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Taylor County Health Department
Patricia Krug, Director
Location & Mailing Address:
224 South Second Street
Medford, WI 54451
Phone: 715.748.1410
Fax: 715.748.1417
Contact Us via Email [Click Here]
Links:
Healthy People - Taylor County
Outdoor Wood Units (OWU) Policy
*Office is located on the Ground Floor of the Courthouse.
Our agency is the local public health department.
The information below is a brief description of services offered and handled by the Taylor County Health Department. For detailed information, please click the bolded topic at the top of each paragraph.
Annual Report:
The 2009 Annual Report of Taylor County Health Department provides a snapshot of the many ways in which our department touches the lives of Taylor County residents each and every day and provides an answer to many who ask us "What does Public Health do?"
Community Health Plan:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines healthy communities as "A community that is continuously creating and improving those physical and social environments and expanding those community resources that enable people to mutually support each other in performing all the functions of life and in developing to their maximum potential.”
This plan is a result of the collaboration of community partners to create a tool for community organizations, local government, businesses, and citizens to take action to create a “Healthier Taylor County” for everyone who lives in our community.
An online brochure is available by [ clicking here ].
Wisconsin County Health Page [ click here ].
Taylor County Snapsnot [ click here ].
Beach Conditions:
Safety and bacteriological quality of the water at the area beaches are checked frequently throughout the summer season by the Environmental Health Specialist for Taylor County. When the concentration of fecal coliform in the water sample collected exceeds acceptable standards, the beach is posted with either a "Warning" or it is "Closed." Information available related to Blue-Green Algae.
Disease Control Program:
Taylor County Health Department provides confidential consultation and follow-up for surveillance and control of specific infectious diseases, including vector-borne diseases, vaccine preventable diseases, sexually transmitted infections, food and waterborne illnesses and pandemic influenza.
Environmental Health Program (EH):
This program covers human health hazards, inspection and monitoring of county beaches, mercury fish advisories, mold and general environmental health.
Food, Lodging and Recreation License & Inspection:
Taylor County Health Department is an agent with the Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services and the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection to license and inspect food, lodging and recreational establishments operating in Taylor County.
Health Check Program:
The HealthCheck Program is an annual preventive health check-up program for anyone under the age of eighteen who is currently eligible for Wisconsin Medicaid or BadgerCare Plus Services.
Immunization Program:
Routine health care should include immunizations whether they come from your personal health care provider or from your local health department. Taylor County offers both child & adult vaccinations.
Jail Health:
Taylor County Health Department provides onsite nursing services at the Taylor County Jail, Monday through Friday.
Lead Poisoning Prevention Program:
Lead is one of the most serious environmental hazards faced by young children, especially those between 6 months and 6 years of age. Many lead hazards still exist in homes and the environment, including paint, folk remedies, plumbing, glazed ceramics, vinyl mini-blinds, chalk, candlewicks and others. These hazards are commonly present during painting and remodeling of pre-1978 housing. When exposed to lead, children do not show obvious signs of illness unless the amount of lead in their body becomes very high. However, low levels of lead may cause delays in mental and physical development. While these delays may not be visible when the child is young, they may dramatically affect the child's future.
Maternal & Child Health Program:
This program offers breastfeeding information and assistance, child passenger car seat checks, cribs for kids, newborn postpartum home visits, parenting the first year newsletter, well child, preschool, kindergarten screenings & camp physicals.
Nail Care:
Taylor County Health Department provides nail care by appointment. These appointments are for individuals 60 and older who reside in Taylor County. We will provide trimming and filing of toenails by a registered nurse.
Oral Health
Early Childhood Caries (ECC) is a severe form of tooth decay found in infants, toddlers and young children. ECC begins when cavity causing bacteria is passed from parent or caregiver to baby. The bacteria combines with sugar found in formula, milk, juice, or sweetened drinks forming cavity-causing acid. This action causes loss of tooth enamel (demineralization) leading to tooth decay. The condition can affect children’s health by limiting their ability to obtain nutrition, affecting their energy level and their ability to concentrate in the learning process. ECC is easier and cheaper to prevent than to treat.
Dental decay is the most prevalent chronic disease of childhood, five times more common in children than asthma.
Public Health Preparedness:
In recent years, the roles of responding to disasters and preventing the spread of disease have come to the forefront, due to threats to our nation and newly emerging diseases. These threats have increased our awareness of the need to be better prepared, not only for future bioterrorist events, but other public health emergencies.
Rabies Control & Coordination:
Rabies is a disease caused by a virus found in the saliva of infected mammals and is transmitted to pets and humans by bites, or possibly by contamination of an open cut with saliva.
Taylor County Health Department works collaboratively with local veterinarians, law enforcement, health care providers, the Wisconsin State Lab of Hygiene, the victim of an animal bite and animal owner, to ensure completion of post-exposure follow-up of all reported animal bites in Taylor County. Follow-up includes observation and testing of the biting animal and possible treatment of the victim. In most cases, observation or testing of the biting animal will rule out the possibility of rabies.
Radon Program:
Taylor County Health Department is the home for The Northern Wisconsin Radon Information Center serving citizens of Ashland, Bayfield, Iron, Lincoln, Price, Rusk and Taylor County.
Tobacco Prevention & Control Program:
In 2000, Taylor County Health Department received funding from the Wisconsin Division of Public Health to implement a Tobacco Control and Prevention Program for Taylor County. The Taylor County Tobacco Free Coalition was formed as a result of this grant.
Taylor County Tobacco Free Coalition mission is to pursue the elimination of tobacco use by partnering with communities to prevent use among youth, promote cessation, and eliminate secondhand smoke.
Water Testing:
Safe, clean water is one of the most important substances in our lives - for drinking, cooking, bathing and cleaning. Municipal water systems test their water regularly to ensure it is safe, but it's up to private well owners to test their well water annually.
Wisconsin Well Woman Program:
The Wisconsin Well Woman Program is part of the Wisconsin Women's Health Campaign. Health agencies and associates work with volunteer associations to educate women about their health and make sure they can get the health screenings they need.
This program offers the availability for free screening services to women who qualify.
WIC:
The goal of the WIC program is to help keep pregnant women, new mothers, and infants and young children healthy and strong.
WIC Provides:
- Nutrition education
- Breastfeeding information and support services
- Vouchers for purchase of WIC approved foods including Farmers Market
- Health screening and information about other community services
Check the WIC page for eligibility.
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