Local health departments celebrating 125 years of public health program in Florida

The Florida Department of health is celebrating 125 years of service this week, with special events at health department locations around the state.

The Department of health was created by the Florida legislature in 1889 in response to the yellow fever epidemic and has since expanded to provide a number of health related services to Florida residents.

The Department of health provides the school health nurse, environmental health specialists, and tobacco prevention programs.

The Health department also oversees the WIC program and Healthy Start as well as many other programs.

Health department spokesman David Walker said that without public health, life expectancy in Florida would be 47 years.

Mister Walker also recognized many of the people who have worked at the local health department for decades, and said that long time public health nurse Ruth Wade is Franklin County’s “public health hero.”

Her achievements will be highlighted throughout the state.

The county commission approved a proclamation in support of the 125^th anniversary – and thanked all of the health workers for their dedication to public health.

The local health departments will hold special events on Thursday which will include free flu shots for adults, free dental supplies and refreshments.

The events will be held at the Carrabelle clinic from 1 till 3 and at the Apalachicola clinic from 2 till 4.

Similar events will be held at the clinics in Gulf County from 3 to 5 in Port St. Joe and from 4 to 5:30 central time in Wewahitchka.

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