Category: blog

If one of your new year’s resolutions is to quit smoking, that’s great! RHHD has lots of resources to help you, like the Free From Tobacco program for Richmond residents and the Quit Now Virginia initiative for anyone in Virginia. 

Whether you use tobacco products or not, there’s another thing you can do this winter to keep your lungs healthy: Test your home for radon.  

What even IS radon? 

Radon is a naturally occurring, colorless, odorless gas found in certain types of soil and bedrock. Radon can seep into a home from exposed dirt like a crawl space, plumbing cut-out or old cellar. It can also pass through openings in your foundation such as unsealed sumps, drains, joints, or cracks. Because humans can’t smell, see, or taste radon, testing is the only way to know a home’s radon level.  

“High radon test results have been found in every county in Virginia and your results might be significantly different than your neighbor’s,” said Virginia Department of Health Radon Coordinator Ryan Paris. “Radon testing is an inexpensive step that you can take to protect your health and the health of your family members.” 

Why should I know about radon?  

It’s all about those lungs! Indoor radon exposure is considered to be the second leading cause of lung cancer, and the leading cause of lung cancer among people who have never smoked. Radon exposure may contribute to 21,000 cases of lung cancer each year in the United States, including almost 700 cases per year in Virginia. If you’re taking steps to breathe easy in other ways, radon testing is an important part of your lung health toolbox.  

How do I test for radon?  

January is National Radon Action Month, and it is a great time to test for radon!  

Community members can order short-term, do-it-yourself radon test kits from the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) for a $4 shipping fee. Tests can be ordered at vdhradon.org now through April 30 while supplies last.  

Follow instructions on the test kit itself, and learn more about testing through the EPA Citizen’s Guide to Radon. You can also visit the National Radon Safety Board and the National Radon Proficiency Program to find professional, certified radon mitigators and testers in Virginia. 

January is Cervical Health Awareness Month. Anyone with a cervix—the lower part of the uterus—is at risk for cervical cancer. You can resolve now to get up-to-date on important prevention measures like pap and HPV tests.  

The guidelines for screening can feel a little complicated. CDC recommends starting pap tests at age 21 to look for precancerous cells, for example, but if your test comes back normal, you won’t need one every year. That’s why it’s important to have a care provider who can help you stay on top of your cervical health needs.  

Christy Smith is one of the extraordinary nurse practitioners at RHHD who staffs our Family Planning and STI clinics. In her 30 years as a nurse practitioner, she’s worked in rural Michigan clinics and served the Alexandria area. Through it all, she has been committed to women’s health: “I just feel such an incredible calling to support women so that they can also support others in all of their many roles. So often, I see women focusing on everyone else, and I want them to take care of themselves as a basis for taking care of others”.  

Connecting with a Nurse Practitioner like Christy helps you keep track of your cervical health. “I want to teach people the very basics of their bodies and to help them understand what we can do to keep you healthy. We’re working to establish a relationship so that we can monitor health over the course of your life and make referrals to specialists if we need to. The goal is to make sure that nothing gets to a point where we can’t help.”  

Christy encourages people to take steps to support cervical health, which often lead to greater health overall!  

Staying healthy is good for your whole body. 

• Stay on top of your regular check-ups in addition to cervical screenings. “You’re more than just your cervix!” Christy says. “The annual exam checks breast health, ovary health, and mental health. That annual health check is important, because all of those things make up a bigger picture of how a person is doing overall.” 

• Quit smoking. Tobacco use can increase the risk for all kinds of cancer, Christy says: “it’s almost like adding gasoline to a fire.” Smoking increases the risk of cervical cancer because it can damage the DNA of the cervix and or weaken the immune’s system ability to fight viruses like HPV. Richmond residents can get help with quitting through the Free From Tobacco program, and all Virginia residents can use Quit Now Virginia.  

Approach sexual health without shame.  

