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Quitting smoking is no easy task. Tobacco and nicotine addiction create a battle that impacts people both mentally and physically. But with commitment, a plan and support, people can quit.

Join others in trying to make a change. The Great American Smokeout is on November 21. Start by Making a Plan to Quit and Planning Your Quit Day. Quit Now Virginia can help people who use tobacco and nicotine to make a plan. Quit Now Virginia is free and confidential for all Virginians 13 and older. Free quit medicines may be available, if eligible.

VDH has several InfoSheets to help guide you or a loved one in quitting:

• Ways to Quit Smoking
• How to Help People Quit
• Medications to Help Quit Tobacco and Nicotine
• Tobacco and Stress
• E-cigarettes

The American Cancer Society has also resources that may help.

• Staying Tobacco-free After You Quit
• Help for Cravings and Tough Situations While You’re Quitting Tobacco

The Tobacco Control Program (TCP) is working to reduce tobacco rates and exposure by:

• Preventing Tobacco Use Among Young People
• Eliminating Nonsmokers’ Exposure to Secondhand Smoke
• Promoting Quitting Among Adults and Young People
• Identifying and Eliminating Tobacco Related Disparities

VDH wants people to know that a plan and support can help increase one’s chances of quitting tobacco for good. This year, take steps towards living tobacco and nicotine free.

• providing technical assistance
• offering regulatory updates
• providing resources
• fostering collaboration within communities throughout the Commonwealth

Traffic incident responders risk their lives daily to assist crash victims and to safely and quickly clear crashes and traffic incidents that could result in a secondary crash. Crash Responder Safety Week (CRSW), November 18-22, 2024, highlights roadway safety during traffic incidents. This year’s theme is, “Responders Ahead! Reduce Your Speed as You Proceed.”

Traffic incident response is a collaborative effort that engages EMS, law enforcement, fire and rescue, public works, towing and recovery, transportation and other disciplines.

CRSW reminds all road users to slow down, move over and remain alert when approaching all forms of traffic incident response activity – whether aiding a stalled vehicle, clearing roadway debris or responding to a crash.

Remember Virginia’s ‘Move Over’ Law when approaching a stationary vehicle that displays flashing red, blue or amber lights, or that has activated its hazard warning lights, displays caution signs or is marked with lit flares or torches, and requires all drivers of any motor vehicle to either move over or slow down.

For additional CRSW and roadway safety info, visit the following links:

Crash Responder Safety Week 2024
CRSW Outreach Toolkit
Traffic Incident Management (TIM) Program
VDOT Driver Safety
Virginia’s ‘Move Over’ Law
Virginia’s ‘Move It’ Law

As we approach the holiday season, take a moment to reflect on your health. Are you following a healthy meal plan? Are you exercising? Poor diet and lack of physical activity can lead to prediabetes. In Virginia, more than 900,000 of our neighbors are living with prediabetes. Prediabetes places you at high risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes and serious health conditions.

• heart disease
• Stroke
• Amputations
• Blindness
• kidney disease
• dementia

If we have your attention now, great because VDH is here to help!

Take the 1-minute prediabetes risk test to help you know your status. Contact your healthcare provider if the test recommends. You can also get help from the Virginia Department of Health. Learn about classes, services and programs in your area.

Decide to celebrate this holiday season with a great recipe for your health.

What can you do to lower your risk?

• Eliminate sugary drinks
• Manage your blood pressure and cholesterol
• If you smoke, STOP!
• Plan healthy meals
• Get regular exercise and check ups

For more information and resources, visit the Virginia Department of Health.

What do physical activity and strokes have in common? This year—World Stroke Day. Organizations around the world are encouraging people to get active every day. On October 29, World Stroke Day is highlighting physical activity. It’s a way to bring attention to strokes and to encourage people to develop habits that can prevent strokes. In 2022, more than 22,000 Virginians experienced a stroke event.  Strokes happen when the blood supply to the brain is blocked or a blood vessel in the brain bursts. People can reduce their risk of stroke by adopting the following healthy habits.

• Eating a healthy diet
• Avoid smoking
• Limiting the amount of alcohol that you drink
• Exercise regularly
• Watch your weight

Other risk factors can increase your risk for a stroke. Work with your doctor to manage or treat your health conditions.

• Test your cholesterol levels
• Watch your blood pressure
• If you have diabetes, check your blood sugar levels
• Take your medicine for the health conditions mentioned.

While good habits can help, there are other risk factors that are beyond your control. Your age, sex and ethnic background can be factors. You can learn more by visiting The Virginia Department of Health stroke website. Also, check out the statewide program called Stroke Smart Virginia. It teaches people and businesses how to recognize and immediately respond to a stroke.

As we settle into the season where we enjoy sweet treats, it’s a good time to remember the importance of our oral health. October is National Dental Hygiene Month. This brings attention to taking care of our teeth and the professionals who help us with oral health. Here are some habits for a healthier mouth.

• Brush your teeth twice a day for at least 2 minutes
• Use toothpaste with fluoride
• Brush your tongue
• Floss daily
• Use mouthwash, as needed
• Eat healthy foods
• Avoid sugary foods and drinks
• Get regular check-ups

The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) offers programs to support dental health.

• Bright Smiles for Babies Fluoride Varnish Program
• Maternal, Infant and Adolescent Oral Health Program
• Adult Oral Health and Chronic Disease Program
• Individuals with Special Health Care Needs Program
• Dental Sealant Program

VDH’s dental hygienists are instrumental in providing dental care in targeted Virginia communities. They provide:

• preventive dental care like cleanings and sealants in schools and health departments
• educational resources
• promotion of proper oral health with a variety of partners

VDH celebrates the hard-working dental hygienists! They help Virginians keep their smiles healthy and beautiful!

