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What is Public Health?
The Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health offers services for all ages and all income levels. Here is just a sample of what we offer:
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Public Health Nursing
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Home Care Aides
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Well Testing
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Childhood Immunizations
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Adult Immunizations
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Tobacco Prevention
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Senior Health Clinics
- Food Inspections
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Swimming Pool Inspections
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Tattoo Parlor Inspections
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Lead Poisoning Prevention
- Radon Education
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Disease Prevention
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and so much more!
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Wellness Corner
Exercise is only half the answer when you're trying to improve your health. The foods you eat are important, too. Here are some great tips to handle your next snack attack:
If you plan ahead and make time for grocery shopping, you can easily pack some simple meals and snacks to take to work with you. Here are some healthy snack suggestions:
- Box of raisins
- Handful of nuts
- Fruits such as bananas, grapes, or an apple
- Granola bars (check the calories)
- Carrot sticks
- Light yogurt (refrigerate)
- Wheat crackers with low fat peanut butter
- Dried fruit
- Animal crackers
- Fig bars
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You can protect yourself from diseases caused by mosquito bites.
Prevent mosquito bites
- Wear long sleeve shirts and pants
- Avoid outdoor activities near dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active
- Repair torn door and window screens
- Use mosquito repellents
Learn more about mosquitoes and how to reduce their breeding grounds. |
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Greetings!
We have had some pretty hot and humid days already. As you enjoy your summer activities, be sure to protect yourself from the dangers of too much sun.
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. Nationally, almost 54,000 people were diagnosed with and over 8,400 people died from skin cancer in 2006. New information on skin cancer prevention was just added to our web site, along with many other helpful summer safety tips. Another concern during this time of year is the threat of severe weather. At Public Health, we continue to urge all residents to prepare an emergency kit in their home. Don't feel like you have to spend a lot of money getting this ready. As a matter of fact, you may have many supplies on hand. Batteries? Radio? Flashlight? Non-perishable foods? Bottled water? Pull all of those items together in one place for easy access. Read more about preparing for emergencies. As always, we welcome your ideas for stories in this newsletter. What information do you want to read about? Let us know by replying to this email. Have a healthy and SAFE summer! Michele Appelgate Public Information Officer Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health |
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Back to School Immunizations
 Now is the perfect time to check your family immunization records to make sure they are all up-to-date, before it's time to register for school. Children entering kindergarten are not the only ones who need immunization updates. Adolescents and college-bound students need them, too.
Visit our web site for details on what your student needs.
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Free Vaccines for 7th Grade Students
 FREE Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis) will be offered to all 7th grade students in Cerro Gordo County. The Tdap vaccine will protect students against three serious diseases.
Parents: Watch for a letter!
The vaccine will be offered at school-based clinics this fall. Information about the program and consent forms will be sent to parents in mid-July.
Learn more about Tdap and other life-saving immunizations. |
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Where is Public Health?
Mohawk Square | The Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health is located at 22 N. Georgia Ave. We're on the 3rd floor of Mohawk Square in downtown Mason City. Mohawk Square is across the street (East State) from the Mason City Police Department.
Office Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM Phone: 641-421-9300 or Toll Free: 1-888-264-2581.
Visit our web site to see all of the services we provide and to see our Immunization Clinic hours. |
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Food Safety: Why Does the USDA Recommend Cooking with a Food Thermometer?
 Because you can't tell if food has reached a safe internal temperature just by looking at it.
Is it done yet? How do you know when your hamburger is done? Because it's brown in the middle?
Looking at the color of the food is not enough. You have to use a food thermometer to be sure.
According to USDA research, 1 out of every 4 hamburgers turns brown in the middle before it has reached a safe internal temperature. The only way to be sure food is safely cooked is to use a food thermometer to measure the internal temperature.
Visit our web site to see a list of proper temperatures. |
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Lead Testing for Children: It's the Law
The Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health is the coordinating county for Lead-Free Kids, a lead poisoning prevention program for Cerro Gordo, Hancock, and Worth counties in North Central Iowa.
Lead poisoning can cause permanent damage or even death. Often, there are no symptoms of lead poisoning until permanent damage is done.
All children under age 6 should be tested for lead. The only way to know if a child is lead-poisoned is to have a lead test, which is a simple finger poke. Visit our web site for lead testing information.
Every child deserves to be lead-free! |
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Please help us promote Public Health services. Forward this electronic newsletter to your friends, family, co-workers and professional associates.
Thank you for choosing Public Health!
Our Mission Statement:
Dedicated to enhancing the health status of our communities through public health initiatives.
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