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Cumberland Plateau and LENOWISCO Health Districts Celebrate Physical Wellness Month

April 16, 2026
Media Contact: Daniel Hunsucker, Daniel.hunsucker@vdh.virginia.gov

Cumberland Plateau and LENOWISCO Health Districts
Celebrate Physical Wellness Month
Take Steps to Be Your Healthiest Self

WISE, Va. – Spring has sprung and Physical Wellness Month offers the opportunity to plant seeds for better health. Your local health department encourages residents to prioritize their health in April.

“April is Physical Wellness Month, and it’s a reminder that taking care of our bodies doesn’t require a gym membership or a major lifestyle overhaul,” said Reisa Sloce, director Cumberland Plateau and LENOWISCO Health Districts. “Here in our community, small, consistent steps—like walking more, choosing nourishing foods, and making time for rest—can have a powerful impact on our health. In rural areas especially, we know access can be a challenge, but we are blessed in southwest Virginia to have an abundance of beautiful trails and outdoor opportunities; wellness starts where you are, with what you have. This month, we encourage every resident to find simple, sustainable ways to move more and feel better—because a healthier community begins with each of us.”

Cumberland Plateau and LENOWISCO Health Departments suggest 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% adults reported 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. Your local 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 18.48% of residents living in the LENOWISCO Health District and 11.86% living in the Cumberland Plateau Health District were current smokers. In 2023, 6.67% of residents in LENOWISCO and 9.15% in Cumberland Plateau used smokeless tobacco and 9.40% in LENOWISCO and 5.60% in Cumberland Plateau 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.

Good health grows over time. To find out more about programs to prioritize your health, contact the Cumberland Plateau Health District at 276-889-7621 or the LENOWISCO Health District at 276-328-8000.

Richmond and Henrico Health Districts Encourage Community Members to Prioritize Heart Health

February 2, 2026
Media Contact: Bryan Hooten, 804-807-1727, bryan.hooten@vdh.virginia.gov

Richmond and Henrico Health Districts Encourage Community Members to Prioritize Heart Health
February is American Heart Month

RICHMOND, Va. – In honor of American Heart Month, Richmond and Henrico Health Districts (RHHD) encourage you to take action to prioritize heart health.

“Heart health continues to be one of the top areas of health focus in our community,” said Richmond and Henrico Health Districts Community Health Nurse Supervisor Virginia Slattum. “Our 2024 Community Health Assessment showed that Richmond and Henrico residents and community partners see chronic disease as a top health priority. We look forward to continuing this collaboration to support heart health in the region. We encourage folks to promote their own heart health by quitting smoking, getting regular physical exercise, and eating heart-healthy foods.”

Heart disease data

Virginia Department of Health (VDH) chronic disease data from 2023 show that Richmond City and Henrico County had hospitalization and death rates for cardiovascular disease higher than statewide rates. According to CDC data from 2023, heart disease was the leading cause of death in Virginia, Richmond City, and Henrico County.

RHHD offers the following tips for choosing heart-healthy foods and activities:

Check your blood pressure. Read more about ways to prevent and manage high blood pressure. Here are some helpful tips for talking with a doctor to manage and check your blood pressure. You can also measure and track your blood pressure at home.
Take steps to quit smoking by contacting RHHD’s Free From Tobacco program on the web or by calling 804-482-8018. The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) offers Quit Now Virginia, which includes free telephone or web-based counseling services, Text2Quit support, self-help materials, and referrals to local resources. Call 1-800-QUIT NOW (1-800-784-8669) or learn more at the Quit Now Virginia Website.
Choose healthy meals and snacks. Include plenty of fruit and vegetables in your diet and choose foods lower in sodium and saturated fat. Try heart-healthy recipes from the American Heart Association.
Make physical activity a regular part of your day. Adults should get at least 2 hours and 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week. This type of exercise could be a brisk walk, running, or bicycling. Learn more about ways to increase your physical activity throughout the day.
Get vaccinated. Flu, RSV, and pneumococcal vaccines have been linked to reduced risk of cardiovascular and cardiorespiratory events in older adults. Adults over 65 and people with chronic conditions are particularly susceptible to severe complications from these illnesses. According to the American Heart Association, nearly half American adults live with some type of cardiovascular disease and are more likely to experience severe illness that may result in hospitalization or death.

