While public health may be best known for its response to emerging threats to the community’s health during a weather emergency or disease outbreaks, most of the time, our staff is focused on preventing people from getting sick in the first place. The mission of Roanoke City and Alleghany Health Districts (RCAHD) is to make sure our communities have what we need to stay healthy, whether it is clean water, safe food, or healthy neighborhoods.

Behind the scenes, many of our programs quietly improve the health of thousands of local RCAHD residents, year in and year out. One such program is WIC (Women, Infants and Children Nutrition Program), a program that helps young families to eat well and be healthy. WIC is for people who are pregnant, recently pregnant, or breastfeeding/ chestfeeding. It is also for infants and children under age 5.
In 2022, our RCAHD staff served over 7,800 women, infants, and children across our seven localities. In

Virginia, a family of four (that includes a pregnant woman or a child under age five) making less than $55,500 is eligible to apply for benefits. About one in three children born in Virginia participate in WIC. Part of the reason that WIC has endured for over 50 years is that its services are a cost-effective investment not just for individuals, but for entire communities. Research has shown that WIC plays a role in improving the health of infants and children though more nutritious diets and education for participating families. Healthier babies grow into healthier children, on a better path for success in school and jobs.

Here's one mother’s story: “I was pregnant with my first child when I first applied for WIC. I was working as a preschool teacher and my husband was finishing up school, making us a one-income family. Our grocery budget was very tight so the food vouchers were a huge blessing to us!” – WIC participant

In addition to food benefits, WIC participants also receive education on healthy eating, breastfeeding support, and referrals to critical healthcare and other services. August is National Breastfeeding Month, and WIC plays a strong role in supporting breastfeeding success, including for women returning to the workplace after giving birth. (RCAHD also encourages workplace lactation support, including in our own offices, where we have pro-breastfeeding policies in place, including safe, comfortable spaces for our own lactating staff and for clients to pump breast milk.)

In addition to the proven benefits for participants, the WIC program may also have an indirect effect in improving the health of all children by setting standards. For example, dry cereal manufacturers increased the number of iron-fortified products on the market to meet WIC requirements, making healthier food available for all children, whether they participated in the program or not. WIC benefits also help our local economy, giving Virginia families an additional $57 million in 2022 to spend at local food retailers for healthy foods.

Following three years of primarily virtual visits due to Covid, across the country WIC offices will be welcoming clients back to the office for in-person visits over the next several weeks. Our dedicated staff look forward to meeting clients in person more often while keeping some of the flexibility that virtual visits offered, especially for clients with transportation challenges. And we will continue to look for ways that eligible women and young children can get WIC benefits during pregnancy and critical periods of child development.