DURHAM, N.C. – The celebration of the American Public Health Association’s “National Public Health Week” may be wrapping up, but the Durham County Department of Public Health is just getting warmed up for Public Health Month.

The Department will participate in and host several events throughout April, revolving around this year’s theme “Our Health, Our Community, Durham’s Future.”

“Some of our programs and services are more prominently known in the community than others,” says Durham County Public Health Director Gayle B. Harris. “This year, we’re placing special emphasis on some of our newest programs and initiatives. Like pieces of a puzzle, all of our programs and services fit together to ensure that Durham County’s vision for health and well-being touches everyone that lives, works, and plays here.”

Events that Public Health will participate or host include:

April 11 at 3:30 p.m.
Durham Knows Twitter Chat

The Partnership for a Healthy Durham and Durham Knows will host a Twitter Chat for National HIV & AIDS Awareness Day. Join in on the conversation using the hashtag #DurhamKnows.

April 13
Release of 2016 Public Health Month Video Online

The video soundtrack for the latest edition of our Public Health video was written and performed by students from Durham School of the Arts.

April 15-16
Durham County Triple P (Positive Parenting Program) Outreach and Workshops during 
Radio One Raleigh’s Empowerment Friday and Women’s Empowerment 2016

• April 15 – Empowerment Friday Hilton Garden Inn Raleigh - Crabtree Valley, 3912 Arrow Dr., Raleigh, NC 27612
  • A free preview event of Saturday’s Women’s Empowerment event from 10:30am-4:00pm. Durham County Triple P will present a parenting workshop beginning at 1:00 p.m.
• April 16 – Women’s Empowerment PNC Arena, 1400 Edwards Mill Rd., Raleigh, NC 27607, from 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
  • Durham County Triple P’s will have booth on the main concourse, where trained, accredited Triple P providers will give one-on-one parenting tips and techniques. A Triple P parenting workshop will also take place at 4:00 p.m., in the Varsity Club on 2^nd (Club) Level.

April 19 – 8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Project Blue Bridge: Connecting Autism Awareness and Oral Health Care
Dental Clinic (Lobby 21), Durham County Human Services Building, 414 East Main St., Durham, NC 27701

This event is dedicated to promoting good oral health for children up to age 21, with autism and intellectual developmental disabilities. Additional resources will include oral health education, nutrition education, as well as supplemental community resources and information

Free dental services will be available to children who have Medicaid (no Health Choice), have NO medical insurance, and have an identified intellectual developmental disability.

Appointments are available by calling (919) 560-7680.

April 27 - 2:30 p.m.
Grand Opening Event for Healthy Futures Durham Schools (Child Health Assessment and Prevention Program) at Oak Grove Elementary School
3810 Wake Forest Hwy., Durham, NC 27703

Join us for the official opening of an innovative care delivery model provided for children residing in Durham County by the Durham County Department of Public Health, in partnership with Durham Public Schools (DPS) and Duke Health. The program is located within five DPS elementary schools: E.K. Powe, George Watts, Glenn, Merrick Moore, and Oak Grove. 

Locations provide:

• Immunizations (Shots)
• Kindergarten Physicals for School
• Health Check-Ups for children birth to age 18
• Vision and Hearing Screenings
• Dental Fluoride Treatment
• Iron Levels and Lead Testing

For more information, visit www.dconc.gov/chapp

 April 28 – 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Public Health Celebration: Featuring Operation Medicine Drop and What’s the 411 on Diabetes
Durham County Human Services Building, 414 East Main St., Durham, NC 27701)

• Operation Medicine Drop – 10:00am until 2:00pm The Durham County Department of Public Health, in partnership with the Durham County Sheriff’s Office, will collect expired or unused medications for free, no questions asked.
• What’s the 411 on Diabetes – 10:00am until 1:00pm The “What’s the 411” series focuses on various important health issues for diabetics in Durham. This session will focus on medication management.  Those in attendance will have the opportunity to interact with an endocrinologist from Duke Health.
• Public Health Celebration – Noon until 5pm Join Public Health as we showcase what Public Health does 24/7/365 to enrich the quality of life and protect the health and well-being of Durham County’s residents. Giveaways and refreshments will be provided, while supplies last.

For more information about any of the Public Health Month events, contact Eric Nickens, Jr. at (919) 560-7624 or e-mail enickens@dconc.gov.

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