Public health isn't just about immunizations and illness, Callaway County Public Health Department Director Sharon Lynch said. It's about everything that affects a community's well-being and access to health care, from employment to housing to waste disposal.
This week is National Public Health Week, and each day the Callaway County Health Department will have information about a different important public health issue.
"We can't fix it all, but we can work on it," Lynch said.
Tuesday's topic was communicable diseases. Aside from the obvious - flu, for example - Callaway County has issues with hepatitis C and various sexually transmitted diseases, she said. To combat that, the health department provides testing for HIV and syphilis, free condoms, and referrals to physicians and clinics that can perform more in-depth testing.
Lynch said she thinks Monday's topic, behavioral health, might be among the most important for the county.
"Mental health issues are huge right now," she said.
During the last community health assessment, a countywide survey that identifies major health concerns, mental health and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease came out on top. The health department has been working with the Callaway Resource Network to increase resources for mothers with postpartum depression, one facet of mental health.
However, due to limited funding, the last community health assessment in Callaway County was in 2013.
That is, until now. The health department is participating in an assessment along with four other nearby counties, and Lynch is excited to have fresh data to use. Results will be available this summer.
"We can use that data when we're applying for grants," she said. "It helps us focus on the community's real needs without spreading ourselves too thin."
Organizers of the assessment will have a community discussion meeting 9-10:30 a.m. April 12 at the health department, 4950 County Road 304.
"It's to get direct input from the community," Lynch said.
Also coming up is the Mommy and Baby Fair from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. April 14 at 54 Country, 400 Gaylord Drive in Fulton.
Lynch said she loves working in public health because public health initiatives save and improve lives.
"Before we had immunization programs, hundreds of thousands of children died from preventable diseases," she said.
However, she pointed out, many public health programs don't show immediate and obvious results, especially those targeted at changing public practices.
"You have to work towards the future," she said. "We're all really optimistic people."