Public Health IS

Summary September is National Preparedness Month and to close it out, Maria Andrea is joined by WCCHD's newest Emergency Preparedness and Response team member Tammara Jordan, the Training and Exercise Coordinator. Together, they discuss Tammara's role and the importance of community involvement in public health, focusing on emergency preparedness and the role of the Medical Reserve Corps i...

Summary When is the best time to get screened for cancer? We kickoff Season 2 of "Public Health IS..." by exploring the importance of cancer screenings for the 3 most diagnosed cancers- breast, colorectal, and prostate. Join Maria Andrea, WCCHD's Medical Director, Dr. Amanda Norwood, and an extra special guest as they discuss how routine preventative care and early detection can save...

Summary When host Maria Andrea got ready to welcome her first baby, she thought she had prepared for everything. She got her nursery ready, got the car seat installed, and took the birthing classes. BUT, when her daughter finally arrived, the thing she least prepared for was how to feed her. Her mindset was, "Breastfeeding is natural, so if it's meant to be it'll just happen." Th...

Summary Do you know what the world's deadliest animal is? Every year it claims anywhere from half a million to a million lives worldwide. To learn more about this animal, Maria Andrea is joined by a familiar guest, Jason, WCCHD's Public Health Entomologist, to discuss the deadly impact of mosquitoes, the diseases they can transmit, how we at the health district implement control measures t...

Summary All throughout this season, Maria Andrea closes out each episode with "public health is you, it's me, it's we, it's us." In this episode, learn how YOU the individual can get involved in the US of public health via the Healthy Williamson County Coalition, led by Nneka Shoulds, the Healthy Williamson County Coalition Coordinator. They discuss the evolution and impact o...

Summary It arrives every summer. The headlines start piling up. A meddlesome parasite. Fresh produce. Food recalls. And hundreds of people suddenly dealing with days of miserable gastrointestinal illness. So what's the culprit? Why does this parasite seem to appear year after year, and why are fresh herbs, leafy greens, and berries so often caught in the investigation? In this Public Health IS...

Summary Join Maria Andrea, as she learns all about the Quality and Strategic Management team lead by Christa Cook and Chethana Manjunath from Williamson County and City's Health District. They explore the vital work of public health, focusing on quality improvement, strategic management, data support, and community engagement. Discover how these efforts directly impact community well-being and...

Summary: In this episode, Maria Andrea is joined by Melanie Jones, Emergency Preparedness and Response Specialist, to discuss the dangers of heat, especially in Texas, and how to prevent heat-related illnesses. Learn about symptoms, safety tips, and the importance of hydration during extreme heat conditions. As always, if you like what you heard, please support thispodcast by following, liking, co...

Summary In this episode Maria Andrea explores the vital role of public health in emergency preparedness and response, featuring insights from Lauren Powell, Emergency Preparedness and Response Team Lead at Williamson County and City’s Health District. Learn how community involvement, planning, and coordination help build resilient communities capable of handling natural disasters, health crises, a...

Summary In this episode, Maria Andrea and WCCHD's resident food experts discuss the recent changes in Texas mobile food vending laws, focusing on the new statewide permitting process starting July 1. They explore how these changes benefit vendors, the local role in enforcement, and how vendors can prepare for the transition. As always, if you like what you heard, please support this podcast by...

This is a segment called "Public Health IS... In the News" where Maria Andrea discusses emerging public health issues and WCCHD's role in keeping communities healthy and safe. Summary In this episode, we explore the emerging threat of the New World Screwworm fly in Texas, its impact on animal and human health, and the measures being taken to control it. Our guest, Jason Fritz, a publ...

In this episode, Maria Andrea is joined by Kaleb Fowlkes, director of Epidemiology and Disease Surveillance to talk about what goes on behind the scenes to track and control infectious diseases in Williamson County as "disease detectives". Interested in learning more about a specific public health topic? Reach out to us at publichealthistx@wilcotx.gov! And learn more about Williamson Cou...

In this episode, Maria Andrea speaks with Tara Jempty, director of Program Eligibility and Social Services to explore social services, healthcare access, and preventative screenings. Tara shares insights into programs like WilcoCare and the Cancer Screening Initiative, highlighting their impact on community health and the importance of accessible healthcare. Interested in learning more about a spe...

In this episode, Maria Andrea discusses the importance of public health via the WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) program with Alissa Orozco, the WIC Director. They explore the purpose of WIC, its history, eligibility criteria, application process, and the various support services it offers to families. The conversation highlights the significance of nutrition education, community engagement, the...

In this episode, Maria Andrea and Kaitlin Murphee, the Clinical Services Director, discuss the various programs and services offered by the Clinical Services Division. They emphasize the importance of community outreach, preventative health measures, and the role of public health in saving lives because "health is wealth". The conversation covers topics such as immunizations, tuberculosi...

In this episode, Maria Andrea is joined by Lori Murphy, Environmental Health Director, and Jovette Newton, Environmental Health Supervisor, to discuss environmental health, food safety, and it's impact on the public's health. Learn about the processes, regulations, and tips that help keep your food safe and the community healthy from "farm to fork". Interested in learning more ab...

Have you ever been curious about the ins and outs of public health? Join Maria Andrea with guests Lori and Jovette in Episode 2, dropping April 21st. And, see how in Lori's words, "public health is everything, everywhere, all at once!" -especially in their division.

In this episode, Maria Andrea, the community engagement specialist from Williamson County and Cities Health District, introduces the concept of public health and its significance in everyday life. Joined by Amber Erickson, the Executive Director, and Amanda Norwood, the Medical Director, they delve into the definition of public health, emphasizing its focus on prevention, protection, and promotion...