Christy knows that talking about cervical health can feel challenging: “Anything dealing with sexual health often feels a lot more personal to people. We tell people that this is a normal, healthy part of taking care of yourself. I try to spend a lot of time with my patients because I want them to know we’re in this together to get you to the healthiest level. This is a safe space with no judgment.” 

When you have a provider you trust and who helps you talk openly about sexual health, that can lead to better health outcomes.  

Christy says that beginning a sexual relationship with a new partner can be an important time to test for STIs. STIs can also put you at higher risk for cervical cancer, so knowing your status helps your provider help you!  

Learn about different types of tests.  

At RHHD’s Family Planning clinics, Christy and her colleagues conduct pap tests and age-appropriate HPV tests. They learn about their clients’ ages and risk factors to determine which test is right when.  

If someone receives abnormal pap smear results, clinical guidelines might suggest conducting more regular tests or connecting the person to follow-up services. In either case, Christy says the most important thing is close communication with the patient: “It’s so important to follow the medical advice you get. And we’ll bug you until you do! Several of our nurses follow paps closely. We track who is due when for follow-ups and we’ll call or send a letter.”  

Get vaccinated.  

An early way to protect against cervical cancer is to vaccinate for HPV. There are many types of HPV, and the vaccine protects against types most strongly associated with cancers, including cervical, anal, oropharyngeal, penile, vaginal, and vulvar cancers. CDC says that HPV vaccination has the potential to prevent more than 90% of cancers caused by HPV. 

The HPV vaccine is most effective when it’s given to a young person before they are exposed to HPV. That’s why in Virginia, the HPV vaccine is required for all students, regardless of sex, before they start seventh grade. 

Christy says that approach prevents the spread of HPV and the different types of cancer HPV can cause: “I tell women, protect yourselves, but by golly I’m going to make sure my sons are also vaccinated. It’s a prevention on a very basic level that can impact multiple people.”  

Christy also reminds people that even with the HPV vaccine, “you still need to follow testing guidelines based on your age and pap history.” Together, the HPV vaccine and regular screening are powerful tools against cervical cancer!  

Ready to make your cervical health a priority? Use the following resources:  

• RHHD offers Family Planning clinics, which include pap and HPV tests along with annual breast exams.  
• Schedule an appointment at our Henrico clinics by calling 804-501-4651 for our West location or 804-652-3190 for our East location. 
• Schedule an appointment at Southwood Resource Center online or by calling 804-205-3501.  
• A primary care provider can connect you to cervical health tools. 
• Virginia’s Every Woman’s Life program helps uninsured, low-income women find cervical and breast cancer screening options.  

You can also learn more about HPV vaccinations on RHHD’s Childhood Immunization page.  

 

Christy Smith, RHHD Nurse Practitioner 

For RHHD Community Health Worker Ethan Satterwhite, making healthy changes is a personal and professional resolution.  

Ethan began working at the Mosby Resource Center in the summer of 2024. At RHHD’s Resource Centers, Community Health Workers like Ethan help neighborhood residents connect to care and find support for related needs like transportation and housing. Ethan recognized right away that food access—and especially healthy food access—was an important part of his job.  

“It matters what we put in our body,” Ethan says. “Food is another kind of health prevention. It can be a way of boosting our immune systems.” 

Ethan knows that healthy foods can be expensive, and that making changes to our diets can be hard. Whether he’s talking to clients or building his own healthy practices, Ethan uses some of these strategies to take small steps forward: 

• Start with where you are. “I try to be transparent and honest with people,” Ethan says. “Making these changes can be emotional, and so I try to meet people in that emotional part.” Ethan will ask people to make a list of their favorite fruits and vegetables and to share their favorite protein. Then, he helps brainstorm: if you like blueberries, can you try adding another berry to your diet? If fried chicken is your favorite meal, can you test out a grilled chicken instead? “It’s about making the puzzle a little easier for people,” Ethan explains!  

