Public Health in the Community

Health Promotion

Health education and health promotion are important for keeping people healthy. We provide information to help our community stay healthy. We help create healthy environments by teaching people about good nutrition, physical activity, and how to avoid drug abuse. We also offer advice on health-related behaviors to many different groups of people.

Health Promotion Internship

Unpaid public health internships are available for college students in community health, health and wellness promotion. Interns will work with staff in the health promotion unit on various community projects and programs in Olmsted County. All internships are a minimum of 12 weeks (480 hours), but Olmsted County may increase hours when needed to meet school requirements.

Statewide Health Improvement Partnership (SHIP)

The Statewide Health Improvement Partnership (SHIP) supports community goals for active living, healthy eating, and commercial tobacco-free living. SHIP prevents disease by helping create healthier communities. SHIP supports people seeking to make healthy choices where they live, learn, work, and play. 

Are you interested in partnering with SHIP and making changes to policy, systems, or your environment? Contact us at OlmstedSHIP@olmstedcounty.gov. 

School Public Health Nursing

Olmsted County provides public health nursing services in public, private, and charter schools. Public health nurses work with schools and community partners to promote healthy behaviors and ensure health equity for all students. Olmsted County provides prevention and health promotion services to meet school and students' needs. Services include classroom health education, personal health education, counseling, group education, and community connection and referrals. School-based public health nurses plan and support school prevention activities. These include assistance with disease surveillance, school-based vaccine clinics, and community health promotion events.

School-age services referral form

Annual Rabies Vaccination Clinic

Olmsted County holds a vaccination clinic for dogs, cats, and ferrets once a year.

Olmsted County is hosting its annual rabies vaccination clinic in partnership with local veterinarians in June 2025. 

Vets will provide rabies vaccinations for $20 each, cash only. Pet owners should bring their animals in a pet carrier device or on a leash. The event staff is not responsible for pets that escape their collars, leashes, or cages at the clinics.

Rochester Olmsted Falls Prevention Coalition

The Rochester/Olmsted Falls Prevention Coalition provides services to citizens over 55. They strive to decrease the number and severity of falls. The coalition supports the citizens of Olmsted County in maintaining a high level of independence in their homes.

The coalition offers:

• Free Home Safety Visits Olmsted County residents to help identify and address safety hazards in your home. To inquire or set up a Free Home Safety Visit, call Family Service Rochester at 507-287-2010.
• The coalition provides education to Olmsted County groups interested in learning more about preventing falls. To set up a presentation, call 507-328-7500.