Healthy Hearts Initiative

As part of the VDH Healthy Hearts Initiative, RHHD Cardiovascular Health Community Health Workers support community members with hypertensive conditions by providing:

Connections to primary care providers
Nutrition and exercise education
Blood pressure monitoring

Community members can visit rhhd.gov/connect-pc to find local primary care providers. Community members can visit rhhd.gov for more health and safety information.

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

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New Year, New You: Central Shenandoah Health District Encourages a New, Healthier You in 2026

December 30, 2025
Media Contact: Rachel Dumene, Rachel.dumene1@vdh.virginia.gov, 540-480-4998

New Year, New You: Central Shenandoah Health District Encourages a New, Healthier You in 2026

STAUNTON, Va. – Ring in the New Year and focus on becoming healthier. The Central Shenandoah Health District (CSHD) wants to help you keep your New Year’s resolutions by offering simple, sustainable habits for a year of health and wellness.

Here are some tips to help you be healthier in 2026:

Get Active: In Virginia, over 30% of adults are obese. Try to move more and sit less. Take the stairs when you can. Find fun ways to be active, like walking or doing yoga. Aim for about 150 minutes of exercise each week.
Eat Well: Eat more foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean meats. Drink lots of water. Eliminate sugar and junk food/limit alcoholic drinks.
Manage Stress: Get 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night. Try mindfulness or meditation. Spend time with friends and family, manage your stress, and maybe write in a journal.
Schedule Screenings: Visit your doctor and dentist for regular checkups and screenings. Drink enough water and wash your hands often to stay healthy.
Quit Smoking: Now is a good time to quit bad habits. Smoking and vaping can hurt your body, so it’s best to stop. Quit Now Virginia is a free service that helps people quit smoking, using tobacco, or vaping.

The Central Shenandoah Health District offers a variety of programs to help residents achieve their health goals, including: STI testing, vaccine appointments, Quit Now Virginia, and free health screenings throughout the district.

CSHD wants you to keep working on your goals to build healthy habits this year. If things don’t always go as planned, be kind to yourself and keep trying. Do things that make you happy and take care of yourself.

Let’s make becoming healthier a priority in 2026! If you have questions, reach out to the Central Shenandoah Health District at cshdinfo@vdh.virginia.gov.

Let’s make health a shared goal!

Crater Health District Encourages Community to Call it Quits

November 20, 2025

Media Contact: Tara Rose, Tara.Rose@vdh.virginia.gov

Crater Health District Encourages Community to Call it Quits
The Great American Smokeout is November 20

PETERSBURG, Va. –Smoking remains the single largest preventable cause of death and disease in the nation, according to the Virginia Department of Health’s (VDH) Tobacco Control Program. The Crater Health District (CHD) says the annual Great American Smokeout on November 20 is the perfect time to quit.

November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month. More people, both men and women, in the United States die from lung cancer than any other type of cancer according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer, responsible for approximately 85% of all cases.

“The Great American Smokeout is a powerful reminder that quitting smoking is one of the best decisions you can make for your health, said Crater Health District Director Alton Hart, Jr., MD, MPH, MDiv. “Every smoke-free day is a success, and local programs are here to help people find the tools and confidence they need to quit for good. Together, we can build a stronger, healthier community.”

The desire for a healthier, smoke-free life is the first step. Some benefits of quitting include:

Improves health status and enhances quality of life.
Reduces the risk of premature death and can add years to life expectancy.
Reduces the risk for many adverse health effects.
Reduces financial burden of those who smoke.
Benefits people already diagnosed with cardiovascular diseases, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cancer, and poor reproductive health outcomes.

Crater Health District has several resources to help guide you or a loved one in quitting:

Quitting isn’t easy. Statistics show that most people make multiple attempts to quit. These tools and strategies can help you make the important change.

Give yourself time. You don’t have to stop smoking in one day. It’s a journey.
Have a plan. Quit Now Virginia can help you make a plan. It’s free to all Virginians 13 and older.
Seek support. Share your story and your goals with friends and family. Look for local or online support groups.
Talk to your doctor. Prescription medications may be available to help you quit for good.

Quit Now Virginia is a statewide service for those who want to quit smoking or using smokeless tobacco, e-cigarettes, or vapes. Clients can receive one-on-one coaching sessions by phone, chat, or text, as well as group coaching. Virginia tobacco and nicotine users interested in quitting their addiction can contact Quit Now Virginia at 1-800-Quit Now (1-800-784-8669) or at quitnowvirginia.org.

For more assistance, contact Crater Health District directly at 804-863-1652 or visit Crater Health District.

