Preventive Health
Preventive Health is designed to help prevent injuries, reduce the incidence of preventable illnesses and understand the causes and treatments of chronic illnesses. Region 3 Public Health Office offers a range of services and programs for the benefit of the residents of Chester, Fairfield, Lancaster, Lexington, Newberry, Richland, and York counties. Activities are targeted to those public health concerns and services that are often not obtainable through the private sector or insurance benefits.
- Staff increases community awareness of the impact lifestyle choices have on the quantity and quality of life related to the leading causes of death in South Carolina - heart disease, cancer, stroke and diabetes.
- A multi-disciplinary team that may include a health educator, nurse, nutritionist and/or social worker. This team provides consultation and develops programs, services and/or environmental or policy changes that help promote healthy lifestyle behaviors. Targeted interventions include improving healthy eating patterns, healthy weight management, tobacco use prevention and cessation, and improving opportunities for safe physical activity.
- Staff partner with community groups and coalitions, health care providers, worksites, schools, and faith groups to implement and support risk reduction programs, resources and policies that improve the health of the community.
- Staff respond to community requests for health data, assist with community health assessments, community development planning, grant writing, and the development of community coalitions, initiatives, and support groups to address community health and quality of life concerns.
- Staff promotes and assist individuals' enrollment in the State's Child Health Insurance Program and assist in securing medical homes for children by working with health care providers to increase access to needed care.
| Chester | (803) 385-6152 |
| Chester | (803) 482-6133 |
| Fairfield | (803) 635-6481 |
| Lancaster | (803) 286-9948 |
| Lancaster | (803) 475-3365 |
| Lexington | (803) 791-3580 |
| Newberry | (803) 321-2170 |
| Richland | (803) 576-2980 |
| York | (803) 684-7004 |
| York | (803) 909-7300 |
Please follow this link for additional Chronic Disease Prevention information.
- Free immunizations are provided for children birth to 19 years through The Vaccine Assurance for All Children Programs
- Certificates of immunizations required by law are provided for daycare and grades K-12
- Adult immunizations and TB skin tests for employment are provided for a fee
- School immunization program
- Community flu clinic vaccines are provided for a fee
- International travel services for a fee
You can get your vaccinations at any of our locations, through your family physician or through your child's pediatrician. To contact your local Public Health Clinic:
| Chester | (803) 385-6152 |
| Chester | (803) 482-6133 |
| Fairfield | (803) 635-6481 |
| Lancaster | (803) 286-9948 |
| Lancaster | (803) 475-3365 |
| Lexington | (803) 791-3580 |
| Newberry | (803) 321-2170 |
| Richland | (803) 576-2980 |
| York | (803) 684-7004 |
| York | (803) 909-7300 |
Please follow this link for additional Immunization information.
If you plan to be travelling outside of the United States, it pays to do a little "health homework" before you go to avoid illness ruining your trip.
Many more people are now travelling to other countries. We want to trace our roots, visit relatives, see historical buildings and experience new cultures and environments. Our world of shrinking boundaries offers us many opportunities. But as we make our plans, we need to be sure to protect ourselves as much as possible from illnesses that, while rare in the United States, are prevalent in other countries. Use this chart as a resource when planning your travels. Be sure to also visit the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Traveler's Health site (www.cdc.gov/travel/ ) for the latest updates.
It is important to remember that the main causes of illnesses when travelling are bacteria, viruses and parasites that contaminate food and water. Insect bites are another main way that disease is transmitted. Frequent hand washing will help to reduce the risk of getting sick. So will drinking bottled water, washing fruits and vegetables before eating them and cooking meat and fish. Be sure to use insect repellant if you will be outdoors.
For information on what vaccinations are required for travel to which countries and where and how to obtain immunizations for international travel, call our International Travel Specialist, located at our Richland site, at (803) 576-2980. The vaccines that we can provide to international travelers can be found on our International Travel Services page.
Another useful resource to check for the latest health concerns around the globe is the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC). (www.cdc.gov )
Lead poisoning in children, especially in young children, is a serious health problem and can impair a child in very subtle ways. Our services are designed to find and prevent lead poisoning in children. We offer follow up services for lead poisoned children under the age of six. In order to accomplish this, we provide the following services:
Through our Child Health Program:
- Lead screening tests as indicated
- Lead education and information
- Referral to necessary resources (i.e. nursing, social work, nutrition, environmental health, etc.)
Through our Environmental Health Program:
- Home lead risk assessments for lead poisoned children
- Lead paint risk assessments in daycares and foster homes
- Consultation on lead hazard identification and control
For more information about the Lead Program call:
| Chester | (803) 385-6152 |
| Chester | (803) 482-6133 |
| Fairfield | (803) 635-6481 |
| Lancaster | (803) 286-9948 |
| Lancaster | (803) 475-3365 |
| Lexington | (803) 791-3580 |
| Newberry | (803) 321-2170 |
| Richland | (803) 576-2980 |
| York | (803) 684-7004 |
| York | (803) 909-7300 |
Please follow this link for additional Lead Poisoning information.