April 10, 2026
Media Contact: Dr. Zelalem Attlee, Zelalem.Attlee@vdh.virginia.gov
The Rappahannock-Rapidan Health District Celebrates Physical Wellness Month in April
Take Steps to Be Your Healthiest Self.
WARRENTON, Va. – Spring has sprung and Physical Wellness Month offers the opportunity to plant seeds for better health. The Rappahannock-Rapidan Health Department encourages residents to prioritize their health in April.
“Physical wellness is one of the most important investments we can make in ourselves and our communities,” said Rappahannock-Rapidan Health District Director J. Carr, M.D. “This month, I encourage everyone across our district to take simple, meaningful steps, whether it’s walking more, staying active, or making healthier choices, to support your well-being. Small changes can lead to lasting impact. Together, we can build a healthier, stronger Rappahannock-Rapidan.”
The Rappahannock-Rapidan Health Department suggests two steps to be your healthiest self.
Living a Healthy Lifestyle
Wellness is an active process of growth and change that involves choices toward a healthy and fulfilling life. You can improve your health with these choices:
- Active Lifestyle: In Virginia, 9% adultsreported that they had not participated in any physical activity in the past month. Physical activity improves brain health, cognition, anxiety, depression, quality of life, and sleep. For your wellness, adults should get 150 minutes a week of moderate activity.
- Eat Nutritious Food: Good nutrition is key to growing healthy bodies and preventing disease. Only 7% of Virginia’s adults reported eating fruit at least twice a day. The Rappahannock-Rapidan Health Department can assist you in finding programs that focus on education and finding healthy affordable foods for your family.
- Avoid Tobacco Use: Smoking remains the leading cause of preventable death and disability in the United States. The VDH Tobacco Use Data Dashboard shows 8.76% of residents living in the Rappahannock-Rapidan Health District were current smokers. In 2023, 2.81% of residents used smokeless tobacco and 1.29% used E-Cigarettes. Quitting smoking has health benefits at any age, no matter how long or how much you have smoked. Tobacco Cessation programs, like Quit Now Virginia and Vape Free VA help people live tobacco free.
Chronic Disease Management and Prevention
Chronic diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure and arthritis are the leading cause of illness, disability and death in Virginia. They can also limit a person’s daily activity. The following programs are designed to help weed out complications and grow new habits that help people with these conditions stay active.
The Rappahannock-Rapidan Health Department offers the Virginia Healthy Hearts Initiative to help you manage or prevent chronic disease:
Good health grows over time. To find out more about programs to prioritize your health, contact the Rappahannock-Rapidan Health Department at www.rrhd.org.
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