News Flash

In recognition of National Public Health Week, Lincoln County Public Health is proud to announce the release of our 2025 Annual Report, highlighting key accomplishments, program reach, and continued progress toward improving the health of our community.

Observed each year, National Public Health Week celebrates the vital role public health plays in creating healthier communities. The release of this year’s report reflects that commitment in action, showcasing efforts across programs including communicable disease prevention, harm reduction, emergency preparedness, health promotion, environmental health, and maternal, child, and family health.

The report also underscores the continued dedication of Public Health staff and partners, as well as ongoing work to meet national standards and maintain accreditation, demonstrating a strong commitment to quality, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Community members and partners are encouraged to explore the report to learn more about current Public Health programs and priorities for the future.

We extend our sincere thanks to the community and the many organizations we work alongside for their continued support and collaboration. This work would not be possible without a shared commitment to improving health across Lincoln County. 

View the full 2025 Annual Report here: www.co.lincoln.or.us/DocumentCenter/View/8244

note: this report is being translated into Spanish and will be posted here once available. Please reach out to phpio@co.lincoln.or.us with any questions. 

LINCOLN COUNTY, ORE — December 16, 2025 — Lincoln County Public Health today announced that it has successfully completed a comprehensive review process to maintain national accreditation status through the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB). By maintaining its accreditation status for another five years, Lincoln County Public Health demonstrates a continued commitment to meet PHAB’s quality standards and measures and a willingness to continue to evolve, improve, and advance public health practices to best serve the people of Lincoln County.

The non-profit PHAB works to advance and transform public health practice by championing performance improvement, strong organizational infrastructure, and innovation. PHAB’s accreditation program, supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, establishes national standards that help public health departments strengthen their services, increase accountability, and improve performance and outcomes.

“This reaccreditation reflects the work, dedication, and collaborative spirit of our staff, our community partners, local leadership, and our residents,” said Florence Pourtal, Lincoln County Public Health Division Director. “It reinforces that our department continues to provide high-quality and effective public health services for every community member in Lincoln County. We will keep on building and strengthening collaborative community systems to enhance our overall health outcomes.”

Lincoln County Public Health was first accredited in 2018, after undergoing a rigorous, multi-faceted, peer-reviewed assessment to demonstrate adherence to performance and quality standards. Today’s announcement goes a step further by demonstrating that Lincoln County Public Health continues to seek opportunities to become increasingly effective at improving the health of the community.

"We are pleased to see Lincoln County Public Health, along with many others, successfully maintaining their five-year PHAB accreditation," said PHAB President and CEO Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, MD, MPH, FACEP. "This demonstrates that accreditation is not just a one-time achievement but an ongoing commitment to excellence. By maintaining accreditation, these health departments reaffirm their dedication to continuous improvement and community health."

Often called the “backbone” of the public health system, public health departments are on the front lines of communities’ efforts to protect and promote health and prevent disease and injury. PHAB-accredited health departments demonstrate great leadership by placing their work for peer review, with the goal of using the feedback obtained during the process to improve the services they provide to their communities.

Here at Lincoln County Public Health, we work to protect and improve the health and well-being of everyone who lives, works, and visits our community. We provide a wide range of programs and services including communicable disease prevention and investigation, emergency preparedness, maternal child and family health programs, environmental health and licensing, harm reduction services, and prevention and health promotion interventions. Through strong partnerships, culturally responsive outreach, and evidence-based practices, we strive to ensure access to health resources, promote healthy behavior, and build a safer, more resilient community.

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About Lincoln County Public Health

Lincoln County Public Health is a division of Health and Human Services. We work to protect, promote, and improve the health of all people in Lincoln County. Learn more about Lincoln County Public Health at www.co.lincoln.or.us/1005/Public-Health. ;

About the Public Health Accreditation Board

The Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB) was created to serve as the national public health accrediting body and is jointly funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Vital Records/Health Statistics accreditation is funded, in part, by the National Center for Health Statistics. The development of national public health department accreditation has involved, and is supported by, public health leaders and practitioners from the national, state, local, Tribal, and territorial levels. For more information, contact PHAB Communications at communications@phaboard.org. Learn more about PHAB and accreditation at www.phaboard.org.

BENTON & LINCOLN COUNTIES, Ore.— May is Wildfire Awareness Month. Benton and Lincoln counties are highlighting the health impacts of wildfire smoke and the importance of evacuation planning, particularly for vulnerable populations.

Wildfire smoke can have serious health impacts for everyone, but especially for pregnant people, young children, older adults, people with chronic health conditions, and for people who live or work outdoors.

“Smoke from wildfires is often a mixture of gases and fine particles from burning materials that can be harmful when inhaled,” said John Pegg, Environmental Health Program Coordinator for Benton County Health Department (BCHD). “If you need to be outdoors, using a NIOSH-approved N95 mask can help filter out these particles.”

Staying indoors is ideal when air quality is poor. People should check the air quality conditions using the airnow.gov Air Quality Index (AQI). 

It is important to keep indoor air as clean as possible by closing windows and doors, using a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter to reduce indoor air pollution, and avoiding activities that can worsen indoor air quality, such as smoking, using wood-burning stoves or fireplaces, burning candles or incense, and vacuuming. Watch this short video to learn how to make a DIY indoor air filter using a box fan.

People can also limit smoke exposure when driving by keeping windows closed and setting the air system to recirculate. Drinking plenty of water can help reduce symptoms like scratchy throat and coughing.

Evacuating an area with thick smoke may be the safest option for those with health conditions that put them at higher risk for illness from wildfire smoke. People should consider making a plan in advance to stay with friends, family, or at shelters if smoke becomes thick where they live. 

