Category: Uncategorized

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 15, 2025 

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

Richmond and Henrico Health Districts Encourage Product Recall Awareness During the Holidays 

RICHMOND, Va. – Richmond and Henrico Health Districts (RHHD) encourage community members to stay aware of food and toy recalls during the holiday season. Recalls let consumers know if there have been possible illnesses or injuries associated with items they’ve purchased.  

“We encourage everyone to be aware of safety recalls during the holidays,” said Richmond and Henrico Health Districts Environmental Health Manager Cindy McKelvy. “Recalls protect consumers when a safety issue is found in food or in consumer products like toys. Anything from a missing allergen label to burn and fire hazards can cause a recall. Once a recall has been initiated, consumers should check their pantries, refrigerators or freezers, and their children’s toys for any recalled items. Community members should ensure their safety and the safety of their families by carefully following recall instructions for return or disposal of the items.” 

Recent Food-Related Outbreaks and Product-Related Injuries and Deaths 

There have been food-related outbreaks of salmonella, listeria and infant botulism in the U.S. in 2025.  

According to the 2024 Annual Report from the Consumer Product Safety Commission, there were 62 deaths and an estimated 87,709 emergency department-treated injuries associated with use of child nursery equipment and supplies. There were 13 deaths and 180,224 emergency department-treated injuries associated with the use of toys.  

These organizations post recall information: 

• Foodsafety.gov, the Food and Drug Administration, and the CDC post food recalls. 
• SaferProducts.gov and the Consumer Product Safety Commission post toy recalls. 
• Retailers will often use store loyalty card programs to notify customers if they have purchased items that have been recalled. 
• Many local news sources will also highlight recalls.  

If you have purchased a recalled product:  

• Do not eat or use the product. 
• Return the food or toy for a refund, as instructed by the recall. 
• Dispose of the product safely, as instructed by the recall. 
• In the case of a food recall, clean surfaces, drawers, or utensils that came into contact with the food.  

Follow these tips to ensure all holiday gifts are safe for children:  

• Make sure any toy you buy is age appropriate. Children under three 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 that can pass through the roll will 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. 

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 (RHHD) are sister public health agencies serving our connected communities. Our mission is to protect health, champion equity, and partner to address local needs. 

rhhd.gov | henrico.gov/health | RHHD Facebook | IG: @richmondcity_hd 

OR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 4, 2025 

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

RHHD Shares Winter Weather Safety Tips 

RICHMOND, Va. – Richmond and Henrico Health Districts RHHD encourage community members to prepare for winter weather at home and on the road by building emergency kits and understanding cold weather hazards. 

“Don’t let winter weather take you by surprise,” said Richmond and Henrico Health Districts Acting Local Health Emergency Coordinator Alyssa Lewis. “Now is the time to make sure your home, family, friends, and neighbors are ready for the winter season. We encourage everyone to create basic kits for your home and vehicles, know what hazards affect your area, and know how to keep your loved ones safe. A little preparation now can prevent an emergency later.” 

RHHD offers these tips to help you and your family prepare for winter weather: 

• Keep at least one emergency kit at home and one in your vehicle. Ready.gov has a great list of basic kit necessities and options for making low-cost kits. If there’s a baby in the home, make sure the kit includes formula and/or breast milk supplies, diapers, and other necessary items. Anyone with prescription medications should place a few weeks’ worth in their kit. If you freeze or refrigerate breast milk or prescription medication, add a cooler to your kit checklist. Finally, Don’t forget about your pets. 
• Keep warm safely. The improper use of some heat sources can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning or death. In the event of a power outage and freezing temperatures: 
  • Avoid using stovetop burners or an oven to heat your home.  
  • Keep generators outdoors and separate from the home. 
  • If your car becomes stranded: 
  • Clear snow from the exhaust pipe. 
  • Run the motor about 10 minutes each hour for heat. 
  • While running the motor, open an upwind window (the direction the wind is coming from) slightly for ventilation to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. 
• Write down the contact information and directions to your local Inclement Weather Shelter or warming center. 
  • City of Richmond Inclement Weather Shelter (IWS)
    1900 Chamberlayne Parkway
    Richmond, VA, 23222
    Open 5 p.m.-8 a.m.
    The IWS is for single adult men and women and can accommodate service animals. All guests can access heated indoor space, restrooms, seating, light snacks and beverages, dinner, ADA-accessible areas, hygiene kits, weekly health services van, mobile showers twice monthly, bed bug treatment, and onsite security. Access to the shelter is on a first-come, first-served basis. 
    • Extended Hours: The IWS may remain open after 8:00 a.m. in the event of: 
      • Temperatures ≤ 40°F, or 
      • Freezing rain or snow greater than one inch over a 24-hour period
  • Families may access the Community Resource & Training Center (CRTC) between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
    1900 Chamberlayne Parkway
    Richmond, VA, 23222
    Call 804-646-3111 or email homeless@rva.gov for more information. 
  • Richmond Public Library branches serve as warming spaces during normal operating hours. 
  • Henrico County libraries and recreation centers are open to the public during normal operating hours.  
• Check weather conditions before driving. If you’re not familiar with driving in the snow, or your vehicle isn’t built for extreme weather, consider delaying your trip. A wet day with freezing temperatures overnight can create icy streets the following day. Visit the Virginia Department of Transportation for more winter driving tips. If you plan to travel, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) provides travel advisories on current road conditions and weather forecasts. Travelers can easily access weather information by dialing 511, 24 hours a day, seven days a week or via the website at 511.vdot.virginia.gov. 
• Check for impairment before driving. Distractions, drowsiness, drugs, and alcohol can impair your driving. Traffic crashes are preventable. Keep loved ones and community members safe by arranging for a designated driver, making use of rideshares or the Greater Richmond Transit Company’s (GRTC) fare-free bus lines, or by gathering at home. 

