Public Health in Action

Public health impacts the life of every person in Oklahoma every day. Our public health is susceptible to the unintentional spread of disease, including diseases such as influenza. Re-emerging diseases, such as tuberculosis, continue to be a problem, and the chronic diseases of our ever-increasing aging population are also taking a toll on our health and well being. Today our public health is also threatened by the potential for release of biologic agents in acts of terrorism. Overriding all of these issues are the human behaviors and social and environmental influences that so frequently result in poor health outcomes: obesity, lack of exercise, use of tobacco and alcohol, unprotected sex, and injury and violence issues. It is the responsibility of public health to address these issues through health education, disease surveillance, early disease detection, injury prevention, and consumer protection.

Public Health:

• Prevents epidemics and the spread of disease.
• Promotes and encourages healthy behaviors.
• Assures the quality and accessibility of health services.
• Protects against environmental hazards.
• Prevents injuries.
• Responds to disasters and assists communities in recovery.

A Day In The Life of Public Health (1.7M .pdf)

May 2011: Spring 2011 Tornadoes  (1.5M .pdf )
Oct. 2010: HIV/STD Service (794k .pdf )
May 2010: Cancer Prevention & Control Program (695k .pdf)
May 2010: May 2010 Tornadoes ( 1.5M .pdf)
March 2010: Oologah Meningococcal Outbreak ( 634k .pdf )
May 2009: Possible Transmission of Tuberculosis by Organ Transplantation ( 569k .pdf )
Dec. 2009: Shawnee Gets SAFE Community Designation (750k .pdf)

CDC Identifies 10 Public Health Achievements of First Decade of 21st Century