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PUBLIC HEALTH HAPPENINGS
January 2025
Serving the communities of Winnebago County
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New Year, New Opportunities for Health and Wellness!
As we head into 2025 we are as dedicated as ever to building a healthier future for our community. In our recent strategic planning process we committed to a purpose of making sure everyone in our community has what they need to be successful. To do that we need your engagement, your voice, and your partnerships. We'll work to increase the visibility and understanding of our work in the community, make sure our staff has the resources and support they need, and put those resources where they'll help the most. We will strengthen our current partnerships and make new ones. Our team will be active in promoting policies that work for everyone. We all do better when our community has access to basic needs like safe and affordable homes, help for young kids to be ready for and do well in school, access to transportation, jobs, social connections, and a living wage that makes ends meet.
Together we will make a difference.
Thank you for being a vital part of our community. Stay tuned for the latest tips, resources, and updates in our upcoming newsletters. Drop us a note at health@winnebagocountywi.gov with what is on your mind for the coming year. As we welcome 2025, we are excited for the opportunities ahead. In this new year, let’s embrace the power of prevention, build resilient communities, and continue to care for ourselves and one another. Together, we can make 2025 a year of health, healing, and growth.
Here's to a healthier, happier year for all of us!
Warm Wishes,
Winnebago County Public Health
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Radon Action Month
January is Radon Action Month, a time to take action to protect our families. Radon is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas that is naturally present in soil and rocks and is very common in Winnebago County, WI. It can seep into homes and buildings through cracks and openings. Radon is also the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. The only way to know if you have a safe level of radon inside your home or place of business is to conduct a radon test.
How to test for radon:it
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Purchase a test kit (Kits may be purchased at WCPH, Local City or Town clerks offices and home improvement stores)
- Placement of test kit:
- Place test kit in lowest living space away from doors, windows, and vents
- Note: Basements used infrequently are not the best location due to limited exposure. A first floor room (bedroom, living room) where there is longer exposure to radon is the best location
- When should I test?
- In the winter when your home is closed up tight
- What if my levels are high?
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Contact a certified mitigation company to install a mitigation system
Radon test kits are half-off in January through Winnebago County Public Health!
Radon test kits are only $5 when purchased at our public health offices in Neenah or Oshkosh in the month of January. Radon test kits can also be purchased online, at home improvements stores, or at hardware stores.
In addition you can find Winnebago County Public Health will be at the Oshkosh Farmers Market on offering test kits and answering questions on Saturday, January 11th (Oshkosh Arena) and Saturday, January 25th (Oshkosh Convention Center) from 9 am to 12:30 pm.
If you have questions or want more information about radon, please call us at 920-232-3000 or visit wchd.pub/Radon.
Learn More About Radon
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Cervical Cancer Awareness Month
Cervical cancer was once one of the most common causes of cancer death for American Women, but that rate has dropped by more than half since the mid-1970's thanks to prevention, screening, and the availability of the human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine.
HPV Vaccine
HPV is the main cause of cervical cancer, and the HPV vaccine is recommended for all children aged 11 or 12, though vaccination can begin as early as age 9 and is recommended through age 45 for those who were not vaccinated when they were younger. Winnebago County Public Health provides the HPV vaccine for children aged 9-18 through the Vaccines For Children program.
Learn More:
Cervical Cancer Screenings
The goal of cervical cancer screenings is to find problems before they turn into cancer. Women should should begin screenings at age 21, or as recommended by their primary physician.
Do you, or someone you know, lack insurance coverage for needed screenings? The Wisconsin Well Woman Program may be able to help.
Learn More:
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Wisconsin Well Woman Program (WWWP)
The Wisconsin Well Woman Program provides free cervical cancer and breast cancer screenings to women with little or no health insurance. Winnebago County Public Health coordinates the program for women in the following 9 counties: Calumet, Green Lake, Fond du Lac, Marquette, Outagamie, Sheboygan, Waupaca, Waushara, and Winnebago.
