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Health promotion and wellness
Promoting healthy communities

Rice County Public Health offers health education for schools, worksites, and community groups.
Staff members work collaboratively with many organizations and groups in the community to create policies, systems and environmental changes which protect, promote and improve the health of the residents of Rice County.
Healthy living
WellConnect is a hub for evidenced-based healthy living classes. Search for Juniper programs.
Chemical and mental health resources
- Rice County Chemical and Mental Health Resource Directory
- Naloxone information and resources in Rice County
Tobacco information and resources
- Find free help to quit your way at Quit Partner
- Quick facts on the risks of e-cigarettes
- School e-cigarette toolkit opens PDF opens PDF opens PDF opens PDF opens PDF opens PDF opens PDF
- About electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes)
Health promotion activities
- Chronic disease prevention - asthma, cancer, diabetes
- Diet and nutrition - nutrition education, community gardens, farmers markets
- Health and Happiness Project- help our community build skills to cope with stress, promote a positive outlook, build resiliency, and shift their mindset
- Health care access - help for under-insured and uninsured in accessing health care in Rice County
- Healthy Home Environments - home assessments and education
- Home safety - home safety instruction for injury and fall prevention
- Indoor air quality - radon, environmental tobacco smoke, mold
- Mental health - promotion activities, resources
- Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training
- Physical activity and healthy weight - promotion of parks and recreation, non-motorized transportation, healthy lifestyle
- Sun safety - use of Dermascan to show sun damage
- Tobacco use cessation - prevention activities, carbon monoxide monitor, QUITPLAN Minnesota
Air quality information
BeAirAwareMN.org is a website to help you protect your health and improve air quality. It provides information on indoor and outdoor air quality, tips on what you can do to improve air quality, and links to data on air quality and health outcomes in Minnesota.
Real-time data available about air quality conditions in Minnesota for common pollutants including fine particles and ozone. This website is jointly maintained by the Minnesota Department of Health and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.
Radon testing
Testing for radon is easy, inexpensive and only takes three to five days. The best time to test is during the heating season, but testing can be done year-round. Free test kits are available at Rice County Public Health on the first floor of the Government Services Building, 320 Third St. NW, Faribault.
For more information about radon, visit Minnesota Department of Health.
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Deb Purfeerst
Public Health Director
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Public Health
Physical Address
Rice County Government Services Building
320 Third St. NW
Faribault, MN 55021
Phone: : 507-332-6111Fax: : 507-332-5932
Northfield: 507-645-9576
Lonsdale: 507-744-5185
Toll Free: 888-200-4807Hours: 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Monday through Friday
Offices are closed on legal holidaysMinnesota Poison Control System: 1-800-222-1222
Minnesota Foodborne Illness Hotline: 651-201-5655 or 1-877-366-3455
- American Heart Association
- American Cancer Society
- Making Strides Against Breast Cancer
- American Diabetes Association
- American Red Cross
- CDC en espanol
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Change to Chill-Allina Health Online Resource About Stress for Teens
- County Health Data
- County Health Rankings
- Emergency Preparedness Information
- Pandemic Flu
- HealthFinders Collaborative
- Healthy Community Initiative - Chemical Health Directory
- Medication Disposal Program: Take It To The Box