The Iowa Department of Public Health announced today that 63 Iowa communities have been honored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) with a Water Fluoridation Quality Award. 

IDPH has launched several upgrades to the Iowa Public Health Tracking Portal (IPHT), a web-based system to track public health data. The enhancements will make it easier for the public to access high quality data in less time. These data can improve the understanding of hazards and lead to actions that may prevent chronic illnesses. With IPHT, Iowans have access to both environmental data and health outcome data simultaneously. 

IDPH joins the National Coalition of STD Directors in recognizing October 7 as the fifth annual National Disease Intervention Specialist (DIS) Recognition Day. Celebrated each year on the first Friday of October, this day honors the DIS workforce, the backbone of state and local sexually transmitted disease (STD) and HIV programs. 

The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) is reminding Iowans to take steps to protect themselves from mosquito bites in the coming weeks. Late summer and early fall are the seasons of peak West Nile virus activity in the state. 

According to the Iowa Department of Public Health, suicide is the tenth leading cause of death for all Iowans and the second leading cause of death for 15 to 24 year-olds and those ages 25 to 44.