Health Department
Michelle Cahoon, Health Officer
Taylor County Health Notice of Privacy
- Taylor County Health Notice of Privacy Practice English
- Taylor County Health Notice of Privacy Practice Spanish
Taylor County Health Department complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. Taylor County Health Department does not exclude people or treat them differently because of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex.
Taylor County Health Department provides free aids and services to people with disabilities to communicate effectively with us, such as:
- Qualified sign language interpreters
- Written information in other formats (large print, audio, accessible electronic formats, other formats)
Taylor County Health Department provides free language services to people whose primary language is not English, such as:
- Qualified interpreters
- Information written in other languages
If you need these services, contact Michelle Cahoon, Health Officer, Taylor County Health Department at 715-748-1410.
Featured Links:
- Fluoride Program
- Health Department Fees
- Immunization Program
- Maternal Child Health Information
- Nail & Ear Care Program
- Public Health Programs Overview
- 2018 – 2023 Strategic Plan
Community Health Plan:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines healthy communities as “A community that is continuously creating and improving those physical and social environments and expanding those community resources that enable people to mutually support each other in performing all the functions of life and in developing to their maximum potential.”
This plan is a result of the collaboration of community partners to create a tool for community organizations, local government, businesses, and citizens to take action to create a “Healthier Taylor County” for everyone who lives in our community.
Location & Mailing Address:
224 South Second Street
Medford, WI 54451
Phone: 715.748.1410
Fax: 715.748.1417
Courthouse Ground Floor – Room G160
Annual Report:
The Annual Report of the Taylor County Health Department provides a snapshot of the many ways in which our department impacts the lives of Taylor County residents.
2020 Annual Report [click here]
Frequently Visited
- Job Notices
- Agendas
- Minutes
- Area Plumbers
- Boat Launch Permit
- Civil Process Fees
- Election Information
- Employment Application
- Food Resource Guide
- Foster Care - Continuing Ed Log
- Foster Care - Training Reimbursement
- Foster Care - Reading/Video Ongoing Ed
- Foster Care - Prof Consultation Ongoing Ed
- GIS / Tax Info
- HyperReach SignUp
- Intent to Harvest
- Land Notification
- Pay Property Taxes Online
- Phonebook
- Real Estate Records
- Sheriff Sales
- TASO Records Request
- TASO Use of Force Policy
- Taylor County Resource Guide
- Timber Sales
- UMR Transparency In Coverage
- Vital Records
Services Offered
Click the + sign for a brief description of services offered and handled by the Taylor County Health Department. For detailed information, you may click anywhere inside the box.
Beach Conditions
Safety and bacteriological quality of the water at the area beaches are checked frequently throughout the summer season by the Environmental Health Specialist for Taylor County. When the concentration of fecal coliform in the water sample collected exceeds acceptable standards, the beach is posted with either a “Warning” or it is “Closed.” Information available related to Blue-Green Algae.
Disease Control Program
Taylor County Health Department provides confidential consultation and follow-up for surveillance and control of specific infectious diseases, including vector-borne diseases, vaccine preventable diseases, sexually transmitted infections, food and waterborne illnesses and pandemic influenza.
Ear Flushing
Taylor County Health Department’s Public Health Nurses now offer ear flushing.
Ear flushing can be beneficial for someone who has excess earwax, cerumen or other foreign materials in their ear canal.
Ear flushing is available for ages five and up. Read more [ here ].
Pricing
Ear Flushing – $20
Environmental Health Program (EH)
This program covers human health hazards, inspection and monitoring of county beaches, mercury fish advisories, mold and general environmental health.
Food, Recreation, Lodging & Manufactured Home Communities License & Inspection
Taylor County Health Department is an agent with the Department of Safety and Professional Services and the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection to license and inspect food, lodging and recreational establishments operating in Taylor County.
Immunization Program
Routine health care should include immunizations whether they come from your personal health care provider or from your local health department. Taylor County offers both child & adult immunizations. More information from our department can be found [ here ].
