May 2025 Summit County Health News

Summit County is truly a special place—unlike any other. Through every challenge, you have stood by this Health Department with inspiring dedication and resolve. This month, we celebrate and thank the partners, volunteers, and residents whose continued support fuels our work. Your compassion and care are the foundation of our shared mission to build a healthier community for all.

While uncertainties remain about funding for our department’s programs, I am filled with hope and confidence. Together, we continue to move forward with a bold commitment to facing challenges head-on, shaping a legacy of health and happiness for generations to come.

With an unwavering commitment to public health,
—Dr. Phil Bondurant

Coalville Mayor Awarded for Pedestrian Safety

Coalville Mayor, Mark Marsh, was recently honored with the Special Achievement in Pedestrian Safety Award at the 2025 Zero Fatalities Conference. A childhood survivor of a pedestrian accident, Mayor Marsh has made safe walking routes a priority in Coalville City—dramatically improving sidewalk access and advocating for child safety.

Our Health Promotion team is proud to work closely with Mayor Marsh through their work as Certified Passenger Safety Technicians, and in helping secure grants to support his efforts to fund and implement pedestrian safety improvements.

Staff Present to Statewide Audience on Green Business Program

Sustainability Analyst, Megan Nick, spoke at the Utah Environmental Health Association conference, sharing how our Green Business Program supports local businesses in taking action towards more sustainable practices. Some examples include installing bike racks to promote active transportation to and from the business, transition to all-electric landscaping equipment, and enrolling in a composting service through Momentum Recycling (Businesses and individual households can sign up for this service!)

May is Mental Health Awareness Month

Both Summit County and Park City have issued official proclamations acknowledging the importance of mental health and dedicating resources to the well-being of our community. Visit ourmentalhealth.org to learn more about local mental health tools and resources, as well as events happening this month in our community.

Tick Season is Here!

With warmer weather, tick activity is on the rise in Utah. While Summit County Health does not offer tick identification services, residents can stop by any of our clinics to pick up a tick collection vial and instructions on how to send it to a lab for testing. (Please note: you are responsible for mailing the tick and covering any lab fees.)

When spending time outdoors:
- Wear long sleeves
- Tuck pants into socks
- Use an EPA-registered insect repellent to help prevent tick bites

To learn more about tick prevention, safe removal, and tick-borne illnesses in Utah, click here.

Rabies Awareness

Spring and summer bring more animal activity and an increased risk of rabies exposure. Bats are the primary concern in Utah, though rabies can also occur (rarely) in domestic animals like dogs, cats, and cattle. If you’ve had contact with an animal and are concerned about rabies, visit: epi.utah.gov/rabies. For questions or guidance, contact our Clinical or Environmental Health teams at 435-333-1500.

Get Ahead on Back-to-School Vaccines

Now is the perfect time to schedule vaccines for the 2025-26 school year. Recommended vaccines by age and grade level are listed here. Stay on track for a healthy school year ahead. Call our office to make an appointment.

May is Hepatitis Awareness Month

Hepatitis Awareness Month is a time to learn about the importance of vaccination, testing, and treatment for hepatitis A, B, and C. Hepatitis A & B can be prevented with vaccines. Hepatitis C can be cured with oral medication. We offer testing and vaccinations for those interested. Call us if you have questions, or to schedule an appointment. Learn more from the CDC at: cdc.gov/hepatitis

Smart Sprinkling for Spring

Keep your lawn happy this summer while saving on your water bill by using the Utah Department of Natural Resources weekly lawn watering guide for customized watering recommendations. Want a frost-free start to the growing season? Visit Utah Climate Center's resource on Utah Freeze Dates to see average first and last frost dates to help plan your planting!

Trails, Trash, and Tunes

The Summit County Stormwater Coalition is holding its Fourth Annual “Trails, Trash, and Tunes” event on Saturday, May 31st from 12pm - 4pm at Silver Creek “Loomis” Park (6530 Silver Creek Drive).

Welcome in springtime and celebrate the Earth with live music, a trail + park cleanup, noxious weed pull, food trucks, kids activities, education booths about stormwater, noxious weeds identification and more!

Registration is FREE and encouraged so we know who is coming!

Sun Safety

It's crucial to practice sun safety, especially in Summit County, where melanoma rates are notably high. According to the Utah Department of Health's Indicator-Based Information System (IBIS) from 2018 to 2020, Summit County’s melanoma incidence rate was reported to be the second highest in the state and more than double the national average.​

Here are some tips to protect yourself while enjoying the outdoors:

• Apply Sunscreen: Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher, reapplying every two hours, especially after swimming or sweating.​

• Wear Protective Clothing: Opt for long sleeves, wide-brimmed hats, and sunglasses to shield your skin and eyes from harmful UV rays.​

• Seek Shade: Limit direct sun exposure during peak hours, typically between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.​

Swim Healthy. Stay Healthy.

Keep kids healthy in the water. Even in well-maintained pools, some germs can survive for days.

Tips for caregivers:

• Keep kids out of the water if they are sick with diarrhea

• Don’t let kids swallow the water

• Take kids on bathroom breaks every hour

• Change diapers in a diaper-changing area.
  
  For more information from the CDC on healthy swimming, click here.