The Office of Health Education conducts numerous programs for the community, school and public organizations throughout Suffolk County, and operates the Suffolk County Tobacco Enforcement Program. Clearly, the greatest benefit from prevention and education programs is reaped when Suffolk residents make choices in favor of healthy living. Improving health behaviors is beneficial at every age. OHE staff works on many initiatives to improve the health and safety of our residents.

The OHE has been a seven day a week COVID-19 call center for the last year while maintaining basic programming. Currently operating are the following programs: Online smoking and vaping cessation classes, Online Diabetes Prevention programming, Online Tai Chi for Arthritis, stress relief and falls prevention purposes, Online training workshops for school and organization staff and online peer education trainings for students. Curriculum and teacher training is available to public and private schools at no cost. The lessons address behaviors that lead to morbidity and mortality in the young including poor nutrition, lack of physical activity, intentional and unintentional injuries, and tobacco, alcohol and other drug use and healthy body image.

Staff works with other agencies to design programming and provide education in Suffolk County communities in an effort to prevent disease, disability and premature death. In particular, we are working to reduce behaviors that lead to the development of co-morbidities such as cancer, diabetes obesity and smoking/vaping. The office is a resource for schools, work sites and community groups, for the latest health education information.