April 7th-13th is known as National Public Health Week, and the Dallas County Health Department is using it as an opportunity to educate residents.

According to Community Health Administrator Abigail Coder, the top concerns the county is witnessing is access to care, mental health, substance use, nutrition and physical activity, as well as the social determinants of health like housing and food insecurity. She shares that the health department will be looking to improve those areas over the next three years. Coder, who’s been in her position for seven years, tells Raccoon Valley Radio the aspect she loves the most about serving Dallas County residents.

“All the collaboration that we’re able to do. So we have a fairly small department, but we have such great partners in the county and different community members that are willing to come together and work together to really improve the health and well-being for everybody. And then willing to look at some of those more environmental or systems changes that might be directed to impact certain people, but in the end, improve the health of all of us. And it’s just really cool to see those partnerships and those projects come together.”

Coder describes that the department has been sharing information on the resources available in the area and reminding residents of free services they’re offering. She adds that the organization is continually trying to find ways to better improve easier access to care in Dallas County.