Who: Healthy Polk

What: Healthy Polk will host a town hall meeting: Bouncing Back From Life’s Challenges A Dialogue of Individual and Community Responsibilities”

When: Monday, November 17, 2008, 6:30pm-8:30pm

Where: Des Moines Botanical Center, 909 Robert Ray Drive, Des Moines, IA

Why: People face a myriad of challenges in life. Some people grapple with a mental health disorder...More

The Polk County Board of Supervisors approved a contract with Carlos Alarcon, M.D. to serve as the Medical Director for Polk County Health Department. Dr. Alarcon is a family physician at Broadlawns Medical Center.

“From his experience at Broadlawns, Dr. Alarcon understands the needs of our vulnerable patients. He also understands public health. That is a unique combination and makes him a good fit for our department,” said Terri Henkels, Polk County Health Department Director....More

Health and educational organizations in Polk County, along with the University of Iowa, have been selected to participate in the National Children`s Study, a long-range comprehensive National Institutes of Health investigation of the interaction of genes and the environment on children`s health. The participation includes an $11.9 million grant for the first five years.

The study will follow a representative national sample of 100,000 children from before birth to age 21, including...More

The Polk County Health Department’s annual Drive-thru Flu Clinic will be held October 4th at the Iowa State Fairgrounds between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. This clinic will be for flu shots only (pneumonia shots will not be given). People attending this clinic (9 years of age and older) will receive their shots without leaving their vehicle. Use the main entrance on Grand Avenue or the East 33rd Street entrance off University Avenue to access the clinic. A $15 donation is recommended.

“The Drive-thru...More

Polk County Health Department will receive a grant in the amount of $124,823 to establish wellness initiatives in two Des Moines neighborhoods: Gray's Lake and South Park. The funding comes from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services through the Harkin Wellness Grant program, and the Iowa State Legislature's support of local health initiatives. The Health Department submitted a competitive grant application earlier this summer to the Iowa Department of Public Health to help them implement...More