Ready. Set. Action!
Published on April 06, 2026
Celebrating National Public Health Week 2026 in Outagamie County
It’s a typical day in Outagamie County.
A parent buckles their toddler safely into a car seat before daycare.
A restaurant opens its doors for lunch.
A pregnant mom picks up healthy groceries using WIC benefits.
A young adult picks up free health supplies from a public health vending machine.
A baby receives routine vaccines.
A life is saved because someone knew how to use naloxone.
Most people don’t think twice about moments like these.
But public health is working behind the scenes to help make all of them possible.
From April 6–12, 2026, Outagamie County Public Health (OCPH) is celebrating National Public Health Week (NPHW), led by the American Public Health Association. This year’s theme is: Ready. Set. Action!
It’s a reminder that building a healthy community takes all of us.
What Is Public Health?
Public health focuses on protecting and improving the health of everyone — not just treating illness, but preventing it.
It helps make sure:
- Food is safe to eat
- Water is safe to drink
- Babies grow up healthy
- Families have access to nutritious food
- Illnesses don’t spread
- People struggling with substance use can get help
- Children ride safely in vehicles
- Communities are ready for emergencies
When public health works well, the whole community benefits.
A Story of Action in Outagamie County
Let’s tell the story of “Sam.”
Sam is expecting her first baby. She signs up for the WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) program through Outagamie County Public Health. WIC helps her get healthy foods, breastfeeding support, and nutrition education so she and her baby can start strong.
After meeting with her WIC nutritionist, Sam attends a car seat education appointment, where trained staff make sure her baby’s car seat is installed correctly. She leaves feeling confident her child will be safe.
After her baby is born, Sam goes to OCPH for vaccinations. A nurse answers her questions and provides guidance. Those vaccines protect her child - and other children in the community.
Before heading home, Sam stops at the grocery store. She doesn’t have to worry about whether the food she buys will make her sick because she knows the store just passed its inspection.
Later that year, Sam’s brother struggles with substance use. A friend tells him about Outagamie County’s harm reduction efforts and the website www.outagamie.org/endstigma, where he learns about local resources and support.
He also picks up free naloxone from a public health vending machine, which provides supplies like naloxone and other health resources at no cost. Public Health staff offer naloxone training, teaching community members how to recognize and respond to an overdose.
Because of these services, Sam’s entire family is supported — not just in one moment, but throughout their lives.
That’s public health in action.
By the Numbers: Making a Difference
Outagamie County Public Health continues to make a strong impact across the county. Over the past year, Public Health has:
- Conducted 1,273 food safety and facility inspections
- Provided immunizations to more than 140 children and adults
- Served more than 2,000 women, infants, and children through the WIC program
- Investigated 41 communicable disease outbreaks and implemented targeted control measures to protect public health
- Distributed 1,600 boxes of naloxone and provided more than 300 overdose response trainings
- Supported harm reduction efforts to reduce stigma and save lives, including securing a $100,000 vital strategies matching grant to support opioid overdose prevention efforts
- Completed 150 car seat installations with one-on-one safety education
- Prepared for and responded to public health emergencies
How Outagamie County Public Health Can Help You
Outagamie County Public Health offers free or low-cost programs and services for residents who qualify, including:
WIC (Women, Infants, and Children)
- Healthy supplemental food benefits
- Breastfeeding education and support
- Nutrition education
- Support during pregnancy and early childhood
- Referrals to community and healthcare resources
Maternal & Child Health
- Lactation Consultation
- Breastfeeding support
- Developmental Milestone screenings & education
- Safe Sleep education
- Postpartum resources and maternal support
Immunizations
- Vaccines for children and adults
- Information about vaccine-preventable diseases
Environmental Health
- Restaurant and recreational facility inspections (You can view inspection reports online at: www.outagamie.gov/eh)
- Licensing of businesses
- Well water testing
- Radon information
Communicable Disease Prevention
- Disease investigation and response
- Outbreak guidance
- Prevention education
Car Seat Safety
- Car seat installation education
- Safety checks to ensure children ride safely
Substance Use Prevention & Harm Reduction
- Naloxone distribution
- Naloxone training
- Public health vending machine access ( Check out what’s in the machine at: www.outagamie.gov/PHVM)
- Community education
- Harm reduction efforts and stigma reduction (Learn more at: www.outagamie.org/endstigma)
Emergency Preparedness
- Planning and coordination for public health emergencies
- Community partnerships to keep residents safe
If you are unsure whether you qualify for services, our team is ready to help guide you. Visit www.outagamie.gov/publichealth to learn more.
What Can You Do?
This National Public Health Week, take action to support your health and your community:
- Stay up to date on vaccines
- Use car seats correctly
- Learn how to use naloxone
- Support stigma-free conversations about substance use
- See if you or your family qualify for WIC
- Use available community resources
- Test your well water
- Wash your hands often
- Reach out if you need support
Small actions add up to big change.
Stronger Together
Public health is about neighbors helping neighbors. It’s about giving every child a safe ride home, every baby a healthy start, and every family access to support when they need it most.
This National Public Health Week, we celebrate the work happening every day in Outagamie County — and we recommit to building a healthier future.
Because when it comes to community health, we are:
Ready.
Set.
Action!
Learn more about services and programs at: www.outagamie.gov/publichealth