The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is here to help Virginians live healthy. Health education is important because it teaches people how to make good choices. These choices can help you stay well and prevent diseases. 

VDH offers several programs to help you learn more about staying healthy:

• Every Woman’s Life: Helps women get the screenings they need for breast and cervical cancer.
• Family Planning: Offers family planning and reproductive health services, including birth control.
• Food Safety Program: Provides food safety resources for the public. Also provides information for food establishment operators.
• Tobacco Control Program: Provides information about the dangers of tobacco and offers help for people who want to quit.
• Walk With Ease Program: Helps people living with arthritis manage their pain. Also helps people without arthritis who want to make walking a regular habit.
• WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) Program: Offers free nutrition education and resources for families.

These are just a few of the many wonderful programs VDH offers. This National Health Education Month, VDH encourages you to use these resources to improve your health!

This year’s International ShakeOut Day is October 17, at 10:17 a.m. (local time). Join millions of people across the world to practice earthquake safety. The following earthquake preparedness tips are from ShakeOut.org.

The Great SouthEast ShakeOut is a multi-state earthquake drill that spans much of the southeastern United States. ShakeOut activities for Virginia are supported by the Virginia Department of Emergency Management.

Register yourself or your organization at: www.shakeout.org/register/.

Why participate?

While earthquake hazards vary from region to region, most of the Southeast is prone to earthquakes. You could be anywhere when an earthquake strikes: at home, at work, at school or even on vacation.

What we do now will determine our quality of life after the next big earthquake. Are you prepared to survive and recover quickly?

The Great SouthEast ShakeOut is a regional opportunity to practice how to be safer during big earthquakes: “Drop, Cover and Hold On.”

The ShakeOut has also been organized to encourage you, your community, your school, or your organization to review and update emergency preparedness plans and supplies, and to secure your space in order to prevent damage and injuries.

Learn more at www.shakeout.org/ and read some of these frequently asked questions.

Drill Manuals and Other Planning Documents

Workplaces

ShakeOut Drill Manual for Businesses (PDF)
ShakeOut Drill Manual for Non-Profits and Other Organizations (PDF)
Countdown to ShakeOut for Organizations (English | Other Languages)
Benefits to Participating Businesses (PDF)
Earthquake Safety in Stores (English | Other Languages)
ResilientWorkplace.org

Government

ShakeOut Drill Manual for Government Agencies and Facilities (PDF)
Options for Government Agency Participation and Outreach (PDF)

Healthcare

ShakeOut Resources for Healthcare Organizations

People with Disabilities and Other Access or Functional Needs

Earthquake Country Alliance documents, videos, and graphics for Seniors and People with Disabilities

General

Prepare to survive and recover with the Seven Steps to Earthquake Safety
Protect yourself during an earthquake: Drop, Cover, and Hold On!
Recommended Earthquake Safety Actions (including situations when you cannot get beneath a table) (English | Other Languages)

• Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap.
• Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
• Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice.
• Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.
• Turn off the faucet with a paper towel or your elbow.
• Dry your hands using a clean towel or an air dryer.

• Before, during, and after preparing food
• Before and after eating food
• Before and after caring for someone at home who is sick with vomiting or diarrhea
• Before and after treating a cut or wound
• After using the toilet
• After changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has used the toilet
• After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
• After touching an animal, animal feed, or animal waste
• After handling pet food or pet treats
• After touching garbage

The COVID-19 pandemic brought home to many people how essential pharmacists are. They impact public health and affect health outcomes. This is important for minority populations and those who live in rural areas and low-income neighborhoods.

During the pandemic, pharmacies were flooded with people wanting to get their COVID-19 shots. Pharmacists worked long, hard hours to protect the American public. And thanks in large part to these dedicated professionals, the country came out on the other side. Today, many pharmacies are closing in wake of the pandemic. This is because of the professional strains placed on pharmacists and their staffs.

To honor and celebrate their vital jobs they do, we observe American Pharmacists Month in October. October 20-26 is designated as National Pharmacy Week.

Pharmacists serve a vital role in their communities. They connect people with access to life-saving treatment. Pharmacists serve their patients well, but they aren’t always recognized.

The public ranks pharmacists as among their most trust healthcare providers. Community pharmacies are the most often visited healthcare destinations for patients. They come in ahead of even urgent care centers and hospitals. They are regarded as a powerful force for patient education, interaction and care.

The Division of Pharmacy Services (DPS) supports Virginia Department of Health (VDH) in its public health mission. They provide vaccines, pharmaceuticals, pharmaceutical services and other medications. They are distributed many places, including:

• Local health departments
• State and community partners
• K-12 public schools
• Other divisions within VDH

Pharmacists in DPS are at the heart of routine activities that go beyond the safe distribution of medications.

These examples show how pharmacists are key to VDH’s mission to protect the health and promote the well-being of all Virginians. But, they are just a snapshot of the true value pharmacists bring to the Commonwealth. We also want to recognize collaborations with pharmacists across our other partnerships. We partner with local pharmacies, healthcare centers and other arenas within Virginia.

Collaboration between DPS and other entities help stretch the positive impact across the Commonwealth. American Pharmacists Month is a chance to acknowledge the many ways that pharmacists provide care. It’s a time to celebrate pharmacists’ work and increase public awareness about how essential this work is.

We are truly grateful for our pharmacists!