Crook County makes inroads on improving residents’ health

To mark National Public Health Week, which runs April 4-10, the Crook County Health Department is hosting two events to celebrate and inform our community about public health.

NewsChannel 21’s Lauren Martinez was in Prineville today to look at the public health issues in the community, and a dramatic improvement in one measurement.

According to County Health Ratings, due to a decrease in the percentage of adults who smoke and several other factors, Crook County improved from a ranking of 25th to a ranking of 12th (out of 36 total counties) for health behaviors.

Public Health Director- Muriel DeLaVergne-Brown said this week is about educating people in the rural communities you can get connected to the right resources. It’s all about taking small steps, making time for yourself, finding a hobby to start a healthy lifestyle.

According to Portland State University, Crook County has the smallest population in the region with just under 21,000 people, with the highest percentage of senior citizens.

“I sort of laugh — my parents are quite elderly, and they go to Arizona during in the winter and everybody down there walks, but it’s warmer. So it’s that ability to really get out and exercise,” DeLaVergne-Brown said.

DeLaVergne-Brown said we live in a beautiful area where several hiking trails and walkable areas are around us.

“There’s incredible opportunities and there’s also, with senior centers or with other groups there are groups that go out, nature walks and lots of different things you can do,” DeLaVergne-Brown said.

Holly Wenzel from the Crook County Health Department said the hiking trail at Chimney Rock and a new bike called Lower 66 are becoming popular areas to visit.

The No. 1 health issue remains obesity, followed by smoking, and this Public Health Week is not only about exercise and eating right, but keeping a healthy mind.

Currently, Crook County has the highest rate of older adult suicides in Central Oregon and the highest in the state as a whole. But DeLaVergne-Brown said a healthy lifestyle is about starting small.

“Do what you can — I mean, it’s every little bit. Sometimes it’s baby steps. But it’s every little thing you can do to make yourself feel better,” DeLaVergne-Brown said.

Here’s the rest of the county’s news release about this weeks’ activities:

The Health Department will be hosting “What’s Brewing” Wednesday morning on the topic of healthy aging in Crook County.

It will be held at Meadow Lakes Golf Course from 7-8 a.m Wednesday. This event is free, and breakfast is available for purchase.

Special Guest Angela Jensen, L.C.S.W. from the Wellness & Education Board of Central Oregon (WEBCO), will be presenting on the Older Adult Behavioral Health Initiative, and Katie Plumb, Health Promotion Specialist, Crook County Health Department, will be presenting Healthy Aging: Growing Younger, and 2016 County Health Rankings.

We are also excited to announce the Prineville Spring Luau, which will be held at Prineville Senior Center on Friday from 10:30am to noon.

This event is also free and open to the public.

A certified Hula Dance instructor will be providing Hula lessons, followed by a Fruit Walk, where participants can win one of the 200 fruits being given away.

Crook County Health Department works year round to provide vaccinations, WIC services, STD screening, Food Safety, Home Visiting, and Health Promotion. We are proud to serve Crook County residents. To learn more call 541.447.5165 or visit
http://co.crook.or.us/Departments/HealthDepartment/HealthHome/tabid/2169/Default.aspx