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Crater Health District Promotes COPD Awareness

November 21, 2025
Media Contact: Tara Rose, Tara.Rose@vdh.virginia.gov

Crater Health District Promotes COPD Awareness
November is National COPD Awareness Month

PETERSBURG, Va. – Nearly 7% of adults in Virginia are living with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). In 2023, 7.1% of adults had COPD. For National COPD Awareness Month, the Crater Health District wants to educate people about the disease, its risks and resources. COPD is a group of lung diseases that can cause airflow and breathing problems and gets worse over time.

“COPD is a serious disease, but it can be managed with early detection and the appropriate treatment,” said Crater Health District Director Alton Hart, Jr., MD, MPH, MDiv. “If you have a cough that won’t go away or trouble catching your breath, reach out to your healthcare provider.”

COPD is a leading cause of death in the United States. COPD can cause wheezing, shortness of breath, and a persistent cough. These symptoms can make everyday activities such as walking or climbing stairs difficult.

The main cause of COPD is smoking. Quit Now Virginia can help you make a plan to quit smoking. It’s free to all Virginians 13 and older.

Other risk factors include:

Air pollution: Repeated exposure to outdoor pollution from car exhaust and wildfires can put you at risk. You can view current air quality data from the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality.
Secondhand smoke: Smoke from cigarettes, fireplaces and wood stoves can harm your lungs.
Environmental Exposure: Limit exposure to workplace breathing hazards like harmful dust and gases.
Family History: People with a family history of COPD are at a higher risk of developing the disease themselves. Talk to your healthcare provider about getting screened for COPD.
Asthma: A history of asthma can increase your risk for COPD. Talk to your healthcare provider about your concerns.

Crater Health District encourages you to prevent or slow down COPD by quitting smoking, avoiding places with poor air quality, and seeing your healthcare provider regularly for check-ups.

If you are currently living with COPD, connect to education, support, and helping each other through groups like the Better Breathers Club in Virginia.

For more COPD resources, contact the Crater Health Department at 804-863-1652 or visit https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/crater/

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Richmond and Henrico Health Districts Highlight Free From Tobacco Program in Honor of The Great American Smokeout

November 20, 2024
Media Contact: Bryan Hooten, RHHDpr@vdh.virginia.gov, 804-807-1727

Richmond and Henrico Health Districts Highlight Free From Tobacco Program in Honor of The Great American Smokeout

RICHMOND, Va. – In support of The Great American Smokeout on Thursday, November 21, Richmond and Henrico Health Districts (RHHD) encourage Richmond residents who are interested in quitting tobacco to participate in the Free From Tobacco program. November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month.

In Virginia, about 10,300 adults die each year from smoking, 1,600 non-smokers die each year due to secondhand smoke, and 6,900 children have lost a parent to smoking related death. Given current smoking levels, 152,000 children living today will ultimately die of smoking. Annual healthcare costs in Virginia directly caused by tobacco use are $3.61 billion.

“Statistics show that most people take multiple attempts to quit tobacco,” said Richmond and Henrico Health Districts Free From Tobacco Coach Richard Baker. “We want clients to think more about what they’re buying and using. We’re helping people learn to feed another part of their brain to replace addictive behaviors.”

Free From Tobacco is a culturally competent one-on-one coaching program designed to remove barriers for Richmond residents who wish to quit smoking and remain abstinent from all tobacco products. Richmond residents interested in the Free From Tobacco program can call 804-482-8018 for more information or complete the intake form directly at rhhd.gov/tobaccofree. Benefits clients receive from their coach include:

Weekly in-person or virtual coaching sessions.
Education on tobacco cessation health benefits and strategies.
Background on the history of tobacco.
Access to videos and useful surveys.
Better management of potential chronic diseases for overall health and well-being.
Connection to valuable resources such as Quit Now Virginia.

Quit Now Virginia is a statewide evidence-based cessation service for those who want to quit smoking or using smokeless tobacco, nicotine, e-cigarettes, or vapes. Clients can receive one-on-one coaching sessions by phone, chat, or text, as well as group coaching. Virginia tobacco and nicotine users interested in quitting their addiction can contact Quit Now Virginia at 1-800-Quit Now (1-800-784-8669) or at quitnowvirginia.org.

According to the Virginia Department of Health Tobacco Control Program, smoking remains the single largest preventable cause of death and disease in the United States, killing more than 480,000 Americans each year. More than 41,000 of these deaths are from exposure to secondhand smoke.