Pennyrile District Health Department

Pennyrile District Health Department oversees the operations of clinics in Caldwell, Crittenden, Livingston, Lyon and Trigg Counties in rural southwestern Kentucky, offering affordable health care to its 53,095 residents. The area served in the Pennyrile District is located in rural southwestern Kentucky. 


The goal of the Pennyrile District Health department is to serve the citizen of our five counties by promoting good health practices, preventing diseases, and protecting their health and welfare. To obtain our goal we offer a variety of services to the counties.  Explore our website to find out what all your local health departments can do for you.

 

Our new district office is located at 208 Outlet Ave, Eddyville, KY 42038

 

Vision Statement- "Working Together for a Healthier Tomorrow"

 

Mission Statement- "Pennyrile District Health Department is dedicated to protecting the environment, providing preventive health services, and educating our communities to promote healthier lifestyles. "

 

Values- "PDHD- Prepared, Dedicated, Healthy, and Driven"

 

* Be sure to check out our Calendar of Events.*

 

May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month

While you enjoy the outdoors this summer, protect yourself from skin cancer by seeking shade, wearing sunglasses, a hat, and sun-protective clothing, and using sunscreen.

 

When you're having fun outdoors, it's easy to forget how important it is to protect yourself from the sun. Unprotected skin can be damaged by the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays in as little as 15 minutes. Yet it can take up to 12 hours for skin to show the full effect of sun exposure.

 

Even if it's cool and cloudy, you still need protection. UV rays, not the temperature, do the damage. Clouds do not block UV rays; they filter them—and sometimes only slightly. Remember to plan ahead, and keep sun protection handy in your car, bag, or child's backpack.

 

Tan? There's no other way to say it—tanned skin is damaged skin. Any change in the color of your skin after time outside—whether sunburn or suntan—indicates damage from UV rays. Using a tanning bed causes damage to your skin, just like the sun.

 

Types of Skin Cancer

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. The two most common types, called basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas, are highly curable. But melanoma, the third most common skin cancer, is more dangerous.

 

When To Apply Sunscreen

  • Apply sunscreen approximately 30 minutes before being in the sun (for best results) so that it can be absorbed by the skin and less likely to wash off when you perspire.
  • Remember to reapply sunscreen after swimming or strenuous exercise.
  • Apply sunscreen often throughout the day if you work outdoors, and wear hats and protective clothing.
  • How To Apply Sunscreen
  • Shake well before use to mix particles that might be clumped up in the container. Consider using the new spray-on or stick types of sunscreen.
  • Be sure to apply enough sunscreen. As a rule of thumb, use an ounce (a handful) to cover your entire body.
  • Use on all parts of your skin exposed to the sun, including the ears, back, shoulders, and the back of the knees and legs.
  • Apply thickly and thoroughly.
  • Be careful when applying sunscreen around the eyes.

What To Look for When You Buy Sunscreen

  • Pick a broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects against UV-A and UV-B rays and has a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15.
  • Read product labels. Look for a waterproof brand if you will be sweating or swimming. Buy a nonstinging product or one specifically formulated for your face.
  • Buy a brand that does not contain para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) if you are sensitive to that ingredient.
  • Try a sunscreen with different chemicals if your skin reacts badly to the one that you are using. Not all sunscreens have the same ingredients.
  • Use a water-based sunscreen if you have oily skin or are prone to acne.
  • Be aware that more expensive does not mean better. Although a costly brand might feel or smell better, it is not necessarily more effective than a cheaper product.
  • Be aware of the expiration date because some sunscreen ingredients might degrade over time.


Services of the Pennyrile District Health department are available to all qualified persons regardless of race, creed, color, sex, country of origin, or disability.