Public Health Happenings

February 2026

Serving the communities of Winnebago County

Dear Community,

Let’s be honest: You + Health = The perfect match! ❤️

This February, we wanted to tell you how much we care about you. We’re hooked on making sure you have the best, safest life possible. So we're taking the opportunity to share some Valentine's messages from your local public health staff:

Love is in the air! So are viruses. So many viruses. Cover your cough and wash your hands!
We want to protect you, like a high-quality vaccine protects you from flu, the Measles, and RSV.
You’re the apple of our eye - like the nutritious, locally-grown apple in our food inspection reports!
We love it when you stop the spread and stay home when you're sick!

Stay safe, and have a wonderfully healthy Valentine's Day!

With love (and preventive measures),

❤️ Winnebago County Public Health

Public Health Topics

Tri-County Community Health Improvement Coalition: The 2025 Community Health Assessment Is Here!

The first unified Community Health Assessment completed across Calumet, Outagamie and Winnebago Counties is now available! This project represents collaboration between public health agencies, health systems, and community organizations coming together to form the Tri-County Community Health Improvement Coalition.

The goal of this coalition is not just to document opportunities to improve community health, but to guide coordinated action. Nearly 500,000 people live in the Tri-County region, and many cross county lines daily for work, healthcare, education, and family life. Life doesn't stop at county lines, and our efforts at improving community health shouldn't either!

Key Findings From The Assessment:

The report consistently shows that wealth inequality is one of the strongest predictors of health outcomes.
Community partners and the public ranked mental health the number one issue in their community.
Basic needs are becoming harder to meet. Food insecurity, safe and affordable housing, childcare and transportation needs are all rising as costs increase faster than wages.

This report is an invitation:

We invite residents, organizations, employers, and policymakers to:

Align efforts around shared priorities
Invest in urgent services and upstream solutions
Build systems that support belonging, stability, and opportunity

Read the full report here

Learn more about the Tri-County Community Health Improvement Coalition, the assessment process, and find out how to get involved in the upcoming Community Health Improvement Plan on the United Way Fox Cities website.

Life Happens... Canned Food Is Here For You.

Canned foods are highlighted in February to tout their nutritional value and sustainability. They're also very convenient! Canned foods can support us in the various situations life springs on us, from unexpected guests to ice storms!

Canned, processed foods offer a year-round, healthy, budget-friendly option. It's important to note the difference between processed foods (such as canned goods) and the ultra-processed foods that have been highlighted in health news lately. Processed foods, such as canned beans, vegetables and fish, have few ingredients and retain their nutritional value. Ultra-processed foods are industrial formulations containing five or more ingredients, which are linked to adverse health outcomes.

Some Ideas To Observe Canned Food Month:

Take inventory of your pantry, rotating old items so you can use them before they expire.
Support your local food banks - shelf stable canned goods are a great donation!
Think about reducing food waste in your home. Are there items you repeatedly throw out? If so, a canned food alternative may help your food budget stretch by avoiding waste!
Make a plan. Do you have at least 3 days of non-perishable food on hand?
Explore canned food friendly recipes, such as the Minestrone Soup recipe from WIC below. Find more great recipe ideas in the WIC Cookbook.

For WIC participants: Get more great tips about canned foods in the WIC Shopping Guide

Additional Resources:

Brushing Era Poster Español

Download a 12 month Brushing Calendar

Children's Dental Month - American Dental Association

Oral Health - DHS

Brush Up! It's National Children's Dental Health Month

Developing good dental hygiene habits at an early age and scheduling regular dental visits helps children to get a good start on a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums. That's why Winnebago County Public Health is teaming up with Bridging Brighter Smiles to bring our community a No Cost Dental Clinic:

When: Tuesday, May 5th

Where: Hyde Community Center (541 Monroe St, Oshkosh, WI 54901)

Who Is Eligible to Attend: Children under the age of 5, women who are pregnant or within a year postpartum. Participants must be on Badgercare or have no insurance.

