September 2024
Welcome to the September issue of the Public Health Macomb newsletter – from the Macomb County Health Department. This newsletter highlights timely public health services that are available to Macomb County residents through the Health Department. It is our hope that by sharing this information, you will take advantage of these offerings as we move from summer into fall, and make Macomb County a healthier place to live, work, and play.
Take care and stay safe.
Important Things to Know
Don’t fall behind on getting your seasonal vaccinations – As we move into what is considered the fall/winter virus season, now would be a great time to schedule your 2024-2025 seasonal vaccinations – seasonal flu, COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Appointments for all three vaccines are currently available at three Health Department locations including the VerKuilen Building in Clinton Township, the Southwest Health Center in Warren, and the Southeast Family Resource Center in St. Clair Shores. You can get more information on our immunization services, including appointments, here.
To learn more about steps you can take to help avoid seasonal respiratory viruses, visit the Michigan Department of Health and Services’ Seasonal Respiratory Viruses online information and resource page.
Get Started: Essential Travel Health Tips – Before you travel abroad, start preparing early by researching your destination and checking which vaccines you need, as some require multiple doses. Visit the CDC Travelers' Health page for destination-specific health advice and vaccine recommendations. Talk to your doctor or a travel health clinic for specific advice; you can also contact the Macomb County Health Department at 586-783-8190 or email diseasecontrol@macombgov.org for a list of travel clinics. Keep in mind that not all clinics have every vaccine. It is a good idea to call ahead to confirm availability and schedule an appointment here. Learn about your destination from reliable sources to help ensure a safe trip. For more information, visit our website and the CDC’s Traveler’s Health Resource page.
WIC moving to a new location in Warren – After almost a decade at the Max Thompson Family Resource Center, the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program is moving to a new location in Warren. The Thompson Center office closes for good on September 9, 2024. Staff will take the following week to move everything to their new space at the Southwest Health Center, located at 27690 Van Dyke Avenue in Warren. Appointments are available at the Southwest Health Center starting September 16, 2024.
Why the move? Public Health Services Manager, Lauren Cody, says, “We pride ourselves on providing great customer service and are always looking to improve the client experience. WIC staff are looking forward to this move. The Southwest Health Center is a newer building that already houses many programs of benefit to our WIC population. It is also conveniently located on a bus route and has ample parking.” WIC clients will be able to make appointments in the same building with the Family Planning, Immunization, and STI/HIV programs.
In addition to the Southwest Health Center location, MCHD provides WIC services at three other locations in Macomb County:
- VerKuilen Building in Clinton Township
- Southeast Family Resource Center in St. Clair Shores
- Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services [ACCESS] in Sterling Heights
WIC provides free lactation, formula and food package support, along with help finding health insurance, housing, and more for eligible pregnant people and children under five years old. Find out more about WIC at macombgov.org/wic or by calling 586-469-5471.
Food Safety Program prevents foodborne illness in Macomb County – We all do our best to prepare safe food at home, but how do you know food is safe when you eat out? The Macomb County Health Department’s Food Safety Program works hard to ensure food prepared and served in licensed food service establishments is wholesome and safe.
You may have heard about the Food Safety Program's regulatory inspections at licensed food service establishments. Their Restaurant Locator tool shares inspection results; search by ZIP code to see how restaurants in your area are performing! Every food service establishment must also have a certified food service manager on site. This person ensures all employees follow proper handwashing, cooking, cooling and storage practices. The Food Safety Program maintains a list of local certified food manager courses for anyone who needs this training.
Suspect a food safety violation or get sick when eating out? The Food Safety Program investigates consumer complaints about food service establishments and reports of foodborne illness. Contact the Food Safety Program if you have nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea lasting 24-48 hours after eating out. Reporting illnesses helps the Food Safety Program identify and address sources of contamination to prevent foodborne illness outbreaks.
For help with everything from licensing to food service plans, illness reporting, and inspections, visit the Food Safety Program’s website or contact Environmental Health Services at 586-469-5236 or environmental.health@macombgov.org.
Have you heard about the Michigan Care Improvement Registry (MCIR)? – The Michigan Care Improvement Registry (MCIR) website provides resources for healthcare providers, schools, childcare centers, and the general public to access and manage immunization records in Michigan. It includes tools for providers to track vaccinations, training materials, and access to immunization records for individuals 18 and older.
