Sedgwick County, Kansas Health Department - Healthy Communities for Healthy People

1900 E. 9th Street ▪ Wichita, KS 67214 ▪ Tel: (316) 660-7300
Claudia Blackburn, Director
Locations and Hours ▪ Services Phone Directory ▪ Communicable Disease Reporting

Sedgwick County > Health Department

News & Events

H1N1 Flu

H1N1 is currently circulating in our community. Thankfully, H1N1 flu vaccine is available in Sedgwick County. The Health Department's FREE H1N1 Vaccine Clinic will be open Monday-Thursday, from 2-7 p.m. and Friday - Saturday from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. (unless vaccine runs out). The Vaccine Clinic is located at the Wichita Mall (4031 E Harry Street, 67218). The Vaccine Clinic will serve individuals in the following groups:

Healthcare and emergency medical services personnel
Pregnant women
Persons age six months through twenty-four years
Household contacts and caregivers of infants younger than six months of age
People age twenty-five through 64 years who have chronic medical conditions that compromise their immune systems

Continue to pay close attention to local newspapers, TV and radio outlets for information regarding upcoming vaccination clinics. Get your questions about vaccine safety answered here. (Click here for Spanish and here for Vietnamese). Vaccination is purely voluntary.

If you believe you have symptoms of the H1N1 Virus, you should see your healthcare provider. If you do not have a medical home, check our list of community health clinics. Lists are available in English and Spanish.

Click here for up-to-date information on H1N1 for Sedgwick County.

The Importance of Hand Washing

Hand washing is the most important single action one can take to prevent the onset of illness. With the current spread of H1N1 flu, hand washing has never been more important. For more information on hand washing, check out these resources:

Hand Washing Public Service Announcement
Kid-focused Hand Washing Flier
Hand Washing Flier (Great for employers to post in restrooms!)
Hand Washing How To Fact Sheet
Cover your Cough Flier

Immunization Provider Registration Site

The Sedgwick County Health Department has established an Immunization Provider Registration Site for Sedgwick County. By registering, providers will help ensure their clinic is up-to-date on immunization issues and topics. Additionally, this database will help the health department understand how many providers are currently offering immunization services in our community.

Health Education Videos

If you like to receive information in ways other than reading, check out the link for Health Videos. There you will find short videos on various topics including Hand Washing (newest addition!), Preparedness, and the Seasonal Flu.

Need Help Quitting Smoking?

If you want to quit smoking or get information for a loved one, the Kansas Tobacco Quitline can help: 1-866-KAN-STOP. Intake is available 24 hours every day. If you need resources or information, please contact Kim Neufeld at the Sedgwick County Health Department at kneufeld@sedgwick.gov or 660-7304. To find more information about the dangers of smoking, visit the Health Department's Tobacco Web page.

Health Access

Affordable health care is essential for all Sedgwick County citizens. According to the Small Area Health Insurance Estimates, approximately 10.9% of Sedgwick County residents are uninsured – that’s 45,825 of our neighbors, friends and family members. However, the impact of this problem does not affect only those individuals; it also affects businesses and our entire health care system. The Sedgwick County Health Department’s Center for Health Equity is one of the many organizations working to provide information about community initiatives that aim to “cover the uninsured.”

Sedgwick County Data Book

The Sedgwick County Health Department announces the release of the second annual Sedgwick County Health Department Data Book. The data book contains information about leading health indicators; birth and death statistics; disease rates; and demographic information. We hope this book will provide community organizations, agencies, coalitions and residents with measures of health that will support new and continued efforts to improve the health of Sedgwick County. For additional information, please contact Sonja Armbruster, 660-7335.

Report Food Poisoning

If you or someone in your family experiences food poisoning, contact the City of Wichita Environmental Health Office at 268-8351. This office handles complaints from restaurants as well as other food borne illnesses that may occur from food bought at a store.

This Month's Healthy Recipes

Regularly the Sedgwick County Health Department will post healthy recipes for you and your family to enjoy. Visit the Health Department's nutrition page to find a recipe for Turkey Burgers. If you have an idea for a healthy recipe, email Kristina Helmer.

Mission:

To promote and protect the health of Sedgwick County residents through education, prevention, surveillance and treatment, using public health functions of assessment, assurance and policy development.

Vision:

Healthy communities for healthy people.