Local Health Departments Promote Community Wellness Through Multi-Faceted Outreach
Sumner County and Kansas health departments are actively addressing community health needs through comprehensive education campaigns covering vaccination awareness, parenting support, smoking cessation and child safety.
The Sumner County Health Department recently promoted National Immunization Awareness Month in August with a "Check the Facts" campaign emphasizing three key points: vaccines are safe and effective at preventing diseases in all ages, even those who received recommended vaccines as children sometimes need multiple doses later in life to ensure effective protection, and residents should discuss with their primary care providers which vaccines are recommended for their age, health conditions, job or lifestyle.
Breastfeeding Support Expands
The WIC program is promoting breastfeeding support by emphasizing teamwork between parents. Their "Wednesday Tip of the week" campaign stresses that successful breastfeeding requires participation from both parents, with fathers and partners playing crucial roles as "coaches and cheerleaders" throughout the process.
The program provides resources on breastfeeding expectations and guidance for how both parents can participate in feeding goals, with additional information available through their online portal.
Tobacco-Free Initiatives Continue
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment is promoting smoking cessation through their KanQuit program, which offers free help to residents looking to quit tobacco use. The department emphasizes that tobacco-free homes save lives, particularly for children who grow up in smoke-free environments.
Child Safety Remains Priority
Health officials are also promoting child passenger safety through partnerships with the National Child Passenger Safety Board. Their recent "get click happy" campaign encourages proper car seat use, highlighting the satisfaction parents feel when they know their children are safely buckled in vehicles.
The multi-agency approach demonstrates how health departments are addressing various aspects of community wellness through targeted education and support programs.