Lead Poisoning Prevention Program
Lead is one of the most serious environmental hazards faced by young children, especially those between 6 months and 6 years of age. Many lead hazards still exist in homes and the environment, including paint, folk remedies, plumbing, glazed ceramics, vinyl mini-blinds, chalk, candlewicks and others. These hazards are commonly present during painting and remodeling of pre-1978 housing. When exposed to lead, children do not show obvious signs of illness unless the amount of lead in their body becomes very high. However, low levels of lead may cause delays in mental and physical development. While these delays may not be visible when the child is young, they may dramatically affect the child’s future.
Maternal Child Health Information Hotline: 1-800-642-7837
This program offers cribs for kids, newborn postpartum home visits, and resources for parents. The Taylor County Drug Opposition Partners Coalition is partially funded with use of these dollars.
Services Offered
Click the + sign for a brief description of services offered and handled by the Taylor County Health Department. For detailed information, you may click anywhere inside the box.
Nail Care
Taylor County Health Department provides nail care by appointment. These appointments are for individuals 60 and older who reside in Taylor County. We provide trimming and filing of toenails by a registered nurse. If you currently receive services from a homecare agency, these services should be provided to you by them.
Oral Health
Early Childhood Caries (ECC) is a severe form of tooth decay found in infants, toddlers and young children. ECC begins when cavity causing bacteria is passed from parent or caregiver to baby. The bacteria combines with sugar found in formula, milk, juice, or sweetened drinks forming cavity-causing acid. This action causes loss of tooth enamel (demineralization) leading to tooth decay. The condition can affect children’s health by limiting their ability to obtain nutrition, affecting their energy level and their ability to concentrate in the learning process. ECC is easier and cheaper to prevent than to treat.
Dental decay is the most prevalent chronic disease of childhood, five times more common in children than asthma.
Public Health Preparedness
In recent years, the roles of responding to disasters and preventing the spread of disease have come to the forefront, due to threats to our nation and newly emerging diseases. These threats have increased our awareness of the need to be better prepared for future bioterrorism events and other public health emergencies.
Rabies Control & Coordination
Rabies is a disease caused by a virus found in the saliva of infected mammals and is transmitted to pets and humans by bites, or possibly by contamination of an open cut with saliva.
Taylor County Health Department works collaboratively with local veterinarians, law enforcement, health care providers, the Wisconsin State Lab of Hygiene, the victim of an animal bite and animal owner, to ensure completion of post-exposure follow-up of all reported animal bites in Taylor County. Follow-up includes observation and testing of the biting animal and possible treatment of the victim.
Radon Program
Taylor County Health Department is the home for The Northern Wisconsin Radon Information Center serving citizens of Ashland, Bayfield, Iron, Lincoln, Price, Rusk and Taylor County.
Tobacco Prevention & Control Program
Resources are available for those interested in quitting smoking.
Water Testing/Certified Water Lab
Safe, clean water is one of the most important substances in our lives – for drinking, cooking, bathing and cleaning. Municipal water systems test their water regularly to ensure it is safe, but it’s up to private well owners to test their well water annually.
The health department has a certified water lab for testing bacteria, nitrates and arsenic for a fee.
Available Monday – Thursday from 8:30 am – 4 pm.
WIC
The goal of the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program is available for low to moderate income pregnant women, recently delivered women, breastfeeding women, infants, and children up to age 5 who are at nutrition risk. Fathers, grandparents & foster parents can also apply for WIC services offered in Medford, Gilman and Rib Lake. Call Healthfirst at 1-800-246-5743 for details.
Wisconsin Well Woman Program
The Wisconsin Well Woman Program is part of the Wisconsin Women’s Health Campaign. Health agencies and associates work with volunteer associations to educate women about their health and make sure they can get the health screenings they need. This program offers the availability for free screening services to women who qualify. Women who are interested in the program need to contact the regional coordinator at 715-345-5576.