• Get to know the experts. Richmond and Henrico have lots of farmers and organizations doing important work on food access. Ethan regularly works with Shalom Farms and REAL LIFE to bring healthy foods to Mosby Court, and the neighborhood has a community garden. Richmond Parks and Rec has information about starting or participating in a community garden of your own!   

• Learn about ingredients. It’s easier to get excited about eating healthy when you know what a food is providing you! Ethan loves teaching people about the benefits of healthy foods. The #WhatsOnMyPlate initiative is a great place to learn what nutrients are in your food!  

• Pair healthy eating with more movement. Ethan’s 2025 resolution is to walk more, especially at work. “I’m not used to sitting at a desk all day, and I want to get to know the neighborhood,” he says. If you see Ethan on a walk near the Mosby Resource Center, make sure to say hello!  

You can find a list of nutrition programs, especially for children and new families, and food access help at VDH’s Healthy Food Environments site.  

 

Ethan Satterwhite (kneeling) is a vital member of RHHD’s Community Health Worker team!  

 

Ethan works hard to add fresh fruits and vegetables to his diet!  

As of Saturday, January 11, the Boil Water Advisories in Richmond and in Henrico have lifted! After thorough testing, both localities have determined that water supplies are safe to drink.  

Post-Boil Water Advisory Resources: 

• Richmond residents should follow rva.gov or call 311 for city-related updates and needs.  
• Henrico residents should follow henrico.gov or call 804-501-4275 for county-related updates and needs.  
• All residents can consult the Office of Drinking Water guidance for after a Boil Water Advisory (available in English and Spanish)  
• Restaurants and Food Service Establishments can locate advisory lifting guidelines at rhhd.gov/bwa-fse.  

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Our communities have had a long week. We have experienced winter weather, water shortages, and the ongoing Boil Water Advisories for both Richmond and Henrico. These events have presented challenges for our families, our small businesses, and our schools. Throughout the week, we’ve been privileged to watch neighbors caring for another and working together.

RHHD’s mission is to protect health, champion equity, and partner to address local needs. Our mission has been at the core of our work this week and will continue to be so, no matter what our communities experience next. Below, you can find information on staying safe and healthy as we move into the weekend.

Boil Water Advisories still in effect for the City of Richmond and Henrico County

While we are under the Boil Water Advisories (BWA), the most important thing you can do is to follow Richmond updates at rva.gov and Henrico updates at henrico.gov. Our local governments will let us know when the tap water is safe to drink!

Until then, we all have a lot of understandable questions about what a Boil Water Advisory means. The Virginia Department of Health has answers!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• Find general advice about daily activities while we are under a BWA (yes, you can shower—just don’t drink the water!)
• Find the same general advice in Spanish!
• Learn more about VDH’s response to the Richmond water plant and health guidance.
• Consult guidelines for food service establishments during a BWA.

You can also follow RHHD on Instagram (@richmondcity_hd) and Facebook for the most timely updates and advice!

         

 

       

 

      

 

Winter weather headed our way

With another round of snow and ice likely for Friday night into Saturday, we need to keep practicing winter weather safety! A few reminders this weekend:

• Black ice is a possibility when precipitation meets freezing temperatures—walk, drive, and bike carefully if you need to leave the house.
• The Virginia Department of Transportation reminds anyone who needs to be on the roads to check 511 ahead of time—calling or using the app will help you plan travel along the safest routes!
• Plan ahead for staying warm in case of power outages. Flashlights are safer inside than candles, and generators should remain outdoors.

Find more information about preparing for winter weather with the National Weather Service.

Stay checked in with your friends, neighbors, and local governments, and together we can be prepared, healthy, and safe!

Many of us are preparing more food or gifting more toys this month. Every meal and every gift should be joyous, and paying attention to recall notices can help!

Recalls let consumers know if there have been possible illnesses or injuries associated with items they’ve purchased.

How do I find out about recalls?  

