RCAHD Community Health Update A Roanoke City & Alleghany Health Districts publication By: Christie Wills During the week of April 1-7, the Roanoke City and Alleghany Health Districts will observe National Public Health Week. The national theme, “Protecting, Connecting and Thriving: We Are All Public Health,” emphasizes what we know is true: the community’s health...Continue reading→

RCAHD Community Health Update A Roanoke City & Alleghany Health Districts publication By: Christie Wills Earlier this year, you may have seen media coverage about potential measles exposures at northern Virginia airports. Unfortunately, these notices may become more common as we face the realities of decreased vaccine coverage across the world. Vaccine rates significantly decreased...Continue reading→

RCAHD Community Health Update A Roanoke City & Alleghany Health Districts publication By: Christie Wills Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States as well as in Virginia. February is American Heart Month, a time to take steps to reduce your risk of heart disease. According to the National Institutes for...Continue reading→

RCAHD Community Health Update A Roanoke City & Alleghany Health Districts publication By: Christie Wills Sometimes stopping something can be as hard as challenging yourself to start something new. If you are thinking about quitting tobacco and would like some help for a fresh start in the new year, a quitline might be just what...Continue reading→

RCAHD Community Health Update A Roanoke City & Alleghany Health Districts publication By: Christie Wills As we approach the holiday season, many of us are looking forward to celebrations and interacting with friends and loved ones. Even as we celebrate, it is very common to feel added stress. The “holiday blues” can stem from a...Continue reading→

RCAHD Community Health Update A Roanoke City & Alleghany Health Districts publication By: Christie Wills Family members may share more than similar looks. Common health conditions such as heart disease, cancer, arthritis, dementia, asthma, and diabetes, as well as rare diseases such as hemophilia, cystic fibrosis, and sickle cell anemia can run in families. Family Health...Continue reading→

RCAHD Community Health Update A Roanoke City & Alleghany Health Districts publication By: Christie Wills Stroke Awareness Day (October 29) is a good time to remind ourselves how to help prevent and recognize strokes, the leading cause of long-term disability in the United States and the fifth-leading cause of death. Even more startling is that...Continue reading→

RCAHD Community Health Update A Roanoke City & Alleghany Health Districts publication By: Christie Wills Even before COVID became part of our vocabulary, fall has marked the start of respiratory season as viruses circulate when people spend more time indoors. This year, we have already seen an uptick in local activity of respiratory illness. Respiratory...Continue reading→

RCAHD Community Health Update A Roanoke City & Alleghany Health Districts publication By: Christie Wills Earlier this year, readers of our newsletter voted cancer as one of their top health concerns. That concern is rightfully placed, as cancer is the second leading cause of death in the country, after cardiovascular disease. While the healthcare system...Continue reading→