Lincoln County Health Department was awarded $10,500 from the Wisconsin Division of Public Health to improve environmental public health in Lincoln County by implementing strategies to reduce heat related illnesses across the county, with consideration to vulnerable populations.
“We know from recent climate change studies that heat waves will increase in frequency and duration and will occur earlier in the season,” said Shelley Hersil, Health Officer for Lincoln County Health Department. “Lincoln County residents are being seen in the emergency room for heat related illness at a greater rate than the Wisconsin average (Lincoln County: rate of 25.6 per 100,000, Wisconsin: rate of 18.4 per 100,000).”
This grant will provide education and awareness to our community in aim of reducing heat related illnesses, especially among our vulnerable population i.e. elderly, children and outdoor workers. The grant will also create a communication plan for first responders to follow when the heat index rises.
The project at Lincoln County Health Department is one of eight environmental public health projects being funded throughout the state through the Taking Action with Data funding opportunity from the Wisconsin Environmental Public Health Tracking Program, which is housed at the Wisconsin Division of Public Health. For a copy of the Environmental Health Tracking Report for Lincoln County visit https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/epht/profile.htm.
For more information about Lincoln County Health Department’s programs and services, visit lincolncountyhealthdepartment.com or find us on Facebook. Lincoln County Health Department is always working for a safer and healthier Lincoln County.