Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health

05/01/2026

05/01/2026

Did you know that WIC can help answer your questions, offer breastfeeding support, and provide pumping tools, if needed, to support your breastfeeding journey?

🔗Visit ldchealth.org/wic to learn about eligibility and fill out the interest form.

04/30/2026

Each week during flu season, we track Douglas County emergency department (ED) visits and wastewater levels to better understand how respiratory illnesses are spreading locally.

In Douglas County, Flu and COVID ED visits are at 0%, while RSV ED visits are at 1%.

In Lawrence wastewater, COVID and Flu levels are low, while RSV levels are now at medium levels. Encouragingly, all three viruses are showing an overall downward trend.

This is a positive update as we near the end of flu season, with most indicators showing low activity and continued decline. While RSV is still circulating at moderate levels, the overall downward trend suggests respiratory illness activity is easing in the community. Even so, some transmission is still occurring, especially in close-contact or indoor settings.

Please stay home if you’re feeling sick, consider testing if symptoms develop, wash your hands often, improve indoor ventilation when possible, and cover your coughs and sneezes. Stay up to date on Flu, COVID, and RSV immunizations if eligible. Additionally, Be mindful around infants, older adults, and others at higher risk.
We’ll continue monitoring trends and keep you updated as conditions change.

RSV activity started late in Kansas this season, which suggests the risk of RSV infection may continue longer than usual into the spring. Infants under 8 months of age are eligible to receive the vaccine through April 30, 2026. If you have questions or need to schedule an appointment, please call our clinic at 785-843-0721.

04/28/2026

🚶🏽‍♀️Our clinic is offering walk-in hours for school immunizations on Wednesdays from 1:00 - 4:30pm.

Please bring immunization records, ID, and insurance. If your student's immunization records are in another language, please drop them off or email them to office@ldchealth.org at least two business days in advance.

To schedule an appointment outside of walk-in hours, call 785-843-0721.

04/28/2026

Ticks are common in Kansas, and a natural part of the environment. If you spend time outdoors you will encounter ticks.

To prevent tick bites, use repellent, wear protective clothing, check for ticks after being outdoors, and remove them promptly if found.

Watch out for symptoms for 30 days after a tick bite. See your doctor right away if you develop a fever, headache, rash, fatigue, or any symptoms suggestive of tickborne disease. Early treatment can prevent severe illness.

🔗Learn more about ticks in Kansas here: https://bit.ly/42ikB8a

04/27/2026

Providing a smoke-free environment is one of the most important things you can do for your child's health.

Children who grow up in smoke-free homes have lower risk of having bronchitis and pneumonia and have fewer ear infections.

Free help to quit smoking and va**ng is available through the Kansas To***co Quitline.

Call 1-800-784-8669 or visit KSquit.org to start receiving help today.

04/25/2026

There's nothing quite like hearing it from the families we serve!

Our home visitors meet families where they are, offering not just resources and guidance, but genuine connection and encouragement when it's needed most.

Learn more about our family support programs at ldchealth.org/fsp

04/25/2026

The ***coquitline offers free 24/7 help to quit to***co to all Kansans. For free help to quit to***co or va**ng, visit ksquit.org or call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (784-8669).

04/23/2026

Engage Douglas County is hosting its third annual Leading Causes of Life 5K & Festival from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday, May 2, at Broken Arrow Park, 2800 Louisiana St.

The family-friendly event features live music, free food and a 5K to raise awareness about su***de prevention. There will also be community resource providers with tables of information and giveaway items as well as a place to share messages of hope or memories of loved ones.

The festival is free to attend. Participation in the 5K is $20, and it supports youth su***de prevention efforts in our community.

➡️ For more information or to register, visit http://engagedouglascounty.org/five-k



Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health DCCCA HeadQuarters Kansas LMH Health Heartland Community Health Center Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center

04/23/2026

04/23/2026

Each day our home visitors build relationships, support parents' goals, and show up with consistency, care, and respect. They become trusted supports during some of life's most important moments.

Thank you to Edith, Kelli, and to all of our home visiting staff for the dedication and heart you bring to families every day!

Learn more about our family support programs at ldchealth.org/fsp