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September is National Preparedness Month, making it a great time to talk with your family about what you would do in an emergency.

Emergencies can happen with little or no warning. Having a plan ahead of time can help reduce confusion, keep everyone informed, and make it easier to respond when it matters most.

Start your family preparedness plan

Sit down together and discuss:

• How you will receive emergency information
• Where you will meet if you are separated
• How you will contact one another
• What you should do if you need to evacuate or shelter in place
• What supplies your family may need
• How you will prepare for children, pets, older adults, and family members with special needs

Be sure everyone in the household understands the plan, including children. Review it regularly and update contact information and emergency supplies as your family’s needs change.

Preparedness starts with a conversation.

Take time this National Preparedness Month to make a plan with your family. A few minutes of preparation today can make a big difference during an emergency.

Make a plan. Build a kit. Stay informed. Be ready.

The community is invited to join All Of The Pieces: A Community Wellness Initiative for an afternoon of connection, education, and support in recognition of International Overdose Awareness Day.

Taking place Monday, August 31, 2026, from 1:00 to 4:00 PM, the event will bring together community members and local resources under the theme “Connecting Resources. Empowering Change.”

The event will provide opportunities for attendees to learn about and connect with services that support health, wellness, safety, and stability, including:

• Wellness screenings
• Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) bridging
• Fentanyl test strips and Narcan
• Housing assistance
• Continuing education
• Job readiness support
• STI and HIV testing
• Risk reduction kits

Event Details:
📅 Monday, August 31, 2026
🕐 1:00–4:00 PM
📍 1761 Church St., Norfolk, VA 23504
📞 757-945-9451

International Overdose Awareness Day provides an important opportunity to remember those whose lives have been affected by overdose, support individuals and families, and increase awareness of resources that can help prevent overdose deaths.

Together, we can connect resources, empower change, and build a healthier and more supportive community.

Because We Care II. 💜

The new school year is almost here, and now is the perfect time to make sure your child is ready. Join us for Back-to-School Clinic Day, hosted by the Norfolk Health District, to complete important health requirements before classes begin.

Event Details

📅 Date: Thursday, August 20
🕘 Time: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Services Available

Families can receive:

• School-required vaccinations
• School entrance physicals
• Sports physicals

These services are available for students entering:

• Pre-K
• Kindergarten
• 7th Grade
• 12th Grade

Registration Required

Norfolk residents will be prioritized.

Registration is required before August 17. Be sure to register early to reserve your child’s appointment.

Use this link to register: https://redcap.vdh.virginia.gov/redcap/surveys/?s=NKFAEF9RCRXFJLXD

If you have the event flyer, simply scan the QR code to complete your registration.

Don’t Wait Until the Last Minute

Avoid the back-to-school rush by taking care of your child’s health requirements before the first day of school. This clinic provides a convenient opportunity to ensure your student is prepared for a healthy and successful school year.

We look forward to serving Norfolk families and helping students start the school year ready to learn!

The Norfolk Department of Public Health has lifted the swimming advisories that were issued on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, for all nine Ocean View beaches.

Follow-up water sampling has confirmed that enterococci bacteria levels are now within Virginia State Water Quality Standards, indicating that water quality has returned to safe levels for recreational swimming. As a result, all advisory signs are being removed.

Residents and visitors are encouraged to continue enjoying Norfolk’s beaches while following general water safety practices and staying informed about current beach conditions.

For additional information, please contact the Environmental Health Division of the Norfolk Department of Public Health at 757-683-2712.

For current swimming advisory maps, beach monitoring updates, and recreational water safety information, visit the Virginia Department of Health Beach Monitoring Program:
http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/environmental-epidemiology/beach-monitoring/

We appreciate everyone’s patience and cooperation while the advisories were in effect and wish everyone a safe and enjoyable time at the beach this summer. 🌊☀️

Extreme heat can pose serious health risks, but with the right precautions, heat-related illnesses are preventable. As temperatures rise, it’s important to know how to stay safe and recognize who is most vulnerable.

Who Is Most at Risk?

• Children
• Older adults
• Outdoor workers
• People with disabilities

How to Stay Safe

• Drink plenty of water throughout the day.
• Avoid sugary and alcoholic beverages, which can contribute to dehydration.
• Stay in air-conditioned buildings whenever possible.
• Wear lightweight, loose-fitting, and light-colored clothing.
• Limit strenuous outdoor activities during the hottest part of the day.
• Check on neighbors, friends, and family members who may be more vulnerable to heat.

Never Leave Anyone in a Parked Vehicle

Even when the outside temperature is around 80°F, the temperature inside a parked car can quickly exceed 100°F within minutes, creating life-threatening conditions. Never leave children, older adults, or pets unattended in a vehicle.

Know the Heat Alerts

Understanding heat alerts can help you prepare:

• Heat Outlook: Potential for excessive heat several days in advance.
• Heat Watch: Conditions are favorable for dangerous heat within the next 12–48 hours.
• Heat Warning/Advisory: Dangerous heat is expected or occurring—take immediate precautions.

By staying informed and taking simple preventive measures, we can all reduce the risk of heat-related illnesses and enjoy the summer safely.

Stay hydrated. Stay cool. Stay safe.

The Norfolk Health Department has now lifted all three Swimming Advisories posted on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, for North Community Beach, Ocean View Park, and 13th View. Re-sampling of the water at these locations has determined that levels of enterococci organisms are within State Water Quality Standards. All posted advisory signs are being removed and the VDH recreational water monitoring map is also being updated.

Annually, the CSTE Conference brings together more than 2,800 public health epidemiologists from across the United States to learn, network, and share expertise in surveillance, epidemiology, and public health practice. The Epidemiology community gathered in Boston, Massachusetts from May 31, 2026–June 4, 2026 under the conference theme, “A Beacon for Public Health: Epidemiology Guiding the Way for 75 Years and Beyond.” Attendees engaged with epidemiology and public health professionals from across the country, shared best practices, explored emerging public health challenges, and gained insights from leaders across a wide range of public health disciplines, including informatics, infectious diseases, substance use, immunizations, environmental health, occupational health, chronic disease, injury prevention, and maternal and child health.

 

Attendees: Pherin Alexander (Epi), Saumya Patel (Epi), and Jada Fowler (DIS). The Epidemiology Team was selected to deliver an in-person poster presentation.

 

Poster 908: Tiny Patients, Big Resistance: A Pediatric Carbapenem-resistant Organism Outbreak Investigation

 

Registration Open for the 2026 Health & Science Summer Academy

The College of Science, Engineering, & Technology at Norfolk State University is offering its 2026 Health & Science Summer Academy, a four-week program designed to engage students in hands-on learning, scientific exploration, and creative experiences.

The academy provides a unique opportunity for students to expand their knowledge, develop new skills, and explore potential educational and career pathways in health, science, technology, and related fields.

Program Details

Dates: June 24 – July 21, 2026
Schedule: Monday–Friday, 8:45 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Location: Norfolk State University
Cost: $325 per student

Eligibility

The program is open to rising 6th through rising 12th grade students.

What Students Can Expect

Participants will engage in a variety of enriching activities, including:

• Interactive learning experiences
• Field trips
• Fine arts activities
• Health and science exploration
• Educational enrichment opportunities

The academy encourages students to discover, explore, and be inspired while building knowledge and confidence in STEM-related subjects.

Contact Information

For additional information about the Health & Science Summer Academy, please contact:

📧 pcsmith@nsu.edu
📞 757-823-8180

Families interested in providing their students with a fun, educational, and engaging summer experience are