Vaccination is key to helping prevent serious diseases

Back-to-school season is here. It’s time for parents to gather school supplies and get sports physicals. It’s also time to make sure children are up to date on their vaccines.

To celebrate the importance of immunizations for people of a...

Douglas County drops in health rankings to No. 23 in Kansas

Douglas County fell 16 spots to No. 23 in Kansas, according to the County Health Rankings report released today by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute. It’s the first time that D...

Health Department to recognize Melissa Hoffman, Aimee Polson as health champions

The Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department will recognize Melissa Hoffman and Aimee Polson, both of Lawrence, as the 2018 Douglas County Health Champions during a community breakfast 7:30-8:30 a.m. April 6 at the Community Health Facility, 200 Maine St...

New tobacco cessation resources available for Kansans with behavioral health conditions

The Kansas Tobacco Quitline is offering new resources to Kansans with behavioral health conditions (mental and/or substance use disorders).

For those who qualify, added services include more frequent calls from a counselor, a team of dedicated Qui...

Lawrence Transit selling student summer bus pass

The K-12 Student Summer Bus Pass is now on sale. Students can access unlimited rides on any Lawrence Transit bus from May 1 until Aug. 31 for only $10.

Riding the bus gives kids the freedom to get around in the summer. The Student Summer Bus Pass is a grea...

Tips to avoid illnesses during summer activities

Summer is a great time to enjoy outdoor activities like family picnics, playing in the park and swimming. However, families need to be mindful of the potential dangers that come along with hot, humid temperatures: illnesses related to mosquitoes, ticks, h...

Program provides support, education for fathers in Douglas County Jail

Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department employee Jery Marquez oversees the Healthy Dads program, which provides group and one-on-one support for fathers so they can build positive, lasting relationships with their children.

The program also provides educ...

Analyst Vince Romero receives Kay Kent Award

Analyst Vince Romero is the recipient of the 2018 Kay Kent Excellence in Public Health Service Award! He was nominated and selected by his peers for the award, which is named after W. Kay Kent who served as director of the Health Department from 1973 to 2...

Swimmers urged to help prevent illnesses at pools, water parks

Many families will be visiting swimming pools and water parks for recreation, fun and to simply cool off during the summer. While these are great places to be active, they’re also places where germs can be spread.

Contrary to popular belief, chlo...