Sedgwick County, Kansas Health Department - Healthy Communities for Healthy People

1900 E. 9th Street ▪ Wichita, KS 67214 ▪ Tel: (316) 660-7300
Claudia Blackburn, Director

News & Events

Cover the Uninsured Week

Affordable health care is essential for all Sedgwick County citizens. According to the Kansas Health Insurance Survey, approximately 11.5% of Sedgwick County residents are uninsured – that’s nearly 55,000 of our neighbors, friends and family members. However, the impact of this problem does not affect only those individuals; it also affects businesses and our entire health care system.

April 27 – May 3 has been designated as a week of public education on the large number of Sedgwick County residents who do not have health insurance and making it easier for those individuals to navigate the systems and programs that are available in our community. The Sedgwick County Health Department’s Center for Health Equity is one of the many organizations working to provide information about community initiatives aiming to “cover the uninsured.”

Sedgwick County Data Book

The Sedgwick County Health Department announces the first Sedgwick County Health Department Data Book. The data book contains information about leading health indicators; birth and death statistics; disease rates; and demographic information. We hope this book will provide community organizations, agencies, coalitions and residents with measures of health that will support new and continued efforts to improve the health of Sedgwick County. For additional information, please contact Sonja Armbruster, 660-7335.

Strep Throat

Currently many local clinics are reporting cases of Strep Throat. Click here to learn more about this infection and how to protect yourself and your family.

Lead Poisoning

Recently, Fisher-Price recalled millions of preschool toys due to elevated levels of lead. While this is a concerning situation, the Sedgwick County Health Department reminds families that the most common cause of elevated blood-lead levels is from paint in homes built prior to 1978. Click here for more information about lead poisoning. Remember, the only way to know whether or not a child has too much lead in his/her blood is through a blood test. This test can be done by your health care provider or the Sedgwick County Health Department, 2716 W Central.

Report Food Poisoning

If you or someone in your family experiences food poisoning, contact the City of Wichita Environmental Health Office at 268-8351. This office handles complaints from restaurants as well as other food borne illnesses that may occur from food bought at a store.

This Week's Healthy Recipe

Regularly the Sedgwick County Health Department will post healthy recipes. If you have an idea for a healthy recipe, email Kristina Helmer.

Angel Hair Pasta with Scallops in Spicy Tomato Sauce

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon mustard seeds
2 teaspoons olive oil
1 small onion, minced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups chopped, diced tomatoes (if using canned, use unsalted)
1/4 cup chicken stock
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, or to taste
salt to taste
freshly ground black pepper
1 pound bay scallops
1 pound angel hair pasta, (cappellini)

Cooking Directions:

In a large sauté pan over medium-high heat, add the mustard seeds and shake the pan to keep them from burning. Once they begin to pop (like popcorn), lower the heat and add the olive oil and onions.
Cook the onions for about 5 minutes until they turn golden, then add the garlic and cook until the garlic begins to soften. Add the tomatoes, stock, and if desired, the Dijon mustard. Simmer for about 5 minutes for the flavors to blend.
Rinse the scallops and remove the thick, tough muscle on the side of the scallops. Pat the scallops dry with a paper towel.
Add the scallops to the tomato sauce and turn up the heat to medium. Cook the scallops in the sauce for about 5 minutes.
Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente, about 2 minutes. Drain.
Transfer the pasta to a warm bowl and serve with the sauce.

Number of Servings: 8

Nutrition Facts per Serving:

Calories: 287
Carbohydrate: 47 g
Fat: 3 g
Fiber: 3 g
Protein: 18 g
Saturated Fat: 1 g
Sodium: 211 mg

Source: www.foodfit.com

Mission:

To promote and protect the health of Sedgwick County residents through education, prevention, surveillance and treatment, using public health functions of assessment, assurance and policy development.

Vision:

Healthy communities for healthy people.