Tell your energy bill to chill out!
Extreme heat doesn’t just cause serious heat-related illnesses. It can also be a pain for your monthly budget. The National Energy Association Directors Association estimates that this will be the most expensive summer yet for families trying to keep their homes cool. Starting on June 15, Virginia’s Department of Social Services (DSS) will help eligible residents with cooling... Continue reading→
Liberation, equal access, and community health: RHHD celebrates Juneteenth
Wednesday, June 19, marks the fourth federal observance of Juneteenth. Even before President Biden declared Juneteenth a federal holiday in 2021, the day was a meaningful opportunity to reflect on a national history of enslavement and to celebrate emancipation—the news of which reached enslaved people in Texas in 1865, almost two-and-a-half years after the Emancipation Proclamation.... Continue reading→
“Show your welcome”: Richmond’s Multicultural Festival was June 8!
Richmond’s Multicultural Festival: Imagine 2024 took place on Saturday, June 8. The annual event was cohosted by Richmond’s Office of Immigrant and Refugee Engagement and ReEstablish Richmond. Each year, it celebrates both National Immigrant Heritage Month and World Refugee Day. “The Multicultural Festival is always an opportunity for newcomers and long-term residents to gather together... Continue reading→
Health equity and heat
by Kiran Sabharwal As the summer heats up, we’ll all be looking for shade. But finding a cool spot beneath a tree in Richmond and Henrico can be trickier in some neighborhoods than others. Not only do neighborhoods with fewer trees have less shade to cool off, higher temperatures in these neighborhoods lead to more heat-related illnesses like... Continue reading→
Pride and Public Health
In addition to Immigrant Heritage Month, June is also Pride Month! It’s an important month for both public health and health equity. Ginger Lee writes that “The LGBTQ community has endured systemic and legally sanctioned discrimination, shaming by institutions and systems, shunning by families of origin, the HIV epidemic, and being targeted for brutality and violence because... Continue reading→
Get to know RHHD’s Health Equity Specialist: Cameron Foster
Cameron wins Best Dressed at RHHD! His shirt has images of his beloved dog, Biscuit. In May, RHHD welcomed a new Health Equity Specialist to our team! Cameron Foster joins us after working for the VDH Central Office as a COVID-19 investigator and vulnerable population data analyst. Cameron has a master’s in public health from... Continue reading→
Extreme Heat
Summer 2024 is shaping up to be a warm one, and here at RHHD, we know that extreme heat is a public health issue. In Virginia, more people receive care for heat-related illnesses when the temperatures climb to 86 degrees and higher—and we’re already seeing those kinds of temperatures. The first step to protect yourself and your loved ones against heat-related illness... Continue reading→
Tick Talk
May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month, but it’s not the only time of the year to think about ticks. Whether you’re playing, working, or exercising outdoors, keeping safety tips in mind can help protect you from serious tickborne illnesses: Prep for ticks before you head outside. Use an EPA-registered insect repellent and tuck your pants into your socks, especially if... Continue reading→
The Richmond Health Equity Fund is open for applications!
Applications are now open for the Richmond Health Equity Fund 2024-2025 cycle! The deadline to submit applications is June 23, 2024. Richmond is a city of health disparity. Census data show how extreme heat, mental health challenges, and lack of access to healthy foods all echo city redlining, when banks and city institutions used discriminatory lending practices to keep Richmond neighborhoods segregated. Addressing health... Continue reading→
Getting stroke smart
May is also Stroke Awareness Month. Strokes happen when something blocks blood flow to the brain or a blood vessel in the brain bursts—it’s sometimes called a “brain attack” for this reason. Strokes are the fourth leading cause of death in Virginia (behind cancer, heart disease, and accidents). People experiencing a stroke need quick, professional medical care. The most... Continue reading→
Support adolescent health: Become a trusted adult
Today, we’re welcoming Health Education Specialist TaShana Jaudon to the newsletter! TaShana works with RHHD’s Adolescent Health Program; currently, she is hosting the programs 13th Annual Healthy Living for Youth Health Fairs in partnership with Richmond Public Schools Health and PE Departments. Take it away, TaShana: In May, I’m excited to shine a spotlight on... Continue reading→
What does it mean to “speak to a medical provider”?
When you consult public health resources, you probably see some version of “talk to your primary care provider” or “consult with your medical provider” pretty frequently. What does it mean and why do we say it? What is a primary care or medical provider? A primary care provider (PCP) is a doctor, nurse practitioner, or... Continue reading→