👋🏼 Get to Know Scott Fischer, Our Lead Abatement Project Coordinator!

How long have you been working at WCPH? Since May of 2022.

What do you do in your role? As the Lead Abatement Project Coordinator, I work with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, lead abatement contractors, and Winnebago County residents to repair older homes and rental properties. These repairs remove lead paint hazards from windows, siding, doors, and more.

What is one WCPH accomplishment that you feel particularly proud of? We more than doubled the amount of homes that received lead removal and repair from 2022 to 2023.

What project at WCPH are you most excited about right now and why? Continuing to enroll homes and rental properties in the Lead Safe Homes Program. The program pays up to 100% of home repairs needed to remove lead paint hazards and it's having a positive impact on the community.

What's a fun fact about you?

I have been told I have too many hobbies. I like to keep busy!

What do you love about working at WCPH? Being able to make an impact on people's lives and their health and being a part of an awesome group of people at WCPH.

✔️ Breast Cancer Awareness Month

It is estimated that there will be over 5,000 new cases of breast cancer in Wisconsin this year. The Wisconsin Well Woman Program (WWWP) is committed to partnering with women across the state to improve their overall health and well-being. The program provides free or low-cost health screenings and preventative care services, including breast exams and pap tests, to women who meet certain eligibility criteria.

Winnebago County Public Health coordinates the WWWP program for women in 9 counties: Calumet, Green Lake, Fond du Lac, Marquette, Outagamie, Sheboygan, Waupaca, Waushara, and Winnebago. We believe that by working together, we can make a real difference in the health and well-being of women across Wisconsin.

Translation and interpretation services available.

🤒 It's Sick Season

Respiratory illnesses, such as the common cold, flu, RSV, and COVID-19, can spread easily from person to person. To help protect yourself and others from these illnesses, you can follow some simple steps:

• Practice good hand hygiene by washing your hands frequently with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Avoid touching your face, especially your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your elbow when coughing or sneezing, and dispose of used tissues immediately.
• Stay home if you are feeling sick and seek medical attention if you experience symptoms such as fever, cough, and difficulty breathing.

Get immunized against respiratory illnesses this season!

For the best protection this fall, speak to your healthcare provider or pharmacy about getting your immunized against COVID-19, flu, and RSV. Have questions or need additional help? Winnebago County Public Health offers immunizations to children and adults who are eligible.

💜 Get Your Child Tested!

National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week is the last week of October. No safe level of lead in children has been identified. It is especially harmful to children under the age of six, who are at a greater risk of lead exposure due to their developing bodies and behaviors such as hand-to-mouth contact. Even low levels of lead in blood can hurt a child’s ability to learn, pay attention, and do well in school.

A blood test is the best way to determine if a child has been exposed to lead. Based on blood lead test results, healthcare providers and public health staff can recommend follow-up actions and care. Winnebago County Public Health recommends that all children be tested at least 3 times before the age of 3.

💊 Drug Take Back Day

Have you been holding onto expired or unused medications? If so, mark your calendars for the National Drug Take Back Day on October 26 at locations county wide. This event provides a safe, convenient, and responsible way to dispose of unused or expired medications.

Winnebago County Public Health partners with other community organizations to provide safe ways to dispose of unwanted medication. In addition to making your home safer by discarding unused medication, it also helps reduce the environmental risk, especially to our drinking water. 

The Drug Drop program is simple to use. Residents can bring their medications to one of the designated drop-off locations and deposit them in a secure box. The medications are then sorted by staff and volunteers and safely disposed of. This program is free and anonymous, and no personal information is collected. We encourage all residents to take advantage of this program and help keep our community safe and healthy.

Did you know you can get FREE drug deactivation bags?

Our NEW Public Health Vending Machines (PHVM) offer Deterra Drug Drug Deactivation and Disposal Bags. The patented Deterra System deactivates prescription drugs, pills, and more. Using a three-step process, a user deactivates the drugs by putting them in a Deterra pouch or container, adding water, shaking, and throwing it away. The drugs are then unavailable for misuse and safe for the environment.

These are free to anyone just by calling the PHVM hotline at 920-232-3313 and getting a PIN code to use at either PHVM.

Locations of PHVM:

112 Otter Avenue in Oshkosh or 211 N Commercial Street in Neenah