Author: katiestephens

Five Steps Keep People Alive and Safe Until Professional Help Arrives

If you’re the first on the scene during an emergency, you can make a difference. It doesn’t require any special skills but can potentially be the difference between life and death. 

The Virginia Department of Health’s Office of Emergency Preparedness has five steps to keep people alive and safe until professional help arrives: 

Call 911. Be prepared to answer questions. The more specific information you give, the faster they can get the right equipment and people on the scene to help. 

• Specify the type of emergency (fire, medical, police). 
• Know the location or a landmark and how many injured.  
• The more specific information you give, the faster they can get the right equipment and people on the scene to help. Turn a light on or find another way to make it easy for emergency responders to find you. 

Protect yourself and the injured person(s) from harm.  

• Assess the situation. Is there a fire, gas leak or some other looming danger.  
• If possible, move the injured from harm using whatever you can.  
• Use best judgement to stay safe from harm until help arrives. 

Stop life-threatening bleeding.  

• Apply firm, steady pressure to stop life-threatening bleeding. Use a barrier, such as bandage, gauze, cloth, against the blood. If the barrier becomes blood soaked, replace it. Do not layer more things on top of it 
• Hold pressure until responders arrive, even if it’s uncomfortable for the injured.  
• Understand when to use a tourniquet, and if necessary, apply the tourniquet above the wound. 

Position the injured so they can breathe.

Someone who is awake will naturally assume the position that is best for them given their injuries.  

• Assist and support them as needed.  
• Ensure the chest can expand fully and the airway is clear. The three universal positions are best:  
• Tripod (bending forward with hands resting on knees),  
• Side Position (on side with head tilted to drain fluid away from airway), or  
• Recovery Position (on side with leg bent overlapping other leg, arm resting under face and head tilted). 

Provide comfort.

• Ask the injured person before you do anything.  
• Provide kind words and offer a hand to hold. Maintain eye contact.  
• Be patient and understanding. Be a good listener.  
• Offer physical comfort like a blanket to prevent hypothermia.  
• Be respectful of and responsive to individual cultural health beliefs and practices. 

When help arrives, step back to allow the professionals to work but remain close in case they have any questions. 

If you want to be able to respond during emergency situations, consider the following trainings:  

• First Aid Training 
• CPR and AED (defibrillator) Training  
• Stop the Bleed Training 
• Revive! Training to respond to opioid overdose emergencies using naloxone. 

To find training near you, contact your local health district or the American Red Cross. 

Virginia Department of Health Reminds You to Remember these Four Groups When Planning for Emergencies

When preparing for emergencies or disasters, it’s important to be all inclusive. The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) reminds you to consider certain groups when you start to prepare: children, older adults, people with disabilities, and pets.

Children 

Talk to your children now about what to do before, during and after a disaster. Young children and teens alike need to be part of the process – for their own safety and sense of empowerment. You can include them by: 

• Working together to build an emergency kit.  
• Sitting down as a family to talk about your communications plan.  
• Role-playing what you would do during a disaster. 
• Holding drills in your house. 
• Including your child’s favorite stuffed animals, board games, books or music in their emergency kit. 
• Creating a backpack emergency card that your child can keep with them. 

Prepare with Pedro is a free youth preparedness program. It’s designed to teach young children and their families how to stay safe during disasters and emergencies. It has fun activities such as crosswords, coloring pages, matching games, and more.  

It’s important to remember that children do not deal with crisis the same way. For tips to help children cope during an emergency, see the ready.gov webpage. 

Older Adults 

Older adults also have specific needs during emergencies. They might need extra assistance after an emergency when resources are scarce. Help them prepare with these three steps: 

• Understand what kinds of risks of emergency could affect your area. 
• Identify specific needs before, during and after an emergency. This can include things such as medical treatment, medications, and physical needs.  
• Create emergency plan and kit that meet those specific needs. 
• Build a strong support network to assist you during an emergency. This includes:  
  • Family 
  • Friends  
  • Caregivers 
  • Neighbors 
  • Fellow congregants from your place of worship 

The Disaster Preparedness Guide for Older Adults provides easy-to-read, user-friendly worksheets. These worksheets will help identify specific needs to create a personalized plan. 

People with Disabilities 

Disability intersects every demographic group – all ages, races, sex or national origin. Disabilities can impact a person in both visible and invisible ways.  

If you have a disability, you should: 

• Consider your individual circumstances and needs when preparing for emergencies and disasters.  
• The Virginia Department of Emergency Management has a list of suggested items to add to your emergency kit based on your unique needs. 
• Contact your local emergency management office to be added to a voluntary registry for people with disabilities. These registries can help you receive targeted assistance during emergencies and disasters. Contact your local emergency management office to find out more. 
• Talk to your health care provider if you use medical equipment or medications that require electricity or refrigeration. 
• They can advise how to handle your medications or to keep equipment running during a power outage.  
• Contact your power provider to put you on a list for priority power restoration. 

