To create the conditions for all people to live healthy lives by engaging residents, reducing health disparities and attending to the needs of our most vulnerable families.
To be a leader in building the kind of community that supports and enables all to thrive
As I reflect on the past year, I am filled with pride and gratitude for the dedication and resilience demonstrated by our team at the Polk County Health Department. Throughout my tenure, we faced new challenges and achieved significant milestones that strengthened our commitment to the health and well-being of our community From responding to record-breaking weather events to expanding our initiatives for gun safety, cancer prevention, mental health, and harm reduction, this team has played an essential role in advancing public health in Polk County.
As I prepare to retire in January of 2025, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to our staff, partners, and community members who continue to support our mission. Together, we have made a lasting impact on the communities we live in and love.
Thank you for an incredible journey
Warm regards,
Helen Eddy Polk County Health Department Director
With Ribbons of Hope, no one fights cancer alone.
When Elsa Gonzales found a lump in her breast, a friend recommended she reach out to the Polk County Health Department (PCHD) to learn about their program providing free cancer screenings After being screened, Elsa was devastated to learn of her breast cancer diagnosis, but found comfort in the support of the Ribbons of Hope team.
“Iamverygratefultothepeoplewhomake thisprogrampossible,”sharedElsa “Itisa verybighelpforpeoplewhosometimesdo notgotothedoctorbecausetheydon’thave theresources”
Inadditiontoprovidingfreescreeningsand diagnosticservices,theRibbonsofHope
The Ribbons of Hope program, formerly called the Healthy Women program, provides free cancer and heart health screenings to people who are uninsured or uninsured. The program includes screenings for breast, cervical, and colorectal cancers.
team helps patients schedule appointments, understand test results, and learn about other resources
The comprehensive support provided by Ribbons of Hope helps hundreds of people navigate challenging health issues each year The skilled and supportive PCHD team brings care and hope to those in need when it is needed most.
Scan the QR code or click here to hear Elsa tell her story
Gun safety campaign launched after community comes together in search of solutions.
In 2023, the Polk County Health Department launched the Talk It Up, Lock It Up gun safety campaign to address community-wide concerns around gun-related injuries and deaths of young people in Polk County In collaboration with several community partners, Talk It Up, Lock It Up was launched to promote safe gun storage and normalize conversations around gun safety.
Through the campaign, educational materials and free gun locks have been widely distributed across the community Free gun locks are available at 40+ locations in Polk County. For a full list of pick-up locations, visit polkcountyiowa.gov/healthdepartment/gun-safety/pick-up-a-free-gun-lock.
Firearms are the leading cause of death for children and teens.
Causes of death for children and teens (ages 1-19) in the United States in 2023:
Source: CDC, WONDER, Provisional Mortality Statistics, Multiple Cause of Death, Injury Mechanism & All Other Leading Causes, 2023. Ages 1–19.
Listen:
In just one year of the Talk It Up, Lock It Up gun safety campaign, more than 1,700 free gun locks were distributed across Polk County Scan the QR code or click here to listen to a podcast episode about the campaign. Helen Eddy, director of PCHD, and Dr. Amy Shriver, president of the Iowa Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, talk about normalizing conversations around gun safety.
Community Health Workers break down barriers and bring culturally relevant health education to communities.
Community Health Workers (CHWs) are essential in supporting the Polk County Health Department’s (PCHD) mission to promote health equity and reach diverse communities. As trusted members of these communities, CHWs connect residents to critical health resources, often meeting people in familiar settings like community centers, churches and schools Their work bridges cultural and language gaps, helping residents feel comfortable accessing health services and information.
In 2024, PCHD worked with CHWs to facilitate a Latino Brain Health Pilot, helping to educate Latino residents about brain health and connect them with screenings and resources. Through culturally tailored outreach, they helped participants understand memory health, early signs of cognitive decline, and ways to improve brain function
By building relationships, improving health literacy, and reducing barriers to care, CHWs strengthen Polk County’s public health efforts. Their work in programs like the Latino Brain Health Pilot not only supports individual health but also reinforces the department’s broader goal of creating a healthier, more resilient community
Scan the QR code or click here to learn about how Community Health Workers helped to provide education about brain health and early detection of Alzheimer’s in the Latino community.
