It is immunization clinics for parents with small children that have eliminated epidemics of rubella and scarlet fever. It is clean air and water programs, and a hundred other public health efforts, woven seamlessly into our lives that have lengthened life expectancy for us all, and much more. The prevention and protection services of public health programs often appear invisible but are essential to individuals and community health. Public health professionals at the national, state, and local level work together to create conditions that promote health and educate people about healthy lifestyles. The public health division organizes clinics for child and teen check-ups, childbirth education, home visits for new moms and their babies, and helps direct Communities Caring For Children.
Community education is also an important part.
Clinics and meetings are held for teaching CPR, stopping smoking, diabetes education, bike and helmet safety, farm safety, and health promotion, among other topics. CCNS Public health nurses provide services to our area's school children by conducting screenings to evaluate vision, hearing, and scoliosis, and by teaching health and sex education classes. Regularly scheduled clinics are also held in both the Gonvick and Bagley offices for blood pressure checks, immunizations and foot care. Because of CCNS and other organizations like it, Americans are getting healthier, according to new government statistics released in late 1997. In 1996, compared with 1995, significantly fewer patients died of AIDS, fewer teenagers gave birth, more women received prenatal care, and infant mortality dropped to an all-time low.