Public Health

Why can't the Health Department just warn people about smoke? To the Sun: In last Monday's newspaper, there was an article by Amy LaCount of the Clark County Health Department titled "Q& A: Smoke-free regulation. " Enough is enough! This debate has gone on so long I am sick of hearing or reading anything about it. But I need to put in my two cents. The second question in the Q&A asks: What does public health currently regulate? Answer: "Just a few current public health regulations are ensuring safe drinking water, proper sewage treatment and health codes such as serving food at the proper temperature, proper food storage, washing of hands and wearing hair nets.

Although Thursday's debate appeared laid back and friendly, city commission candidates were still hit with meaty questions submitted by the audience, some they found hard to answer in the one-minute time limit. Incumbents Terry Crowley, Janet Hamner, Kevin Caudill and Gail Louis were joined on stage by new candidates Jeff Peek, Robert Griffin, Jamey Gay, James Cline and William Weyman. Hamner and Louis are both on their second year of their first term, and Caudill is in the middle of his second term.

Wednesday is going to be a very important day for the Clark County Health Department and Clark County. Two important events will take place on that day. The first will occur in Frankfort at 11 a.m. when Gov. Steve Beshear will sign a proclamation declaring April 20 to 26 as Public Health Week in Kentucky. The second important event that day will occur at 5:30 p.m. when the first lady Jane Beshear will formally dedicate the Winchester Traveling Trail, located at the corner of Colby Road and the bypass.

Cora Heffner, second from right, top photo, makes a point during a forum on public health Thursday at the Clark County Extension Office. Listening are, from left, small group facilitator Cara Palmer, Judy Crowe, back to camera; Shawna Thomerson and Len Midden.

Members of the Clark County community will put their heads together Thursday in an all-day effort to assess the public health infrastructure available to local residents. "Public health is not just the health department by any means," said Kristian Wagner, health education coordinator for the Clark County Health Department. "It's really the whole health community, and any organization that has anything to do with the health of the public. " Forum participants will use a question-based tool, devised by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to analyze the availability of 10 essential public health services in Clark County.

The Clark County Health Department is hosting a community wide assessment of the public health system in Clark County. This is exciting news for our community because this assessment will help improve public health services in our area. The assessment is part of the National Public Health Performance Standards Program (NPHPSP) developed by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and is designed to help local health systems to evaluate its strengths and opportunities for growth.

The Kentucky Department for Public Health (DPH) and the Kentucky Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Task Force are teaming up to address two of the most serious health concerns in the commonwealth ? heart disease and stroke. Beginning later this month, DPH and the task force will host a series of regional meetings where members of the public can voice their concerns and ideas about preventing heart disease and implementing a statewide action plan. "Heart disease and stroke affect thousands of Kentuckians and pose a major public health problem," said Dr. William Hacker, acting undersecretary for health and DPH commissioner.

The Lincoln County Medical Reserve Corps unit leader has selected March 31 as the day for the first organizational meeting and is seeking volunteers to join the unit. The Lincoln MRC unit is eager to contact anone who is willing to donate their time and expertise in helping the community prepare for and respond to emergencies. The organization was founded after President Bush's 2002 State of the Union Address, in which he asked all Americans to volunteer in support of their country.

The Lincoln County Medical Reserve Corps unit leader has selected March 31 as the day for the first organizational meeting and is seeking volunteers to join the unit. The Lincoln MRC unit is eager to contact anyone who is willing to donate their time and expertise in helping the community prepare for and respond to emergencies. The organization was founded after President Bush's 2002 State of the Union Address, in which he asked all Americans to volunteer in support of their country.

Dear Editor, Just a few additional words about public health in response to a recent letter to the editor: I feel privileged, not repressed, to live where I don't have to worry about some basics, like disease-free food, water and clean air. I'm glad my children aren't contracting polio, dying of cholera or E. coli from contaminated food or water, thanks to the public health system. These ordinances have not created tyranny, but protect us from things which still cause suffering to many worldwide.