Berrien County Health Department

Berrien County residents are touched every day in many ways by our services. Everytime we eat in a restaurant, need help for health care, or get our children vaccinated for school,the Health Department is involved to make us safer and healthier.

FARMERS MARKET HAS BEGUN!!

The Benton Harbor Farmers Market opened July 7th and will be open every Wednesday through mid-October from 10am-4pm each day in City Center Park on the corner of Pipestone and Main by the Benton Harbor Arts District. The market will accept cash, Project Fresh coupons and this year we will also accept SNAP cards later in the season.

WIC clients are eligible to recieve Project FreshCoupons which can be used at farmers markets in Berrien County, including the Benton Harbor market. Coupons will be given in Benton Harbor, Niles and Three Oaks. Ask your WIC provider if there are Project Fresh Coupons still available.

Benton Harbor Farmers Market Flyer

Heat Safety

Very hot days, with temperatures in the upper 80's and above, can cause bodytemperature to rise, possibly resulting in muscle cramps, dizziness, heat illness, heat stroke and even death.

The best way to avoid heat illness is to stay cool and hydrated. If you do not have air conditioning in your home, find a public place to go for a few hours such as a mall or library. If you must stay home, take a cool shower or bath, and cover windows with curtains or shades to keep the sunlight from coming inside and heating your home.

When going in the sun, wear light, loose-fitting clothing and use sunscreen. In any circumstances, make sure to drink enough water to stay hydrated. In extreme heat, avoid drinks that contain alcohol or lots of sugar, since they will not hydrate your body. Most importantly, never leave children (or pets) in a parked car! Check up on elderly or otherwise vulnerable family and neighbors during hot days to make sure they are not suffering from heat illness.

For more information read the Heat Safety Press Release in the

Public Health Library

NEW School Vaccine Requirements for 2010-11

Vaccine requirements for school attendance have changed for the 2010-11 school year. These changes primarily impact students going into kindergarten, 6th grade, or those who are changing school districts. To help students meet these new requirements, the Berrien County Health Department will be distributing vaccines at a reduced price. Call the health department for more information at 926-7121.

Click here to see the new vaccine requirements and associated costs

Community and Economic Development Department

of Benton Harbor

Receives 2010 Friend of Public Health Award!

The Community and Economic Development Department was announced as the 2010 Friend of Public Health. Nicol Brown, Director, and Regina Sistrunk, Deputy Director, have done an outstanding job of promoting the health of the community through their everyday work. For a list of some of their accomplishments see Friend of Public Health . The Berrien County Health Department would like to thank Nicol, Regina and their entire staff for all the wonderful work they do to improve the built environment in Benton Harbor. Click here to learn more about the Friend of Public Health Award.

Michigan Goes SMOKE-FREE!!

Clean Indoor Air Regulation

Beginning May 1, 2010, Michigan residents and visitors will be protected from exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke in all restaurants, bars and businesses (including hotels and motels), thanks to Dr. Ron Davis Smoke Free Air Law.

This is exciting news for Michigan, and for Berrien where we already have smoke free business other than bars and restaurants. The harmful effects of second-hand smoke are undisputable - now residents will be guaranteed smoke free air in all public places.

For more information, visit www.michigan.gov/smokefreelaw

If you are having a problem breathing smoke-free air where you work or visit, please call the health department or issue a complaint by completing the Berrien Smoke-Free Air Violation Complaint form and fax back (or email Complaint form).

Ready to Quit Smoking?

The Health Department is here to help. A new class is starting that offers safe, fun and effective ways to assist you in quitting tobacco. Classes are FREE and start soon, so please register with Kerri Teachout at 927-5668. For more information download this schedule, or visit www.bctrc.org.

For information on the Berrien County Clean Indoor Air Regulation and how to assure your work space is smoke free, click here. If you are having a problem breathing smoke-free air where you work or visit, please call the health department or issue a complaint by completing the Complaint form.

Want to do more to end smoking in our community? Check out the Berrien County Tobacco Reduction Task Force (BCTRC) website www.bctrc.org, and join the coalition.

Childhood Lead Poisoning - Is Your Home Safe?

We are currently accepting applications for lead abatement. If you own property that may have lead, please complete the application and return it to the health department Environmental Health Service Area. Phone 269-927-5645.

Application for LEAD Hazard Repair Funding (word)

Application for LEAD Hazard Repair Funding (pdf)

Lead abatement contractors click here for available bids.

At Your Service

Physicans and other providers in Berrien County receive regular updates on hot public health topics through the "At Your Service" publication. This month's edition contains information about rabies prophylaxis, communicable disease reporting, and statistics about the health of Berrien County residents. See the links below for more information:

Review the most up to date information about Berrien County residents in the newly released Behavior Risk Factor Survey. What is the number one risk factor to Berrien County residents? What percent of our population smokes? How many people have visited the dentist in the past year? Answers to these and much, much more can be found in the report.

FREE hearing and vision screening clinics have been scheduled by the Berrien County Health Department. Children who will be entering school for the first time this fall in Berrien County are required to have their hearing and vision checked. Clinics will be held throughout Berrien County and will run until September 1st. Contact Dawn Mitchell at (269) 926-7121 ext. 5292 or Kelly Clark at (269) 684-2800 ext. 6525 for more information.

The Berrien County Health Department would like to welcome you to our virtual library of articles on public health topics. Please take a moment to learn more about public health and many other health topics by visiting our health library.

Dispose of old and expired medications, pills, mercury thermometers and needles/syringes in the safe and proper way. Check the Berrien County website for details.

Please consider a donation to the health department as a tax-deductible charitable contribution. We could really use your help! For more information click here.

$5,000 One full year of Nurse Family Partnership services for a first-time mother