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March 27, 2024

National Public Health Week is almost here! The week, from April 1-7, will celebrate the many ways public health contributes to our lives. The week, an initiative of the American Public Health Association, has the theme of "Protecting, Connecting and Thriving: We Are All Public Health."

Topics to be covered during the week include civic engagement, healthy neighborhoods, climate change, new tools and innovations, reproductive and sexual health and emergency preparedness.

Learn more about National Public Health Week by visiting https://nphw.org, or follow along with the Johnson County Department of Health and Environment's social media channels, including on Facebook, X and Instagram, for more information.

Have you been diagnosed with high blood pressure or hypertension? Do you need help to monitor your blood pressure? The Johnson County Department of Health and Environment’s Healthy Heart Ambassador (HHA) program is accepting new participants.

The HHA program is designed to help adults diagnosed with hypertension manage and lower their blood pressure. During the four-month program you will work one-on-one with a trained coach to learn how to record and monitor your blood pressure and how to eat a heart healthy diet. 

To enroll you must be aged 18 or above and diagnosed with high blood pressure. However, those with recent cardiac events, atrial fibrillation, arrhythmias or lymphedema or at risk for it are ineligible.

To learn more about or enroll in the program, contact Estella at 913-477-8348 or estella.fondzeka@jocogov.org.

Plan now for a fun-filled late spring and summer with more than 500 programs for toddlers through senior adults. Class offerings include exercise and wellness, fine and performing arts, nature and outdoors, and much more! You’ll also find a fun assortment of special events.

The new season also includes additional summer camps, which supplement camp offerings in the 2024 Summer Camp guide, which came out in late January. To keep up on the latest happenings at JCPRD, consider liking JCPRD's Facebook page, and/or subscribing to free newsletters. 

The Johnson County Prevention and Recovery Coalition has launched a new digital media campaign, "You Never Know", to address the rising issue of fentanyl use among teens and young adults. This campaign has a two-pronged approach to tackle this serious problem.

Firstly, the campaign will use a social norms approach to dispel the misconception that opioid and fentanyl use is common among teens and young adults. By highlighting statistics that show the majority of young people know that fake pills are dangerous and don’t use them, the campaign aims to empower teens by reinforcing positive behaviors and healthy decisions. The campaign will be supported by advertisements on social media and streaming platforms commonly used by the age group.

Secondly, the campaign will provide crucial information through JCMHC’s social media channels. This educational aspect of the campaign will teach teens, young adults, parents and community members how to recognize the signs of an overdose, what steps to take in an overdose situation, and where to access naloxone, a medication that can reverse an overdose.

Click here to check out the first post, learn more at youneverknowjoco.org and follow JCMHC on Facebook and Instagram (@jocomnh) on social media for You Never Know campaign updates.

Sign up for other e-newsletters from Johnson County Mental Health Center.

At its March 21, 2024, meeting the Johnson County Board of County Commissioners and County Manager's Office recognized Johnson County Wastewater for winning its first Environmental Achievement Award for Public Information & Education.

The award was given by the National Association of Clean Water Agencies, and recognizes member agencies for innovative and creative efforts to inform and educate their community and elevate the water sector.

Johnson County Wastewater won for its #ForTheW initiative, which is an ongoing recruitment and public education campaign involving video, social media and print materials designed to raise awareness about what wastewater professionals do and why they do it. Watch two #ForTheW videos: Who We Are and What We Do, and learn more about the campaign.

Simple changes at home can make activities such as bathing, moving around, and cooking easier as we age.

If this is an important topic for you, plan to attend "Simple Home Modifications" with Johnson County Extension agent Joy Miller, on Thursday, April 18 at the New Century Field House. Joy can lead you through simple steps to make your home safer and factors to consider when home shopping.

Class cost is $5 for Johnson County residents/ $6 for non-residents. Sign up through Johnson County Park & Recreation.

Visit the CDC’s COVID Data Tracker for COVID-19 metrics. Also visit the Johnson County Department of Health and Environment’s website to view the Weekly Respiratory Illness Surveillance Report.

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