Southeast District Health Department

Southeast District Health Department

SEDHD has emphasized prevention as its primary focus in all activities. Programs such as disease surveillance, emergency preparedness, immunizations, and Health Hub have been at the forefront of SEDHD prevention efforts. Additionally, community-based programs have been implemented to further push prevention strategies. Such programs include an innovative cardiovascular risk reduction pilot program in partnership with the UNMC and one of the regional critical access hospitals within the five-county jurisdiction. Also, in partnership with UNMC and one of the region’s public-school districts, SEDHD has started a wellness-based program which aims to increase physical activity among youth.

SEDHD continues to strengthen existing and implement new community-based coalitions to promote healthy communities. The Southeast Nebraska Breastfeeding Coalition has developed a strategic plan to emphasize efforts to support and normalize breastfeeding and to work with employers within the region to create breastfeeding-friendly work environments and provide support and education to breastfeeding mothers. SEDHD is currently partnering with Region V Behavioral Health Systems to develop a regional coalition to drive substance abuse prevention strategies, including youth programming, for our five counties. Additionally, SEDHD is in its second year of serving as fiscal agent for the Southeast Nebraska Healthcare Coalition, a 16-county regional coalition that coordinates disaster preparedness between healthcare facilities, public health, emergency management, and emergency medical services. SEDHD has also assumed a role as fiscal agent for the Nebraska Plains Healthcare Coalition, serving 15 counties in Southwest Nebraska.