You may qualify for the WWWP program if:
- You are a woman 40 - 65 years old
- You are a woman 35 - 39 years old with symptoms or concerns
- You do not have health insurance or your insurance policy has a high deductible for screening or tests
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Your income is within the program guidelines
Ways to apply for WWWP:
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Well-Being Survey
The Tri-County Community Health Improvement Coalition (local health departments and healthcare providers) are working together to understand the needs and strengths of Calumet, Outagamie, Winnebago, Shawano, Menominee, Waupaca, Waushara, Green Lake, and Marquette counties. This will complement the work we are doing to improve health across the region. This 10-minute community survey is one way that we are gathering input on people's thoughts about life, health, and well-being in this area.
If you are 18 years or older, please consider taking this voluntary and confidential survey. You will not be asked for your name or contact information. The data will be combined in group format only.
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Winnebago County Public Health Staff | |
Pictured Above Left to Right: Doug Gieryn, Winnebago County Public Health Officer; Ashlee Rahmlow, Community Health & Prevention Supervisor; Maddie Breager, Community Health Strategist; Jennifer Skolaski, Overdose Fatality Review (OFR) Project Manager
Read more about the We Heart You Community Award of Excellence here:
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2024 We Heart You Community Award of Excellence
Winnebago County Public Health is honored to be recipients of the 2024 We Heart You Community Award of Excellence. This award is given to a person or organizations serving the residents of Winnebago County and fits the following description:
- Dedicates time, commitment, and support to community initiatives that increase access to substance and mental health-related resources.
- Identifies gaps, assesses services, and creates, supports, and assists with programs that allow all community members to seek help equally.
- Demonstrates a solid ability to create meaningful relationships that advance the work of our local substance use or mental health services.
- Contributes experience, data, and meaningful input to help save lives.
- Goes above and beyond to use their position, organization, or relationships to accomplish exceptional work.
Overdose deaths are preventable. Winnebago County Public Health values our seat at the Overdose Fatality Review (OFR) table as one of 35 agencies working together on systems-level changes in Winnebago County to prevent overdose deaths.
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Staff Spotlight: Get to Know Meghan Hermann |
How long have you been working at WCPH?
I have worked at Winnebago County Public Health in the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) clinic for 15 years.
Can you describe your role?
I help families understand the role nutrition plays in healthy development of children and help them get access to healthy foods. I support breastfeeding women to reach their goals. We also connect families to resources in their community.
What is one WCPH accomplishment that you feel particularly proud of?
Overall I am just proud of the WIC program we have built. It’s a place where families can go to assure their children grow up strong and healthy.
What project/program/initiative at WCPH are you most excited about right now and why?
Its not just one program but many of them! I'm excited about anything that breaks down barriers for families to get to work, keep their jobs and feed their families. This means support with transportation, childcare and access to grocery stores. When basic needs are met, families are successful!
What do you love about working at WCPH?
I love being able to help people. Being a parent is a hard job and I am proud of anything I can do to make that job less stressful.
What's an interesting/fun fact about you?
I am currently back in school at UWGB getting my Masters in Integrated Health and Wellness. When I am done I will be a registered dietician.
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PUBLIC HEALTH COMMUNITY HAPPENINGS | |
Tuesdays, February 11th - March 25th | Location: Menasha City Hall | | |
January 25th, 2025 10 am - 2 pm | Location: Father Carr's Place 2B | | |
New! Bingocize® coming in March! | Location: Neenah-Menasha YMCA | | |
Public Health Information
Communicable Disease, WIC,
Environmental Concerns,
Community Resources, and more!
Contact 920-232-3000 or visit our website.
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Non-Medical Related Information
Utility, Food & Housing Assistance,
Elder Care, Crisis Intervention,
Alcohol & Drug Recovery
Contact 211 or visit their website.
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Our Mission: Winnebago County Public Health protects and promotes health through services,
partnerships, and equitable practices and policies so all can live their best life.
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STAY UP TO DATE!
Visit wchd.pub/newsletter to receive Public Health Happenings, press releases, or
public service announcements from Winnebago County Public Health.
Find a copy of this newsletter on our website.
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