Welcome

Berrien County residents are touched every day in many ways by ourservices. 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.

The Health Department offers a variety of clinics to the public. Hearing and vision screening for children, HIV/AIDS prevention and testing, immunizations, TB control, flu/pneumonia clinics, nursing which provides home visits, and chronic and communicable disease control. Check out our site for clinic information, schedules and contact information, or call 269-926-7121.

The Berrien County Health Department can receive tax deductible contributions for any of its programs through a designated fund at the Berrien Community Foundation.


Hot Topics

(Click on the topic to jump ahead)

Flu Clinics *Friend of Public Health*Terror Alert * Pertussis (whooping cough) *What is Public Health * Accreditation * Bed Bugs * Disaster Preparedness*Quit Smoking * Lead Free Homes * Public Health Library * Medical Waste *Donations* Communicable Disease Reports


Lo/Ovral Birth Control Pills Recalled

The Health Department was advised January 12, 2012 that Lo/Ovral packages with lot numbers E15678 and F36908 have been recalled due to an error in packaging in which "some packages may contain an inexact count of placebo or active ingredient tablets." The pills are SAFE TO TAKE, but may NOT protect the user from pregnancy.

This notification means that too many or too few active ingredient (white) pills may be in these packages. The Health Department is in the process of getting a new, unaffected stock of Lo/Ovral. Clients who received the recalled pills from the Health Department may return the pills to the Health Department for replacement. Please call the clinic where you receive your pills for further information.

Benton Harbor Clinic: 269.927.5670

Niles Clinic: 269.684.2800 ext. 6529

Three Oaks Clinic: 269.756.2008


STD Services Now By Appointment

Beginning January 3, 2012, STD services will be by appointment. Walk-ins will be taken as time permits. Please call 927-5658 for an appointment in the Benton Harbor clinic and 684-8200 ex. 6510 for an appointment in the Niles clinic.


2011 Flu Season

The FLU Ends with U – www.flu.govIt is recommended that all people ages 6 months and older should get a flu shot every year!

Flu shots are now available by appointment

at the health department in Benton Harbor and Niles.

For appointments in Benton Harbor, call 927-5638.

For appointments in Niles, call 684-2800 ex. 6510.

If you are unable to leave your home due to a medical condition, call 927-5627 for more information on our flu shot program for the homebound.

The cost for regular flu shots and FluMist is $30. Medicaid, Medicare, and Blue Cross/Blue Shield insurances are accepted, and receipts are provided for other insurances to reimburse for the cost. High-dose flu vaccine is covered by Medicare B. Lower prices are also available for uninsured children, and no one will be turned away for inability to pay.


Dual Winners for the 2011

Friend of Public Health Award!

         

Jerry Frank and Marjorie Rea were presented with “Friend of Public Health” awards for 2011 by the Berrien County Health Department Board of Health. Jerry Frank, former Director of the Berrien County Department of Human Services was honored mainly for his advocacy for the Department’s Nurse-Family Partnership Program over the past decade.  Marjorie Rea is a nurse practitioner and was the backbone of the Department’s Family Planning Program for the past 25 years.  This award, created in 2000 and given annually, has been established to honor a worthy recipient, either individual or organization, for outstanding contribution to the health of the community while reflecting the spirit of the Health Department’s mission and its population-based approach to health status enhancement. Find out more aobut these outstanding friends of public health by reading Jerry Frank's accomplishments and Marjorie Rea's accomplishments. 

Click here to learn more about the Friend of Public Health Award.


Terror Alert System Changes

There are no active alertsThe old national terror watch level system has changed.

The National Terrorism Advisory System, or NTAS, replaces the color-coded Homeland Security Advisory System (HSAS). This new system will more effectively communicate information about terrorist threats by providing timely, detailed information to the public, government agencies, first responders, airports and other transportation hubs, and the private sector.

