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Welcome to the June edition of Health Link, where we are celebrating all the work being done in our community to create a healthier, more equitable future for all of Steele County!
Health equity is the idea that everyone deserves a fair and just opportunity to be as healthy as possible. To make this happen, we need to continuously work on fixing past and present injustices, increasing access to quality healthcare services for all people, and addressing the inequalities that lead to differences in health outcomes for certain populations.
These differences in health outcomes between populations are called health disparities. Health disparities often affect individuals from underrepresented groups such as low-income families, people of color, people with disabilities, older adults, pregnant women, those struggling with addiction, residents living in rural areas, LGBTQ+ individuals, immigrants, refugees, and people who speak languages other than English.
In this month's newsletter, you'll read about some of the many services, organizations, and events that promote health equity by addressing health disparities in Steele County. To learn more about how one community organization is addressing health disparities, click the button below to watch the latest Health Talk episode! This month, our health educator interviews Daisey Sanchez, Associate Director of HealthFinders Collaborative.
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Nasal Naloxone (NARCAN®) Now Available at SCPH!
It's been just over a year since Steele County Public Health became a Naloxone Access Point (NAP), a place where community members can obtain free overdose response kits.
Now, Steele County Public Health has secured additional resources to make it easier to save a life! This month, the Minnesota Department of Health approved a standing order for SCPH that allows us to distribute nasal naloxone kits which contain two doses of NARCAN®, a nasal spray that can save a life in minutes by reversing an opioid overdose.
We will still offer intramuscular naloxone kits, provided by Steve Rummler HOPE Network, which contain personal protective equipment, fentanyl test strips, three syringes, and three doses of naloxone. To receive a free naloxone kit and other substance use prevention resources, stop by Steele County Public Health at 635 Florence Avenue in Owatonna.
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We would also like to take this opportunity to highlight our Sharps Disposal Box, which is located outside of the Steele County Annex Building (635 Florence Avenue).
This disposal box allows the public to dispose of “sharps,” which include needles, syringes, lancets, autoinjectors, and infusion sets.
Please note that this box is meant only for sharps disposal - not medication. To safely dispose of expired or unwanted medications, please use one of the Steele County "Take It to the Box" locations: Steele County Law Enforcement Center (204 E Pearl St) or Blooming Prairie City Hall (138 Hwy Ave S).
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Alliance for Greater Equity (AGE) was created when two similarly focused organizations came together to broaden the work of creating an inclusive community. Cultural Diversity Network was hard at work for over 20 years in Owatonna with a goal of enriching the community's cultural understanding through celebratory events. This group hosted both Culturfest and Brewfest for many years, instilling a long tradition of celebrating diversity in the area. Better Together came about more recently in 2019 in an effort to advance dialogue around who we are as a community and how we can be better when all parts of our community are brought together.
The two groups officially merged to create AGE, a nonprofit community organization with the goal of creating change. We do this by bringing awareness and education to the community and creating opportunities and events where everyone in the Owatonna area feels welcome and safe. AGE's four pillars of work include Celebration, Education, Advocacy, and Integration. We have hosted everything from book clubs, community dialogue sessions, and formal DEI trainings to creation of the annual Juneteenth Community Celebration, scholarship awards, and representing more diverse perspectives across community initiatives.
To learn more about AGE's community events, sign-up for their newsletter, or donate to the organization, visit their website at www.AllianceForGreaterEquity.org, their Facebook page, or their Instagram (@AllianceForGreaterEquity).
To contact Alliance for Greater Equity, please fill out this form: Alliance for Greater Equity Contact Form or send an email to admin@allianceforgreaterequity.org.
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Rainbowatonna is a local nonprofit organization whose purpose is to celebrate, empower, educate, advocate for, and connect its lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) members and allies, and the surrounding community while focusing on topics of interest related to the health & well-being, personal growth, leadership development, and political awareness of issues relating to the LGBTQ+ community.
