Wilkes-Barre City Recognizes National Public Health Week

April 1-7, 2019 marks National Public Health Week, a time to highlight issues that are improving the health of our residents.  People’s health, longevity and wellbeing are directly connected to our community where we live, learn, work, worship and play.

Public health or community health is defined as the many activities that society undertakes to assure the conditions in which the residents of Wilkes-Barre can be healthy.

The Wilkes-Barre Health Department’s focus is to prevent disease and injury and to promote and protect the health of everyone living in Wilkes-Barre. To accomplish this task the health department has many programs focused on creating a safe and healthy community.

The Bureau of Environmental Health is responsible for protecting the city of Wilkes-Barre from unhealthy environmental conditions.  To ensure the public health and safety of its residents the Bureau of Environmental Health implements such programs as food establishment inspections, Quality of Life inspections, Takin it to the Streets, Lead Risk inspections, vector control, water testing, tattoo/body piercing inspections, school inspections, nuisance complaint investigations and animal control.

The Bureau of Personal Health Services consists of communicable disease control and clinical services to protect the public’s health such as childhood and adult immunizations, communicable disease investigations, sexually transmitted disease program, HIV/AIDS program and tuberculosis screening and treatment.

The Bureau of Preventative Health Services promotes health and wellness programs and the prevention of diseases through education assessments and screening with its collaborative partners through the following programs: Get Your Tail on the Trail, Monday’s at the Market, Walk with Ease, Community Garden, Food ‘N’ Fun in the Park, Bicycle Safety, Matter of Balance, Fit and Strong, Maternal and Children’s Health, Anti Bullying, Stop Elderly Accidents, Deaths and Injuries, Y Walk Wednesdays, Car Fit, Concussion Wise, Brain Steps, and Parents in the Know.

The Bureau of Public Health Preparedness is utilized to be prepared for emergencies by providing guidance and support to all hazard public health emergencies such as anthrax, infectious diseases, floods, pandemic flu with the distribution of medical countermeasures.

The Wilkes-Barre Health Department works to protect its citizens from health, safety and security threats. Whether disease start at home or abroad, are chronic or acute, curable or preventable, the public health department fights disease and supports our community members to do the same. Together we all strive to work together as we are constantly in pursuit of a healthier community.

Mayor Tony George                                                Henry Radulski, Wilkes-Barre Health Director