroll in ongoing programs including WIC, Nutrition and Nursing Home-Visiting, Children’s Special Health Care Services, Nutrition Services, the Nurturing Parenting Program, and the Nurse Family Partnership.
This month, Oakland County is encouraging local community organizations, agencies, and stakeholders to submit suggestions by Sept.19 that will help guide how we invest the county’s opioid settlement funds. Beginning in 2014, local and state governments, which incurred significant costs due to the opioid crisis filed lawsuits against pharmacies and pharmaceutical drug companies for their role in fueling the opioid crisis. In 2021, a nationwide settlement of approximately $26 billion was reached to resolve the opioid litigation. As a result of the settlement, Michigan and local governments will receive payments from these entities over the next two decades. Find more information below.
Lastly, I wish our many Oakland County families a great start to the new school year! I leave you with these great tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics that can help our students stay healthy and happy.
In peace and wellness,
Kate Guzmán, Health Officer, Oakland County Health Division
Working Together to Prevent Overdose, Support Recovery, and Honor Lives Lost
As we recognize National Recovery Month in September, Oakland County is committed to preventing overdose, supporting recovery, and strengthening the systems that promote health and well-being. These observances highlight the ongoing impact of substance use disorders and the importance of collective action.
As part of this commitment, the Oakland County Opioid Steering Committee is seeking input from community organizations, agencies, and stakeholders through a Request for Information (RFI) to help guide how to invest opioid settlement funds. The Committee is looking for information about community needs and potential solutions around four key priority areas: staffing and infrastructure, harm reduction, recovery services, and opioid use disorder prevention. Submissions will be accepted through Sept. 19.
Additionally, the County’s Overdose Fatality Review (OFR) Team, gathers public health, public safety, and community partners to review overdose deaths and identify ways to reduce future overdoses. The OFR team released its first annual report highlighting progress made in 2024, including steps that encouraged countywide declines in all overdose cases. The report details common barriers to recovery and new substance use risks, reinforcing the need for continued collaboration and responsive strategies. Findings from the OFR Team shape efforts that improve care, strengthen community support systems, and reduce preventable deaths.
Through efforts like the Overdose Fatality Review and the Opioid Settlement Request for Information, the County continues working with community partners to better understand local needs, address gaps, and invest in coordinated, compassionate strategies to ensure more people have access to the support they need. More information about drug overdose deaths in Oakland County is available on the Medical Examiner Dashboard. If you or a loved one need more information about substance use resources, visit the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.
Back to School? Protect yourself from respiratory illness!
The beginning of each school year brings the excitement of gathering with friends, teachers and teammates indoors and is also a season when certain illnesses begin to increase. It is common to get sick from respiratory viruses during the fall and winter. But there are actions you can take to protect yourself and others. Learn about COVID-19, flu and RSV, and how to prevent them and reduce your risk of getting seriously ill.
 Follow Oakland County Health Division on Facebook, X, and Instagram for the latest guidance on respiratory viruses and vaccine availability this fall.
Fight the bite - protect yourself from mosquitoes
On Aug.18, the first human case of West Nile Virus was confirmed in Oakland County in 2025. Most people who are infected with the virus have either no symptoms or experience a mild illness such as fever, headache, and body aches. However, in some individuals a more serious disease-causing brain inflammation or severe symptoms can develop if they do get sick.
Until the temperature is consistently below 50 degrees, it is important to protect yourself and your loved ones by following these instructions:
- Use Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) registered insect repellent.
- Get rid of mosquito breeding sites by removing standing water around your home.
- Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants.
- Limit outdoor activity from dusk to dawn when mosquitoes are most active.
- Cover holes in window and door screens. Do not prop open doors.
Join us for a suicide prevention community discussion
September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month—a time to raise awareness, promote hope, and normalize seeking help. Spend the day with us on Sept. 16 at Oakland Community Health Network for a community discussion. Learn about current mental health & suicide-related Michigan legislation, extreme risk protection order laws and the estimated impact on suicide prevention. Participate in safety planning activities and discussion. CEU’s, resources, breakfast, and lunch will be provided. For more information and to register for the event, click HERE.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call, text or chat 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
WIC grocery store tour expands to more locations
Our Oakland County Women Infants and Children (WIC) program began hosting grocery store tours in Southfield aimed at helping shoppers overcome obstacles when shopping for WIC foods. We have expanded to two other locations to assist our families in those areas: Meijer in Waterford and Kroger in Walled Lake.
If you are enrolled in WIC and need help identifying foods that are WIC-approved or want to learn more about eating healthy, join us! We walk through the store and help people shop for the nutritious foods WIC provides. We can even help troubleshoot any benefits issues if they arise. Check out our Shop with WIC guidebook that assists the shopping experience.
Tours are monthly, and any WIC client is welcome. Call 248-858-1272 for more information on grocery store tours or to see if you qualify for WIC.
Celebrating Hispanic Heritage
Hispanic Heritage Month runs from Sept. 15 through Oct. 15, marking when several Latin American countries declared independence. Metro Detroit has a strong Latino community both within Oakland County and Southwest Detroit. The Oakland County Health Division partners with community organizations, such as Centro Multicultural la Familia and La Casa Amiga, who provide culturally competent services to Hispanic and Spanish-speaking residents. To celebrate during the month, Oakland University is hosting a series of events honoring the contributions of Hispanic people in arts and culture. And the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) is offering several exhibits. One free month-long exhibit is called Ofrendas: Celebrating el Diá de Muertos.
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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