Lead Hazard Home Repair Program provides free removal of lead hazards for qualified Polk County homeowners.
Lead-based paint is the primary source of lead poisoning of children in Iowa.
Two-thirds of our community’s housing stock was built before 1978 (when leadbased paint was banned).
Am I eligible for free lead hazard home repairs?
Scan the QR code or click here to learn more about the Lead Hazard Removal Program and its eligibility requirements.
The Polk County Health Department’s Lead Hazard Home Repair Program is dedicated to creating safer living environments for families by reducing lead exposure in homes Focused on households with young children, the program provides assessments and financial assistance to remove lead-based paint and other lead hazards that pose serious health risks. Lead poisoning can affect a child’s growth, behavior, and learning.
This program is particularly important in Polk County, where many older homes still contain lead-based paint and other lead hazards. By partnering with local contractors and lead abatement professionals, the program not only improves living conditions but also raises awareness about the risks of exposure In fiscal year 2023/2024, 50 clients received lead hazard home repairs, helping to prevent lead poisoning for dozens of families in Polk County.
Following the COVID-19 pandemic, the Polk County Health Department (PCHD) identified an opportunity for a more coordinated approach to healthcare preparedness in central Iowa. Based on the findings of PCHD’s COVID After Action Report, a local coalition was established to strengthen partnerships and improve regional readiness for future public health emergencies
In collaboration with the Polk County Emergency Management Agency (EMA), the Des Moines Healthcare Coalition (DSMHCC+) began to take shape in 2023. The DSMHCC+ serves as a collaborative network, bringing together hospitals, public health agencies, emergency management organizations, and other key stakeholders.
DSMHCC+ Mission: Enhance the health and wellbeing of Polk County residents by engaging health care agencies through collaboration, coordination, mitigation, prevention, protection, response and recovery operations relating to public health and medical service events.
One of the coalition's valuable resources is the Joint Information Center (JIC), a hub for coordinated communication during emergencies. The JIC ensures that information from multiple agencies is consistent, timely, and accessible to the public This approach minimizes confusion and empowers residents to take appropriate actions in critical moments
Since its establishment, the DSMHCC+ has focused on providing training, conducting exercises, and fostering relationships between partners These efforts strengthen the region’s ability to respond to events ranging from natural disasters to infectious disease outbreaks.
Join the Coalition Scan the QR code or click here to learn more about DSMHCC+ and sign up for updates.
2,418 children were immunized at the Polk County Health Department
1,476 children were immunized through the Vaccines for Children Program
959 children received the COVID-19 vaccine
School Immunization Audits
156 schools were audited in Polk County Staff reviewed 88,031 immunization records
94.4% of students were fully immunized
1,463 individuals were immunized
3,281 immunizations were provided to travelers
856 influenza immunizations administered
515 COVID-19 immunizations administered
The communicable disease team investigated 5 foodborne outbreaks and 10 respiratory outbreaks
2 Enteric outbreaks
1 Clostridium perfringens outbreak
2 Norovirus outbreaks
4 Influenza outbreaks
4 COVID-19 outbreaks
1 RSV outbreak
1 Rhinovirus/Enterovirus outbreak
541 cases of communicable disease investigated
20 new cases of Active Tuberculosis investigated
239 patients treated for Latent Tuberculosis
1,700 free gun locks were distributed across Polk County
45 organizations served as free gun lock pickup locations
Outreach was completed at 26 community events and gatherings
Chlamydia: 3,261
Gonorrhea: 1,128
Syphilis: 671
HIV: 48
Total: 5,108
(STI cases are investigated by public health investigators)
500 harm reduction kits have been picked up
300 hygiene kits and period packs have been picked up
1,867 patients screened for breast, cervical, and/or colorectal cancer
1,816 patients received patient navigation
221 patients received breast and/or cervical cancer diagnostic services
198 patients received case management services from nurse case manager (from abnormal results through diagnostic testing to diagnosis and treatment as applicable)
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25% of patients newly diagnosed with cancer were diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer at an early stage
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46 clients received case management and a home lead inspection due to evaluated blood levels
152 clients received education services due to evaluated blood levels
50 clients received lead hazard home repairs
18 clients received healthy home repairs
38 clients received radon testing
20 clients received new mitigation systems
