Latest local news, weather and high school sports for Tri-State area

Story by KTVO's Vanessa Alonso.

Margaret Donnelly, the Director of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, spoke to a group at the Adair County Health Department in Kirksville Thursday.

The visit was part of National Public Health Week. The event takes place on the first week of April every year to encourage people across the nation to change their lifestyles for the better and live healthier, more active lives.

This year's theme in Missouri is "A Healthier Missouri Begins Today ... Join The Movement."

Donnelly said that the most important thing Missourians should do is develop better habits such as exercising and eating right.

"Good health habits are the first step in making sure you have a healthier life. That's what we are doing this week, to highlight the importance of being healthy. Also, we want to tell people that they can take charge of their own health and join with others to make sure their community is healthy," Donnelly said.

Visitors got a chance to tour the newly remodeled facility and learn about the different aspects of the health department and the services it offers.

Medical assistants were also offering blood tests and screenings to whoever wanted one.

You can learn more on Missouri Public Health Week at http://health.mo.gov