April 4-10 is National Public Health Week! This means we’re celebrating all the efforts that go into keeping our community healthy. Everyday activities like eating at a restaurant, going swimming, or attending school are safe because of public health measures. If you’re not sure how much public health impacts you, keep reading to see how many ways you’ve been protected by Spokane Regional Health District’s (SRHD) public health programs.

SRHD’s Community Health Division ensures access to health resources that people in our community might need. WIC and Nurse-Family-Partnership programs help parents who are pregnant or have young children through case management, health screenings, access to nutritious food, and other supportive services. This division also includes HIV case management and prevention, help for children with special needs, and the Breast, Cervical, and Colon Health Program that connects people to resources needed for cancer screenings. There are also programs that help encourage healthy behaviors such as eating healthy, building resilience in children, and preventing tobacco, vaping, and marijuana use. Ensuring we approach all community needs equitably and address disproportionate health issues and inequitable access to healthcare is the Health Equity program, where a team of community health workers engage with the many diverse populations that are part of the Spokane region.

SRHD’s Administration Division includes the vital records department that supplies birth and death certificates for the county. Also included in this division is the Emergency Preparedness and Response program that works with the REDi Healthcare Coalition to prepare our region for emergencies.

Our Environmental Public Health Division covers food safety by issuing food worker cards and offering food establishment inspections and permits. They facilitate the food advisory committee and help educate the community about food safety. This division also inspects private wells, solid waste facilities, on-site sewage, pools, schools, and works on pollution prevention in the region. In addition, they work to prevent diseases from being passed from animals and insects to humans.

Treatment Services manages our medication assisted treatment program for opiate addiction where clients can receive comprehensive medical and behavioral health treatment. Our tuberculosis program also falls within this division since we not only help with prevention and contact tracing, but with treatment services as well.

SRHD’s Disease Prevention and Response Division is where a lot of work has happened to respond to the pandemic. The investigation and prevention program has epidemiologists who are working to control COVID-19 and other communicable disease outbreaks. It also includes STD Prevention, education, and a syringe exchange. As part of this division, SRHD staff work to increase immunization rates for all vaccine preventable illnesses throughout the community. Two groups that work with all programs in this division and throughout the organization are the data center, a regional leader in community health assessments, and the homeless outreach program that works to improve the health of individuals in the homeless community.

As you can see, public health can be found in almost every area of our community! SRHD has so many programs filled with people who are passionate about our community's health, and we're proud to recognize them during National Public Health Week. We hope this blog gave you better insight into what happens here at the Health District and how it might impact your everyday life, because we’re always working towards a healthier tomorrow!