Harris County Public Health

Did you buy groceries for Thanksgiving? Or are you skipping the hassle and going out instead? Or, like our family, are you taking a hybrid approach, cooking some dishes and getting some takeout? Do you ever forget the ice cream and have to make a last-minute run to CVS? Are you joining a grandparent for a nursing home meal? Or, do you have to work and plan on simply stopping by a food truck? However you are celebrating, whatever you’re eating, *thank a food inspector* for helping you do so safely! Our Harris County Public Health?Environmental Public Health food team is responsible for plan reviews, permitting, regular inspections, complaint responses, and food-borne illness investigations across the County. They cover any and all establishments handling fresh food, from gas stations to fine dining to cafeterias to food trucks and everything in between. Going out in the field, I’ve been impressed with the time they take to get to know owners and managers and the coaching they provide on ways to improve food safety, making sure to include the reasons behind their recommendations.? As you’re enjoying your holiday meal, take a minute to give thanks for the food safety teams who helped out along the way. Wishing everyone a very happy Thanksgiving!

?? Healthcare Professionals, We Need You! Join us for Epidemiology Townhall 10: Navigating Respiratory Season and Winter Preparedness. ?? Date: Monday, December 2, 2024 ?? Time: 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. ?? Learn strategies to tackle respiratory challenges this winter! ?? Register now: bit.ly/EpiTHSeries2024

Strengthening our workforce through collaboration! This week, the HCPH Human Resources Department hosted members of the City of Houston Public Health Department Human Resources team to explore innovative ways to enhance workforce development, employee engagement, and create synergies that will help us better serve our communities. ?? Together, we’re scaling our efforts for greater impact. #HRCollaboration

??This World Diabetes Day and National Diabetes Month, Harris County Public Health is committed to raising awareness about diabetes prevention and the importance of early intervention. Together, we can spread knowledge, promote healthy habits, and empower our community to reduce the risk of diabetes. Let’s take action for a healthier future! #WorldDiabetesDay #NationalDiabetesMonth #DiabetesPrevention #HCPHDiabetesPreventionProgram

??HCPH recently held its Quarterly Leadership Meeting (QLM) which launched an exciting new chapter with the Operations Immersion Program—designed to deepen our leaders' understanding of HCPH’s divisions and their essential interconnections. By enhancing collaboration, team building, and leadership development, we're strengthening our ability to serve the communities of Harris County. ??

??♀???♂? Our HCPH Outreach Team in action! ?? They recently made a visit to Aldine ISD's Raymond Elementary to teach students how to be health superheroes by staying safe from viruses and germs! ??? From fun presentations to interactive activities, our team made learning about handwashing, hygiene, and staying healthy a blast! ?? Check out these moments from our visit—big thanks to the staff and students for making it a memorable day! ???? #HealthSuperheroes #HCPHOutreach #CommunityEngagement #PublicHealthEducation

?? Don’t miss out on our FREE webinar! Get the latest insights on chronic diseases in Harris County! ?? Dates & Times: November 7th: 12:30 PM - 2:00 PM November 12th: 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM ?? Register now: bit.ly/ChronicDiseases2024

Thinking about a disease outbreak is scary - but preparedness makes it less so. The Harris County Public Health Preparedness & Response team led a smooth point-of-distribution exercise yesterday giving out candy “medicine” in partnership with Harris County Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management and Harris County Sheriff's Office. Teams practiced distributing two kinds of antibiotics, handling participant allergies, tracking participant information and product inventory, and keeping the scene safe. While we hope we never have to put those specific skills to work, practicing communications, teamwork, and overall incident response procedures helps us stay ready - and be a little less scared. Happy Halloween!

?? Save the Date! Join us for the Maternal and Child Health Conference 2025 from April 15-16. This year’s theme is "Curating Change, Transforming Communities, Building Healthier Families." Stay tuned for more details! #MCHConference2025

??From spooky to silly, our HCPH team knows how to celebrate Halloween! Check out our awesome costumes, and let us know which one you love most! ??