The Black Hawk County Health Department is most visible when it is working to control out-breaks of infectious disease. During 2005, local television stations, radio stations and newspapers reported on cases of Meningitis, Pertussis, West Nile Virus, and Measles. The Health Department addressed these communicable diseases promptly and effectively.
On a continuous basis, the Health Department does so much more. The Environmental Health Division ensures food is safe, ice is clean, public swimming pools are safe, and tanning and tattoo establishments meet health standards. The Child and Adolescent Health Division provides nurses for Waterloo Schools, Success Street Health Care Services at West High, East High, and Logan Intermediate schools, and coordinates the Dental Sealant program. The Community Health Division offers Home Care Aides to those in need, Blood Pressure Screening, Flu Shot Clinics, Communicable Disease Clinics, Tobacco Cessation Programs, Breast Cancer/Cervical Cancer Early Detection Programs, and other Health Education Programs.
In 2005 each Division had many successes in their continuing programs, received grants to address new health issues, was involved in identifying community health problems and worked to develop rational solutions.