For more information and winter weather safety tips, visit ready.gov/winter-ready. 

# # # 

Richmond and Henrico Health Districts (RHHD) are sister public health agencies serving our connected communities. Our mission is to protect health, champion equity, and partner to address local needs.  

rhhd.gov | henrico.gov/health | RHHD Facebook | IG: @richmondcity_hd  

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 30, 2025 

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

RHHD Says Spooktacular Halloween Fun Starts with Safety
Tricks, Treats, and Top Safety Tips for Families 

RICHMOND, Va. – With Halloween right around the corner, Richmond and Henrico Health Districts (RHHD) share some spooktacular safety tips to help every family have a night full of treats, laughter, and safe adventures. Get ready for a ghoulishly good time—let’s make this Halloween the best (and safest) one yet! 

“Having a safe (not scary) Halloween is easy and fun when you follow a few simple steps,” said Richmond and Henrico Health Districts Director Elaine Perry, M.D. “Keep costumes visible and fit for walking, stick to sidewalks, and cross the street at crosswalks and corners. Make sure treats are sealed in their original wrappers. Welcome trick-or-treaters with a well-lit front door and keep walkways free of tripping hazards. Let’s help our ghouls, ghosts, and goblins get home safely.” 

RHHD encourages you to keep these quick tips in mind when trick or treating this Halloween season. 

Costume Safety 

• Make sure costumes are bright or have reflective tape so drivers can see you at night. 
• Wear costumes that fit well to avoid tripping. 
• Use face paint instead of masks to keep your vision clear. 

Trick-or-Treating 

• Children should always walk in groups and stay with an adult. 
• Use sidewalks whenever possible and cross streets at corners, following traffic signals. 
• Carry a flashlight or glow sticks to light your way. 

Candy Safety 

• Wait until you get home to eat your treats so an adult can check them first. 
• Only eat candy that is sealed and in its original wrapper. 
• Avoid homemade treats unless you know who made them. 

Home Safety 

• Keep your porch and walkways well-lit for visitors. 
• Remove anything from your yard that could cause someone to trip, or any fire hazards. 

Following these tips will help make Halloween fun and safe for everyone. Have a happy Halloween! 

If you have questions about Halloween safety, contact RHHD at 804-205-3500. Visit rhhd.gov for more health and safety information. Follow RHHD on Instagram (@richmondcity_hd) and Facebook. 

# # # 

Richmond and Henrico Health Districts (RHHD) are sister public health agencies serving our connected communities. Our mission is to protect health, champion equity, and partner to address local needs. 

rhhd.gov | henrico.gov/health | RHHD Facebook | IG: @richmondcity_hd 

RICHMOND, Va. – The Richmond and Henrico Health Districts (RHHD) remind community members to protect themselves from the dangers of ultraviolet (UV) radiation.

July is UV Safety Awareness Month, a time to highlight the importance of taking proactive steps now to prevent skin cancer, the most common type of cancer in the U.S. The good news is that skin cancer is one of the most preventable types of cancer. No matter how much time you plan to spend outdoors enjoying the sunshine and summer activities, you should take extra precautions against the damaging rays which can put yourself at risk for several serious health issues.

