HAMPTON ROADS— You may not think about it when you turn on your tap for a drink of water, sit down at a restaurant, or play at a local beach, but public health is there keeping you safe. During National Public Health Week (April 6-10), the Hampton and Peninsula Health Districts are sharing ways their staff work behind the scenes every day to protect the community.
Infectious disease prevention
- They say they work to prevent infectious diseases, including diseases such as measles, norovirus, and syphilis.
- To maintain your immunization records in our state registry. We provide back to school immunizations to non-insured K-12 Virginian students for free.
- They provide sexual health education and provide Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) to prevent HIV.
- To screen, test, and treat sexually transmitted infections.
- They provide peer recovery services, syringe exchange, and drug testing supplies to prevent overdose deaths.
Food, water and environmental protection
- They make sure places you live, work, dine, learn, and play are safe from health hazards!
- They provide food permits to those selling or distributing food.
- They complete restaurant and milk inspections to ensure that what you eat and drink is safe to consume.
- They inspect well and septic systems, spas, water parks, pools, and beach water so that thewater you use and play in is safe.
Population and community health promotion
- They host community listening sessions to identify our community’s top health needs, barriers, and strengths.
- They provide training in topics such as REVIVE! which teach you how to recognize and respond to an opioid overdose using Narcan.
- They provide birth, marriage, and death certificates.
- They offer health literacy education to community members and incarcerated populations.
- They provide breastfeeding and nutrition education for women and support healthy pregnancy outcomes for mom and baby.
- They provide maternal and child health services and teach classes such as car seat safety, safe sleep, and maternal mental health.
- They prepare communities and help residents stay safe in emergencies.
This is just a snapshot of everything the health department does every day to ensure our community’s health and safety. Much of this work happens behind the scenes, yet we all experience the benefits every day. The dedicated efforts of HPHD’s public health workforce make our communities safer and healthier.
Learn more about National Public Health Week at National Public Health Week (American Public Health Association).