Public Health is everywhere-from safe drinking water to maternal and child health programs, bicycle safety, and everything in between. Public health is part of our communities and cultures, influencing health throughout the lifespan and general well-being. National Public Health Week (NPHW) is observed annually and is a chance to engage, collaborate, and celebrate public health. This year’s theme is “Centering and Celebrating Cultures in Health,” and celebrates the uniqueness and diversity of each community and its ability to be resilient in times of health uncertainty. The daily themes include:

-Monday, April 3: Community

-Tuesday, April 4: Violence Prevention

-Wednesday, April 5: Reproductive and Sexual Health

-Thursday, April 6: Mental Health

-Friday, April 7: Rural Health

-Saturday, April 8: Accessibility

–Sunday, April 9: Food and Nutrition

This year, we celebrate the unique ways that our local public health department serves our county and communities. Grundy County Public Health (GCPH) consists of Katie Thornton-Lang, Administrator, and Michelle VanDeest, Office Coordinator. The GCPH office is located in the Grundy County Annex building just south of the Grundy County Courthouse in Grundy Center.

GCPH participates in various local partnerships, such as the Grundy County Community Partners Group, the Grundy Center Wellness Committee, and the Northeast Iowa Area Agency on Aging (NEI3A) board. Through these collaborations, GCPH is well-connected with local organizations that provide services in Grundy County. Other local partnerships include the Grundy County Memorial Hospital, county medical clinics, and pharmacies. Through these connections, GCPH can assist with referrals and resources to help community members.

Mental health was identified as the number one priority for the county on the 2021 Grundy County Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA), and GCPH is collaborating with several organizations to address this. This includes partnerships with Black Hawk/Grundy Mental Health Center, local counseling services, and County Social Services to meet the community’s mental health needs.

You will often find Katie traveling to one of the schools in Grundy County to teach elementary and middle school students various programs. Programs include violence prevention, i.e., LifeSkills, Healthy Habit All-Stars, and health hygiene programs. GCPH hosts several social media platforms to educate on public health topics. The public health office offers a wide selection of health-related information and a health station in the restroom. Thank you for all the public health education you provide, Katie!

Other GCPH services include a household sharps disposal program in collaboration with other county departments, disease investigations, school, and licensed childcare vaccine audits, continued COVID-19 vaccination efforts, and maintaining an extensive community resource guide. Many of these initiatives would not be possible without grants, and many hours of grant reporting and tracking come with that. We thank Michelle for her diligent and detailed work with grant reporting!

The Grundy County Board of Health wishes to publicly acknowledge and thank Katie and Michelle for their hard work this past year and as we continue in the post-COVID-19 era. We celebrate all the unique ways that you serve your communities and county. Thank you for all you do and what you have accomplished this past year!