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SICK & WELL
HEALTH CARE
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PROMOTING
HEALTHY LIVING
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PREVENTING
DISEASE
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ABOUT US
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Proper Nutrition
WIC (Women, Infants and Children)
WIC (Women, Infants and Children) is a federally funded program that serves pregnant, postpartum and breastfeeding
women up to six months and infant and children up to age five. Wilkes County Health Department provides WIC services
through a combination of nutrition education, vouchers for supplemental foods, breastfeeding promotion and referrals to
healthcare when needed.
During an appointment a nutritionist will conduct a nutrition assessment and counsel the mother on how to best modify
the family’s diet to address their dietary health during this critical time of growth and development. Assessments of height,
weight and a hematocrit test also will be performed. Vouchers for supplemental foods will be provided at each 3-month
follow-up visit. Supplemental foods include milk, cheese, eggs, cereal, juice, peanut butter or beans, and formula for infants
who do not breastfeed or need a supplement to breastfeeding.
To be eligible for WIC, clients must be found to be at medical or nutritional risk and meet federal income requirements.
Once certified, the client will have follow-up visits about every three months. There is no cost to this service. For more
information, please call (336) 651-7450.
Eating For Diabetes Control
Anyone who has been diagnosed with diabetes or at risk of developing diabetes is eligible for diabetes education and
diet instruction provided by a certified diabetes educator. This includes: diabetes assessment and medical history, diet
instruction and meal planning, self-monitoring of blood sugar, foot care, eye care, information on long-term complications
of diabetes and how to lower the risk of problems from these complications. The cost of diabetes education and diet
instruction is based on a sliding fee scale based on family size and income. Appointments and referrals from physicians
are required. For more information, please call (336) 651-7450.
Breastfeeding
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that an infant be breastfed without supplemental foods and
liquids for the first 6 months of age (called “exclusive breastfeeding”). Almost 70% of North Carolina babies begin
breastfeeding. Breastfeeding has many health benefits. Preventing diseases such as ear infections, upper and lower
respiratory ailments, allergies, intestinal disorders, colds, viruses, staph, strep and e coli infections, diabetes, juvenile
rheumatoid arthritis, many childhood cancers, meningitis, pneumonia, urinary tract infections, salmonella, Sudden Infant
Death Syndrome(SIDS) as well as lifetime protection from Crohn's Disease, ulcerative colitis, some lymphomas, insulin
dependent diabetes, and for girls, breast and ovarian cancer is just a small part of the overall benefits of breastfeeding.
Wilkes County Health Department provides breastfeeding support and assistance by a certified Lactation Consultant.
For more information, please call (336) 651-7450.
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