OUR COUNTY
D. GARY DAVIS
COUNTY MAYOR
Commit to Improving your Health during Public Health Week
April 5th through 11th is National Public Health Week and I join with the Bradley County Health Department in urging everyone in the community to make a commitment to improving health.
The focus of this annual public health initiative is on preventing disease rather than treatment, and giving the public the ability to make informed health choices through information and education. State and local health departments always make up the front line of defense in these efforts.
The Bradley County Health Department under the direction of Eloise Waters provides a great service to this community. She and her staff do an outstanding job of identifying and assessing community health needs, strategic health planning and developing preventive health programs. The Department’s efforts to ensure good public health can be seen during seasonal outbreaks of the flu and other communicable diseases.
During Public Health Week, the Health Department is offering free Tdap and Varicella vaccine to current sixth grade students to meet new immunization requirements. Their immunization and health screening programs are in place to not only protect the public’s health but also help ease any concern we may have about the spread of disease and sickness in Bradley County. Their numerous programs, from Well Baby Exams to TB skin testing are there for our benefit.
The Bradley County Health Council is facilitated by Joyce Clem, Community Health Council Coordinator with the County Health Department. The Council is made up of several health agencies, social service agencies, business, education and other groups which work together on projects to improve the health of the community. Some of the issues they are addressing this year include teen pregnancy, risky behavior in teens, and educating young people about good nutrition. If you are interested in joining this group, please feel free to contact Joyce Clem at 423-634-5825...
In the past, the Council has promoted exercise programs, advocated for stronger restrictions on smoking, worked on Remote Area Medical clinics, and numerous other projects. They are currently assisting with mock DUIs at the 3 high schools in the county.
To learn more about the services offered by the Bradley County Health Department or make an appointment, you can visit their office at 201 Dooley Street or call them at (423) 728-7020. You can also visit the State Health Department’s web site at http://health.state.tn.us.
The work of guaranteeing good public health includes many elements, from mosquito control to restaurant inspections. But there is also an individual component. Health is wealth, and taking the time to invest in exercise and proper diet is like putting money in the bank. No government or public agency can do those things for us. Each individual must shoulder that responsibility.
Public health affects all of our families and is crucial to our quality of life. As Mayor, I am grateful for the efforts of the Bradley County Health Department and join them in celebrating Public Health Week.