Survey responses on COVID-19 vaccine willingness, hesitancy guide public health planning efforts

LAWRENCE – Of more than 3,031 Douglas County respondents to a recent survey, 55% indicated they would definitely take an FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccine, and 23% indicated they probably would take it as well. 

“These survey resul...

Seeking to slow COVID-19 spread, updated local health order reduces capacity at venues

LAWRENCE – Amid the recent spike in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in Douglas County and the region, public health leaders have updated the local health order seeking to limit environments for exposure with the goal of cur...

Broader Unified Command structure to guide ongoing COVID-19 response and recovery efforts

LAWRENCE – Douglas County’s Education Unified Command, which provided support and developed guidance for local K-12 schools and higher education in recent months, will move into a broader Unified Command structure that will continue to guide the ...

Charlie Bryan and Dee Vernberg celebrate work anniversaries at LDCPH

2020 Kay Kent Excellence in Public Health Service Award

Community COVID-19 scorecard updated to reflect current situation

LAWRENCE – Beginning today, the Smart & Safe Community Scorecard for reopening Douglas County has a few changes that better reflect the pandemic’s current situation.

Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health adjusted metrics for some of the goals on the sc...

LDCPH's clinic services temporarily moving to second floor for renovation project

LAWRENCE, KS – Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health’s clinic services will temporarily be provided on the second floor of the Community Health Facility, 200 Maine Street, beginning Oct. 5 to accommodate a building renovation project. Clinic services are ...

Public Health staff to conduct compliance checks on restaurants and bars

Establishments can request visits from staff as well to answer questions, provide guidance

What defines a COVID-19 outbreak?

Our disease investigators answer questions about how we define outbreaks, especially in recent days with the University of Kansas conducting entry testing of all students, faculty and staff.

Q&A: What you need to know about quarantining for COVID-19

Quarantining is a key part of controlling the spread of COVID-19; however, if you are unfamiliar with it, it can be an unnerving process. Epidemiology Supervisor Jeni McDonald addressed some common concerns people might have about quarantine.

Board of Health declares racism a public health crisis

The Lawrence-Douglas County Board of Health Monday declared racism a public health crisis and directed Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health to work with the steering committee for the Community Health Plan to add a fifth issue area in the plan focused on...

We've Changed Our Name

Our promise to the community illustrates so much more than can be confined into four walls of a building.

Douglas County is National Finalist in Culture of Health Prize

Douglas County has advanced to the next round in the annual Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Culture of Health Prize.

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Public Health staff to conduct compliance checks on restaurants and bars

LAWRENCE – Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health staff will begin conducting compliance checks on establishments and venues that have a liquor license to ensure they are following the local public health order issued Sept. 4.

The order r...

Amended public health order requires establishments to stop serving alcohol by 11 p.m.

LAWRENCE – After monitoring the level of COVID-19 cases in the community in recent weeks since the Sept. 4 health order took effect, Douglas County leaders have agreed to extend hours in which establishments with liquor licenses can ser...

Health Department receives national award for breastfeeding support to WIC families

Lawrence – The Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department is one of only 16 agencies across the country to receive the Gold Premiere Award of Excellence for its breastfeeding support to WIC families.

Leaders with the U.S. Department of Agriculture ...

SCRIPT program to help pregnant mothers quit smoking

Lawrence, Kansas – Smoking during pregnancy can cause several complications for the health of both the mother and child. However, a new evidence-based program will help Douglas County expectant mothers quit smoking and offer healthier futures for them and...

Partnership to provide free health app to Douglas County residents

LAWRENCE — Douglas County, in partnership with the Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department and Kansas Department of Health and Environment, will provide for free the MyStrength app to Douglas County residents.

MyStrength offers individuals supp...

FAQs for Mask Order in Douglas County

To stop the spread of the coronavirus in Douglas County, a local health order on July 1 began requiring most people to wear masks in indoor public spaces, and for consistency the county has since aligned with Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly’s statewide ...

Q&A: What you need to know about quarantining for COVID-19

Quarantining is a key part of controlling the spread of COVID-19; however, if you are unfamiliar with it, it can be an unnerving process. Epidemiology Supervisor Jeni McDonald addressed some common concerns people might have about quarantine.

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FAQs for Education Reopening

As part of Education Unified Command response, Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health has developed the following COVID-19 Smart and Safe School Reopening Guidance to assist K-12 school districts and families in decision-making for the upcoming school year...

FAQs for Reopening Phase 3

Gov. Laura Kelly has presented her detailed framework for a phased-in approach to begin reopening the state. Currently, Douglas County has aligned with the Governor’s plan, which is currently in Phase 3. And Local Health Officer Dr. Thomas Marce...

Kansas Supreme Court OKs local Tobacco 21 policies

The Kansas Supreme Court on Friday ruled that local governments could institute ordinances that ban the sale of cigarettes and other tobacco products to people under 21, known as Tobacco 21 legislation.

“It’s really exciting because the Supreme Court clear...

Douglas County, Health Department offering new online resource for wellness, mental health

Douglas County and eight community agencies now offer residents a new online resource for wellness and mental health. Livongo for Behavioral Health by myStrength, an innovative leader in digital behavioral health care, provides digital self-care resources...

Community Forum Focuses on Vaping Among Youth

Electronic cigarettes, otherwise known as e-cigarettes or vapes, have become extremely popular among young people in recent years. The National Youth Tobacco Survey showed an alarming 78% increase in vaping from just 11% in 2017 to 20.8% in 2018.

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