Rainbowatonna hosts several events throughout the year including a Friends and Family Game Day each February, Pride in the Park each July, and three blood drives each Feburary, June, and October. Their next blood drive is taking place this Friday, June 14th, from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM, at Associated Church in Owatonna. Those wishing to donate can register at RedCrossBlood.org and enter "Rainbowatonna" to schedule an appointment.
In addition to these community events, Rainbowatonna is a local sponsor of the Owatonna High School Gender & Sexuality Alliance (GSA), as well as the Waseca High School GSA. Each April and November, they host gatherings for these groups. This past April, the groups enjoyed an event with bowling, laser tag, pizza, and pop sponsored by Rainbowatonna!
If you would like to learn more about Rainbowatonna's events and fundraisers, subscribe to their email list, or donate to the organization, visit their website at www.Rainbowatonna.org, their Facebook page, or their Instagram (@Rainbow.507).
To contact the Rainbowatonna team, please fill out this form: Rainbowatonna: Contact Us or send an email to rainbowatonna@gmail.com.
Logo design by Skye DeVoe (window image) and Lauren Evenhard (Rainbowatonna text).
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Alliance for Greater Equity is hosting a Juneteenth Celebration on Saturday, June 22nd, from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM, at Dartts Park in Owatonna.
The event will feature live music by Johnny Brown & Friends, free food, a bounce house, face painting, cotton candy, free food (while supplies last), and family activities!
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Rainbowatonna's Annual Pride in the Park is held the 2nd Saturday in July each year. Owatonna's 3rd Annual Pride in the Park will be held on Saturday, July 13th, from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM at Dartts Park in Owatonna.
"Small Town, Big Rainbows" is this year's theme for Pride in the Park which will feature 5 musical groups and 28 vendors from our local community and Southern Minnesota. The family-friendly event will also include lots of activities for all ages!
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Extreme summer heat is increasing in the United States. In Minnesota, extreme heat events in are already occurring and are expected to become more common, more severe, and longer lasting as our climate changes.
Too much heat can be harmful to your health. Hot weather is associated with an increase in heat-related illnesses, such as heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke, which can lead to death. Specifically, death rates are noted to rise during and after heat waves.
Anyone can be at risk to the health effects of heat, but some are more vulnerable, including pregnant people, people with heart or lung conditions, young children, older adults, athletes, and outdoor workers.
To stay safe during extreme heat events, make sure to stay hydrated and cool throughout the day, stay informed by listening to weather forecasts, and stay inside when a heat wave occurs.
For more resources, visit the Minnesota Department of Health's Extreme Health Events website and Extreme Health Tips Sheets in English; Español; and Soomaali.
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Assistant Commissioner Sarabia Visits SCPH!
Last month, Steele County Public Health was thrilled to host Maria Sarabia, Assistant Commissioner of the Health Improvement Bureau at the Minnesota Department of Health!
Assistant Commissioner Sarabia met with our local public health staff to discuss the unique public health priorities and challenges in our community. We had a great conversation about how our department works to meet our community's health needs through our family health programs, home care services, waiver programs, and community health initiatives.
One exciting update we shared is that our mobile unit will be ready by the end of June! This means that we'll soon be able to expand our services like immunization clinics and WIC appointments, making them more accessible to everyone in the county.
We also shared our goal to hire two bilingual Community Health Workers (CHWs) to support our family health and community outreach efforts. We're excited to announce that we welcomed two new CHWs this week, one who is fluent in Somali and one who is fluent in Spanish. This addition to our team ensures that we can effectively serve both the Somali and Spanish-speaking communities in Steele County!
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Steele County Public Health (SCPH) is dedicated to preventing disease, promoting wellness, and protecting the health of Steele County residents through a variety of services such as family health programs, immunization clinics, and home health care. SCPH also provides resources for radon and water testing, health education, and emergency preparedness to realize its vision of Healthy People in Healthy Communities. |
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