Author: patrickgodette

April is National Minority Health Month. The observance is designed to raise awareness about the importance of improving the health of racial and ethnic minority communities and reducing health disparities. Health disparities show up as higher disease rates, injury or violence that are experienced by certain populations.  Data show these differences can occur based on:

• race and ethnicity
• income
• geographic location
• environment

“They come in the form of day-to-day things that impact quality of life, such as good schools, access to fresh fruits and veggies, green space or other vibrant places to gather, and quality, affordable housing,” said Sandra Serna, director of the Office of Health Equity.

The Office of Health Equity (OHE) at the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) works to address the root causes of health disparities by developing programs, tools and resources to address the problem. For example, OHE allocated funding to assist with an initiative to make financial assistance applications easier to read and complete for Latino families who have struggled with receiving assistance.
The Virginia Partners in Prayer and Prevention Program, which operates out of the OHE, awarded Latinos in Virginia Empowerment Center with Centers for Disease and Prevention grant funding to provide financial assistance for the Latino community. For more information on programs and services available, visit https://latinosenvirginia.org/en.

Since June 2021, OHE has administered Virginia’s $27.3M Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) COVID-19 Health Disparities grant. The grant, which specifically focuses on racial and ethnic minority and rural populations, gives recipients the flexibility to address the many health disparities made worse by the pandemic. As result, OHE has been able to fund and support innovative work across the state. One example is OHE’s partnership with four historically black colleges and universities. The funding provides support for a variety programs, events and services that educate participants about chronic diseases that impact African Americans, putting them at further risk for COVID-19 health complications.

STI Awareness Week is observed the second full week in April each year. STI is another term for sexually transmitted infection. This week provides the chance to raise awareness about STIs and how they can impact our lives. It allows us to reduce STI-related stigma and fear. We want people to know about STI prevention, testing, and treatment.

This year, STI Awareness Week comes at a critical time. There have been continued increases in STIs across the United States. These increases have also been occurring here in Virginia. We have seen dramatic increases in syphilis in adults and newborn babies. Virginia has seen the following increases in cases since 2018:

• 13% increase in gonorrhea
• 32% increase in syphilis among adults
• 82% increase in syphilis cases among newborn babies

 

In 2018 the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimated that 20 percent of the U.S. population had an STI on any given day. That is 1 in 5 people! This totaled almost 68 million infections in 2018.

CDC also estimated that STIs acquired that year cost the American health care system nearly $16 billion in health care costs alone. Given the case increase since 2018, imagine the cost to the American health care system today!

Many STIs have no symptoms. The only way to be sure of your status is to get tested. Talk to your healthcare provider about testing if you are sexually active or have not been tested since the last time you were sexually active. You can find free or low-cost STI testing at your local health department or another testing site near you: https://bit.ly/2OE8EaC. If you have an STI that is left untreated, it can lead to issues such as:

• increased risk of getting or spreading HIV
• long-term pelvic and abdominal pain
• inability to get pregnant
• pregnancy complications
• Many other issues, especially with syphilis and HIV

Learn more about STIs and how they spread on our website: https://bit.ly/2Vaj16J. We have the tools to treat and stop the spread of STIs. Let’s use them!

If you have questions about STIs or need help finding STI services, call our toll-free hotline today at (800) 533-4148. Hotline hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. The hotline is closed on Virginia state holidays.

It’s a topic that many times goes unheard—sexual assault. April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month and organizers are working to bring attention to what’s considered a public health issue. This year’s theme, Building Connected Communities, is designed to encourage people to work together to support healthy, safe, respectful behaviors and environment. The idea is to motivate people to work together, support those who have been sexually assaulted and be aware of ways to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the community where individuals live and work.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) sexual assault is usually someone that the survivor knows, such as a friend, neighbor, or family member. Other statistics show that it’s common, with more than half of women and nearly 1 and 3 men reporting that they have been involved in some form of sexual assault.

Sexual assault has long term consequences that can lead to chronic illnesses, suicidal or depressive thoughts, and substance abuse. It’s impact not only hurts the survivor but the community.

The Virginia Department of Health has a list of resources and programs available to help survivors and individuals who want more information about sexual violence and sexual assault.

Virginia will recognize Black Maternal Health Week from April 11-17. The General Assembly adopted the resolution during its recent session. Black Maternal Health Week is an annual observance designed to bring awareness to rising cases of adverse maternal and birth outcomes for people of African descent. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2021, Black women living in the U.S. are three times more likely to die from pregnancy related causes than White women. The report explains that 80 percent of pregnancy related deaths are preventable. Other statistics point to challenges with mental health, breastfeeding, and quality of care.

The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) recognizes the importance of Black Maternal Health Week and supports maternal health related work in a variety of ways. Through Virginia’s Title V funded programs, VDH offers support to community-based organizations with a focus on serving Black women and their families during pregnancy and after delivery. These organizations provide a variety of services such as training doulas, offering families doula care, providing support during the loss of a pregnancy, and connecting families to resources that assist in addressing other social health-related concerns that impact their ability to thrive.

VDH also supports the state’s Maternal Mortality Review Team (MMRT). The MMRT provides an avenue to review the differences in health outcomes for mothers in the Commonwealth and suggests strategies to address them. VDH uses this data to develop work dedicated to improving outcomes for pregnant and birthing families in Virginia, with a focus on reducing the number of deaths of Black mothers.

Black Maternal Health Week falls during National Minority Health Month which is observed every year in April. The month-long observance builds awareness about premature death and illness in racial and ethnic groups, as well as encourages education, early detection, and better control of diseases.

On March 22, people around the globe come together to celebrate World Water Day. This special day reminds us of the importance of water in our lives and the need to protect such a precious resource. 

