Community Health

Chronic disease prevention is a public health priority identified in the Community Health Assessment and Public Health Improvement Plan. The Douglas County Health Department is committed to the prevention of chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer and diabetes. Chronic disease leads to a reduction in both quality of life and lifespan. However, many chronic diseases can be prevented through lifestyle modifications including maintaining a healthy diet, staying physically active, avoiding tobacco, limiting alcohol consumption, and effectively managing stress.

Diabetes Prevention
Adams County Health Department is providing Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES) and National Diabetes Prevention Program (NDPP) classes at no cost to Colorado residents. Visit the Adams County website for more information about upcoming classes. You may also contact the program directly:

Email: [email protected]
Diabetes Education Program: 720.266.2971
Program Coordinator Keri Howard, RDN, CDCES: [email protected]
NDPP Lifestyle Coach Alayna O’Hair: [email protected]

The Title V Maternal and Child Health Program (MCH) is a national program that supports local public health agencies to improve the health and well-being of families through prevention and early intervention strategies.

Douglas County Health Department has prioritized promoting social emotional wellbeing in Douglas County by ensuring children, youth, and families have the resources and supports needed to build individual and community resilience.

The health department commissioned a community scan to identify existing resources, gaps, and barriers to accessing resources. This scan informs our strategy to support families with children and youth with special healthcare needs. Read the Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs: Landscape Scan to learn about successes and opportunities in Douglas County.

DCHD is collaborating with Douglas County Human Services, Douglas County Mental Health Initiative, and the Douglas County Early Childhood Council to support:

• Douglas County’s Child Maltreatment Prevention Plan
• Maternal Mental Health
• Early Childhood System Initiatives

We are convening focus group and stakeholder meetings in 2023 and would love your voice! If you are a community partner, hospital, family, or individual who is interested in providing feedback into this work, please email [email protected].

The Douglas County Health Department supports healthy pregnancies. Learn about cannabis (marijuana) use during pregnancy.

Help is just a phone call or text away! Expecting and new parents who feel overwhelmed or are experiencing depression and anxiety, as well as their loved ones, should reach out to the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262) by call or text for support and resources. Help is just a phone call or text away.

Nurse Family Partnership (NFP) is a voluntary, community health home visitation program for women who are expecting their first baby. The program supports mothers of any age in having a healthy pregnancy and provides education needed for successful parenting.

The Arapahoe County Public Health Department began supporting Douglas County residents who are part of the Nurse Family Partnership in January 2023. You may contact their program directly:

Website: https://www.arapahoegov.com/2307/Nurse-Family-Partnership
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 303-795-HLTH (4584)
Address: Altura Plaza, 15400 E. 14th Place, Suite 115, Aurora, CO 80011

Did you know, 9 out of 10 people who abuse or are addicted to nicotine, alcohol, or other drugs began using before they were 18 years old? Those individuals who began substances before 15 years of age are seven times more likely to develop an addiction.

Substance use is the harmful or hazardous use of psychoactive substances, including illicit drugs, and misused prescription drugs. It also includes binge drinking.

Binge drinking is having five or more drinks on one occasion (for males) and four or more drinks on one occasion (females) within the past 30 days.

Did you know that in Douglas County, 15.8% of adults report binge drinking in the past 30 days and 13.5% of high school students had 5 or more drinks within a couple of hours on one or more days in the last 30 days?

It’s okay to ask for help!
No matter your age or your struggle, help is available. Find a treatment facility near you at FindTreatment.gov or call 800-662-HELP (4357). This national helpline is free, confidential, and available 24/7.

If you are struggling with opioid addiction (heroin or pain relievers), you can:

• Find providers that offer buprenorphine for opioid addictions
• Find opioid treatment programs in Colorado

Additional resources for substance use are available:

• Colorado’s Forward Together campaign offers substance use resources for youth.
• Find a treatment facility near you at FindTreatment.gov or call 800-662-HELP (4357), a free, confidential, 24/7 national helpline.

Learn more about fentanyl, opioid overdose, and naloxone.

Naloxone is a medication used to reverse the effects of opioids. It is used to prevent death in individuals experiencing opioid overdose. Request Naloxone and Fentanyl test strips from the Douglas County Health Department.

Douglas County in 2020:

• One in 10 adults (18 years and older) in Douglas County reported that their mental health was not good for 14 or more days during the previous 30 days.
• The percentage of high school students who felt so sad or hopeless that they stopped doing usual activities almost every day for two or more consecutive weeks during the last 12 months was 30.9%.
• Mental health-related issues were the leading cause of hospitalization (2,389.7 per 100,000).
• Deaths by suicide were more common than alcohol-induced deaths in the County.

Read more on our Suicide Awareness Page.

