Promoting Healthy Communities

Rice County Public Health offers a wide variety of health education programs for schools, worksites, and community groups. Staff members work collaboratively with many organizations and groups in the community to create policies, systems, and environmental changes which promote and protect the health of the residents of Rice County. View a list of Rice County Healthy Living Resources (PDF).

Visit the Rice County Chemical Health Resource Directory.

Visit the Rice County Mental Health Resource Directory.

Tobacco Information & Resources

Did you know that 70% of smokers want to quit? View a short video about free QUITPLAN Services.

Four Corners Partnership Grant: Rice County works in partnership with Dodge, Steele and Goodhue Counties to help reduce the harm tobacco causes Minnesotans through coalition building, policy advocacy and public education. Read the most recent Four Corners news.

Smoke-Free Foster Care educational video produced by the Minnesota Department of Health to help educate foster parents on smoke-free foster care laws and assistance.

View the newly launched website of the American Lung Association in Minnesota.

Health Promotion Activities

• Chronic Disease Prevention - asthma, cancer, diabetes
• Diet and Nutrition - nutrition education, community gardens, farmers markets
• Health Care Access - help for under-insured and uninsured in accessing health care in Rice County
• Healthy Home Environments (PDF) - home assessments and education
• Home Safety - home safety instruction for injury and fall prevention
• Indoor Air quality - radon, environmental tobacco smoke, mold
• Mental Health - promotion activities, resources
• Physical Activity and Healthy Weight - promotion of parks and recreation, non-motorized transportation, healthy lifestyle
• Sun Safety - use of Dermascan to show sun damage
• Tobacco Use Cessation - prevention activities, carbon monoxide monitor, QUITPLAN Minnesota
• U of M Children, Youth and Family Consortium Video "Mental Health: Yours, Mine and Ours"

Air Quality Information

BeAirAwareMN.org is a website to help you protect your health and improve air quality. It provides information on indoor and outdoor air quality, tips on what you can do to improve air quality, and links to data on air quality and health outcomes in Minnesota. Real-time data available about air quality conditions in Minnesota for common pollutants including fine particles and ozone. This website is jointly maintained by the Minnesota Department of Health and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.

Radon Testing

Testing for radon is easy, inexpensive and only takes three to five days. The best time to test is during the heating season, but testing can be done year-round. Free test kits are available at the Rice County Public Health, located in the Government Services Building in Faribault, 320 Third Street Northwest. and also at the Northfield office, at 801 Washington Street.

For more information about view the Minnesota Department of Health.