November 26, 2007

For more information contact:
Carrie Neff Andrews, M.S., C.H.E.S
Director of Health Education and Promotion
Public Information Officer
309-344-2224

Knox County Health Department officials are showcasing their many accomplishments since the creation of the Board of Health during a luncheon celebration on Wednesday, November 28, 2007. The Knox County Board of Health was created by citizen referendum in November 1992.

“This celebration is a way to reflect on our past and also to remind people of the important role public health plays in protecting the health of our community,” stated Dr. Lance Renfroe, President of the Knox County Board of Health.  As part of this celebration, the Board of Health intends to celebrate the many milestones that have been accomplished since the health department ballot question passed in the 1992 election.

The Health Department opened for service on April 3, 1993. Since that time, the Department has implemented numerous public health programs including immunization services, infectious disease surveillance activities, food safety inspections, testing and counseling for sexually transmitted diseases, community health education programs, and onsite wastewater disposal system inspections. Additionally, the Department has facilitated community health planning projects which have resulted in the development of health promotion and prevention programming including the provision of dental and primary health care services to the underserved population of Knox County.

“The Knox County Board of Health recognizes that these accomplishments could not have been completed without the support of our community partners, stakeholders and residents of Knox County,” states Renfroe. “It is because of their dedication to public health that the staff at the Health Department has been able move forward in providing exceptional services to the residents of Knox County.”

By the Numbers
1992 – 2007 (as of Sept 2007)

• Has received over $9.6 million dollars in federal and state grant funds
• Administered over 28,570 childhood immunizations
• Investigated over 4,020 reports of communicable disease
• Provided over 40,500 flu shots
• Screened over 2,150 children for lead poisoning
• Conducted over 7,658 routine food safety inspections and 1,800 follow-up surveys
• Provided access to over 3,000 mammograms
• Issued over 622 water well construction permits
• Analyzed over 1,728 water samples from private water wells
• Conducted over 8,100 home visits in Family Case Management Program
• Provided over 1,800 confidential/anonymous HIV/AIDS tests and counseling
• Has facilitated three county-wide community health assessment and plan development projects
• Has provided dental health services to over 17,200 low-income patients
• Conducted over 8,400 TB skin tests
• Conducted over 26,400 certifications into the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) food supplement program
• Conducted over 2,200 well child screenings
• Provided over 5,600 dental sealants to low-income children
• Conducted over 6,000 post-partum home contacts
• Provided over 1,950 cholesterol screening tests
• Conducted more than 1,900 health education presentations to nearly 35,000 people