State recognizes public health workers  

SANTA FE — This week is the perfect time to recognize the contributions of public health workers and the impact they have on their communities.  

That’s because it is National Public Health Week (April 7-13), which The New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) is using to celebrate our state’s public health workers. One of the key themes is It Starts Here: Your Health is Our Mission.  

“The health and wellbeing of every New Mexican remains the top priority for every public health worker in our agency,” said Esperanza Lucero, director for NMDOH’s Center for Health Protection. “Through cooperation, dedication and evidence-based approaches, we work to protect the lives of all individuals and communities.” 

Among the services NMDOH offers to help people lead healthier lives and build stronger communities are: 

 

• Women, Infants and Children (WIC) is a special supplemental nutrition assistance program that identifies health and nutritional risks for mothers and their children. Enrolled parents and guardians get nutrition education and receive monthly food benefits for high nutrient foods. 
• Children’s Medical Services (CMS) coordinates medical care for eligible children and youth with Special Health Care Needs (CYSHCN) ages 0-21 and manages the Newborn Genetic Screening Program and Newborn Hearing Screening Program. 
• The Preventive Medicine Clinics at local public health offices provide testing/treatment for tuberculosis and sexually transmitted infections, and breast and cervical cancer screening in addition to family planning services and immunizations. 
• Disease Prevention concentrates on the prevention and control of infectious diseases with outreach, surveillance, outbreak response, testing/treatment, contact follow-up, and referrals for sexually transmitted infections, tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS and more.  

 

To learn more about how NMDOH can help you stay healthy visit: nmhealth.org. 

To learn more about National Public Health Week visit nmph.org.