Pets 

Your pets are part of your family. Include your pets in your emergency plans to keep them safe. When preparing: 

• Find out what type of shelters and assistance are available in your area to accommodate pets if you need to evacuate and can’t take them with you. 
• Never leave your pets behind at home.  
• Create a pet emergency kit. It should include: 
  • Pet food and water
  • Favorite toy, treats or bedding
  • Pooper scooper, cat litter, and/or plastic bags
  • Vet’s name and vaccination records

For more information on all-inclusive planning, visit ready.gov. 

Virginia is celebrating 59 years of newborn screenings. These are lifesaving services provided by the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) since 1966. These screenings ensure every newborn identified at risk of certain disorders is connected to early care and treatment to give them the best chance at a healthy life. 

About Newborn Screening 

Newborn screenings check babies for certain serious conditions at birth. All newborns need screening as many born with a condition have no family history and show no signs at birth.  

Screening often happens when newborns are still in the hospital, when they’re 24-48 hours old. If it’s suspected a newborn has a condition, follow up or further testing can be done. And, if needed, they can start care or treatment before any problems begin. 

Virginia Newborn Screening Program

In Virginia, every newborn receives screenings through the Virginia Newborn Screening Program. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends these screenings and include:

• Newborn Bloodspot Screening
  •  Tests for over 30 disorders.
  • A simple heel stick takes a few drops of blood that is applied to a paper card used for testing.

• Critical Congenital Heart Disease (CCHD)
  • CCHD affects about 3 in 1,000 newborns. It can be life-threatening and requires treatment within the first year.
  • Painless sensors are placed on the right hand and foot and can detect low oxygen caused by CCHD, even in newborns without symptoms.

• Early Hearing Detection
  • Hearing loss affects about 3 in 1,000 newborns, making it the most common birth defect.
  • Congenital Cytomegalovirus (cCMV) is the number one non-genetic cause of hearing loss.

If needed, VDH will help connect your infant with follow-up, diagnosis, and treatment. 

More Information About Newborn Screenings 

• VDH Preparing for the Birth of Your Baby  
• Baby’s First Test 
• About Newborn Screening

For Healthcare Providers 

•  Lookup Newborn Screening Results in the DCLS Portal 
  • Newborn Screening Provider Portal 
  • Web Portal Instructions 
• Newborn Screening Education Project provides healthcare professionals and institutions nationwide with free CME opportunities to ensure that every newborn is provided with timely and accurate screening and care coordination. 
• VDH Dried Blood Spot Newborn Screening for Providers 

Help Us Help Others 

VDH and the Center for Public Health Innovation are conducting interviews to assess newborn screening education support. Interviewers will ask participants about their beliefs and experiences related to newborn screening. Interviews will be no longer than 30 minutes and people will be compensated for their time. 

We have particular interest in the following people participating: 

• Healthcare providers who specialize in: 
  • Women’s Health 
  • Infant delivery  
  • Midwives 
  • Labor and Delivery 
  • Newborn Nursery 
  • Neonatal Intensive Care Units 
  • Community primary care 

Interested providers can fill out this short interest form. 

• Parents who have experienced: 
  • Repeated newborn screening  
  • Had a child diagnosed through newborn screening 
  • Refused newborn screening 

Interested parents can fill out this short interest form for parents. 

Please share these interest forms with providers and families who may wish to participate.  

Virginia Department of Health Offers Preparedness Tips

National Preparedness Month is a reminder that now is the time to prepare your family for an emergency. The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) has steps you can take to keep you and your family healthy and well during an emergency.  

Make a Plan  

• Discuss with your family what you will do in an emergency.  
• Designate the safest place in your home to shelter in place.  
• Know your evacuation route.  
• Print a communication plan with all the important phone numbers.  
• Speak to your healthcare provider(s), about your specific needs and how to meet them during an emergency. Pharmacists are also good resources. 

Build a Kit   

• Put together an emergency kit for your family with supplies for three to five days.  
• Make sure you include medications and first aid supplies in your kit.  
• Don’t forget to pack emergency supplies for your pet. 
•  Keep an emergency kit in your car in case you get stranded.  

Stay Informed  

• Sign up for alerts and notifications from your local government.  
• Sign up for FEMA text messages text alerts from FEMA or Download the FEMA app.  
• A NOAA weather radio provides warnings of severe weather and other emergencies. 
• Make sure you know the differences between watches, warnings, and advisories. 
• Learn how to prepare for a variety of disasters with the FEMA’s disaster information sheets. 

Disasters can be costly, but preparing for them doesn’t have to be. Check out the Ready.gov Guide to Low and No Cost Preparedness. 

Your local health department is also a great resource to keep your family healthy and safe during an emergency. 

For being such a tiny insect, mosquitoes have a big impact on public health. Mosquitoes kill more people than any other animal on the planet through the diseases they spread. This includes dengue, West Nile virus, yellow fever, Zika, and chikungunya.

Every year on August 20, public health organizations observe World Mosquito Day. On this day we raise awareness of the dangers posed by mosquito-borne diseases and the ways people can protect themselves.

Malaria: The First Discovery

On August 20, 1897, a Before Ross’ discovery, there were few ways of controlling the spread of malaria. At the time, estimates are that half the world’s population was at significant risk from the disease. It had a 10 percent mortality rate among those infected.

