Thank you, Nurse Practitioners!
Last Updated: November 18, 2024 November 10–16 is Nurse Practitioners Week. Nurse Practitioners are a critical part of our healthcare landscape—they make sure that as many residents as possible have access to a care provider. In Virginia, we have more than 17,500 NPs, a few of whom work at RHHD! This week, we’re celebrating the following... Continue reading→
Calling it quits: RHHD supports tobacco cessation
November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S., and 90% of lung cancer cases are related to smoking. If you are a smoker, quitting now is the best thing you can do to keep your lungs healthy. Continue reading→
CHA Priorities: Mental Health
Today, we’re focusing on Mental Health. More than 30% of you said that mental health concerns—including anxiety, depression, and self-harm—were one of the biggest health issues currently facing our communities. The Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) will help RHHD decide how to address this important issue. A first important step is the Richmond and Henrico Regional Resource Guide to Substance Use and Behavioral and Mental Health. The guide provides Continue reading→
Welcome to RHHD’s Adolescent Health Team, Cindy Pulido!
Cindy Pulido is one of RHHD’s newest staff members! She joins our Population Health team as the Adolescent Health Coordinator. Tamara Jones, the Population Health Manager, says that Cindy will be working closely with RHHD staff and community partners to design programs and initiatives focused on promoting the health and well-being of adolescents through the City of Richmond... Continue reading→
Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Last Updated: October 22, 2024 In October, we recognize one of the most commonly occurring cancers nationwide: Breast cancer. Breast cancer is easiest to treat when doctors find it early, so it’s important to talk with your healthcare provider about risk factors and screening. If you are at average risk for breast cancer, the U.S. Preventive Services Taskforce recommends beginning breast cancer screening once you... Continue reading→
Protect your child and test for lead poisoning
October 20-26 is Lead Poisoning Prevention Week. Dona Huang runs RHHD’s Lead Safe and Healthy Homes Initiative, and she says the most important prevention step is to have children checked for lead poisoning through a blood test. “Lead poisoning can be silent,” Dona says. “There are no obvious signs of lead poisoning unless it’s already really extreme. The first thing lead impacts is the central nervous system. If it’s not discovered early, a young child can face developmental challenges.” Continue reading→
Welcome to the Tuberculosis team, Mario!
RHHD recently welcomed a new Tuberculosis outreach worker: Mario Martinez! Mario has been part of the RHHD team for years. He previously worked in COVID-19 containment and as a Community Health Worker (CHW) in the Southwood Resource Center. Tuberculosis is a contagious illness that can affect the lungs and other parts of the body. TB is treatable, but treatment takes a long time and... Continue reading→
CHA Priorities: Chronic Disease
RHHD’s Community Health Assessment (CHA) revealed three major areas where residents saw big health challenges: Community Safety and Violence Prevention, Chronic Disease, and Mental, Health, including Substance Use Disorder. Today, we’re focusing on Chronic Disease. CDC defines chronic diseases as “conditions that last 1 year or more and require ongoing medical attention or limit activities of daily living, or both.” Chronic diseases can include heart disease, cancers, and diabetes. More research also includes... Continue reading→
Healing, holding, and centering survivors during Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Last Updated: October 15, 2024 In the Community Health Assessment (CHA) survey, 32% of people who had experienced violence in their communities reported that their experience including domestic or intimate partner violence. All residents deserve to feel safe at home and in their most important relationships. Congress declared October Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) in 1989. In... Continue reading→
CHA Priorities: Community Safety and Violence Prevention
Last Updated: October 15, 2024 RHHD’s Community Health Assessment (CHA) revealed three major areas where residents saw big health challenges: Community Safety and Violence Prevention Chronic Disease Mental Health, including Substance Use Disorder Today, we’re focusing on Community Safety and Violence Prevention. RHHD Violence Prevention Coordinator Lorraine Wright explains a bit about what these terms mean... Continue reading→
You CHA’ed, We Listened: Community Health Assessment Findings are Here!
Last Updated: October 7, 2024 Through Summer 2024, the Richmond and Henrico Health Districts worked closely with healthcare professionals, partner organizations, subject matter experts, and residents across our neighborhoods to conduct a Community Health Assessment. This important public health practice teaches us what issues matter most to you so that we can take informed action.... Continue reading→
#CleartheCrib and Sleep Safe
Last Updated: October 7, 2024 What is the main problem? October is the awareness month for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). In the U.S., approximately 3,700 infants die every year from sleep-related deaths, the largest percentage of non-natural infant deaths. No one should lose a child. We can take steps to keep our tiniest community members safe and healthy while... Continue reading→