Sunlight exposure is highest during the summer between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. You are also at risk of UV radiation even on cloudy days. Be safe, use common sense and protect yourself from sun damage when outside, no matter what the weather.

“Being active outdoors is beneficial for our physical and mental health,” said Richmond and Henrico Health Districts Director Elaine Perry, M.D. “Protecting ourselves and our loved ones from UV rays while we are enjoying our time outside means we can experience those benefits in a safer way.”

UV radiation is classified into three primary types: ultraviolet A (UVA), ultraviolet B (UVB), and ultraviolet C (UVC), based on their wavelengths. Almost all the UV radiation that reaches earth is

UVA though some UVB radiation reaches earth. UVA and UVB radiation can both affect health, but UVA penetrates deeper into the skin and is more constant throughout the year.RHHD suggests several steps you can take to protect yourself from UV radiation.

• Stay in the shade, especially during midday hours.
• Wear clothes that cover your arms and legs.
• Wear a wide brim hat to shade your face, head, ears, and neck.
• Wear wraparound sunglasses that block both UVA and UVB rays to prevent eye damage, aging, and cataracts.
• Use sunscreen with sun protection factor (SPF) 15 or higher, for both UVA and UVB protection.
• Consider options like hats, high UPF (50+) clothing and swimwear, and sunscreen to protect your children.
  • Sunscreen is not recommended for babies who are six months old or younger. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommends keeping infants out of the sun during midday and using protective clothing if they have to be in the sun.

Sunscreen protects you from sun exposure by reflecting or absorbing UV rays, but it wears off. Here are some tips on how to apply and select sunscreen:

• Apply sunscreen to create a thick layer on the skin at least 20 minutes before you are put in the sun.
• Apply sunscreen to all exposed skin, including ears, scalp, lips, neck, tops of feet, and backs of hands.
• Reapply at least every two hours.
• Use sun protection factor (SPF) 15 or higher.
• Ensure your sunscreen “blocks UVA and UVB” or has “broad spectrum” on the label.
• Reapply each time you get out of water or sweat heavily.
• If you are also using insect repellent, apply sunscreen first and insect repellent second. Follow product label instructions to determine how often you need to reapply insect repellent and sunscreen.
• Follow the sunscreen’s expiration date. Sunscreen without an expiration date has a shelf life of three years.

The Virginia Department of Health and the Cancer Action Coalition of Virginia have partnered with the Virginia Recreation and Parks Society (VRPS) and Virginia schools to implement sun safety initiatives. Visit the Cancer Coalition webpage for more information.

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.

RICHMOND, Va. – In Virginia, nearly 500 people have accidentally drowned over the last five years. In fact, drowning is a leading cause of death in children. Whether you are enjoying summer activities at the pool, the beach, the river or the lake, Richmond and Henrico Health Districts (RHHD) offers drowning prevention tips to keep you healthy and safe while swimming.

“Following drowning prevention tips can help keep you and your family safe while swimming, boating, and enjoying other water activities this summer,” said Richmond and Henrico Health Districts Director Elaine Perry, M.D.  “Unlike what we see in movies and television, drowning often occurs quickly and silently and doesn’t usually involve thrashing and shouting. The signs of drowning are more subtle. A person may only struggle to stay above water for 20-60 seconds before going under.”

RHHD offers these drowning preventions tips:

• Active Supervision: Never leave a child alone near a pool/spa, bathtub, toilet, or standing body of water. When supervising children who are near the water, adults should be free from distractions.
• Swim Lessons: Teach children basic swimming and water safety skills. Swimming lessons can reduce the risk of drowning. Children, even those who’ve had swimming lessons, still need close and constant supervision in or around water.
• Learn CPR: Bystander-initiated CPR can make the difference in someone’s life while waiting for paramedics to arrive.
• Approved Safety Devices: Floaties, water wings, pool noodles and inner tubes are toys. These air-filled or foam toys are not designed to keep swimmers safe. Only use U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets.
• Barriers and Alarms: Install barriers and alarms to prevent children from gaining access to a pool or open water unsupervised.
• Avoid Swimming After Dark: Swimming after dark makes it hard to see if someone is drowning.
• Make sure to listen to any directions from the lifeguard and follow all advisories. But remember a lifeguard does not replace the need for active supervision of any children in and around the water.

Stay vigilant this summer. Let’s make our pools and beaches safer for everyone! Visit swimhealthyva.com for more information.

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.

