The Health Department of Northwest Michigan (HDNW) is taking part in National Children's Dental Health Month by distributing about 2,000 toothbrush kits to children and providing information on how they can keep their teeth and gums healthy. Each kit has a toothbrush, toothpaste, and dental floss. The kits will be distributed by HDNW staff who will be using the agency's "Re-Think the Drink" display as part of the oral health education presentation.
When a gas is odorless and tasteless, how do you know if it's reaching dangerous levels in your home? You test for it. January is National Radon Action Month, and the Health Department of Northwest Michigan (HDNW) is again helping area residents ensure safe radon levels in their homes, schools, and offices by offering free test kits. The annual campaign is called "Give a Can, Get a Kit." To participate, residents exchange nonperishable food for a free radon test kit at HDNW's offices in Antrim, Charlevoix, Emmet, and Otsego counties.
One way to anticipate an uptick in COVID-19 is to track the virus through wastewater. The Health Department of Northwest Michigan (HDNW) is part of a statewide SARS-CoV-2 surveillance initiative comprised of local health departments, academic institutions, tribal communities, and wastewater facilities. The approach can act as an early indicator to positive cases, provide valuable insight into COVID-19 mitigation efforts, and supplement other surveillance methods.
