Tag: elaine perry

Love Safely This Valentine’s Day

February 13, 2026
Media Contact: Bryan Hooten, 804-807-1727, bryan.hooten@vdh.virginia.gov

 

Love Safely This Valentine’s Day

Get Free Condoms from Richmond and Henrico Health Districts

 

RICHMOND, Va.– It’s no coincidence that Valentine’s Day is also National Condom Day! One of the simplest ways to show you care is to protect the health of those you love. Richmond and Henrico Health Districts (RHHD) provide free condoms to support safer and healthier sexual relationships.

Valentine’s Day is often associated with flowers, chocolates, and dinner dates. RHHD reminds you that protection should also be part of the plan.

“Using a condom is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your sexual health,” said Richmond and Henrico Health Districts Director Elaine Perry, M.D. “When used correctly, condoms are highly effective at preventing sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as syphilis and HIV. Add condoms to your list when you are picking up flowers and chocolates. Let romance include protecting your sexual health and your partner’s!”

Virginia STI Data

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) remain a serious public health concern in Virginia.  More than 54,000 STIs were reported in Virginia in 2024. The increase in syphilis diagnoses among women is of particular concern. The rate of newly diagnosed syphilis cases among women increased 144% from 2020 to 2024. For the same time period, newly diagnosed syphilis cases among all genders increased 117% in Richmond City and 65% in Henrico County.

Cases of congenital syphilis, when a pregnant person passes syphilis to a baby during pregnancy or childbirth, increased for the fifth straight year in Virginia. In 2024, 35 cases of congenital syphilis were reported among newly born infants, the highest case count observed in more than 30 years in Virginia.

Where to find free condoms

Because many STIs, including syphilis, often show no symptoms, you can spread them without knowing it. Using condoms consistently and correctly is an effective way to reduce the risk of STIs and unintended pregnancy.

The Virginia Department of Health distributes condoms statewide through its Condom Distribution Program, which is designed to reduce HIV and other STIs through free access to protection.

Free condoms are available at RHHD and through community partner organizations. Call 804-205-3500 to locate free condoms nearby.

Organizations interested in becoming distribution sites should contact the HIV-STD Hotline Supervisor at HIV-stdhotline@vdh.virginia.gov. Participating organizations may order up to 100,000 condoms per year.

RHHD can also help you decide if medicine to prevent HIV (PrEP) or STIs (DoxyPEP) is right for you. Call 804-664-2125 to get started.

Make this Valentine’s Day a night to remember, not a diagnosis you want to forget.

Visit rhhd.gov for more health and safety information. Follow RHHD on Instagram (@richmondcity_hd) and Facebook.

 

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RHHD Commemorates National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day Feb. 7

February 5, 2026
Media Contact: Bryan Hooten, 804-807-1727, bryan.hooten@vdh.virginia.gov

 

RHHD Commemorates National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day Feb. 7

 

RICHMOND, Va. —Richmond and Henrico Health Districts (RHHD) commemorate National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day on Wednesday, Feb. 7, by encouraging Black and African American community members in Richmond City and Henrico County to get tested and seek treatment. This day creates the opportunity for healthcare providers and policy makers to reflect on the ways racism, discrimination, and mistrust in the health care system may affect those seeking and receiving HIV prevention and treatment services.

National, state, and regional HIV/AIDS data

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2022, Black/African American persons made up approximately 12% of the population of the United States but accounted for 37% (11,900) of the estimated 31,800 new HIV infections.

Virginia Department of Health (VDH) data from 2023 show that Richmond City (26.5) and Henrico County (14.7) both had higher rates of new HIV diagnoses per 100,000 people (by health district) than Virginia as a whole (10). In the Central Region, which includes Richmond and Henrico, there were nearly twice as many Black people living with HIV than all other races and ethnicities combined.

“We are several decades removed from the hardest days of the HIV epidemic in the United States, but the stigma around HIV still persists,” said Richmond and Henrico Health Districts Director Elaine Perry, M.D. “Through education and ensuring access to preventive care and screening, we can continue the great progress that public health has made in reducing the effects of HIV on Black communities.”

RHHD HIV/STI services

RHHD offers clinic-based sexually transmitted infection (STI) and HIV testing appointments at its Cary Street, Henrico East, and Henrico West clinics. Visit rhhd.gov/sti for information and to view testing appointment options. Use rhhd.gov/VA-HIV-testing to search for Virginia-based HIV testing options near you.

RHHD also offers pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). PrEP is a daily medication that is highly effective at helping prevent HIV. To learn more about PrEP, call 804-482-5493.

People living with HIV needing support from the Virginia Medication Assistance Program (VAMAP) can call 855-362-0658.

