Programs & Services Communicable Disease Prevention and Control A communicable disease, also known as an infectious disease, is an illness transmitted through direct contact with an infected individual or animal – or indirectly through contact with a vector such as a mosquito, tick or plant, with blood or bodily fluids, or by breathing in an airborne virus or bacteria. As part of Wisconsin State Statute, 252 – Communicable Diseases, the NSHD is required to follow up and respond to all Category I and II diseases and conditions considered to have significant public health impact. Disease Investigations: In an outbreak investigation, the NSHD is responsible for identifying the source of the illness and working with facilities to implement control measures to prevent further spread of the infectious agent. Tuberculosis Program: The NSHD provides case management to residents with latent and active TB. This includes assurance that residents adhere to their treatment regimen by providing directly observed therapy (DOT) and conducting contact investigations to protect the public. Immunization Program: The NSHD maintains an immunization program to prevent and control vaccine-preventable diseases. Under this program, the NSHD provides immunizations to residents without medical insurance, to those with Medicare and to private payers. Chronic Disease Prevention and Control Chronic diseases are illnesses that last three months or longer, are rarely cured and are often progressive. Elder Referral Program: NSHD staff follow up on referrals we receive regarding health issues of older adults. The NSHD works in partnership with the Milwaukee County Department on Aging and/or North Shore Fire/Rescue to conduct home visits. These referrals often result in linking older adult residents to other resources in the area to maximize their independence and protect their health and safety. Farmers’ Markets: The NSHD supports and promotes the various farmers’ markets in the North Shore. Blood Pressure Monitoring: Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) webpage for information on how to Measure Your Blood Pressure. If it is difficult for you to find a doctor, travel to a pharmacy, or purchase a home blood pressure cuff, please call (414) 371-2980 and request to speak with a public health nurse who will be happy to assist you in locating the appropriate resources. If you are interested in hosting a blood pressure clinic in your facility or community, please call public health nurse Jaimie at (414) 916-7029 or email her at jvoss@nshealthdept.org. Maternal and Child Health (MCH) MCH focuses on improving the health and well-being of mothers, infants, children, and youth. Newborn Home Visits & Breastfeding Consultation: We provide home visits for newborn babies! The visit includes breastfeeding support services. During this visit, we discuss topics such as home safety, immunizations, nutrition, and healthy growth and development. Home visits provide the chance for new parents to ask questions and discuss newborn health and development. Environmental Health NSHD’s environmental health program focuses on the assessment, management, control and prevention of environmental factors that may adversely affect the health, comfort, safety or well-being of our residents. The NSHD provides these services as part of Wisconsin State Statute, Chapter 254- Environmental Health. Food Safety and Recreational Licensing: NSHD oversees the North Shore Environmental Health Consortium (NSEHC), which serves as an agent of the Wisconsin Department of Health Services and the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection. The NSEHC protects the public’s health through enforcement of sanitary regulations and fostering sanitary practices in certain public establishments. The NSEHC provides licensing and inspection services for restaurants, pools and hotels in the communities of Bayside, Brown Deer, Fox Point, River Hills, Shorewood and Whitefish Bay. The NSEHC also responds to consumer complaints for licensed food establishments, hotels and pools. Toxic Substances Lead Hazard Control: Our lead hazard control program prevents and reduces the impact of lead poisoning among children in the North Shore. Radon Outreach and Testing Program: Our radon outreach program educates North Shore residents on the impact of radon exposure through display boards at the libraries, in newsletters, at farmers’ markets and through outreach to local real estate companies. Short-term radon test kits are available at both offices. Animal Bite and Rabies Control: We work with police departments in the North Shore to promptly investigate animal bites for potential rabies exposure. The Health Department is responsible for ensuring that the biting animal is appropriately and legally observed and tested for rabies. Visit the DHS website for more information about rabies. Dog Bite Prevention Human Health Hazard and Public Health Nuisance Investigations: Per Wisconsin State Statute, Chapter 254.59, local health departments are required to respond to the presence of human health hazards. Human health hazards are substances, activities, or conditions that are known to have the potential to cause acute or chronic illness, injury or death if exposure is not stopped. Local municipal ordinances also give NSHD authority to investigate and respond to public health nuisance complaints. Beach Testing and Monitoring: We assure safe water conditions for wading or swimming at Atwater, Klode and Doctors Park beaches by routinely testing water for harmful levels of bacteria and posting signs to communicate water safety to the public during the summer swimming season (Memorial Day to Labor Day). Injury Prevention Unintentional and intentional injuries are a leading cause of emergency department visits, hospital inpatient admissions, and fatalities in Wisconsin and the North Shore. Childhood Injury Prevention: We work with North Shore Fire/Rescue to respond to requests from residents to have their car seats checked to ensure they are installed correctly. Schedule a Car Seat Installation on the NSFR Website Public Health Emergency Preparedness Health threats from infectious disease outbreaks, bioterrorism events and natural disaster events require a coordinated response from multiple government agencies to save lives. Local health departments, including NSHD, are recognized as essential partners in emergency response situations because of our capacity to identify, communicate and respond to everyday public health threats, such as communicable diseases and human health hazards. Our department, in partnership with other regional health departments, is recognized by the National Association of County and City Health Officials as meeting the standards for possessing and updating a written all-hazards response plan based on the principles of the Incident Command System.