If you are 18 years of age or older, save time and look up your immunization record online. You may be able to download your State of Michigan immunization record using a government-issued photo ID. Visit the MCIR website here.
If you need a copy of a record that cannot be accessed online, then please call one of our Immunization Clinics at 586-465-8537 (Warren location) or 586-469-5372 (Clinton Township location). If immunizations are needed, schedule an appointment online by visiting our Immunization Clinics webpage.
Lead: The problems the metal poses and what you can do to avoid exposure to lead – Lead is a highly toxic metal that poses significant health risks, particularly to young children, pregnant women, and adults with compromised health. According to the State of Michigan and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), lead exposure can cause developmental and cognitive impairments in children. These include reduced IQ, attention deficit and learning disabilities. In adults, lead exposure can contribute to hypertension, kidney damage, and reproductive issues. There is no safe level of lead exposure. Even low levels can be harmful to children. The State of Michigan addresses risks from lead by investigating lead-based paint in older homes, ensuring safe drinking water and blood testing to protect public health.
What can you do?
- Lead in Homes: The State of Michigan acknowledges the risk of lead in homes, particularly those built before 1978. Lead hazards from deteriorating and chipping paint, lead dust, and lead in soil are investigated. Address lead hazards in your home by washing toys and flat surfaces (like windowsills and tables) using soapy water. Remove your shoes before going into your home to avoid tracking lead-containing soil and dust from outside.
- Drinking Water: The state suggests replacing lead service lines and enforcing stricter regulations to protect public health. In your home, you can start by replacing older plumbing, using a filter or by flushing pipes by running cold water for five minutes in the morning before drinking. Also, find out if there is lead in your drinking water by having it tested. Visit: Michigan.gov/EGLElab.
- Testing: Learn about blood lead levels and testing at the Macomb County Health Department website: Environmental Health Services. You may also take advantage of other programs offered by the State of Michigan designed for testing, educating, and assisting homeowners with lead reduction and removal.
- Public Education: It is important to raise public awareness about lead poisoning prevention and the importance of blood lead testing for children and adults living in older homes.
Partner Spotlight: CARE of Southeastern Michigan – We are honored to highlight 2024 Macomb Business Awards Nonprofit of the Year award recipient, CARE of Southeastern Michigan, for this month's partner spotlight! Since 1977, CARE of Southeastern Michigan has been a nonprofit deeply rooted in helping the community. Serving Oakland, Wayne, and Macomb counties, CARE provides prevention, treatment, and recovery services for all age groups, from early childhood to older adulthood. CARE’s community-oriented approach is evident in the free parenting classes and support groups offered, as well as the critical incident support they provide to first responders after traumatic incidents. CARE of Southeastern Michigan’s mission is to strengthen resilience in people and their communities through prevention, education, and services that improve the quality of life. Thank you CARE for continuing to serve your community with the utmost respect and care.
CARE of Southeastern Michigan will host its 30th Annual Parenting Conference Saturday, March 1, 2025. This extraordinary event brings together leaders, parents, educators, and social service professionals. Attendees network throughout the day and engage in applicable breakout sessions that support the development of our young people.
Learn more about CARE of Southeastern Michigan here.
Stay current. Get connected. – Have you ever visited the Commonwealth events and resources website? Commonwealth provides information on upcoming events, workshops, and educational opportunities that are sponsored by local agencies, organizations and municipalities in Macomb County and southeast Michigan. Many of the activities posted on Commonwealth free. Check it out.
In the News
- The Latest COVID-19 vaccine is rolling out. Here’s what you need to know – read more
- Doctor shares tips for staying healthy as kids head back to school – read more
- US to offer free COVID tests in September as part of fall campaign – read more
- Growing appetites: How to make those school lunches healthier – read more
- Free COVID shots program ends for uninsured. In Michigan, what now? – read more
About the Macomb County Health Department
The Macomb County Health Department provides a wide range of programs and services through five major divisions: The Environmental Health Services/Emergency Preparedness Division, which includes restaurant inspection, community health and safety, shelter, waste, water quality management, and emergency preparedness; the Family Health Services Division, which includes immunization, family planning, and other family and maternal/child health programs; the Community Health Planning and Promotion which includes health education, nutrition, and community-based chronic disease prevention, hearing and vision screening, Children's Special Health Care Services and WIC, the Disease Control Division which is responsible for disease surveillance and control programs; and the Medical Examiner's Office.