Mosquitoes Still Pose a Threat

The battle against this deadly insect and the diseases it can spread continues. According to the World Mosquito Program,  kill more than 1 million people and infect up to 700 million each year. That’s almost one in 10 people on the planet.

Dengue is the fastest-spreading mosquito-borne disease in the world. It shows no signs of slowing down. 2024 was the worst year on record for dengue cases. This year had more than 11 million cases reported globally in 80 countries.

In Virginia, West Nile virus is the most commonly reported locally acquired mosquito-borne disease. You can learn more about mosquito-borne diseases in Virginia and see on VDH’s .

Prevent Mosquito Bites

Reduce Mosquito Populations

Focus on reducing mosquito populations and eliminating their breeding grounds on your property.

• Eliminate standing water: Mosquitoes breed in standing water. Empty containers like buckets, tires, and flowerpots. Ensure proper drainage around your property.
• Maintain pools and water features: Keep pools properly chlorinated. Drain or cover water features to prevent mosquito breeding.
• Use mosquito dunks: These contain bacteria that kills mosquito larvae in standing water.

Cover Up

While at home or traveling, you can protect yourself with repellants and proper clothing.

• Use insect repellent: Apply EPA-registered repellents like DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus to exposed skin and clothing following product label instructions.
• Wear protective clothing: Wear loose-fitting long-sleeved shirts and long pants.
• Consider permethrin-treated clothing: Permethrin is an insecticide that can be used to treat clothing and gear for added protection.
• Use mosquito netting: If you are sleeping outdoors or in areas with high mosquito activity, use mosquito netting – especially over beds and strollers.

Other Tips

• Repair screens: Ensure window and door screens are in good condition and free of holes to prevent mosquitoes from entering your home.

• Be aware of travel precautions: Take extra precautions if traveling to areas with mosquito-borne disease activity. Consult with a healthcare professional about necessary vaccines or medications.

Learn More

To learn more about mosquitoes and how to protect yourself, visit the VDH Mosquitoes Webpage.

August is National Immunization Awareness Month. This month-long observance highlights how important immunizations (or vaccines) are in protecting everyone from preventable diseases and illnesses. They play a vital role in saving lives, reducing disease, and creating a healthy community.  

How Immunizations Work 

Immunizations are safe and effective in helping the body learn how to defend itself from disease without the dangers of getting an actual infection. They work by imitating an infection to engage the body’s natural defenses.  

By doing so, they can prevent or minimize the worst effects of illness. They can also help reduce the spread to those at highest risk. 

Immunizations Save Lives 

Before immunizations became widely available, the average life expectancy in the U.S. was just 43.7 years. Illnesses and diseases such as the flu, tuberculosis, pertussis, measles and diphtheria were among the leading causes of death for children and young adults. For example: 

• Before the introduction of the measles vaccine in 1963, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 3-4 million people contracted measles in the U.S., with an estimated 400-500 deaths per year.  

• Pertussis or “whooping cough” vaccines became available in the 1940s. Before then, up to 200,000 children got sick each year in the U.S. and about 9,000 died as a result of the illness. 

In more recent times we’ve continued to see advancement with immunizations. From the COVID-19 vaccine, to the HPV vaccine that prevents six types of cancers, to RSV immunizations that protects infants and older adults, these immunizations have prevented illness and disease and have saved millions of lives. 

Life expectancy today in the U.S. is an estimated 79.4 years. Immunizations, along with other public health improvements like antibiotics and improved sanitation, deserve much of the credit for Americans living longer, healthier lives. 

 Make Sure You’re Protected 

While everyone should stay up to date on recommended vaccines, we highlight the importance of vaccinations for people who can be especially vulnerable to dangerous, preventable diseases. This includes:  

• Pregnant women  
• Young children  
• Teenagers  
• Older adults 
• People who are immunocompromised or at increased risk of illness 

Make sure to discuss with your healthcare provider what vaccines are best for you and your family.

It’s time well-spent. 

You can learn more about vaccines, and how to access vaccines at vdh.virginia.gov/immunization.  

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July is Maternal Health Awareness Month.

The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is reminding people how important it is for women to stay healthy during and after pregnancy.  It also promotes actions that improve health outcomes for both pregnant women and infants.  

While Virginia has made progress, there’s still work to do. The cases of adverse maternal and birth outcomes are high and are rising for Black women. Many maternal deaths are preventable. Several factors cause poor health outcomes, including: 

• Lack of care coordination
• Limited access to health care
• Nutrition
• Chronic illnesses  

VDH recently established a maternal health dashboard. It provides information by health district, as well as at the county and city level. The dashboard displays a variety of information about maternal health, including: 

• Preterm birth
• Birth weight
• Infant mortality
• Prenatal care
• Maternal smoking

Maternal health programs can be enhanced or created using information from the dashboard.  In addition, Virginia recently passed a series of bills focused on improving maternal health. Among them are the “safety bundles” to protect mothers and infants.  

For more information and resources about maternal health, visit VDH’s maternal health webpage.