The Public Health Department offers a number of health education and promotion programs designed to promote the health of Santa Barbara County residents. In addition to the programs listed below, consultation and training on a variety of health topics are available. For more information, contact Director of Health Education, Scott McCann, PhD, at (805) 681-5270 or scott.mccann@sbcphd.org.
HIV/AIDS Program
The Public Health Department collaborates with local organizations to provide a range of HIV/AIDS prevention and care programs. The Public Health Department’s Health Care Centers in Santa Barbara and Santa Maria provide medical care to people with HIV/AIDS. Community agencies like Pacific Pride Foundation, Planned Parenthood, and Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics provide HIV-related education, testing, case management, and assistance with housing, food, and other basic needs. Services are provided in Spanish and English throughout the county. For more information contact Scott McCann at (805) 681-5270 or scott.mccann@sbcphd.org.
Cancer Detection Partnership
The Tri-Counties Cancer Detection Partnership coordinates the provision of free breast and cervical cancer screening to over 6,000 lower-income women in Santa Barbara, Ventura, and San Luis Obispo Counties each year, under the state’s Every Woman Counts program. Women are linked to free treatment services as needed. Call 800-511-2300 for eligibility information. To schedule free cancer prevention education, call 681-5296. For more information contact June English at (805) 681- 4783 or June.English@sbcphd.org
Network for a Healthy California
Health educators assist eligible schools, agencies, and coalitions in developing and implementing programs and policies that promote healthy eating, nutrition education, and physical activities, toward the prevention of obesity and related health problems. Services include the school-based Harvest of the Month program, and the Communities of Excellence capacity-building program. For more information contact Susan Horne at (805) 681-4757 or Susan.Horne@sbcphd.org in Santa Barbara, and the Fidel Villanueva at (805) 346-7372 or fidel.villanueva@sbcphd.org.
Healthy for Life/Una Vida Saludable
The Public Health Department produces a monthly television series entitled, Healthy for Life/Una Vida Saludable. The half-hour shows produced in Spanish and English explore local health issues with an emphasis on prevention. Shows have addressed such topics as leading causes of premature death, HIV/AIDS prevention, the risks of smoking, and cancer prevention. Each show is broadcast throughout the month on Cox channels 20 & 21, and on Comcast channels 23, 24 & 25. The shows are also available through this website- Healthy for Life. For more information contact Scott McCann at (805) 681-5270 or scott.mccann@sbcphd.org.
Tobacco Prevention Settlement Program
The Tobacco Prevention Settlement Program provides a variety of education, cessation, and enforcement services to prevent youth from beginning tobacco use, to help tobacco user’s quit, and to protect the public from the harmful effects of secondhand smoke. Educational materials and resource information are available, as are professional training and assistance with tobacco-related issues. Opportunities for youth and adult involvement exist with our community coalition and at local events. Funding is provided to community organizations to achieve program goals. For more information contact Dawn Dunn at (805) 681-5407 or Dawn.Dunn@sbcphd.org