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What is public health? That is a basic question many health directors receive when working with community members and organizations for the first time. Public health is population-based health. It can be made clearer by an example: If an individual has heart disease that is a personal health care issue and he or she should seek medical attention and maintenance care. The fact that heart disease is increasing not only in the nation and Nebraska but in the Elkhorn Logan Valley Public Health Department service area is a public health concern. A physician or medical office works with the individual to prevent disease and promote good health; public health works with the population as a whole to promote and protect good health for all and to reduce the incidence of disease in the population.

This is a time of great change in the field of public health in Nebraska. Like other newly formed health departments we are in the process of assessing community needs and documenting exacerbated public health concerns. In conjunction with the assessment, we have taken great strides with partner agencies in dealing with public health issues or promoting health. We have many commonalities with the other new health departments in that we are all working toward improved emergency preparedness as funded by federal bioterrorism funds; we are all doing surveillance and education for West Nile Virus in order to reduce the impact of this disease in our population as just two examples. Elkhorn Logan Valley Public Health Department, like most health departments, is also developing its own programming. We have tried to highlight both in this annual report. Please read on to learn about what we are doing to protect and/or improve health in our service area.

I do acknowledge that we as public health officials are not alone in our struggle for population-based health improvement. We work closely with community action agencies, hospitals, schools, local law enforcement, cooperative extension, area medical providers and a multitude of other agencies. This collaborative approach increases both effectiveness and efficiency by both avoiding duplication of services and eliminating gaps. We are fortunate to have great partners in protecting the health of the citizens and communities of the Elkhorn and Logan valleys.

Welcome to the 2003-2004 Elkhorn Logan Valley Public Health Department annual report. In this report you will find “construction” as a common theme. With Elkhorn Logan Valley Public Health Department being only in its second year of operation, we are still building our agency and our work. However, I am proud of the programs and relationships that have already been built. Please keep reading to learn about our blueprint for success, and the basic structure that has developed to date. Additionally, I encourage you to contact our office any time if you have public health questions or concerns.

Thank you for your interest in public health.