Public Health Preparedness, Health Education, Health Promotion, Epidemiology, Indoor Air Quality, Public Information & Medical
The mission of the ACHD Division of Public Health Preparedness, Health Education, Health Promotion, Epidemiology, Indoor Air Quality, Public Information and Ashland County Medical Reserve Corps (ACCMRC) Unit #1181 is to improve the quality of life for all individuals in Ashland County by visiting with individuals and groups, and using print, audio, and audio-visual technology to tell residents about the services the ACHD provides; effectively communicate the latest health education information; enable the ACHD to both weather a disaster and serve residents during a disaster; and respond to indoor air quality questions and complaints.
The objectives of the division are to:
- inform residents about the numerous health prevention and protection programs the ACHD nursing and environmental health divisions provide through the preparation of various media and presentations,
- improve health literacy through health screening, health fairs, and health education campaigns,
- provide mechanisms for health education and disaster preparedness information sharing with Ashland County residents through the ACHD website; ACHD Operations Center; and different print, radio and TV media,
- collaborate with Ashland County health technology and medical assisting instructors, students, the local chapters of Health Occupation Students of America and Leo Clubs to conduct various health education activities throughout Ashland County.
- bolster public health and local emergency response by recruiting collaborative paid and volunteer personnel to enable the ACHD to lower the impact of influenza on the community and train for public health response to different biological hazards,
- collaborate with Samaritan Regional Health System, the Ashland Service Unit of the Cleveland Chapter of the American Natl. Red Cross, the Ashland Salvation Army and the Ashland County Mental Health and Recovery Board in the promotion, recruitment and training of medical practitioners in medical disaster response with the ACMRC,
- provide community education on prevention, protection and recovery from different types of public health hazards and threats.
- participate in local Emergency Planning Committee and EMA efforts to reduce health risks prior to large public events in Ashland County, and
- conduct consultations and inspections in response to mold, lead, radon, asbestos, meth lab cleanup, the Ohio Smoke-Free Workplace Law and Rules and other indoor air quality complaints.