To check the current terror alert status here: www.dhs.gov


Learn About Whooping Cough (Pertussis)

Flu and whooping cough are serious diseases, especially in infants. Many babies are too young to get certain vaccines. Vaccinate people around these babies to protect them from disease. People who should get flu and whooping cough vaccines are:

*Pregnant women

*Parents, grandparents, and siblings

*Babysitters and caregivers

*Healthcare providers

*Anyone who visits the baby

 

For more information on pertussis, click here.


What is Public Health?

Whether you have been to the public health department before or not, public health affects you and the environment in which you live.  Learn how by checking out www.APHA.org

To learn more about public health achievements and careers, check out www.whatispublichealth.org

 

 


Health Department News and Information

In an effort to keep Berrien County residents healthy and educated about public health issues we provide press releases regularly to local media.  In addition, a few of our recent press releases are listed here for your information:

Reproductive Health

Health Differences among Races

Living Healthy in 2011

Healthy Moms: Healthy Babies

Stop Smoking

Breast and Cervical Cancer Awareness

Emergency Preparedness:  Are you Ready?

For more information on a wide variety of public health topics, you should visit our virtual library of articles.  Please take a moment to learn more about public health and many other health topics by visiting our health library.


Berrien County Health Department Achieves High Marks

The Berrien County Health Department underwent a week-long review of our processes, policies and procedures by the Michigan Local Public Health Accreditation Program. Of the 140 essential indicators that applied to the Berrien County Health Department, 136 were determined to be met without question.  The other 4 indicators require very minor changes to our procedures. 

The health department is extremely proud of this accomplishment which marks 10 years of full accreditation status indicative of high quality care for the people of Berrien County.


Bed Bugs

Many people have questions about bed bugs. How do I know if my home has bedbugs? What can I do to prevent a bed bug infestion? What do I do if there are bed bugs in my home? For the answers to these and any other bed bug questions, visit the Michigan Department of Community Health Bed Bugs website.


Be Prepared

It's never too late to Get Ready!  The American Public HealthAssociation's Get Ready campaign helps Americans prepare themselves, their families and their communities for all disasters and hazards including pandemic flu, infectious disease, natural disasters and other emergencies. 

Are you ready?  #1 Make a Plan; #2 Build a Kit; #3 Practice

To learn more read this informational article:  Emergency Preparedness: Ready?

Or visit the following websites: 

Berrien County Emergency Management Office:  www.bcsheriff.org

Berrien County Red Cross: www.berrienredcross.org

State of Michigan:  www.michigan.gov/michiganprepares

Federal Emergency management agency at www.emergency.cdc.gov/preparedness

If you have a special need and will require assistance during an emergency, please fill out this form and mail as directed.


Childhood Lead Poisoning - Is Your Home Safe?

We are currently accepting applications for lead remediation.  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.


Smoke Free Berrien County

The Health Department is a resource for community programs to help you quit smoking. For more information on programs to help quit smoking, click here.

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.

For more information visit www.michigan.gov/smokefreelaw


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         Wondering what to do with

Medical Waste?

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 through the Berrien Community Foundation

We could really use your help! 

    

Some examples of contributions and their impact are as follows:

$20         Immunization for uninsured child

$32         Flu Shot for uninsured resident

$60         Portable crib given to needy family for safe newborn sleep environment

$40         8-week smoking cessation class for person trying to quit smoking

$325       One home inspection and education session for a lead poisoned child

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


   MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staph Infection)

MRSA is one type of bacterial staph infection. 

For additional information click here: www.cdc.gov/mrsa


School Communicable Disease Reports

Monitoring communicable diseases in schools helps the Berrien County Health Department to reduce the risk of illness transmission and keep students healthy. Schools are required to submit their weekly communicable disease reports online. Reports are due every Friday. Click the link below to go to the log-in page.

Click here for School Login.

If you are experience difficulty, please contact Jan Schadler at 269-927-5627 or jschadler@bchdmi.org.

                                                      

 

 

 

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