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  • Drive to Succeed

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    Drive to Succeed Application

    Knox Public Health is excited to announce the launch of the Drive to Succeed Scholarship Program

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Knox Public Health | Mount Vernon, Ohio

About Public Health

Details
Written by Mike Whitaker
Published: 26 March 2018

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More than 60 years ago, noted social philosopher Sir Geoffrey Vickers said “The history of public health might well be written as a persistent redefinition of the unacceptable.” This is certainly true when we are dealing with E. coli in a water well, improper food temperatures at a restaurant, too much chlorine in a public pool or the collection of tires in someone’s backyard. When a situation that affects the health and well being of people is unacceptable, it becomes a public health issue.

Public health issues are in the news every day, whether it be the latest outbreak of avian flu or the elimination of a vaccine-preventable disease. And the work of public health takes place in our community every day -- from investigating a dog bite, testing for radon, inspecting a restaurant or getting a Tetanus shot. Whether we notice or not the work of public health touches us all every day. From ‘No Smoking' signs to immunization clinics, proper sewage disposal to litter prevention, child car safety seats to rabies clinics, public health works to improve the conditions around us and promote healthy behaviors

The job of public health professionals at the Knox County Health Department is to promote health, prevent disease and injury, and to maintain and improve a healthy environment for the protection of all residents of Knox County. We assess, we assure, we promote, we prevent, we protect.... all to help extend the benefits this world has to offer to each of those we serve. It's an honor, a responsibility and some days, a tough job. And we do it gladly - because we are public health.

Yet, public health is also a two way street with input and involvement from the general public and partner agencies that are just as important as the investigations and recommendations made by public health professionals. The more our residents understand public health, the better we can work together to reduce infant mortality and improve infant health, reduce death and illness associated with disease and injury, increase awareness and adoption of healthy lifestyles and to respond effectively to all public health emergencies. We welcome your feedback and comments anytime.

Where and how we live, work and play has a lot to do with how healthy each of us really is. We hope you will find this information on our website useful in your everyday lives and that it will provide resources for keeping you and your family healthy. For now, for the future…this is public health.

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History of Knox County (public health)

Get Healthy Knox County

Get Healthy Knox County

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Food Safety

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Birth & Death Certificates

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Adult Immunizations

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Tobacco Cessation

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Sewage Systems

Sewage Systems

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Dental Clinic

Dental Clinic

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Narcan Training

Narcan Training

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WIC

WIC

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Public Health News

  • Measles Outbreak in Knox County, 20 Total Confirmed Cases 04-14-2025
  • Measles Outbreak in Knox County, 14 Confirmed Cases 04-08-2025
  • Two More Confirmed Measles Cases in Knox County 03-31-2025
  • Confirmed Measles Case in Knox County 03-26-2025
  • Nutramigen with Probiotic LGG Powder Recall 01-03-2024
  • More Public Health News

We Are Public Health

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Public Health: prevent. promote. protect

Our Mission
Promote a healthy community through education, innovation, and equitable care.

Our Vision
Inspire and empower healthy lifestyles for generations to come.

Copyright © 2024 - Knox Public Health

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Contact Us

Health Department 

Hours: Monday- Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm

Phone: 740-392-2200  Fax: 740-392-9613

11660 Upper Gilchrist Road, Mount Vernon

 KnoxHealth.com 

 

Health Center

Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm 

Phone: 740-399-8008  Fax: 740-399-8012

11660 Upper Gilchrist Road, Mount Vernon (inside KPH) - Dental Services

202 West Vine Street, Mount Vernon - Medical Services 

207 West High Street, Mount Vernon (inside Foster's Pharmacy) - Medical Services

206 South Mulberry Street, Mount Vernon - Behavioral Health Services

12 East Main Street, Danville - Behavioral Health & Medical Services

706 South Market Street, Danville - Dental Services 

 

For Health Center service during non-business hours, call 740-399-8008 and choose the "After Hours Service" option. 

For Public Health emergencies during non-business hours, call 740-397-3333 Option 1.

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