Chautauqua County Health Department staff members are pictured.

The Chautauqua County Health Department is celebrating National Public Health Week by highlighting the work it does in the community.

“Our individual and public health is undoubtedly related to community engagement. Connecting with neighbors and being an active part of one’s community breads a deeper sense of responsibility, understanding, and desire for equitability, inclusivity, and responsiveness to the needs of those around us,” said Lacey Wilson, Chautauqua County public health director. “We truly are better and stronger together – ‘a cord of three strands is not easily broken.’ Our personal health outcomes improve relative to our social engagement, and we help those around us thrive when we make positive choices for ourselves and our communities.”

The Chautauqua County Health Department is tasked with facilitating a countywide health system that ensures coverage of six core service areas, which include: chronic disease prevention, emergency preparedness and response, family health, infectious disease surveillance, community and environmental health. Work is divided by into two central divisions: community health and environmental health, as well as ensuring a system of communication and outreach.

Initiatives include:

CIVIC ENGAGEMENT

The Health Department is working with the Chautauqua County Department of Planning and Economic Development to provide technical assistance to municipalities with an outcome to increase and improve green spaces throughout the county. The goal is to ensure all residents have safe and equitable access to utilize the area’s natural and built outdoor resources. Soon, residents will have an opportunity to let their voices be heard by participating in a survey about these resources and how access to them within our towns and villages can be improved. The survey will be available on the Health Department’s website HealthyCHQ.com and on Facebook @healthyCHQ.

SUBSTANCE ABUSE

The Chautauqua County Health Department works to mitigate and prevent addiction and substance misuse, leading to improved outcomes for individuals directly affected by addiction and a focused dismantling of the local illicit drug market, as well as improving the safety of neighborhoods. Working with partners across the county, the department plans and organizes work groups and initiatives to prevent overdose, support treatment and recovery, and encourage prevention, as well as raise awareness of the dangers of drug use. To learn more about Chautauqua County’s ongoing efforts to combat drug addiction, visit combataddictionchq.com, a website that provides support and resources to those struggling with substance use disorder.

NEW TOOLS

The department is developing a new communications and outreach division to improve dialogue and find ways to share public health information with the community. The new division will continue efforts to engage county residents to provide credible and fact-based public health information to help prevent disease, promote wellness and protect community health.

REPRODUCTIVE AND SEXUAL HEALTH

The Health Department partners with The Chautauqua Center in providing reproductive services including contraception, pregnancy testing, education, counseling, STD/STI testing and treatment, HIV testing and HPV vaccination services. These services are available for individuals of reproductive age, regardless of sexual orientation/preference, ability to pay, or race.

EMERGENCY AND

ENVIRONMENTAL

PREPAREDNESS

From preparing for extreme weather events like wildfires and water availability amidst drought conditions, the Emergency Preparedness team implements a continuous planning strategy for proper response during disasters that may occur in Chautauqua County. Their team maintains communication with other community agencies who work together to respond in efficient ways that reduce the impact of such disasters. Emergency Preparedness staff work constantly to improve their procedures and response efforts, so that in the event of an emergency, they are ready to take the action needed.

FUTURE OF PUBLIC HEALTH

In addition to the six core areas the county Health Department coordinates, it also serves as a health access “safety net” to fill gaps in services available in the county.