Empowering Through Public Health: Anderson County Health Department’s National Public Health Week Initiatives

During National Public Health Week, the Anderson County Health Department is taking part in various activities to promote public health initiatives. On April 1, staff will assist patients in registering to vote and collect hygiene products to donate to the Tennessee Out-Reach Center for Homeless. They will also offer an after-school yoga club at Glenwood Elementary in partnership with UT Extension.

On April 2, staff will promote the benefits of outdoor activities at the Anderson County Senior Center and host a tobacco and vaping prevention program called “Catch My Breath” at Grand Oaks Elementary for fifth graders. Anti-tobacco signage will also be distributed to participating schools.

April 3 will focus on the remaining sessions of the “Catch My Breath” program for fifth graders, while on April 4 staff will encourage patients to access vaccines and distribute information flyers in the community. The Matter of Balance class at the Senior Center will continue as well.

On April 5, collected hygiene products will be donated to the TORCH center for homeless individuals, and staff will be encouraged to take walking breaks at work. The week will end with staff attending the “Celebration of a Young Child” event to showcase the health department’s services and promote the future of public health.

Director Charles Turner expressed pride in the hard work of his team, who provide a variety of health programs and services in their community such as care coordination through CHANT, the GIFTS pregnancy smoking cessation program, and TNSTRONG advocating for tobacco-free lifestyles.