Pottawattamie County proclaims April 6–12 National Public Health Week; staff outline prevention and preparedness programs

Pottawattamie County public health leaders asked the Board of Supervisors on Wednesday to mark April 6–12, 2026 as National Public Health Week and described a decade of program growth, pandemic response and ongoing prevention work.

The board adopted the proclamation on a unanimous roll call after public health staff outlined core services including immunizations, disease investigation, environmental health, WIC nutrition assistance and emergency preparedness. "Public health includes physical, mental, social, emotional, spiritual and environmental well‑being," the director said in describing the department's mission and recent expansions.

Allison Head, the department's community health organizer and tobacco prevention coordinator, told the board that nicotine and tobacco addiction remain the leading preventable cause of death. "Nicotine and tobacco addiction can lead to death," Head said, and she warned that youth vaping is a current targeting focus: "If you can keep an 18‑year‑old from using nicotine in a way that could cause addiction, they are 90% likely never to become addicted." She cited federal youth‑use figures and described flavored products and social‑media promotion as drivers of youth uptake.

A public health registered nurse described the county's direct observation therapy (DOT) for tuberculosis, reporting the department served more than 10 people with active or latent TB in the past year and explaining that individual treatment plans can last four to 12 months. The nurse said quarantine or housing support has been used in the past when required, and that the county receives some state reimbursement for those services.

Jennifer Mchu, a public health nurse who coordinates jail testing, said the county partners with four jails across southwest Iowa to provide no‑cost STI and hepatitis C testing, treatment and education; the program expanded to additional counties after the state provided funding for the county's STI program. Norah (Nora) Evans described clinic services at Iowa Western Community College, including testing, immunizations and plans to expand reproductive‑health supports for students.

Logan, a hospital preparedness staff member, explained the county's Hospital Preparedness Program (HPP) coordination across a 10‑county service area and 10 hospitals, noting 75% of funds are allocated to equipment and supplies and 25% to training and exercises to improve regional surge capacity and communication systems.

Following the presentations, Supervisor Wickman read the proclamation declaring April 6–12 National Public Health Week. The board approved the proclamation unanimously by roll call; staff posed for a photo with board members after the vote.

The proclamation notes continuing health disparities and asks residents to recognize public health's role in disease prevention and emergency readiness. The office will continue public outreach and coordination with partner agencies and the board indicated it expects staff to report back on program outcomes as requested.