National Public Health Week is a celebration of the contribution of public health to individual, family, and community well-being! How has public health helped you?
Did you know that civic engagement, emergency preparedness and climate all impact the health of our communities? Douglas County is one of the healthiest counties in the country, and for more than two years, the Douglas County Health Department has been your tailor-made local health department providing information so you can make healthy choices for you and your family.
Did you know Douglas County has over 300,00 registered voters? By taking actions to get more civically engaged, we exercise our right to make decisions about our communities. Learn more and check your voter registration at DouglasVotes.com.
We know that Douglas County has been named the healthiest county in the state for several years. But did you know investing in public health programs has significant returns? Each 10% increase in local public health spending contributes to a:
You help prioritize our investments. In addition to state-required core public health services, we’re focused on your priorities: disease prevention, injury prevention and mental and behavioral health. Get resources for you and your family, and learn more about the activities of the Health Department.
The conditions of our environment – both indoors and outdoors – impact our health in ways you likely don’t think about every day. We do!
While indoors, our environmental health team focuses on preventing foodborne illnesses in restaurants; preventing the spread of communicable diseases in childcare facilities, body art facilities, and water systems; and mitigating other environmental conditions that could be harmful to your health. Learn more about Environmental Health in Douglas County.
While outdoors, vector-borne and water-borne diseases can impact your health. In recent years, heavy rainfall has led to changes in the arthropods that carry vector-borne disease such as West Nile Virus, Lyme Disease, Rickettsiosis, Cache Valley Fever, and others. Protect yourself, loved ones, and pets by wearing long sleeves when spending time outdoors, avoiding leaving the trail when hiking, using EPA-approved bug repellent, and checking for ticks. Douglas County’s Communicable Disease Dashboard reports the incidence of vector-borne and other infectious diseases.
Advancements in health technologies can help us prevent illness and health emergencies. From wearable fitness bands to virtual doctors’ appointments, new technology has changed the way individuals and communities receive and respond to health information. Other tools, like warning systems for natural disasters or home COVID-19 testing kits, can help individuals stay connected and protected during emergencies. Through virtual Board of Health and Community Health Assessment meetings, Douglas County leadership can gather feedback and opinions, and listen to questions from the community.
If you are sexually active, getting screen for sexually transmitted infections helps protect you and your partner. As part of National Public Health week, Douglas County Health Department is hosting CONFIDENTIAL rapid sexually transmitted infection testing from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday, April 5, at 410 S. Wilcox St. in Castle Rock. Receive results in 20 minutes!
Did you know wildfires are the #1 natural hazard in Douglas County? Your health department works with the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and Office of Emergency Management to ensure the County is prepared for emergencies. Are you prepared? It involves planning, having supplies on hand (in a go-bag) and knowing how to stay safe during an emergency.
If you need help evacuating during an emergency, make sure you are signed up for the Douglas County Access and Functional Needs Registry.
Have you registered for CodeRED? CodeRED will alert you by phone, email, and text about emergencies in your area. It will also provide you with instructions on what to do to protect life and property.
Communities are at the heart of decision-making and actively shaping the health of our residents. Public health’s future is all about teaming up and centering community voices. Subscribe to be among the first to receive public health updates from your health department.
