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1. What is health?

Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. Please call 816-595-4200 for more information.

2. What is public health?

Public health is the science and art of preventing disease and injuries, prolonging life and promoting physical and mental health and efficiency through organized community efforts. Please call 816-595-4200 for more information.

3. What is a public health emergency?

A public health emergency is a situation whose health consequences have the potential to overwhelm routine community capabilities to address them. Please call 816-595-4200 for more information.

4. What are some emergency preparedness initiatives in Clay County?

The City Readiness Initiative (CRI): The CRI is a program designed for major U.S. cities and metropolitan areas such as Kansas City to effectively and efficiently respond to a large scale bioterrorist event by dispensing prophylaxis to the entire identified populations within 48 hours of the decision to do so.

The Public Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP) Program: The PHEP program addresses the strategic national stockpile (SNS) plan to prepare for and respond to public health emergencies in all counties.

Please call 816-595-4200 for more information.

5. What are the specific risks for the citizens in Clay County?

Clay County populations are vulnerable to pandemics, outbreaks of novel communicable diseases, bioterrorist attacks, chemical incidents and natural disasters such as tornadoes, floods, severe weather and earthquakes. Please call 816-595-4200 for more information.

6. What is an open Point of Dispensing (POD) site?

An open POD site is a clinic setup and run by the Clay County Public Health Center to provide life-saving medications to the general population in the event of a public health emergency. Please call 816-595-4200 for more information.

7. What is a closed POD site?

A closed POD is a private location where SNS medications are dispensed free of charge to the organization's employees and/or family members and others for which the organization is responsible for. A closed POD is not intended to serve SNS medical countermeasures to the general public. Please call 816-595-4200 for more information.

8. Does the Clay County Public Health Center recruit volunteers for emergency preparedness and response?

Yes. The Health Center maintains a database of registered medical and non-medical volunteers who wish to volunteer their services in the event of a public health emergency. To register, visit our volunteer page.