The Ingham County Health Department (ICHD) is located in Lansing, Michigan 5303 South Cedar Street. Its mission is to protect and promote the public health. The Department administers programs to prevent and control environmental hazards, prevent and control disease and prevent and control health problems in vulnerable populations. More importantly, the Department identifies major health problems through a community based process to achieve the highest level of health possible for Ingham County residents.

The Health Department has developed a Community Center Network that is administered through its Bureau of Community services. The Network has eleven clinical operations located throughout the Lansing area (Jolly/Cedar, Willow, Otto, Sparrow, St. Lawrence, Stockbridge, Leslie, and Pennsylvania).

The Network provides dental care for adults and children, well child care, immunization, adult physicals, and treatment and management of acute and chronic diseases. Prevention services include screening for breast and cervical cancer, prostate and colon cancers. Counseling, testing, and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases and HIV/AIDS are also available.

Additionally, counseling, education, pregnancy testing, and medical care focusing on family planning and women’s health services are offered. This program provides comprehensive prenatal care to Ingham County women who are eligible for Medicaid, cannot afford or obtain medical care, or who do not have private insurance.

Another service provided by ICHD is the Adult Health Clinic. The Clinic provides primary medical care for uninsured and low income county residents over the age of 18, residents who are eligible for Medicaid or Medicare, and refugees who have recently arrived in the Lansing area. The mission of the Adult Health Team is to:

* Serve clients’ needs confidentially with dignity and respect, maintaining strict confidentially at all times.

* Provide scheduled appointments and services with as little waiting time as possible.

* Provide support to our clients to maintain health lifestyles.

* Make access to health care a reality to all adults in the community.

This concludes the first part of a five part series about services offered by the Ingham County Health Department. The next column will focus on dental services and dental services and clinic & communicable disease investigations. SOURCE:

Source: 2004 Annual Report. Ingham County Health Department, p.11-13.

George T. Rowan, Ph.D. is a professor in the College of Agriculture & Natural Resources at Michigan State University and chairperson of the Ingham County Board of Health.