“With experts predicting a higher risk for wildfires this season, it’s important to plan ahead and be prepared,” said Daniel Norton, Public Health Emergency Preparedness Coordinator for Lincoln County. “Make sure you have plans and some supplies for your kids, pets, and any required medications ready to go in case you need to evacuate quickly.” 

For a printable list of essential emergency kit items, view the flyer on BCHD’s webpage. 

Wildfires and the smoke they produce can increase  stress and worsen mental health conditions, making it especially important to take care of each other and check on friends and neighbors. Benton and Lincoln counties offer mental health counseling, substance use disorder treatment, and crisis services. Learn more about Lincoln County Behavioral Health Services and Benton County Behavioral Health Services.

People can learn more about the health impacts from wildfire smoke on this Oregon Health Authority webpage.

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Benton County Health Department

The Benton County Health Department is committed to protecting the health and well-being of everyone who lives in, works in, or visits Benton County. The Benton County Health Department focuses on preventing health problems before they occur. Their programs strive to create community conditions that help reduce health disparities, so all people have an equal chance for a long and healthy life.

Lincoln County Health Department

Lincoln County Public Health is a division of Health and Human Services working to prevent illness and injury and promote well-being in our community. Lincoln County Public Health focuses on health for the whole community, so that fewer people get sick, hurt, or harmed in the first place.

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In recognition of National Public Health Week, Lincoln County Public Health is proud to announce the release of our 2025 Annual Report, highlighting key accomplishments, program reach, and continued progress toward improving the health of our community.

Observed each year, National Public Health Week celebrates the vital role public health plays in creating healthier communities. The release of this year’s report reflects that commitment in action, showcasing efforts across programs including communicable disease prevention, harm reduction, emergency preparedness, health promotion, environmental health, and maternal, child, and family health.

The report also underscores the continued dedication of Public Health staff and partners, as well as ongoing work to meet national standards and maintain accreditation, demonstrating a strong commitment to quality, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Community members and partners are encouraged to explore the report to learn more about current Public Health programs and priorities for the future.

We extend our sincere thanks to the community and the many organizations we work alongside for their continued support and collaboration. This work would not be possible without a shared commitment to improving health across Lincoln County. 

View the full 2025 Annual Report here: www.co.lincoln.or.us/DocumentCenter/View/8244

note: this report is being translated into Spanish and will be posted here once available. Please reach out to phpio@co.lincoln.or.us with any questions. 

LINCOLN COUNTY, ORE — December 16, 2025 — Lincoln County Public Health today announced that it has successfully completed a comprehensive review process to maintain national accreditation status through the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB). By maintaining its accreditation status for another five years, Lincoln County Public Health demonstrates a continued commitment to meet PHAB’s quality standards and measures and a willingness to continue to evolve, improve, and advance public health practices to best serve the people of Lincoln County.

The non-profit PHAB works to advance and transform public health practice by championing performance improvement, strong organizational infrastructure, and innovation. PHAB’s accreditation program, supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, establishes national standards that help public health departments strengthen their services, increase accountability, and improve performance and outcomes.

“This reaccreditation reflects the work, dedication, and collaborative spirit of our staff, our community partners, local leadership, and our residents,” said Florence Pourtal, Lincoln County Public Health Division Director. “It reinforces that our department continues to provide high-quality and effective public health services for every community member in Lincoln County. We will keep on building and strengthening collaborative community systems to enhance our overall health outcomes.”

Lincoln County Public Health was first accredited in 2018, after undergoing a rigorous, multi-faceted, peer-reviewed assessment to demonstrate adherence to performance and quality standards. Today’s announcement goes a step further by demonstrating that Lincoln County Public Health continues to seek opportunities to become increasingly effective at improving the health of the community.

"We are pleased to see Lincoln County Public Health, along with many others, successfully maintaining their five-year PHAB accreditation," said PHAB President and CEO Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, MD, MPH, FACEP. "This demonstrates that accreditation is not just a one-time achievement but an ongoing commitment to excellence. By maintaining accreditation, these health departments reaffirm their dedication to continuous improvement and community health."

Often called the “backbone” of the public health system, public health departments are on the front lines of communities’ efforts to protect and promote health and prevent disease and injury. PHAB-accredited health departments demonstrate great leadership by placing their work for peer review, with the goal of using the feedback obtained during the process to improve the services they provide to their communities.

Here at Lincoln County Public Health, we work to protect and improve the health and well-being of everyone who lives, works, and visits our community. We provide a wide range of programs and services including communicable disease prevention and investigation, emergency preparedness, maternal child and family health programs, environmental health and licensing, harm reduction services, and prevention and health promotion interventions. Through strong partnerships, culturally responsive outreach, and evidence-based practices, we strive to ensure access to health resources, promote healthy behavior, and build a safer, more resilient community.

###

About Lincoln County Public Health

Lincoln County Public Health is a division of Health and Human Services. We work to protect, promote, and improve the health of all people in Lincoln County. Learn more about Lincoln County Public Health at www.co.lincoln.or.us/1005/Public-Health. ;

About the Public Health Accreditation Board

The Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB) was created to serve as the national public health accrediting body and is jointly funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Vital Records/Health Statistics accreditation is funded, in part, by the National Center for Health Statistics. The development of national public health department accreditation has involved, and is supported by, public health leaders and practitioners from the national, state, local, Tribal, and territorial levels. For more information, contact PHAB Communications at communications@phaboard.org. Learn more about PHAB and accreditation at www.phaboard.org.