OFFICE OF PLANNING, EDUCATION & EVALUATION

“The Office of Planning underwent changes to allow for a constant flow of information to the community.

The Office of Planning, Education and Evaluation (OPEE) underwent extensive restructuring and refocusing during 2001 to communicate more effectively with DuPage County residents and better serve the needs of the Health Department. “Every aspect of the Office of Planning was involved in this reorganization,” said Dr. James C. Hagen, Deputy Executive Director. Vital Records, Community Information and Health Education, the Internet, Data Services, Health Promotions, Outcomes and Evaluations, Media Relations, Graphic Design, the Health Education Referral System (HERS), the Resource Center and the Laboratory were reviewed. “We evaluated each function, redesigned processes, and customized services to meet the ever-changing needs of DuPage County,” said Hagen. “Our methods for data collection and analysis were improved. We reviewed thoroughly the effectiveness of Health Department programs and implemented unique methods to inform the community of public health issues.” Promotional activities and events were used to communicate a wide range of information. The news media became a vehicle to better inform residents and increase community knowledge. The Office of Planning implemented surveys and reported results to the public. The Behavioral Risk Factor Survey of 2001 revealed the health care needs of the county’s minority populations. “We have built a solid foundation in the Office of Planning to increase our capabilities, assist staff and better serve the community,” stated Hagen.

The Health Department’s website continued to be a popular source for information. The site, dupagehealth.org was redesigned by our Senior Graphic Designer and expanded to include sections on bioterrorism, dental education, senior services and a “Kids Page.” More than 1,800 pages of information on services, events and county health statistics received nearly 1,300,000 hits during 2001.

Proper nutrition is vital to good health. The Community Health Survey, conducted by  the Health Department in partnership with DuPage County hospitals and the Community Memorial Foundation, indicated that obesity and heart disease were dominant health threats to residents. With the knowledge that proper eating habits are formed early in life, “This Is Your Life,”
a play for school children, was sponsored by the Health Department. This novel teaching method addressed nutrition, fitness, eating disorders, tobacco usage, osteoporosis and body image.

During “Public Health Week,” DuPage County residents joined the Department to “Celebrate Public Health.” Moving signs, billboards, posters, church bulletins and school newsletters carried public health messages. School children submitted posters that illustrated, “How public health promotes health and prevents illness.” Their artwork was seen throughout the county on shirts, in newspapers and as displays in libraries, schools, businesses and health care facilities.

The County Fair is a great avenue to provide information in an informal setting. The 2001 theme for the Health Department’s booth was “For Kids…For Everyone.” While at the fair, staff provided more than 2,800 residents with public health information.

The “Youth Ambassador News” was created at the request of community children who asked to receive more facts on public health and events that influence the health of our community. More than 151,000 school children, parents, and teachers received three issues of timely, educational, fun and age-appropriate information.

Information on community health education programs is available on
the Department’s redesigned Health Education Referral System (H.E.R.S.).

 

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