Promoting Health Where You Live, Learn, Work and Play

During the week of April 1- April 7, 2024, we celebrate National Public Health Week. Jackson County Public Health has been serving this community for over 50 years, dating back to February 1971 when Verna Larson RN, was hired at Jackson County’s first county nurse. This was after Jackson County was identified as the last county in Wisconsin not to have local health department.

Since 1971, we’ve expanded from a one nurse operation to a thriving health department that offers services to all residents of Jackson County. What hasn’t changed during the last 50+ years is a desire to serve our community and improve the health of all of our residents.

Public health works to promote and protect the health of people and the communities in which they live, learn, work, and play. While doctors treat people when they are already sick, public health tries to prevent people from getting sick in the first place. There are many facets of public health, a few of which include vaccinations to help prevent the spread of disease, education on the risks of tobacco use, ensuring restaurants are clean, and more.

Let’s look more specifically at the services Jackson County Public Health provides. Jackson County Public Health’s mission is to promote healthy environments for Jackson County through prevention, education, preparedness, and partnerships.

Starting with the youngest members of our community, children and their families. Public Health aims to support families through the Birth to Three program, which provides early intervention for infants and toddlers with development delays and disabilities. WIC, a nutrition program for Women, Infants, and Children, provides nutrition programming and healthy foods to eligible families to help children get a healthy start in life. Public Health also offers car seat safety checks and childhood immunization clinics.

Public Health also works to ensure we are safe from environmental hazards through the licensing and inspection of nearly 250 restaurants, hotels, campgrounds, vending machine operations, and public swimming pools in Jackson County. Public Health tests the water of over 80 public facilities that use well water in Jackson County including churches, campgrounds, restaurants, and parks. Jackson County Public Health also offers testing and/or resources for private well water, radon, lead, mold, and mildew.

As a member of many community partnerships, Jackson County Public Health works with others to make a greater impact in Jackson County. For example, through the Together for Jackson County Kids coalition, efforts are taking place to reduce the use of tobacco products, alcohol, and drugs among our youth, as well as providing mental health education. The Jackson in Action coalition provides nutrition education and physical activity programming throughout the year for residents of all ages and abilities. The Jackson County Resiliency Alliance aims to empower individuals to make positive life choices by fostering social connection and resiliency. We are also actively address housing instability and homelessness in Jackson County through the Jackson County Homeless Coalition.

During 2024, Jackson County Public Health will continue to focus on improving the health outcomes for all of our residents through our Community Health Improvement Plan. Our four priority areas for 2023-2027 include (1) Increase community support and access resources for residents, (2) Reduce the rate of suicide and self-harm, (3) Increase access to healthcare services, and (4) Decrease the number of individuals in Jackson County experiencing homelessness.

Learn more about Jackson County Public Health at www.JCPublicHealthWI.org, or find us on Facebook.

Jackson County: Healthy People, Strong Community