To Enroll: Call us at 920-232-3000

FREE Services Offered At This Clinic Include:

Oral Screening
Dental Cleaning
Fluoride Varnish Application
X-Rays
Teledentistry
Dental Sealant Placement
Silver Diamine Fluoride Application
Sealant Retention Checks
Oral Health Education
Referral Assistance

Public Health Nurse Notes

February is Heart Month

Knowing your blood pressure is critical for heart health because it directly indicates the strain on your heart and arteries. High readings (called hypertension) are associated with increased risk for heart disease, heart attack, and stroke.

Many people do not feel any symptoms of high blood pressure. Measuring your blood pressure is the only way to know if it is high, and only a medical professional can confirm a high blood pressure diagnosis. Controlling high blood pressure can help prevent major health problems.

If you have high blood pressure discuss monitoring, lifestyle changes, medication, and treatment options with your physician.

Learn More:

Heart Health in Wisconsin (DHS)

Top 10 Things to Know about High Blood Pressure - American Heart Association

Public Health In Action

Responding Swiftly to a Supplement Recall

This January, our communicable disease team showed exactly what “public health in action” looks like when it matters most. After 11 state residents became ill from a contaminated supplement powder, an outbreak investigation was launched - triggering a rapid, coordinated response aimed at protecting our community and preventing further harm.

When the state notified us that a resident in our jurisdiction was part of a cluster of Salmonella Typhimurium infections, one of our public health nurses immediately mobilized. She quickly shared critical updates with the entire team so everyone was aligned and ready to respond. She re‑interviewed the affected resident, asking detailed, wide‑ranging questions to help pinpoint the source of exposure.

Recognizing the urgency, she drove directly to the resident’s home to collect the remaining supplement powder suspected to be contaminated. The product was carefully packaged and sent for laboratory testing—an important step in confirming the cause of illness and supporting statewide public health action.

This is public health at work: timely communication, thorough investigation, and hands‑on action to protect residents. Behind every recall and health alert is a dedicated team committed to finding answers, preventing additional illness, and keeping our communities safe.

Inside: Winnebago County Public Health

Join The Constellation of Community: Public Health Week 2026!

Save The Date: April 6th through 10th

We’re partnering with Extension Winnebago County to bring you an exciting line up of events for National Public Health Week and Wisconsin Idea Week!

Across our county, departments shine like stars - and during this week, they align to create something extraordinary.

Enjoy FREE events that highlight the amazing work happening in our community. From green and healthy living to legacy planning, from a prize-filled scavenger hunt to emergency preparedness, there’s something for everyone to learn and enjoy.

Explore the full schedule and register today!

Learn More

Communicable Disease Report - Fourth Quarter 2025

The Quarterly Communicable Disease (CD) Report provides timely data for the community and healthcare partners on diseases that are present and occurring in Winnebago County. Tracking this data helps detect, prevent, and control illness and outbreaks in the community.

Questions? Contact Winnebago County Public Health at 920-232-3000 or by emailing WCPH.CD@winnebagocountywi.gov.

Staff Honor: Torchbearer of Civility

Alana, Winnebago County Public Health Healthy Lifespan Supervisor, was honored as a Torchbearer of Civility by the Oshkosh Civility Project. She was one of 15 recipients of this award, presented at the Oshkosh Area School District Martin Luther King Jr. Day Community Celebration.

Civility lays the foundation for public health goals to be achieved. When everyone in our community feels seen, heard, and valued, we take one step closer to living in a community where all can thrive.

Congratulations Alana! Thank you for everything you do for our community, and for Winnebago County Public Health!

Pictured Left to Right: Margy Davy, Oshkosh Civility Project presenter; Alana Erickson, Winnebago County Public Health Healthy Lifespan Supervisor and Torchbearer of Civility award recipient.

February Staff Spotlight: Meet Lori!

Position: Public Health Nurse with Winnebago County for 25 years!

Where You've Seen Her: When she's on the clock, you will see Lori at the Housing Authority properties in Oshkosh, running to various outreach and educational events, or meeting with individuals to consult on how to reduce falls risks. Lori loves helping and educating people in our community to be as healthy as they can be. 💙

When Lori isn't working she loves to be in nature, taking pictures and collecting rocks!