Water is essential for our survival. It keeps us hydrated, helps us grow crops and supports our ecosystems. However, access to clean and safe water is not guaranteed for everyone. Many communities face challenges such as pollution and shortage, which can have serious health consequences. 

The Virginia Department of Health recognizes the significance of World Water Day and works to ensure that all Virginians have access to clean water. Through water quality monitoring, public education campaigns and other efforts, we strive to protect the health of our communities. Shout out to our Office of Drinking Water! Check out their Drinking Water Viewer, a data dashboard that provides public water system information. 

Simple actions like turning off the tap water while brushing teeth or fixing leaks can make a big difference in preserving this vital resource. 

Together, we can work toward a future where clean water is accessible to all. Happy World Water Day!

March is National Nutrition Month. The Virginia Women, Infant and Children (WIC) program is observing the Month by spotlighting staff and healthy recipes on social media and in an electronic newsletter.

This year’s theme is “Beyond the Table.” The idea is to focus on nutritious food and the environment. The theme was adopted to encourage healthy eating as well as to bring attention to food waste.

First, let’s talk about the benefits of eating healthy food. Good nutrition can lower your risk of heart disease and diabetes, improve your digestive system, boost your immunity, and help manage your weight.

Second, and in keeping with the theme for this month, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics says eating healthy food can also help cut down on waste. Below are some tips to get you started.

1. Start small. Try planting a few herbs and leafy greens. Foods that are easier to grow.
2. If space is tight, try container gardening in a sunny window patio or balcony.
3. Try making compost a natural fertilizer, from vegetable peelings, fruit cores, coffee grinds, or leftover food scraps that don’t contain meat, dairy or cooked foods.

 

For more information on composting and food waste, see the video from the USDA.

For other ways to celebrate NNM:  50 Ideas to Get Involved in National Nutrition Month®️ (eatright.org)

The USDA’s Child and Adult Food Care Program, (CACFP), provides nutritious meals and snacks to children and adults living in a variety of settings. Children who live at home, who are in preschool, who attend childcare centers, who participate in after-school programs and who live in shelters, benefit from the program. CACFP also provides healthy food to homebound adults and those living in adult care facilities. 

Founded in 1968, as a special pilot program known as the Special Food Service Program for Children, CACFP now serves nearly 5 million adults and children across the nation every day. Centers and sponsoring organizations receive cash reimbursement for serving meals and snacks to participants whose incomes are below 185% of the poverty level.

CACFP Week is observed in March, which is a National Nutrition Month®, an annual observance to promote nutritious food choices and encourage people to develop healthful eating and physical activity habits. This year, CACFP Week will be observed March 10-16, 2024. This year’s theme is “Eating the Rainbow.”

In 1968, Congress amended the National School Lunch Act to reach children in childcare programs. Throughout the CACFP’s more than 50-year history, the program has continued to update its nutrition standards in conjunction with the USDA meal patterns and dietary guidelines.

In celebration of the impact CACFP operators make in their communities, the nutrition programs at the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) and Virginia Department of Education (VDOE), with the support of community partners, are hosting a week full of virtual events specifically for program operators. These events, along with a social media campaign are intended to promote and recognize the integral role the CACFP plays in supporting the health and wellbeing of all Virginians. 

VDH and VDOE, along with their community partners will be posting to social media using #VACACFP, @CACFPVirginia and @VDOESNP. Follow VACACFP on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.  

To find more information about CACFP Week activities, visit https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/child-and-adult-care-food-program/cacfp-week-coming-soon/.

For a list of participating CACFP organizations committed to providing nutritious meals or for more information, please visit Child and Adult Care Food Program.

For some parents, the birth of a baby takes on a different emotion because their child is born with a birth defect. A birth defect is a health condition that happens before birth, and it can cause death or change how a baby lives and functions. According to the Centers for Disease and Prevention (CDC), birth defects are common. In the United States approximately 120,000 pregnancies end with a child having a birth defect.

Sunday, March 3 has been set aside as World Birth Defects Day #WorldBDDay. The Virginia Department of Health wants to remind readers that the Virginia Congenital Reporting and Education System, also known as VaCARES surveys and reviews birth defects in children under the age of two. Hospitals are required to report cases of birth defects to the surveillance system in hopes that the work will lead to changes. The goals of the birth defects surveillance program are as follows:

• Collect data to evaluate possible causes of birth defects.
• Improve the diagnosis and treatment of birth defects.
• Establish a mechanism for informing families of children with birth defects and their physicians about available health resources.

 

For more information on birth defects, resources for parents and the surveillance program visit the Virginia Department of Health.

As an organization committed to public health, Virginia Department of Health (VDH) recognizes the significance of Rare Disease Day. This day is observed on the last day of February every year. Rare Disease Day serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by individuals and families affected by rare diseases. It also highlights the importance of research, advocacy, and support for those living with these conditions.

Rare diseases collectively affect millions of individuals worldwide. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), there are over 7,000 identified rare diseases. New ones are still being discovered. While each disease may only affect a small number of people, the total impact is immense. Millions of individuals are living with these conditions across the globe.

One of the biggest challenges associated with rare diseases is limited understanding and awareness. Because of their rarity, many rare diseases are overlooked or misdiagnosed. This can lead to delays in appropriate treatment and care. Plus, the small patient populations make it difficult to research and develop effective therapies.

Our goal is to ensure that all Virginians have access to the support and services they need to live healthy and fulfilling lives, regardless of medical condition. On Rare Disease Day, we stand in solidarity with those affected by rare diseases. Patients, caregivers, healthcare providers, and researchers all work tirelessly for the same goal. This is a day to celebrate the resilience and strength of individuals living with rare diseases. Learn more at the NIH Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center: https://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/