 

Community Partner Testing Options

The following RHHD community partners offer free STI and HIV testing services:

Use the CDC testing site locator to find a testing site near you.

Visit rhhd.gov for more health and safety information. Follow RHHD on Instagram (@richmondcity_hd) and Facebook.

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Richmond and Henrico Health Districts Offer Tips to Make Residential Pools Safe, Prevent Drownings

 July 25, 2025
Media Contact: Bryan Hooten, 804-807-1727, bryan.hooten@vdh.virginia.gov   

Richmond and Henrico Health Districts Offer Tips to Make Residential Pools Safe, Prevent Drownings
World Drowning Prevention Day is July 25 

 RICHMOND, Va. – For World Drowning Prevention Day, the Richmond and Henrico Health Districts (RHHD) remind families that residential pools are the leading location for accidental pool drownings in children under 15. RHHD encourages homeowners to ensure that their pools have proper safety features in place to help reduce the risk of drowning or injury.  

According to U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, 70% of pools or spas drownings in children under age 15 occurred in residential settings. That number grows to 85% for children 0-5 years old. 

In Virginia, nine children under age five have accidentally drowned in pools in 2025, an increase from the last five years (three in 2024, two in 2023, and four in 2022, eight in 2021 and four in 2020).  

“World Drowning Prevention Day gives us the opportunity focus on the importance of keeping ourselves and our families safe while swimming in pools this summer,” said Richmond and Henrico Health Districts Director Elaine Perry, M.D. “Residential pools provide a fun, active way to connect with friends and family. Safer pools and careful supervision of children can prevent accidental drownings.” 

RHHD offers the following tips to increase the safety of your residential pool: 

  • Properly fence all pools at least four feet in height around the perimeter of the pool/spa. 
  • Use a self-closing and self-latching gate.  
  • Use anti-entrapment drain covers. Encourage swimmers to stay away from drains and other pool openings. 
  • Always remove portable pool ladders when not in use and when adults are not present.  
  • Remove all toys from the pool area that might attract children to the pool when not in use with adult supervision. 
  • Install alarms on doors leading from the house to the pool area that will alert you when someone enters the pool area. 
  • Empty and put away smaller portable pools after every use. Cover larger portable pools. 
  • Make sure your neighbors, babysitters and visitors know about the pool’s presence in your yard. 

Drowning is the leading cause of death among children ages one to four. Drownings happen quickly and silently. In Virginia, on average, one person drowns every four days. 

RHHD reminds families to:  

  • Always watch kids in and around the water – and designate a water watcher.  
  • Teach children to swim – or sign them up for swim classes. 
  • Know life-saving skills, including CPR for adults and children. 

Visit swimhealthyva.com for more information. Swim safe. Stay safe! 

For more health and safety information, follow RHHD on Instagram at @richmondcity_hd and on Facebook, visit rhhd.gov, and sign up for RHHD’s monthly newsletter at rhhd.gov/news. 

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Pass the Stuffing, Not the Flu This Thanksgiving

November 22, 2024
Media Contact: Bryan Hooten, RHHDpr@vdh.virginia.gov, 804-807-1727

Pass the Stuffing, Not the Flu This Thanksgiving
 Health Officials Encourage Vaccinating Against Respiratory Illnesses
Before Gathering with Family and Friends

RICHMOND, Va. – Turkey, stuffing, and family gatherings are on the horizon – and so are respiratory viruses like COVID-19, flu, and RSV. Richmond and Henrico Health Districts remind residents that getting vaccinated now could help keep you and your loved ones healthy throughout the holiday season.

“Staying up to date on your vaccinations is one of the best ways to prevent severe respiratory illness,” says Richmond and Henrico Health Districts Director Elaine Perry, M.D. “Since we don’t have vaccines against all the germs that can make us sick this time of year, it’s especially important to get the vaccines we do have, like those against flu, COVID-19 and RSV.”

Health officials recommend everyone 6 months or older get vaccinated against COVID-19 and flu. If you haven’t gotten the RSV vaccine and are 60-74 years old with a health condition, speak with your healthcare provider about whether the RSV vaccine is the right choice for you. Pregnant women and parents of newborns should also talk with their provider about the benefits of the RSV vaccine and RSV antibodies.

Other prevention steps people can take to stay healthy include:

  • Staying home when sick
  • Washing your hands frequently with soap and water
  • Covering coughs and sneezes

“Staying home when you are sick is one of the most powerful things you can do to protect the ones you love from respiratory illness,” said Dr. Perry. “Simple prevention steps like washing your hands frequently and covering coughs and sneezes can also go a long way.”

For more information about how to stay healthy during respiratory illness season and all year round, visit www.vdh.virginia.gov.