The St. Clair County Health Department has released its 2019 Annual Report. This was a notable year for the Health Department as they completed and distributed the first Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) and initiated an evidence-based community-wide strategic planning process: Mobilizing for Action through Planning and Partnerships (MAPP). The process was intended to align goals and objectives across all community agencies, according to the report’s introduction from Medical Health Officer, Dr. Annette Mercatante. The Annual Report identifies 10 objectives that the Health Department addressed. Those include efforts like decreasing smoking in pregnant women and reducing Hepatitis C rates in the county. Stopping the spread of infections, like measles, was also a priority in 2019. The report highlighted awareness efforts like the Breastfeeding Stroll and advertising on a city bus to increase Hepatitis A prevention. According to the report, the Department administered over 11,000 vaccinations and 17,000 hearing and vision screenings for children. The dental clinic hosted over 13,000 visits. The full report can be viewed at stclaircounty.org.
