Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health

09/29/2025

We had a blast celebrating our Douglas County childcare providers at our bingo-themed provider appreciation event on Thursday!

They create safe, engaging learning environments, support crucial early brain development, and adapt constantly to meet each child's unique needs.

To all childcare providers, your impact extends far beyond the children in your care. Thank you for all you do.

09/28/2025

Join us for the Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) Update Event on October 21st!

This event is a celebration of what we've accomplished together in 2025 and a chance to hear directly from the facilitators working on each focus area: access to health services, anti-poverty, behavioral health, birth outcomes, food security, and A Place for Everyone Housing Plan.

Whether you've been involved from the beginning or are just curious about community health efforts, your presence matters!

Please RSVP: https://bit.ly/3VFyvOy

Learn more about the 2024-2029 CHIP: ldchealth.org/chip

09/25/2025

As part of our ongoing monitoring, we track Douglas County emergency department (ED) visits and wastewater levels to better understand how respiratory illnesses are spreading in our community. These tools give us an early look at local trends for COVID-19, flu, and RSV so we can share timely updates and guidance.

COVID-19 ED visits have decreased to 0%, flu ED Visits have risen to 1%, and RSV ED visits remain at 0%.

COVID-19 wastewater levels in Lawrence, KS continue on a downward trend and are now at medium levels. Flu and RSV wastewater levels remain low.

Staying up to date on recommended vaccines, practicing good hand hygiene, covering coughs and sneezes, improving indoor ventilation, and staying home when sick are all effective ways to help protect yourself and others from respiratory illnesses.

Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health is now providing the 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccine for individuals 12 years and older. We’ll start offering vaccines for kids 6 months through 11 years as soon as those doses arrive. Please bring your insurance and ID card to your appointment. If you have questions or need to schedule an appointment, please call our clinic at 785-843-0721.

09/24/2025

7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) products are showing up in smoke shops, gas stations, and online. They're unregulated, addictive, and can cause serious health risks. KDHE is urging Kansans to avoid 7-OH, keep it away from kids and pets, and know the signs of overdose.

Learn more in our news release: https://bit.ly/4pDzEnz

09/24/2025

It’s important to know the warning signs for su***de so you can tell if someone you know is in crisis and in need of support. Once you've identified the warning signs, it can be hard to know what to do or say to help someone who is struggling.

You can...
Normalize the question and ask directly: “Sometimes when people feel overwhelmed or hopeless, they may think about su***de. Have thoughts of su***de come up for you?”

Avoid using vague language that could be misunderstood.

Stay calm and keep a compassionate tone.

Be ready to listen and show empathy.

Connect to resources.
Su***de and Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988
https://kansas988.org/

Anyone can play a role in su***de prevention by actively listening, and connecting to support.

09/22/2025

The 2025–2026 COVID-19 vaccine is now available at LDCPH for everyone 12 and older. We’ll start offering vaccines for kids 6 months through 11 years as soon as those doses arrive.

Call 785-843-0721 if you have questions or to schedule an appointment. You can also walk in for your flu and COVID-19 vaccination starting this Friday, September 26th and going through Fridays in October between 9:00am and 4:30pm. Remember to bring your ID and insurance card with you.

09/20/2025

Douglas County is committed to Zero Su***de, a framework that helps health and behavioral health organizations prevent death and create a stronger safety net of support. This means we train staff to recognize warning signs of su***de, respond with compassion, and improve communication so no one slips through the cracks during times of crisis or transition.

Su***de is preventable. One death is too many.

09/18/2025

As part of our ongoing monitoring, we track Douglas County emergency department (ED) visits and wastewater levels to better understand how respiratory illnesses are spreading in our community. These tools give us an early look at local trends for COVID, flu, and RSV so we can share timely updates and guidance.

This week, COVID ED visits have decreased to 1%. RSV and flu ED visits remain at 0%. In wastewater, COVID levels in Lawrence continue to be categorized as high, though levels have decreased compared to last week. RSV and flu wastewater levels remain low.

To protect yourself and others from illness:
Stay up to date on your COVID-19, flu, and RSV vaccines (as eligible).
If you’re feeling sick, stay home and avoid close contact with others until symptoms are improving and you’ve been fever-free for 24 hours. Testing is the only way to know if symptoms are due to COVID or another illness.
Consider wearing a mask in crowded indoor spaces, especially while COVID activity remains high.
Wash hands often and keep indoor air fresh with ventilation when possible.

Lawrence Douglas County Public Health is now providing the 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccine for adults 65 and older. Please bring your insurance and ID card to your appointment. If you have questions or need to schedule an appointment, please call our clinic at 785-843-0721.

We expect further guidance on the updated vaccine for those 6 months to 64 years of age and its availability following the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) meeting scheduled for September 18-19, 2025. If you would like to be added to our contact list, please complete the following form, and we will reach out to schedule an appointment once the vaccine becomes available for those 6 months to 64 years of age at LDCPH. https://forms.office.com/r/Sa8wjJVPms

09/17/2025

Thank you to Lawrence Art in the Park for having us on Saturday to provide information and immunizations to the community!

We're stronger together during flu season. Vaccination and good hygiene habits help to protect kids, older adults and those with chronic conditions. Your preparedness makes a difference for everyone.

09/16/2025

The City of Lawrence begins road construction on Maine Street between 2nd and 4th Streets today. The purpose of the work is to replace the curb and gutter on Maine Street and is set to be completed in 3 weeks.

There will not be any street parking on Maine Street and only northbound traffic will be permitted on Maine Street.

Traffic coming from 6th Street can use Illinois Street to reach the Community Health Facility.

09/11/2025

We are so happy to welcome back the Douglas County Public Health Dept at Art in the Park this weekend, Saturday from 10am to 2pm. They will be giving out free COVID Tests. And Remember to bring your ID and insurance card if you are eligible for a flu or COVID vaccine!

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We are a vibrant community of artists in and around Lawrence, Kansas, working together to sponsor and promote art exhibits including Art in the Park, to share and sell our work, and to provide workshops and lectures that inspire us to continue to learn and grow. We hope you’ll join us by coming to...