Wilkesboro, NC – On Monday March 14, 2022 at their regularly scheduled board meeting, the Wilkes County Board of Health unanimously proclaimed that April 4-10, shall be designated as “Public Health Week” in Wilkes County and commend its observance to all county residents and conveyed their deepest gratitude to those public health professional who serve Wilkes County every day. 

“The employees of Wilkes Health are a critical component of our response to natural and man-made disasters and widespread disease outbreaks, including COVID-19. During the COVID-19 pandemic county and state public health officials have worked to protect Wilkes County while continuing to perform essential public health functions.” Rachel Willard, Wilkes County Health Director, said in a statement. 

Public health measures help control and eliminate infectious disease, improve sanitation, and help promote healthy lifestyle practices to improve the health of individuals in their communities. Public health also has a critical role in advancing health equity, preventing chronic disease, and improving health care costs for all of North Carolina. 

“The Wilkes County Board of Health is committed to a continued emphasis on prevention in public health, and to helping Wilkes County and all North Carolina reach a better state of health through actions outlines in the Healthy North Carolina 2030 objectives. Wilkes County Board of Health encourages all residents to recognize that public health is working to ensure that all residents are protected from threats such as COVID-19, flu, foodborne illnesses, injury, and chronic diseases.” Susan Bachmeier Chair, Wilkes County Board of Health, said in a statement. 

Communities, local health departments, places of employment, hospitals and health care providers, county leaders, policy makers, schools, churches and individuals must all work together to identify and develop solutions to health problems facing the people of Wilkes.  

Click here to read the resolution.