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Health promotion and wellness
Rice County SHIP newsletter
Promoting healthy communities
Rice County Public Health offers health education for schools, worksites, and community groups. Staff collaborate with the community on policies, systems and environmental changes to protect, promote and improve the health of all Rice County residents.
Healthy living
Juniper is a hub for evidenced-based healthy living classes. Search for Juniper programs.
Chemical and mental health resources
- Mental Health Minnesota
Naloxone information and resources in Rice County - Opioid Treatment – HealthFinders Collaborative
- Rice County Chemical and Mental Health Resource Directory
- Rice County substance use disorder webpage
- Rice County adult mental health webpage
Tobacco information and resources
Your health and the environment
On these days, air pollution levels may cause adverse health effects for people with cardiovascular disease, lung disease, older adults, children, and even healthy people doing vigorous activity. For more information about air quality and health, visit www.pca.state.mn.us/air-water-land-climate/air-quality-and-health
To find air quality levels by ZIP Code, visit the U.S. Air Quality Index website, Airnow.gov.
AirNow reports air quality using the official U.S. Air Quality Index (AQI), a color-coded index designed to communicate whether air quality is healthy or unhealthy for you. When you know the AQI in your area, you can take steps to protect your health.
Healthy Home Environments - home assessments and education
Children under age 6 are most at risk from lead poisoning because they are more likely to ingest lead and their bodies are developing rapidly. Babies and small children can swallow or breathe in lead from contaminated dirt, dust or sand while they play on the ground or floor. Even low levels of exposure can affect a child’s learning, behavior and growth.
Learn more by visiting the Minnesota Department of Health website or by viewing the CDC video about childhood lead poisoning prevention below.
Lead poisoning is entirely preventable. The key is stopping children from coming into contact with lead. Lead may be found in
- Paint in many homes older than 1978. Most homes built before 1950 have lead-based paint in them.
- Lead paint dust on windowsills or toys, pacifiers and other objects children may put in their mouth.
- Bare soil, particularly within three feet of the foundation of a house built before 1978.
- Water from lead pipes or pipes with lead solders.
- Some consumer products such as fishing tackle, jewelry, toys, cosmetics and home remedies may be contain lead.
Testing for lead exposure
Check with your health care provider if you think that your child has a risk for lead exposure.
A simple blood test can determine whether your child has been exposed to lead. It is recommended that all children get a blood lead test around 12 and 24 months of age, with additional testing between 25 months through 17 years based on exposure risks.
Public Health follow-up for lead
Rice County Public Health receives referrals from the Minnesota Department of Health for children and pregnant/breastfeeding individuals with elevated blood lead levels. Public Health nurses are available for case management, health education and home visits to help assess for home lead risks. Call 507-332-6111 for information about lead.
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 and Rice County's Northfield office,1651 Jefferson Parkway, Suite YW108.
For more information about radon, visit the Minnesota Department of Health.
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
- 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
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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 (June 4-Sept. 29)
8 a.m.-4:30 Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m.-noon 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 Cancer Society
- American Diabetes Association
- American Heart Association
- American Red Cross
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- CDC en espanol
- CDC - pandemic influenza
- Change to Chill - Allina Health online resource about stress for teens
- County Health Data
- County Health Rankings
- Emergency Preparedness Information
- HealthFinders Collaborative
- Healthy Community Initiative - Local mental health and substance abuse programs
- Making Strides Against Breast Cancer
- Medication Disposal Program: Take It To The Box