Sanford, Fla. This week, April 1 - 7, the Florida Department of Health in Seminole County (DOH-Seminole) is acknowledging National Public Health Week (NPHW). NPHW presents an opportunity for communities across the United States to reflect on the contributions of public health and highlight issues that are important to improving our health. Among the week's activities, DOH-Seminole joins No Limit Health and Education and the City of Casselberry for the 5th Annual Live, Work, Move Seminole 5K & Kid's Dash on Saturday, April 6^th starting at 7:30 a.m. at the South Seminole Middle School Park located at 101 S. Winter Park Drive, Casselberry, Florida 32707. To register please visit www.seminolecohealth.com.

Public health professionals across Seminole County make it their life's work to help keep people and communities healthy from better maternal and child health to improvements in disease control and prevention, addressing environmental concerns and emergency preparedness.

"Serving clients at health clinics, educating through outreach, investigating disease outbreaks, addressing public health issues, and community partnerships are some of the ways public health workers protect the health of our communities and ensure a healthy future in Seminole County," said Donna Walsh, health officer for the Florida Department of Health in Seminole County.

In Seminole County, the Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) is designed to address specific opportunities for improved health that have been identified by the community. The department has partnered with many stakeholders to implement the CHIP and collaborates regularly to track progress. As outlined in the Seminole County CHIP, the areas of focused priorities in Seminole County during the last three years have included: chronic disease prevention; health care access; maternal and child health; and behavioral health and substance abuse. To achieve this goal, we are working with community partners to reduce and eliminate disparities and improve the overall health of our community.

DOH-Seminole is proud to offer important health initiatives and services to help improve the health of the community. The Diabetes Prevention and the Diabetes Self-Management Programs are offered locally to benefit those affected by diabetes and help prevent others from developing the disease. The Mobile Health Services Program provides services such as screenings, education and referrals to underinsured and underserved communities in Seminole County.

Below are some activities taking place during NPHW:

Every Thursday in April (April 4th, 11th, 18th and 25th) there will be free confidential STD testing from 8:30am to11:00am, and 1:30pm to 3:30pm at DOH-Seminole's Health Clinic located at 400 West Airport Boulevard in Sanford.

To learn more about NPHW and how you can get involved, visit http://www.nphw.org/.

About the Florida Department of Health

The department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at @HealthyFla. For more information about the Florida Department of Health, please visit www.FloridaHealth.gov.