There are lots of good resources for tracking recalls:

• Food recalls appear on foodsafety.gov, the Food and Drug Administration, and the CDC.
• Toy safety features on SaferProducts.gov and through the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
• Many local news sources will also highlight recalls in your area.

What do I do if I’ve bought a recalled product?  

• Most importantly, do not eat or use the product!
• Many recalls will include information about returning the food or toy for a refund.
• If the product can’t be returned, dispose of it safely. Some recalls will include instructions.
• In the case of a food recall, clean surfaces, drawers, or utensils that came into contact with the food.

There’s so much to consider with toy safety! How do I keep the kids in my life safe?  

Recall or no, follow these tips to ensure all holiday gifts are safe for kiddos:

• Make sure any toy you buy is age appropriate. Children under 3 should not use toys with small parts that can easily go into a mouth. If you’re not sure about size, try fitting toy parts through a toilet paper roll—toys smaller than that will definitely pose a choking hazard.
• Follow all packaging instructions about safe usage.
• If you’re gifting a bike, skates, or scooter, add a helmet to the package!

Public health cares about residents living healthy, long lives. That means that we focus on illness, but we also pay attention to injury and community safety. In the winter, residents can face bad road conditions, cold temperatures, and power outages that make daily activities less safe.

RHHD’s Emergency Preparedness Coordinator, Ed Porner shares some tips for staying as healthy as possible this winter, no matter what the weather throws your way:

Rethink drives “over the river and through the woods” as conditions change.  

Ed says that a lot of us experience “Get-there-itis” over the holidays—we’re reluctant to change our plans when there’s snow, or even worse, ice on the roads. “It’s so important to know your limits,” he says. Check weather and road conditions before you leave for lengthy trips. If you’re not familiar with driving in the snow, or your vehicle isn’t built for extreme weather, consider delaying. And remember that a wet day with a cold overnight is a recipe for icy streets the next day!

It’s also important to check for any possible impairment before you start driving. Impairment can include drowsy, distracted, drugged, or drunk driving. Traffic crashes are preventable, so let’s do our part to keep loved ones and strangers alike safe by arranging a designated driver, making use of rideshares or Richmond’s fare free bus lines, or planning festivities at home.

Stock those emergency kits.  

Ed recommends having at least one emergency kit at home and one for your car. Ready.gov has a great list of basic kit necessities and options for making low-cost kits. It’s also good to start with the specific needs of your family. “If there’s a baby in the house, make sure there’s formula, diapers, or other items they need Anyone with prescription medications should have a few weeks’ worth,” Ed says. If you freeze or refrigerate breast milk or prescription medication, you’ll want to add a cooler to your kit checklist. Finally, “don’t forget about your pets!”

Know your heat sources.  

In the event of freezing temperatures or power outages, Ed wants people to stay warm, but to stay warm safely. Sometimes, a heat source that feels good in the moment can lead to dangerous carbon monoxide poisoning or even death:

• Avoid using stovetop burners or an oven to heat your home.
• Keep generators outdoors and separate from the house.
• Use candles instead of your car’s heating system to warm yourself if you’re stranded. Ed explains that if snowfall blocks your tailpipe, fumes can enter the car. “Add a couple candles and a lighter to your emergency kit,” he says.
• Know about your nearest Inclement Weather Shelter or warming center. “Richmond and Henrico both have great plans for how they’ll open warming centers when it gets really cold,” Ed says. Keep an eye on your locality’s announcements for options near you.

Emergency Preparedness and the whole RHHD staff wish you a warm, safe, and healthy December!

Sunday, December 1, was World AIDS Day, an opportunity to mourn the more than 32 million people worldwide who have died from AIDS-related illnesses.

In the U.S., the theme for this year’s World AIDS Day is “Collective Action: Sustain and Accelerate HIV Progress.” The Department of Health and Human Services says that, “This theme speaks to the remarkable advancements we have made in HIV care and prevention over the past four decades and to the ongoing effort to ensure that no communities are left behind as we work towards ending the HIV epidemic.”

