Celebrating 30 Years Of Public Health In North Dakota

The North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services is celebrating the 30th anniversary of National Public Health Week, April 7–13, and in doing so, they are honoring public health professionals and the work that they do across the state.

The department says that by lowering the risk for infectious and chronic diseases, improving systems of care, strengthening population-based health to suit local needs, and therefore fostering public health readiness and response, the work of public health professionals helps healthy and vibrant communities.

HHS Interim Commissioner Dirk Wilke commented that "We are appreciative of the public health professionals on our team and to our local public health partners for the health and safety services, support, education, and outreach they provide to North Dakotans."

What does the state HHS Do?

HHS supports local community health in North Dakota in addition to helping to finance local public health units by means of state money.

Through health screenings for early identification and intervention, nutrition education and support, chronic disease prevention and treatment, routine wellness vaccinations, and injury prevention activities, public health staff and programs enhance community health.

Focusing on local community health objectives, public health experts also support oral health, conduct health and sanitation inspections, and seek to lower alcohol misuse, opiate overdoses, youth vaping, and usage of tobacco-related goods.

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Through the State Laboratory of the department, members of the HHS Public Health team also do laboratory testing, including biothreats and biosafety resources, water testing, microbiology testing, and testing connected with mosquito and tick monitoring programs