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Mission:
Public Health Services, in partnership with the community, promotes a healthy future for San Joaquin County.
Public Health Highlights:
| | New Child Passenger Safety Law in California |
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Effective January 1, 2012, California law requires: - Children must be properly secured in an appropriate child passenger restraint (safety seat or booster seat) in the back seat of the vehicle until they are at least 8 years of age or 4' 9" tall.
- Everyone in the car must be properly buckled up. For each child under 16 who is not properly secured, parents (if in the car) or drivers can be fined more than $475 and get a point on their driving record.
The San Joaquin County Public Health Services Child Passenger Safety Program educates parents and caregivers about the law as well as proper installation and use of child safety seats and booster seats through its Car Seat Safety Classes and its Car Seat Fitting Station. Completion of a class or presentation from Public Health Services is required to purchase a reduced-cost car seat. There is no charge for the class or car seat inspection.
Additional Resources:
| | Seasonal Influenza Prevention Recommendations |
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Vaccination is the best way to help prevent influenza and its complications. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone 6 months of age and older receive the influenza vaccine every year to provide protection for the upcoming flu season. Influenza can be especially severe for infants under 12 months of age, pregnant women, the elderly, persons who are immunocompromised and those with underlying medical conditions. Follow these steps to protect yourself and others from getting the flu: - Get Vaccinated to Decrease Your Risk - The influenza vaccine is safe and effective. If you do not have a regular medical provider or cannot get flu vaccine from your healthcare provider, vaccine is also available at many pharmacies as well as the Public Health Services (PHS) clinics. Sites offering flu vaccine near you can be found at www.flu.gov/whereyoulive .
- Stop the Spread of Flu: a) Always cough or sneeze into a tissue or the crook of your arm; b) After coughing or sneezing, always clean hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer; c) Flu germs can live on both dry and wet surfaces! To prevent the spread of the flu, keep surfaces in the bathroom, bedside tables, kitchen counters, phones and toys clean with a household disinfectant; and d) If you have flu like symptoms (fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue), avoid close contact with others and stay home from work or school.
For more information about seasonal influenza and the benefits of vaccination, visit the California Department of Public Health Immunization Branch website atwww.cdph.ca.gov/HealthInfo/discond/Pages/Influenza(Flu).aspx, and/or the CDC website, www.cdc.gov/flu. | | Public Health Services Clinics' Locations and Schedules |
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For clinic locations and hours, please click here.
| | Stay Safe and Healthy During Severe Cold Weather |
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 Exposure to severe cold temperatures can cause hypothermia and other serious or life-threatening health problems. Those at greatest risk are people who work outside, seniors, infants and people with chronic conditions.
The warning signs of hypothermia are shivering, exhaustion, confusion, fumbling hands, memory loss, slurred speech and drowsiness. For infants, the warning signs are bright red, cold skin and very low energy. If you notice any of these signs, take the person's temperature. If it is below 95 degrees, seek medical attention immediately and get the individual to a warm room or shelter.
During times of Extreme Cold, take these important precautions:
- Dress warmly
- Eat well-balanced meals
- Avoid alcoholic or caffeinated beverages, as they cause the body to lose heat rapidly
- Because cold weather puts an extra strain on the heart, people with heart disease or high blood pressure should avoid overexerting themselves outside
- Bring pets indoors or provide adequate shelter to keep them warm
- Use space heaters and fireplaces appropriately to avoid household fires and the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning
- Plan ahead for possible power outages by keeping several days' supply of food, water and medicine at home
Source: California Department of Public Health
| | The California Department of Public Health Issues Warnings |
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CDPH Tells Consumers to Return Bed Bath & Beyond "Dual Ridge Metal Boutique Tissue Boxes" Avoid Wild Mushrooms, State Public Health Director Warns (En Espanol) CDPH Warns Consumers Not to Eat Certain Ready Pac Brand Romaine Lettuce Sugar Candies Recalled
| | Obesity Prevention in San Joaquin County |
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 Is there a quick answer to the question, "what contributes to overweight and obesity?"According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, there are a variety of factors that play a role in obesity. This makes it a complex health issue to address. Individual behavior, the physical environment, and genetic factors may all have an effect in causing people to be overweight and obese.Body Mass Index (BMI) is the most widely used measurement for obesity. Body Mass Index (BMI) is a number calculated from a person's weight and height, and is a fairly reliable indicator of body fatness for most people. To calculate your BMI, and for more information, click here.
For more information about causes of obesity and how to prevent/control it, click here.
For more information about what is being done in San Joaquin County, click here.
| | Asthma Awareness |
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 Asthma is a serious condition that affects how easy it is to breathe, work and play. As shown in the "San Joaquin County Community Health Status Report, 2011, the prevalence of asthma for all ages in San Joaquin County is above the statewide rates for California.
Simple steps can help you control your asthma attacks. But you can't always control your environment, so if you have serious asthma reactions, make sure your case is being managed by a healthcare provider and always carry your emergency medication.
For more information and tips on how to prevent or control asthma, click on the organizations listed below to access their websites:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America
National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Diseases
| | 2011 Community Health Status Report |
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San Joaquin County Public Health Services is pleased to present the San Joaquin County 2011 Community Health Status Report. This report examines data for various health indicators and provides discussion on the data and trends that are of particular significance for the County. | | Medical Marijuana Identification Card Program |
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 The Medical Marijuana Program (MMP) was established to provide a voluntary medical marijuana identification card issuance and registry program for qualified patients and their caregivers.
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| Air Quality Forecast |
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