ThinkTeen

At today's Mobile City Council meeting, District 2 Councilmember Dr. Samantha Ingram for District 2 presented a proclamation for National Community Health Worker Awareness Week. Tokie Dunn, the Director for the Mobile County Health Department's Community Prevention Programs, highlighted the vital roles, leadership, and positive community impacts of community health workers across the United States. Along with several other Community Health Workers, also present were Dr. Stephanie Woods-Crawford, Executive Director for MCHD's Prevention & Wellness section, and Anthony Widner, who works with MCHD's Lead Prevention Program.

Tokie Dunn, the Maternal & Child Health program director for the Mobile County Health Department, recently took part in the 2026 Skills Institute for Title V Teams and Their Partners with the theme this year of “Growing Your Title V Impact Through Strategic Partnerships.” https://mchd.org/mchd-takes-part-in-title-v-conference-08-11-26/

The Alabama Newborn Screening Program ensures all infants are screened for genetic, metabolic, and congenital conditions in accordance with state law. Early detection can prevent intellectual disability, serious illness, and even death. https://mchd.org/newborn-screening-protects-alabamas-newest-lives-08-11-26/

As we wrap up National Health Center Week, we celebrate the vital role community health centers play in strengthening Mobile County. Family Health, Accordia/AltaPointe, Mostellar Medical Center, Franklin Primary Medical Center, and our many valued local partners provide an essential safety net — helping individuals and families access affordable, quality health care close to home.

Access to care remains a challenge for many in our community. Community Health Centers rise to meet that need every day, delivering compassionate, comprehensive care and helping build a healthier Mobile County for all.

Thank you,
Dr. Kevin Michaels
Health Officer for Mobile County

As families across Mobile County pack backpacks and circle the first day of school on the calendar, MCHD is marking National Immunization Awareness Month with a timely reminder: now is the moment to make sure every shot record is current — for the classroom, and for the respiratory illness season quietly building behind it. https://mchd.org/mchd-marks-national-immunization-awareness-month-with-a-call-to-action-08-06-26/

A video has gone out featuring local pediatricians who discuss the importance of getting back-to-school vaccinations before the start of classes. https://mchd.org/local-pediatricians-discuss-importance-of-school-vaccinations-08-04-26/

As August nears in Mobile County, the back-to-school season is once again bringing a familiar mix of excitement and anxiety to students, parents, and educators alike. Hallways will soon fill with new faces and fresh opportunities — but also the quiet pressure that often comes with starting over. https://mchd.org/supporting-mobile-county-families-through-back-to-school-jitters-07-29-26/

The 2026 NACCHO (National Association of County and City Health Officials) 360 Conference is taking place in Louisville at the Kentucky International Convention Center. This year's theme is “Racing Forward, Swinging Big: United for Public Health's Future,” which focuses on innovation, resilience, and expanding access to public health for all. Representing the Mobile County Health Department are, from left, Pebbles King, Dr. Stephanie Woods-Crawford, Danielle Simpson, and Cherrite Peterson.

The Mobile County Health Department is warning residents that there are no safe to***co products, including popular ni****ne pouches that are being marketed as “smokeless” or “to***co-free.” https://mchd.org/mchd-warns-no-safe-to***co-products-including-ni****ne-pouches-07-14-26/

A tetanus infection does not protect you from future infections, so vaccination is the only way to gain immunity.

DTaP, which contains full doses of the diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis vaccines, is for infants and children under 11 years old. All infants and children should receive a total of five doses of DTaP at age 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 15-18 months, and 4-6 years.

https://publicgoodnews.com/2025/10/17/why-the-tetanus-vaccine-matters/