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Warm Greetings,
Happy New Year to all our residents! I hope this holiday season continues to bring you and your family peace, joy, and good health. The start of a new year is a fresh chance to focus on your wellbeing, and I encourage you to set realistic goals, prioritizing self-care and social connections as we begin 2026.
As we move into winter, we are seeing increasing cases of vaccine preventable diseases. You likely have seen headlines about varicella (chicken pox), pertussis (whooping cough) and flu cases increasing in the U.S. Respiratory illnesses always spike during winter months, but this year is already trending higher than previous years. It’s not too late this season to get vaccinated! On Dec 15, OCHD confirmed a pediatric measles case. This is Oakland County’s second measles case in 2025, which was linked to domestic travel. Before traveling for vacation, holidays or attending public events, confirm you are fully vaccinated against measles with two doses of the vaccine.
I encourage immunization to protect yourself and your family, while contributing to the community wide protection that covers infants and our neighbors with medical conditions that cannot be vaccinated. Oakland County supports the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Chief Medical Executive Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian’s decision to align with the American Academy of Pediatrics’ (AAP) and the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) evidence-based immunization schedules. Our Oakland Connects Helpline (1-800-848-5533) is staffed by experienced public health nurses trained to answer questions about vaccines if you need more info.
While the days will slowly get longer from here, our temperatures continue to drop. Remember that during severe weather events, Oakland County shares information about warming centers. Updated information is posted here when available.
I’m looking forward to another year of service to Oakland County; growing partnerships and improving programs that support the wellbeing of all residents. One of my New Year’s resolutions is to connect more with community members—please reach out to say hello!
Kate Guzmán, Health Officer, Oakland County Health Division
Test your home for Radon - Free test kits available
Protect your health by testing your home for radon during National Radon Action Month in January. Radon test kits for homes are free for Oakland County residents at Health Division offices in Pontiac and Southfield, Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Elevated radon levels have been found in all 83 Michigan counties, and one-in-four Michigan homes have high levels of radon. It is the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers and the second leading cause of lung cancer overall. Radon is a naturally occurring, invisible, odorless gas that is usually harmless outdoors. The only way to know if your home has high radon levels is to test. The gas can get into homes through small cracks in the foundation and can accumulate, becoming a health hazard.
Test your home for radon every two years during the winter months, since windows and doors typically remain closed during cooler temperatures, allowing radon gas to collect inside and be more easily detected. If high levels of radon are found, contact our Environmental Health Services at 248-858-1312 in Pontiac or 248-424-7191 in Southfield, for more information about radon mitigation.
Avoiding falls in cold weather
1 in 4 older adults fall every year in the United States. Falls are the leading cause of both fatal and nonfatal injuries for people aged 65 years and over. To help reduce the risk of falls in icy and snowy weather, it’s important to ensure that surfaces are as dry and safe as possible.
- Keep outside walkways clear of snow and ice with an ice melt product or sand.
- Avoid shoveling snow yourself when possible. In addition to the risk of falling, there is a risk of heart attack for older adults while shoveling snow.
- Use railings to help avoid slipping on icy stairs and walkways.
- Wear non skid, rubber-soled, low-heeled footwear.
- If possible, stay inside when the weather is bad.
For fall prevention resources, please reach out to our Oakland Connects hotline at 1-800-848-5533, or visit our Fall Prevention webpage.
Give puffy coats the boot
While it’s extremely important to protect your little ones from the elements, it’s equally important to make sure they are properly secured in the right car seat for their age and size with a properly fitted harness.
Avoid strapping your infant or toddler into a car seat while they’re wearing a puffy coat or snow suit. It creates extra distance between the straps and your baby, making the car seat less safe. Dress your baby in light layers, strap them snugly, then cover the car seat with a blanket or coat.
Follow us on Facebook, X, and Instagram for more child passenger safety tips!
Social Determinants of Health Awareness Month
Oakland County Health Division and Michigan Department of Health & Human Services acknowledge January as Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) Awareness Month. The Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) are the environments where people are born, live, learn, work, play, worship, and age that affect a wide range of health, functioning, and quality-of-life outcomes and risks.
From housing stability and food security to employment and community safety, SDOH shapes individual and community well-being. Let’s take this month to deepen our understanding of the social, economic, and environmental factors that impact our community’s health. Below are programs in Oakland County that are striving to make a positive impact on Oakland County residents’ lives.
Join our team!
There are some jobs open right now working for Oakland County. Health and Human Services is currently hiring Public Health Nurses 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 us 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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