April 6-12 marks National Public Health Week, a time to recognize the many efforts from public health workers to protect local communities.
While health care providers typically care for individual patients, most public health workers care for the health of our entire community.
- Communicable Disease Nurses help individuals who may have been exposed to an infectious disease like measles in order to stop the spread.
- Environmental Health specialists check local restaurants to make sure the food is prepared safely.
- Health educators work with populations on how to manage health conditions like diabetes.
“Much of what influences our health happens outside of the doctor’s office,” said Shane Sanderson, Linn County Public Health Manager. “Public health departments are responsible for monitoring health threats in the community and taking action to reduce the risks of those threats.”
Sanderson noted that in the past year, 70% of adults in Linn County visited a health care provider for a routine checkup.
“Unfortunately, we have a lower number of providers per capita in our area and it can take longer to get the care you need,” Sanderson added. “That means taking care of the overall health of our community is more important than ever.”
Public Health workers take action to protect people from getting sick or hurt. Last year, Public Health conducted more than 1,000 investigations to limit the impact of communicable disease in Linn County.
Strong public health services strengthen economic well-being in our community as well.
Thanks to the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program, $2,230,930 is spent locally by participants to support our community. This includes serving a third of all pregnant women in Linn County.
The Farm Direct Nutrition Program provides families with nutritious food and education on how to select and prepare fresh produce. Through WIC’s Farm Direct Nutrition Program, $26,196 was paid directly to local farms.
Ultimately, public health is your health. Where we live, work and play influence individual health and the overall health of our communities as much as personal hygiene, good nutrition and exercise.
Public Health supports the strength and resilience of Linn County by offering services, tools, and information. We work alongside families, neighbors, and local partners to prevent illness and promote well-being. Together, we build a foundation where every resident has the chance to thrive.
Linn County Public Health is located at 1050 7th Ave. SW in Albany.
Environmental Health can be found at 315 4th Ave. SW, second floor. Offices are open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m.-noon and 1 to 5 p.m.
Other locations include Lebanon and Sweet Home, by appointment only. Lebanon clinic: 1600 South Main Street, call (541) 451-5932. Sweet Home clinic, 799 Long St., call (541) 367-3888
Need vaccinations for school?
Call to get up to date on your child’s immunizations.
Services available include childhood/school immunizations, sexually transmitted disease (STD) testing and assessment and testing for Latent (asymptomatic) Tuberculosis due to possible exposure or for school/work requirements.
Linn County’s Health Services Hub has Certified Health Care Workers and OHP assisters who can work with you to navigate a wide variety of resources, wrap around services, and assistance with treatment if interested.
Also housed at the LCHS Hub are the Maternal Child Health and WIC programs. These programs and departments provide a continuum of services that support personal health and well-being with a focus on pregnant women and families with young children, including home visits.
For more information, or to make an appointment, call (541) 967-3888. Find out more about services by visiting www.linncountyhealth.org.