There are many great groups, organizations and agencies that work hard for the betterment of the health and wellbeing of Lake County and its residents. One of these agencies is the Lake County Health Services Department.

The Lake County Health Services Department, which includes both the Public Health and Environmental Health Divisions, is currently developing programs focusing on policy and prevention.

The focus will include reducing the public’s exposure to many unhealthy products and toxins, increasing awareness of the benefits of healthy eating and drinking water; and on reducing the harms of secondhand smoke and tobacco litter in Lake County.

These strategies will have an impact on the health of residents now, and will also lay a foundation for positive health and well-being changes for the future.

The Lake County Health Services Department is excited to be part of setting the standard for positive health policy implementation by declaring that 100 percent of the buildings and grounds of our department be smoke-free.

This is a first step towards positive social change here in Lake County.

We invite you to think about what first steps you can take to create healthy changes for the benefit of Lake County and its residents.  

Jessica Hamner is health programs coordinator for the Lake County Health Services Department in Lake County, Calif.