The COVID-19 pandemic has brought public health into the spotlight, and over the past year responding to the pandemic has been a large part of Green County Public Health’s day-to-day operations. However, public health was here serving our community long before the pandemic and we’ll be here long after. Public health provides numerous services to the Green County community; we are here to be a reliable resource that educates, serves, and leads the people of Green County to optimal health and well-being.
During the COVID-19 pandemic our department needed to pause services that required community members to physically enter our department. These included immunizations, WIC (Women, Infants and Children), TB skin tests, some environmental health services, and other programs were switched to be held over the phone. Beginning this summer, we will begin to resume in person services. At this time, we have re-opened immunization services, so adults or children who qualify can get immunized. During the pandemic many adults and children missed or were unable to receive their recommendation vaccinations, now is a great time to get caught up. Our department has all of the recommended adult and childhood immunizations. TB skin tests are also now available. To learn more about pricing, eligibility or to schedule an appointment, community members can call Green County Public Health at (608) 328-9390.
Some of our environmental health services have also resumed, including radon test kits and water test kits. The Wisconsin DNR recommends that private well owners test their well at least once a year. State well construction code requires that new wells be tested before use. Well water should be tested anytime there is a change in odor or taste. There are several water testing packages that vary in price. People who meet certain criteria set by the Wisconsin State Lab of Hygiene, can get their water tested for free. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Surgeon General recommend testing all homes below the third floor for radon. Testing is inexpensive and easy — it should only take a few minutes. To learn more about pricing, packages available, or criteria for free testing please call our department at (608) 328-9390.
On July 14th our Women, Infants and Children (WIC) clinic will return to in-person services. Our WIC staff will be communicating with participants about this change, but we’re looking forward to seeing families in person again. WIC provides food and nutrition information to help keep pregnant and breastfeeding women, infants and children under five years of age healthy and strong. To be eligible for WIC benefits in Wisconsin, a person must meet the following requirements: be a pregnant, breastfeeding or new mother; be an infant up to age one; or be a child up to age 5; and: be a resident of Wisconsin; and be income eligible; and have a health or nutrition need. If you have questions about WIC or are interested in enrolling, please give us a call.
In addition to these services Green County Public Health offers several other programs such as breastfeeding support, the Early Head Start home visiting program, health education and more. Anyone interested in learning more about what Green County Public Health has to offer should visit our website at
gcpublichealth.org or check out our Facebook page.
— Bridget Craker is the Public Health Educator for the Green County Public Health Department and can be reached at bcraker@greencountywi.org or 608-328-9509.