If you are a tobacco user who is ready to quit, there are several resources you can utilize:

• Baby & Me – Tobacco Free – Smoking cessation program for pregnant and postpartum women.
• Colorado Quitline – Free coaching and support for users of any age. Call 1-800-QUITNOW for more information.
• My Life My Quit – Free smoking and vaping resources specifically for youth. Text “Start My Quit” to 36072 to chat with a coach.
• Tobacco Free CO – Online resource for individuals who are thinking about quitting, ready to quit, or want to support someone who is trying to quit.

Douglas County has established its own WIC program to support residents in Douglas and Elbert Counties. Please see our WIC Page for more information.

Douglas County Health Department is partnering with STRIDE Community Health Center (CHC) to provide confidential reproductive and sexual health services. Services include:

• Annual Exams
• Birth Control
• Cervical Cancer Screening
• Clinical Breast Exams
• Long Active Reversible Contraceptive (LARC) Insertion/Removal
• Pregnancy Testing
• Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI), HIV, and Hepatitis C Testing

Douglas County residents may call 720-643-2403 to schedule an appointment at STRIDE CHC – Parker (17866 Cottonwood Drive, Parker 80134). Public and private insurance plans are accepted, and a sliding fee scale is available for individuals without insurance. Please let the scheduler know that you were referred by the Douglas County Health Department. You may also email [email protected] for additional assistance.

Pregnancy Testing
You may also access free pregnancy testing from the following partner organization:

• Alternatives Pregnancy Center
  23 Inverness Way East, Suite 101b
  Englewood, CO 80112

Please call 303-295-2288 in advance to schedule an appointment or use this online form to request an appointment. Alternatives Pregnancy Center also offers free limited pregnancy ultrasounds to confirm pregnancy, check fetal heartbeat, and determine due date.

The Douglas County Health Department is committed to providing person-centered, comprehensive care that supports overall health and wellbeing to its aging residents. The care continuum begins with outreach and education to support healthy aging.

The care continuum also includes primary medical care that addresses acute and chronic health conditions, medication management, and mentation and mobility assessments. Douglas County residents may call 720-643-2403 to schedule an appointment with a geriatrician at STRIDE CHC – Parker (17866 Cottonwood Drive, Parker 80134). Public and private insurance plans are accepted, and a sliding fee scale is available for individuals without insurance. Please let the scheduler know that you were referred by Douglas County Health Department. You may also email [email protected] for additional assistance.

Douglas County Health Department is providing fall prevention and mental wellness education to individuals, groups, and organizations through its Community Health Educators and in partnerships with Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Community Resource team and South Metro Fire Rescue. If you or your organization are interested in scheduling a presentation, please reach out to [email protected].

Douglas County Health Department is partnering with STRIDE Community Health Center to provide all commonly recognized child and adult vaccines and boosters, including flu and COVID-19 vaccines. Douglas County residents may call 720-643-2403 to schedule an appointment at STRIDE CHC – Parker (17866 Cottonwood Drive, Parker 80134). Public and private insurance plans are accepted, and a sliding fee scale is available for individuals without insurance. Please let the scheduler know that you were referred by Douglas County Health Department. You may also email [email protected] for additional assistance.

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) has an interactive map where you can search for local providers in any county that may provide free or low-cost vaccines. Please call ahead to confirm whether there are any costs for vaccinations. Use the map to search for providers for child vaccines, adult vaccines, and flu shots.

What vaccines do I need?
The CDC’s Child and Adolescent Vaccine Assessment Tool provides a list of vaccines your child or teen may need based on your answers to 7 simple questions. You can also refer to the immunization schedules below:

• For Children 0 – 6 years
• For Children 7 – 18 years
• For Adults

Where can I get travel vaccines in Douglas County?
The following organizations may be able to assist with travel vaccine needs:

• AFC Urgent Care Clinic
• King Soopers
• Passport Health
• Walgreens

STI Testing

In Douglas County, the rates of chlamydia and gonorrhea infection are increasing. Routine testing for STIs and testing if you believe you may have an STI are available for free at the following locations:

• Alternatives Pregnancy Center
  23 Inverness Way East, Suite 101b
  Englewood, CO 80112

Please call 303-295-2288 in advance to schedule an appointment or use this online form to request an appointment. Services are available to women, and men may be seen for treatment if their partner was diagnosed at Alternatives Pregnancy Center.

Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment offers a free at-home test for Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, HIV, Syphilis, and Hepatitis C. Visit their website to order a free test and complete and return within 30 days. Solicite una prueba the VIH en el hogar.

Stride CHC-Parker (17866 Cottonwood Drive, Parker 80134) is providing STI testing. Douglas County residents may call 720-643-2403 to schedule an appointment for STI testing. Public and private insurance plans are accepted, and a sliding fee scale is available for individuals without insurance. Please let the scheduler know that you were referred by Douglas County Health Department. You may also email [email protected] for additional assistance.

Douglas County Health Department will also offer rapid HIV and Hep C testing and STI testing in non-clinical settings. If your organization would like to schedule a testing event, please email [email protected].