RHHD’s PrEP Coordinator Bernard Stackhouse says that spending World AIDS Day both looking back and looking forward is important.

“We have to remember. And we also can’t forget how far we’ve come with medications and treatments,” he says. One of those game-changing medications is PrEP, or Pre-exposure prophylaxsis. PrEP reduces the risk of contracting HIV from sexual contact or injection drug use.

“Working in PrEP gives me that hope, that with a combination of prevention and treatment, we can end the spread of HIV. We have the tools, and we have to get people to use them. And the biggest parts of that are education and overcoming barriers that prevent people from taking their medication,” says Bernard. In honor of World AIDS Day, he shares some important information we should all know about PrEP:

• PrEP can be for anyone. Bernard talks to people who sometimes think PrEP is only for men who have sex with other men, but he sees people with a range of experiences and identities in RHHD’s PrEP program. “I want anyone who is sexually active or who has any reason to feel like they might be at risk for HIV to come talk about PrEP,” Bernard says.

• PrEP can be affordable. Bernard explains that there’s been a lot of progress in insurance coverage for both HIV prevention and treatment, but he knows that “insurance is overwhelming, period.” As part of the PrEP program, Bernard helps clients understand their insurance options for PrEP, apply for Medicaid, or access medication through pharmaceutical companies if they’re uninsured.

• PrEP prevents lengthier, more permanent, treatment. “You can take PrEP for as long as you need, and you can stop or start again when you need to. If you contract HIV, though, you’ll need to stay in treatment for the rest of your life. Having that option is wonderful, because treatment medications are safe and effective, but I’d rather see people preventing HIV to begin with!”

Bernard feels hopeful about the future of HIV care. “The prevention side of it—PrEP—works. And we have the other side, which is treatment, and that works. If the people who need prevention can access prevention and the people who need treatment are in treatment, we’ve achieved what we were looking for. Now we’re just working against the barriers that make that difficult.”

Bernard and his teammates are here to help reduce barriers community members might face in accessing PrEP and other HIV prevention or treatment services. Get to know Bernard and RHHD’s PrEP program by visiting the website or calling 804-664-2125.

November is American Diabetes Month. Take 60 seconds this month to complete a prediabetes risk test, which can help you figure out if you need to take extra steps to prevent diabetes.

I’ve heard of diabetes, but what is prediabetes?  

People living with prediabetes have higher than normal blood glucose levels, but their levels aren’t high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. As many as 1 out of 3 Virginians are living with prediabetes, and many don’t know!

What happens if I have prediabetes? 

Prediabetes is reversible!

• • You can take steps to lower your blood glucose levels to make sure that prediabetes doesn’t turn into Type 2 Diabetes by focusing on diet and exercise. Consider adding a Turkey Trot and a few fresh greens to your Thanksgiving plans!
  • There are also lots of Diabetes Prevention Programs around the state that can help you on this journey: Find one near you on the VDH website.
  • Experiencing prediabetes can also be an important reason to give up smoking—together, smoking and diabetes can increase your risk for stroke or heart attack. Support your quit journey at Quit Now Virginia.

November 10–16 is Nurse Practitioners Week. Nurse Practitioners are a critical part of our healthcare landscape—they make sure that as many residents as possible have access to a care provider.

In Virginia, we have more than 17,500 NPs, a few of whom work at RHHD! This week, we’re celebrating the following team members:

• Tracey Avery-Geter
• Allison Gregory
• Christina Jennings
• Patricia Newton
• Gabriela Paniagua-Stolz
• Christy Smith
• Lisa Wiener

Clinical Health Nurse Manager Sarah Widmer says that “We are so grateful for the amazing team of Nurse Practitioners here at RHHD. They are passionate about public health, committed to high quality clinical services and incredibly caring providers. They meet each individual client where they are and provide extraordinary care, support and clinical service. Our NPs are the best!”

Our nurse practitioners have great bedside manner AND green thumbs!