RICHMOND, Va. — Today the Richmond Health Equity Fund (HEF) announced nine newly funded projects and promoted an open application period for further investment to improve health outcomes for priority populations in Richmond. The announcement came from Mayor Danny Avula, members of city council, Richmond and Henrico Health Districts (RHHD), and RHHD’s nonprofit partner, the Richmond and Henrico Public Health Foundation (RHPHF) which administers the HEF. These announcements were made at a press conference on Tuesday, March 18 at ChildSavers in Richmond.

To date, the HEF has designated more than $3.8 million – including $519,276 in new funding – to nine community organizations announced today providing services in the following areas:

Access to Healthcare and Education Resources

• Hitting Cancer Below the Belt
• Sacred Heart Center
• Chronic Disease and Underlying Health Conditions
• We Off the Couch

Food Access and Security

• Mutual Aid Disaster Relief Richmond
• RVA Community Fridges

Maternal and Child Health

• Family Lifeline
• Mental and Behavioral Health
• ChildSavers
• Women Can Inspire Foundation

Substance Use Prevention, Treatment, and/or Recovery

• Atlantic Outreach Group

The Richmond Health Equity Fund (HEF) is now accepting applications for its 2025 funding cycle. The application period will remain open until March 30. Single organizations or collaboratives that are interested in applying for an HEF investment can submit applications online via the REDCap survey platform or by visiting the Richmond and Henrico Public Health Foundation (RHPHF) website: https://rhphf.org/health-equity-fund.

The Richmond Health Equity Fund invests in community-led programs, initiatives, and leaders to improve health and quality of life in communities experiencing deep health disparities and the longstanding impacts of racism.

In October 2021, the City of Richmond established the Health Equity Fund to focus on key areas of health disparity through an initial investment of $5 million from federal in American Rescue Plan Act funds. Since then, the HEF has diversified its funding sources to include City of Richmond non-departmental funding and investments from The Community Foundation, The Bob and Anna Lou Schaberg Foundation, Atlantic Union Bank, The Dominion Charitable Foundation, and Robins Foundation.

RICHMOND, Va. —Richmond and Henrico Health Districts (RHHD) commemorate World AIDS Day on December 1 by encouraging community members to seek preventative care, screening, and/or treatment for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the virus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

RHHD offers a variety of sexually transmitted infection (STI) preventative measures, screenings, and treatments. Services include pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), a daily medication that is highly effective at helping prevent HIV. Community members interested in learning more about PrEP can call 804-664-2125. For more information about RHHD clinical services, including screenings, and to schedule an appointment, call 804-205-3501.

“We have to remember not to forget,” said Richmond and Henrico Health Districts PrEP Coordinator Bernard Stackhouse. “We can’t forget how far we’ve come with medications, and treatments. Working in PrEP gives me hope that with a combination of prevention and treatment, we can end the spread of HIV.”

Resource Centers at Southwood Apartments, Mosby Court, and Gilpin Court offer STI/HIV screening on a sliding scale during clinic hours. Community members can visit the Resource Centers page to view availability and hours. Community members can visit rhhd.gov/VA-HIV-testing to search for Virginia-based HIV testing options near them.

The following RHHD community partners also offer free STI testing services: Nationz Foundation (804-716-7597), Minority Health Consortium (804-225-0820), and Health Brigade (804-358-6343 ext. 2145). Community members can find a testing site at the following link: CDC testing site locator.

For those living with HIV, RHHD offers low-cost or free HIV medication access, case management, and other support services for low-income or underinsured individuals through the Ryan White program. RHHD is a Ryan White Part B subrecipient.

In Richmond, proximity to resources like clinics and pharmacies, as well as insurance status, are still shaped by histories of redlining and segregation. In the U.S. people who identify as Black/African American and Hispanic/Latino are disproportionately affected by HIV compared to their population size, showing that effective HIV prevention and treatment are not adequately reaching these communities. People who identify as multiracial are also disproportionately impacted.

According to CDC, approximately 31,800 individuals acquired HIV in the U.S. in 2022. Among these:

• Black/African American people accounted for 37% (11,900), even though they made up 12% of the population.
• Hispanic/Latino people accounted for 33% (10,500), even though they represented 18% of the population.
• Multiracial people accounted for 4% (1,200), even though they represented 2% of the population.

The Office of National AIDS Policy reminds public health organizations and community members to observe this annual event and remain steadfast in their commitment HIV infections and provide essential services to all people living with HIV globally.

The theme of World AIDS Day 2024 is “Collective Action: Sustain and Accelerate HIV Progress.” According to HIV.gov, this theme encapsulates the U.S. government’s dedication to harnessing the significant progress that has been made through global and domestic HIV programs over the last four-plus decades, working to ensure that no communities are left behind.