FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – April 7, 2026
Media Contact: Yolanda Harris
Email: [email protected]
Cook County Public Health Celebrates 2026 National Public Health Week
Health department highlights how it’s building healthier communities
COOK COUNTY, IL – Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH) joins public health agencies across the nation in recognizing National Public Health Week (April 6-12) to raise awareness about public health.
Public health has the unique role of preventing communities from getting sick or injured by addressing health disparities, removing environmental hazards from homes, and providing services like cancer screenings, food inspections, and vaccinations.
“We have 191 dedicated employees who are working diligently across suburban Cook County to improve the health of residents,” said Dr. Kiran Joshi, chief operating officer of Cook County Department of Public Health.
“We’re tackling health inequities by bringing health services and resources to communities that need them most, while conducting time-tested public health practices, such as vaccinations, food safety inspections, and disease surveillance,” Joshi said.
This year’s theme for National Public Health Week is “Ready. Set. Action!” Here is how Cook County Department of Public Health, which serves 2.3 million suburban Cook County residents, took action in 2025:
- Administered 2,600 vaccines, including flu, COVID-19 and required school vaccines. The department recently wrapped up its Saturday vaccination clinics, where it offered free COVID and flu vaccinations in Robbins, Blue Island, Ford Heights, Arlington Heights and North Riverside, Ill. during the fall and winter seasons.
- Conducted more than 4,000 hearing and vision screenings for children in day care and preschool programs. Access more information here.
- Distributed 19,000 doses of naloxone in collaboration with our community partners. Learn about the “Get Naloxone” campaign here.
- Investigated 25,000 communicable disease cases, such as sexually transmitted infections and vaccine preventable diseases. Access case counts.
- Provided 2,371 tuberculosis direct observation therapy sessions. Learn more here.
- Conducted 3,000 food inspections at restaurants and grocery stores.
- Administered more than 300 breast and cervical cancer screenings at no charge to residents. Access more information here.
- Supported 31 community partners with $21 million in funding to provide mental health and youth development services and opioid overdose prevention services.
“While we celebrate our success, we recognize that much work still lies ahead. We are committed to the work and the mission of building healthier communities,” Joshi said.
During National Public Health Week, the department will continue using its social media channels to promote its programs and advocate for healthy living. Content will be branded with the “Ready. Set. Action!” theme and will focus on maternal and child health, vaccinations and healthy eating. For example:
- Maternal and child health: “Healthy Beginnings” is Cook County Department of Public Health’s new maternal and child health program, which provides home-based nursing care, case management and wraparound services to pregnant individuals and their infants until the baby turns one year old. Learn more: https://cookcountypublichealth.org/maternal-and-child-health/healthy-beginnings/
- Vaccinations: Cook County Department of Public Health encourages all residents to stay up to date on vaccination recommendations provided by the Illinois Department of Public Health and the American Academy of Pediatrics. Learn more: https://cookcountypublichealth.org/communicable-diseases/recommended-vaccinations/.
- Healthy eating: Cook County Health’s “Food As Medicine” initiative promotes nutrition and healthy food choices to prevent, manage and treat chronic diseases and support overall health. Initiatives include on-site food pantries, a public education campaign, medically tailored meals and screening and referrals. Learn more: https://cookcountyhealth.org/fam/ .
Cook County Department of Public Health, a division of Cook County Health, is the nationally accredited, state-certified local health department serving suburban Cook County. The department builds healthier, more equitable communities by protecting health, preventing disease, engaging communities, and analyzing and sharing data for action. For more information about Cook County Department of Public Health programs and services, visit www.cookcountypublichealth.org.