Polk celebrates public health month
Published 10:59 am Monday, April 23, 2012
The public health department is present everywhere, every day and in everybody’s life. Many residents of Polk County may not even be aware of this silent force in their lives. Public health ensures that food served in restaurants is safe to eat and water is clean, makes sure children are vaccinated against dangerous diseases and generally contributes to the quality of life in the county, officials say.
The Rutherford-Polk-McDowell (RPM) District Health Department is observing North Carolina Public Health Month in April.
“Public health is a quiet miracle, silently ensuring that our most basic and critical life needs are met,” Mary Smith, health educator for the RPM health district, said. “But because public health generally works to prevent problems, it often goes unnoticed. If people could imagine how chaotic and unsafe things would be without public health, they would appreciate the important role it plays in their daily lives.”
The RPM District Health Department staff serves the public health needs of Polk County residents by providing clinical, environmental and health education programs. To schedule a formal presentation about public health services or other health-related topics for your civic or social group, call Mary Smith, health educator, at 828-925-0140.
– article submitted by Mary Smith