Pennington & Red Lake County Public Health & Home Care

09/05/2026

𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐬 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐅𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐒𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐭𝐲 𝐄𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡

Whether you're packing lunches, preparing dinner or getting ready for a fall gathering, remember four important food-safety steps:

𝐂𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐧. 𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞. 𝐂𝐨𝐨𝐤. 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐥.

Wash hands and surfaces, keep raw foods separate from ready-to-eat foods, cook foods thoroughly and refrigerate perishable foods promptly. These simple practices can help prevent foodborne illness.

09/03/2026

𝐅𝐥𝐮 𝐒𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐈𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 — 𝐇𝐞𝐥𝐩 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐎𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬

Flu season is right around the corner, and getting your annual flu vaccine is one of the best ways to help protect yourself and the people around you.

The flu can cause serious illness, especially for older adults, young children, pregnant people and those with certain chronic health conditions. An annual flu vaccine can reduce your risk of getting sick and lower the risk of severe illness if you do get the flu.

Now is a good time to make a plan. Talk with your health care provider or pharmacist about when and where to get your flu vaccine this season.

Protect yourself. Protect your family. Help protect your community.

09/02/2026

09/01/2026

𝐀 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡𝐲 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫

September gives us plenty of opportunities to focus on our health and the health of our communities.

This month, Healthy Quin Counties will be sharing information about healthy aging, food safety, mental wellness, recovery, emergency preparedness, falls prevention and more.

Good health doesn't always require a big change. Small choices made consistently can add up. Follow along throughout September for practical ways to support your health and well-being.

09/01/2026

𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐒𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬. 𝐒𝐨 𝐃𝐨 𝐘𝐨𝐮.

September is Su***de Prevention Awareness Month. For farmers, ranchers, and rural residents, long hours, financial uncertainty, unpredictable weather, and the responsibility of providing for others can take a toll.

Checking in with a friend, neighbor, or family member can make a difference. A phone call, visit, or simple conversation can remind someone they are valued and supported.

Support is available 24/7:

Minnesota Farm & Rural Helpline
833-600-2670 (833-600-FARM)
Free, confidential support for farmers, ranchers, and rural families.

988 Su***de & Crisis Lifeline
Call or text 988 for free, confidential support.

This September, remember: Every Season Matters. So Do You.

08/31/2026

A new school year brings new routines, new experiences, and new conversations. 📚✨

Along with shopping for school supplies, take time to set expectations and talk with your kids about making healthy choices. Open, honest conversations can help build trust and give young people the confidence to make positive decisions.

Need help getting started? Find conversation tips and resources here: https://www.samhsa.gov/talk-they-hear-you/parent-resources/five-conversation-goals

Together, we can support healthy choices and stronger communities. 💙

08/28/2026

What are the signs of a head lice infestation?

Look closely for nits along the hairline at the back of the head and neck and behind the ears. Nits should not be confused with an accumulation of hair spray, hair gels, or dandruff, which can be easily flicked off the hair; nits cannot because they are firmly attached to individual hairs.

One telltale sign of head lice is a persistent itching of the scalp, which is sometimes accompanied by infected scratch marks or what appears to be a rash.

Remember: Head lice cannot jump or fly — they spread only through direct head-to-head contact or by sharing personal items like hats, combs, or hair accessories.

If you have questions about head lice, contact your provider or Pennington and Red Lake County Public Health at 218-681-0876.

For more information about head lice visit https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/headlice/headlice.html

08/27/2026

𝐅𝐑𝐄𝐄 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡𝐲 𝐀𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡 𝐖𝐞𝐛𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐫 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬

September is Healthy Aging Month, a time to celebrate the positive aspects of aging and explore ways to enhance the wellbeing of older individuals. Healthy aging encompasses maintaining and improving physical, mental, spiritual, financial, and social health.

The University of Minnesota Extension Department of Family, Health and Wellbeing invites everyone who is aging and those who support older adults to visit z.umn.edu/HAM2026 to access resources and register for over 30 free webinars covering topics such as:
• Financial Health, Estate Planning, & Fraud Protection
• Mental Wellbeing & Brain Health
• Nutrition & Food Safety
• Physical Safety & Independent Living
• Relationships & Community Building

The webinars will not be recorded, so plan to join the live webinars.

Extension workshops and resources celebrate the positive aspects of aging and explore ways to enhance the wellbeing of older individuals.

08/27/2026

August is Breastfeeding Awareness Month in Minnesota, a time to recognize the benefits of breastfeeding and the support available to families.

Minnesota WIC is helping more families get the education and support they need. In 2025, 84.5% of parents who participated in WIC before their baby was born initiated breastfeeding—up from just 40% in 1990.

Breastfeeding can provide important benefits for both babies and parents, including:

Nutrition that changes as a baby grows
Protection from some infections and illnesses
Support for healthy growth and development
Health benefits for breastfeeding parents
Opportunities for bonding

WIC provides breastfeeding education during pregnancy and individualized support after baby arrives. Families are encouraged to connect with WIC early in pregnancy to learn about available nutrition and breastfeeding resources.

Learn more about WIC breastfeeding support at the Minnesota Department of Health: health.state.mn.us/people/wic/bf/

08/26/2026

Need vaccines? Your local public health office may be able to help.

Our region participates in Minnesota’s Uninsured and Underinsured Adult Vaccine (UUAV) Program, which provides free or low-cost vaccines to eligible Minnesota adults age 19 and older who are uninsured or whose insurance does not cover the vaccine they need.

Vaccines available through the program include influenza, Hepatitis A and B, MMR, polio, Tdap, and varicella.

Participating public health agencies in our region include Kittson County Public Health, LifeCare Public Health (Roseau County), Norman-Mahnomen Public Health, North Valley Public Health (Marshall County), Pennington & Red Lake County Public Health, and Polk County Public Health.

Think you may qualify? Contact your local public health office to learn more, find out which vaccines may be right for you, and schedule an appointment.

Kittson County Public Health: 218-853-2497
Roseau County (LifeCare Public Health): 218- 463-3211 ext.4179
Marshall County (North Valley Public Health): 218-745-5154
Pennington and Red Lake County Public Health: 218-681-0876