The North Dakota Department of Health received 14 awards for excellence in public health communication from the National Public Health Information Coalition, America's premier organization of public health communicators, during the organization's annual conference in San Antonio, Texas, this week.

The Department of Health received the following awards:

OpEd Articles
-- Gold - "Statewide Study Is the Next Step in Determining if Lead Bullet Fragments Cause

Any Health Risks"
-- Silver - "All North Dakota Children Have Access to Vaccinations"
-- Bronze - "Vaccination Is an Act of Love"

Newsletters
-- Bronze - "Apple Core Gazette"
-- Bronze - "Healthcare Provider Examiner"

News Releases
-- Gold - "Food Pantries Notified About Lead Fragments Discovered in Donated Ground

Venison"
-- Bronze - "Employees of State Health Department Make Sizeable Contribution to Smith Gate Clinic"
-- Bronze - "Governor Hoeven Proclaims Women's Way Day in North Dakota"

Brochure
-- Gold - "Breast Health at Your Fingertips"
-- Bronze - "Protect Your Child's Smile"

Television Marketing
-- Silver - "What's Your Reason?" flu shot public service announcement
-- Bronze - Women's Way public service announcements featuring Women's Way clients

Print and Graphics Specialty Projects
-- Silver - "Your Health: Deal or No Deal" conference booklet
-- Bronze - "Home Safety Checklist"

"Much of the work of the state health department involves educating the public about important health and safety issues," said State Health Officer Terry Dwelle, M.D. "It's great to see some of these efforts recognized at a national level. I'm very proud of the efforts of everyone involved." The National Public Health Information Coalition was established in 1989 to promote an awareness of public health issues throughout the nation. Its more than 400 members include local, state and territorial health department communication specialists, as well as communication partners from federal health agencies, nonprofit organizations and professional health-services groups.

North Dakota Department of Health
ndhan