From the State Health Commissioner

Robert B. Stroube, M.D., M.P.H.

The devastation of hurricanes Katrina and Rita serves as a stark reminder of the importance of our public health system to ensuring the health and safety of all residents. The Virginia Depart-ment of Health (VDH) prepares for hurricanes and other public health threats, and leads and coordinates efforts to protect public health throughout the Commonwealth. VDH is dedicated to protecting and promoting the health of all Virginians, with special emphasis on those who have limited access to care and are at increased risk during disasters. Our goal is a Commonwealth with healthy people in healthy communities. VDH offers an array of programs designed to keep Virginians of all ages safe and healthy.

Children admire and emulate their parents. Your way of life significantly affects your child’s development. Poor diet, physical inactivity, obesity and tobacco use are preventable risk factors that can contribute to the development of many chronic diseases. That is why it is crucial that parents adopt healthy lifestyles. Bring your child along on your evening walk, prepare nutritious meals together and have regularly scheduled family meetings to discuss your plans in the case of an emergency.

You can give your child a head start to a long and healthy life by ensuring he or she has the correct vaccinations before school starts each year. Keep a copy of your child’s immunization record, review it with your physician and keep it up-to-date.

Virginia’s 119 local health departments are on the front lines of VDH’s efforts to protect the health of every citizen. Nurses, epidemiologists, environmental health experts and other health department staff provide care in every area of the state. Low-income families and at-risk populations receive services including immunizations, family planning and women’s and infants’ care. Health department staff also promote healthy lifestyle decisions, protect drinking water and food supplies and respond to disease outbreaks and other public health events.

In the following pages, you’ll read about a few examples of these programs. To learn more about VDH or any of our programs and activities, I invite you to visit www.vdh.virginia.gov.