MONROE — In the U.S. in 2024, people spend nearly 90% of their time indoors. National Healthy Homes Month (NHHM), created by The Office of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes (OLHCHH), is a campaign designed to help people connect the dots between their health and their home.
Millions of U.S. homes have moderate to severe physical problems, including dilapidated structures; roofing problems; heating, plumbing, and electrical deficiencies; water leaks and intrusion; pests; damaged paint; and high radon gas levels. These conditions are associated with a wide range of health issues, including unintentional injuries, respiratory illnesses like asthma and radon-induced lung cancer, and lead poisoning. The health and economic burdens from preventable hazards associated with homes are considerable and cost billions of dollars.
National Healthy Homes Month (NHHM) was established to focus on keeping people of all ages safe and healthy in their homes. It aims to boost awareness and understanding of federal and local resources available.
Green County Public Health (GCPH) has a variety of programs to help community members make their homes a healthy place to live. The department offers radon test kits free of charge. Radon is an odorless, colorless gas that can enter people’s homes through cracks in their foundations, spaces around pipes, or dirt floor basements. With long-term exposure, radon can cause lung cancer. GCPH also offers well water test kits available to residents with private wells. The test kit is free; individuals only pay for the price of lab testing at UW-Stevens Point. To learn more about these test kits or to schedule a time to pick up a test kit, contact GCPH at (608) 328-9390 or info@greencountywi.org.
GCPH also partners with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) on the Lead Safe Homes Grant. The grant may cover the cost of removing lead hazards for individuals who own or rent a property where children reside or spend time. Several homes in Green County have been made lead-safe under this grant opportunity. To learn more about this program and to see eligibility requirements, visit the DHS website: https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/publications/p02729.pdf.
Additional actions that homeowners can take to maintain the health of their home include:
● Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors (change batteries every 6 months).
● Turn on the bathroom fan while taking a bath or shower.
● Check your air filter and replace if necessary. (Replace every 3 months).
● Clean your gutters of leaves and debris.
● Clean your kitchen exhaust fan and filter.
● Inspect screens and replace any that have holes.
● Inspect the roof for cracks, leaks, or broken shingles/tiles
For more information, visit the DHS website: https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/environmental/safe-home.htm. To stay up-to-date on all things related to GCPH, visit gcpublichealth.org.
