Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH)

Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) Protecting health, improving lives. This page is a public forum. Please be mindful that any information provided here is openly accessible to the general public.

This page is intended for fans to engage in informative dialogue related to the Illinois Department of Public Health. IDPH reserves the right to remove any post on this page that is not relevant or that may be offensive in any way.

Men are less likely to buckle up. Let's change that this Men's Health Month.In Illinois, males involved in crashes are 2...
06/12/2026

Men are less likely to buckle up. Let's change that this Men's Health Month.

In Illinois, males involved in crashes are 20% less likely to wear a seat belt than females. Nationally, men make up the majority of traffic crash deaths and are more likely to die in a crash without wearing a seat belt.

Whether you're driving across town, heading to work, or taking a road trip, buckling up takes seconds and is one of the simplest ways to protect yourself in a crash.

✔️ Buckle up before you start the car
✔️ Make sure every passenger is buckled up too
✔️ Every trip. Every seat. Every time.

Because the people who care about you want you to make it home safely.

About 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. The most common risk factor: age.But some men...
06/10/2026

About 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. The most common risk factor: age.

But some men are at an increased risk. You're more likely to get prostate cancer if:
➡️You're 65 or older.
➡️Prostate cancer runs in your family.
➡️You're Black or African American.

Screening tests, like a prostate specific antigen (PSA) test, can find prostate cancer that has a high risk of spreading. But prostate screenings can also come with risks, like false-positives and complications from biopsies.

It's recommended that men 55 to 69 years old make individual decisions about prostate screenings. Talk to your doctor about your risk and how you feel about the benefits and harms of screening.

🔗Find more information about screenings: https://www.cdc.gov/prostate-cancer/screening/get-screened.html

You may have seen claims online questioning sunscreen or promoting tanning as "healthy."Here's what the science tells us...
06/10/2026

You may have seen claims online questioning sunscreen or promoting tanning as "healthy."

Here's what the science tells us: ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun damages your skin and increases your risk of skin cancer. In fact, skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States.

Sunscreen is a safe, effective tool that helps protect your skin from harmful UV rays. Along with seeking shade, wearing protective clothing, and avoiding peak sun hours when possible, sunscreen can help reduce your risk of skin cancer and prevent premature aging caused by sun damage.

There is no such thing as a safe tan. Any tan is a sign that your skin has been damaged by UV exposure.

As you spend more time outdoors this summer, make sun protection part of your routine. Your future self will thank you.

☀️ Learn more about sun safety and skin cancer prevention: https://dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/diseases-and-conditions/cancer/type/skin.html

Ticks are part of summer in Illinois, but they don't have to keep you from enjoying the outdoors.Whether you're gardenin...
06/08/2026

Ticks are part of summer in Illinois, but they don't have to keep you from enjoying the outdoors.

Whether you're gardening, walking the dog, hiking a trail, or cheering from the sidelines at a summer sports game, taking a minute to check for ticks can help protect you and your family.

Save this checklist for your next outdoor adventure, and remember:
✓ Check yourself, children, and pets after spending time outside
✓ Remove ticks promptly with fine-tipped tweezers
✓ Watch for symptoms like fever, rash, fatigue, or headache after a tick bite

Want to learn more?

Our latest blog post covers common tick myths, where you're most likely to encounter ticks, how to do a quick tick check, and what to do if you find one.
📝 Read more: https://open.substack.com/pub/idph/p/tick-season-is-here-dont-panic-just?r=546owr&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

During a cardiac emergency, every second counts — and CPR can double or even triple a person's chance of survival.Hands-...
06/05/2026

During a cardiac emergency, every second counts — and CPR can double or even triple a person's chance of survival.

Hands-only CPR has two easy steps that can make a big difference:
1️⃣Call 911 if you see someone has collapsed. Don't assume that another bystander already has called.
2️⃣Push hard and fast in the center of the chest to the beat of a familiar song that has 100 to 120 beats per minute (think "Stayin' Alive" by the Bee Gees or "Crazy in Love" by Beyoncé).

Learn CPR. Save a life.❤️

🔗Take 90 seconds to watch this hands-only CPR instructional video: https://cpr.heart.org/en/cpr-courses-and-kits/hands-only-cpr
📍Find a CPR training class near you: https://www.redcross.org/local/illinois/take-a-class/cpr

Men are often told they need to be strong, never show weakness, and "man up" when it comes to emotions.But men, you dese...
06/04/2026

Men are often told they need to be strong, never show weakness, and "man up" when it comes to emotions.

But men, you deserve to talk about your feelings. You deserve to have support. And you can get help when you need it.

☎️If you or someone you know is struggling, you’re not alone. You can call or text 988 to reach the Su***de and Crisis Lifeline anytime.

🔗Find more mental health resources: https://dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/life-stages-populations/mens-health/mental-health.html

When people hear "public health," they usually think... doctors, vaccines, diseases. But protecting people's health take...
06/02/2026

When people hear "public health," they usually think... doctors, vaccines, diseases. But protecting people's health takes more than you might realize!

There's a place for everyone in public health - so here are some skill + job matchups that might mean it's the place for you:
🩵 People = Community Health Worker
🩵 Data + Problem-solving = Epidemiologist
🩵 Storytelling = Health Communications
🩵 Policy + Big-picture Change = Public Health Legislation
🩵 Clean air + Water = Environmental Health
🩵 Making a difference = Public Health!

If you're convinced, check out dph.illinois.gov/jobs to view our open positions.

06/02/2026

You don't want to miss - 2026 Webinar Series - FOR FAMILIES - Understanding Guardianship! See below for details.

Healthy communities include everyone.🌈This Pride Month and every month, we all play a role in creating communities where...
06/01/2026

Healthy communities include everyone.🌈

This Pride Month and every month, we all play a role in creating communities where people feel safe, supported, and seen.

That’s why creating welcoming, inclusive environments is not separate from public health work — it is public health work.

Because public health works best when it works for everybody.

A healthy home does more than keep kids safe — it helps them learn, grow, and thrive.Lead exposure can affect a child’s ...
05/29/2026

A healthy home does more than keep kids safe — it helps them learn, grow, and thrive.

Lead exposure can affect a child’s development, behavior, and ability to learn, and many families may not realize it can happen through peeling paint or dust in older homes.

The good news: lead poisoning is preventable, and a simple blood test can help detect exposure early.

If your home was built before 1978, talk to your child’s doctor about blood lead testing.
Learn more about childhood lead poisoning prevention: https://dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/environmental-health-protection/lead-poisoning-prevention.html

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