2021 Impact Report: The Power of Public Health
Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, Mesa County Public Health (MCPH) has been working tirelessly to inform and educate our community about the novel virus that has impacted us all in some way. As a result, when asked about public health, COVID-19 is often the first thing that comes to mind. However, in 2021, MCPH made several accomplishments beyond COVID-19 related feats.
At Mesa County Public Health, we work together for a healthy community. We do this through our diverse programs with community involvement and impact at the forefront – from building new trails for the community to making sure the food you eat is safe – public health is community health. The 2021 Impact Report highlights some of our programs’ accomplishments, which are partially listed below:
- Children and families are a priority at MCPH, and we have several programs that support the population in different ways. Through our Nurse-Family Partnership program, we make a lasting impact on the future of parents and children in the comfort of their own homes. The nurses aim to improve stability and opportunities for success in education, economic self-sufficiency, health, and development. The organization made 3.1k home visits to new parents this year.
- MCPH also has nurses who power our Public Health Clinic, a place where residents can stay current on vaccinations. The clinic also offers a variety of women’s health care services as well as disease screening and reproductive counseling for both men and women. In 2021, the clinic gave 2.9k routine vaccinations and scheduled 2.3k family planning appointments.
- Through our Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), we provide essential nutritional goods to families so they can afford other needs. More than 3.5k families were served by WIC this year, and each family received $150 worth of fruit and vegetables.
- Our Early Childhood program helps child care providers give the best environment for kids in their care. In 2021, the program inspected 134 child care facilities.
- Our Environmental Health team works to ensure the food you enjoy in Mesa County is safe. In 2021, the team inspected over 350 restaurants. In addition, our Environmental Health team monitors water and air quality, and inspects body art facilities and pools.
- A newer branch of MCPH is the Trail Development program. The trails in Mesa County are not only vital to the physical health of residents, but they also provide a sense of community in sport and views that are good for the soul. Our Trails and Development program constructed or improved 61 miles of trails throughout the year.
- Our Vital Records Office offers families support during some of the biggest moments of their life. In 2021, the team issued 5.4k birth certificates and 16.1k death certificates. Residents can also visit vital records for burn permits and general questions.
- COVID-19 continued to have a large impact on our operations in 2021. The 5-Star Program allowed over 600 businesses to stay open and serve our community. The program made an estimated 13 million dollar impact on our community. It was implemented on a statewide level through the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) and replicated in several communities in Colorado and beyond.
- During the COVID-19 response, our COVID-19 vaccine clinic gave more than 69k COVID-19 vaccines to Mesa County residents, over 25k to people who live outside of Mesa County, and 221 vaccines to home-bound members of our community. Through our community testing sites, more than 114k PCR tests were administered. The COVID-19 vaccine and testing sites continue to serve the community as COVID-19 continues to spread.
We thank our community for being part of an unforgettable year and are excited to serve you in 2022!
View the full report on our website, health.mesacounty.us, and stay up to date on all the issues and programs at Mesa County Public Health by following our Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages.