Lake Region District Health Unit celebrates Public Health Week April 2-8

During National Public Health Week, April 2 - 8, Lake Region District Health Unit (LRDHU) is highlighting the importance that public health and prevention play in keeping our communities healthy and eliminating health disparities. LRDHU serves Benson, Eddy, Pierce and Ramsey counties.

North Dakotans experience health disparities by not having equal opportunities to good jobs, quality education, safe housing, good physical and social environments, and quality health care. These determinants lead to overall poor health and a higher risk for disease. In North Dakota:

 • Fewer than one in six adults consume five or more servings of fruits and vegetables per day.

 • More than half of adults do not meet the recommended guidelines for physical activity.

 • About one in five adults currently smoke cigarettes.

There are a number of ways to improve health and eliminate disparities. LRDHU has been collaborating to change policies, systems and/or environments in communities, schools, workplaces and other settings to tackle health issues and disparities. Access to affordable and healthy foods, walking path design, and smoke-free and healthy policies in workplaces are just a few examples of ways to make a big difference in helping residents make healthier choices.

LRDHU offers the following programs to create healthier communities in our four-county district:

 • Immunizations

 • WIC

 • Women’s Way

 • Health Promotion and Maintenance

 • Injury Prevention

 • Emergency Preparedness and Response

 • Tobacco Prevention

 • Substance Abuse Prevention

 • Family Planning

 • Environmental Health

Public Health Week celebrates the importance of public health and helps educate and engage Americans in the movement to create a healthier community, state and nation for ourselves and the generations to come. If public health efforts can address health disparities, we will impact our residents’ health and provide an equal opportunity to ward off disease and injury. During public health week, LRDHU will have an informational display at City Plaza Mall.

For more information about Public Health Week, contact Kim Homan, Public Information Officer of LRDHU at 701-662-7407. You can also visit our website at LRDHU.com or “like” us on Facebook as Lake Region District Health Unit.