The Health Department of Northwest Michigan is hosting the meeting for the "tip of mitt" region on August 30, 10 AM to 3 PM at the Otsego Club in Gaylord. There is no charge for the meeting, which includes morning refreshments and lunch. However, RSVP is required. To RSVP, email Nancy Eldredge at n.eldredge@nwhealth.org by Friday, August 26, 2011.

MDCH received a $400,000 National Public Health Improvement Initiative grant from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) & Prevention to, among other things, assess state health needs and develop a statewide health improvement plan. This is the first phase of the initiative.

"A thorough assessment of our state's priority health needs will lay the foundation for the work that we do in the weeks, months and years to come," said Olga Dazzo, director of the MDCH. "I encourage Michigan residents to take part in this assessment process as we work to create a healthier Michigan."

The Health Department is mandated by the Michigan Public Health Code to promote wellness, prevent disease, provide quality healthcare, address health problems of vulnerable populations, and protect the environment for the residents and visitors of Antrim, Charlevoix, Emmet, and Otsego counties.