DEPARTMENT: Public Health
FILE TYPE: Regular Action
TITLE
title
Proclamation Of Public Health Week In Dakota County April 1-7, 2024
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Proclaim the week of April 1-7, 2024, as Public Health Week in Dakota County.
SUMMARY
Pursuant to Minn. Stat. § 375A.04, the Dakota County Board of Commissioners is, and performs the duties and exercises the powers of, a community health board under Minn. Stat. Ch. 145A, and is required to govern and administer those functions as fully as other Dakota County functions, including the responsibility to prevent disease and to promote and protect the public health and safety of Dakota County residents.
In the first full week of April, individuals, families, organizations, and government agencies will celebrate National Public Health Week. The goal is to recognize and promote the vital work public health plays, along with the behavior of individuals and families, in creating a healthy community. This year the theme is “Protecting, Connecting and Thriving: We Are All Public Health.” Public Health is more than just health care. It’s the steps we take to make sure our neighborhoods and environment are free from pollution. It’s making sure our food and water are safe to eat and drink. It’s also relationships we foster in our communities. We are all interconnected. When we all come together to support public health, all of us - individuals, families, communities, and the public health field - can achieve the goals of public health.
OUTCOMES
The Dakota County Public Health Department works to create a healthy, thriving, and equitable community for all. We do this by collaborating to prevent disease, promote wellbeing, and protect health and the environment. In 2023:
• Our public health nurses, dieticians, and staff met with over 10,000 community members during pregnancy and after delivery to provide information on healthy physical, social, and emotional child development.
• Our public health department continued to work to control and prevent infectious diseases, like COVID-19 and flu. Over 2,500 vaccines were provided to community members at over 125 clinics.
• Our department launched a Community Health Workers team to assist individuals and families with health resources.
• Our Communities for a Lifetime team expanded our Fall Prevention Project to Burnsville, Eagan, and Inver Grove Heights fire departments to educate aging residents about fall prevention tips and resources.
• Our health promotion team leveraged over $874,000 in funds for active living and physical development infrastructure.
• Our opioid team provided naloxone training to over 170 people to increase access to overdose prevention resources and reduce stigma of substance use in our communities.
• Our environmental health team distributed over 700 radon test kits to community members to promote safe living conditions.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
To encourage residents to take action to promote their health, the health of their families, and health of their community, staff recommends the Dakota County Board of Commissioners recognizes Public Health Week in Dakota County, April 1-7, 2024.
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EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
None.
☒ None ☐ Current budget ☐ Other
☐ Amendment Requested ☐ New FTE(s) requested
RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, pursuant to Minn. Stat. § 375A.04, the Dakota County Board of Commissioners is, and performs the duties and exercises the powers of, a community health board under Minn. Stat. Ch. 145A, and is required to govern and administer those functions as fully as other Dakota County functions, including the responsibility to prevent disease and to promote and protect the public health and safety of Dakota County residents; and
WHEREAS, the week of April 1-7, 2024, is National Public Health Week, where the goal is to recognize and promote the vital work public health plays, along with the behavior of individuals and families, in creating a healthy community; and
WHEREAS, the 2024 theme is “Protecting, Connecting and Thriving: We Are All Public Health”; and
WHEREAS, public health is more than just health care, but also taking steps to make sure our neighborhoods and environment are free from pollution and making sure our food and water are safe to eat and drink; and
WHEREAS, public health is also relationships fostered in our communities, being aware that we are all interconnected and when we all come together to support public health, all of us - individuals, families, communities, and the public health field - can achieve the goals of public health; and
WHEREAS, preventing diseases before they start is critical to helping people live longer, healthier lives while managing health-related costs; and
WHEREAS, strong public health systems are critical for sustaining and improving community health.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby proclaims April 1-7, 2024, as Public Health Week in Dakota County, and encourages residents to take action to promote their health, the health of their families, and the health of their community.
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PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
None.
ATTACHMENTS
None.
BOARD GOALS
☒ A Great Place to Live ☐ A Healthy Environment
☐ A Successful Place for Business and Jobs ☐ Excellence in Public Service
CONTACT
Department Head: Coral Ripplinger
Author: Coral Ripplinger