This week is National Public Health Week and the Florida Department of Health in Martin County is giving Floridians an inside look at some of the careers behind public health and the dedicated professionals who do them. Each day, the department will highlight a different area of public health including epidemiology, emergency preparedness and response, environmental health and public health nursing. These fields and many more help the department carry out our mission to promote, protect and improve the health of Florida residents and visitors.

“From prevention programs that promote and protect the health of our residents to emergency preparedness and response in times of need, Public Health touches lives in our community every day.” said Karlette Peck, Health Officer for the Florida Department of Health in Martin County.

Last year, the department was the first state in the nation to receive national accreditation as an integrated department of health through the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB). Accreditation by PHAB signifies that the department, including the state health office and all 67 county health departments, is meeting national standards for ensuring essential public health services are provided in the community.

For more information about National Public Health Week, please visit www.nphw.org. For more information about the programs and services offered at the Department of Health in Martin county, please visit www.MartinCountyHealth.com or call 772-221-4000.