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

Community Health Priorities

On August 27, Sedgwick County - in partnership with leaders from around the community - unveiled the Community Health Priorities plan. CHP is the result of several discussions based on data, trends, observations and experience. The result? A plan that focuses on what one participant called “actionship.” It is a phrase that combines action and leadership. It does not reassess what already has been done. Nor does it focus on lofty wishful thinking. This plan asks for action that will lead to positive change in five areas: Access, Health Disparities, Mental Health, Obesity & Diabetes and Oral Health.
If you’d like to learn more about ways you or your organization can be part of the Action Phase, contact the Sedgwick County Health Department, (316) 660-7335.
*Read the full plan
*Watch Commissioner Norton's interview with SG Health's Sonja Armbruster

A Word in Edgewise:

The goal of the national public health accreditation program is to improve and protect the health of the public by advancing the quality and performance of all health departments in the country – state, local, territorial and tribal. Accreditation will drive public health departments to continuously improve the quality of the services they deliver to the community. 2nd District Commissioner Tim Norton sits down with Health Director Claudia Blackburn for a look at what Sedgwick County is doing to prepare.

Watch the interview
Read the transcript (coming soon)

Healthy Recipe of the Month - August

Beat the heat in a healthy way with Berry Vanilla Yogurt Pops. Combine frozen berries with yogurt; blend, freeze and enjoy!

Full recipe

Back-to-School Immunization Clinic

August is fast approaching and with it the start of the new school year. The Sedgwick County Health Department wants to help uninsured families prepare by offering a free “back to school” immunization clinic to children age 18 and under.

The clinic will take place from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, July 31 at 2716 W. Central.

Click here for more information and a complete list of required immunizations.

Statewide Indoor Smoking Ban

Smoking is the number one most preventable cause of death and disease in the country and state. The state of Kansas took a very positive health step recently by passing a statewide indoor smoking ban. If you or a loved one want help stopping smoking in advance of the smoking ban becoming law on July 1 the Kansas Tobacco Quitline (1.800.QUIT.NOW) is here to help. The Quitline, a confidential telephone tobacco cessation program for youth and adults, is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

Tobacco Health Risks

West Central Clinic Changes Hours

The Health Department's West Central Clinic location has changed its hours of operation. New hours are:

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday - 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Thursday - noon to 6:30 p.m.
Friday - 8 to 11:30 a.m.

Recreational Water Illness (RWI)

There are simple steps swimmers and pool operators can take to ensure a healthy and safe swimming experience for everyone this summer. Learn simple steps you and your children can do to avoid getting sick from the pool. Download a helpful flier about Recreational Water Illness for swimming pool operators.

Have a great, safe and healthy swim season!

Preventing Teen Pregnancy

The Sedgwick County Health Department offers family planning services. Pregnancy testing is offered at the Health Department West Central location (2716 W Central). Call 660-7300 to make an appointment. Parental consent is not required for testing.

Learn about pregnancy and parenting related-programs (Healthy Babies, WIC, Maternal and Infant).

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 Oral Health (newest addition!), Sneeze Into Your Sleeve, and Nutrition.

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
Hand Washing Flier (Great for employers to post in restrooms!)
Hand Washing How To Fact Sheet
Cover your Cough Flier
Kid-focused Hand Washing 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 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 Green Salad with Strawberries & Goat Cheese. 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.