RCAHD Community Health Update A Roanoke City & Alleghany Health Districts publication Radon Awareness As cold weather has us spending more time indoors, public health leaders have designated January as Radon Action Month. You can’t see, smell or taste radon, but it could be present at a dangerous level in your home. Radon is the...Continue reading→

RCAHD Community Health Update A Roanoke City & Alleghany Health Districts publication Southwestern Virginia’s location in the mid-Atlantic typically favors us with the variety of four seasons balanced with generally mild winters and warm summers. Still, the onset of winter can bring special safety concerns, and simple precautions can increase the safety of everyone during...Continue reading→

RCAHD Community Health Update A Roanoke City & Alleghany Health Districts publication Spotlight on Rural Health Each day our Roanoke Valley and Alleghany Health Districts (RCAHD) staff work to promote and encourage good health for our 278,000 local residents. Our name reflects that technically we are two health districts: the Roanoke Health District, which serves...Continue reading→

RCAHD Community Health Update A Roanoke City & Alleghany Health Districts publication This time of year, we are routinely preparing for the beginning of respiratory illness season, encouraging flu vaccines and promoting other prevention messages. What is not routine, both in Virginia and across the country, are the earlier-than-usual reports of increased respiratory cases. More...Continue reading→

RCAHD Community Health Update A Roanoke City & Alleghany Health Districts publication Today, childhood lead poisoning is considered one of the most preventable environmental diseases among young children, yet an estimated 500,000 children under the age of six have elevated blood-lead levels, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). As we observe...Continue reading→

RCAHD Community Health Update A Roanoke City & Alleghany Health Districts publication fluenza (the “flu”) is a common, often miserable, and sometimes very serious illness. The symptoms of classic influenza include the abrupt onset of fever, sore throat, headache, cough, muscle aches, and fatigue. Every year, influenza kills between 12,000 and 50,000 people in the United...Continue reading→

RCAHD Community Health Update A Roanoke City & Alleghany Health Districts publication Although summer will soon come to a close, it is too soon to let our guard down around ticks and mosquitoes, whose active season continues well into the fall. Late summer and early autumn are typically the time of year when we see...Continue reading→

RCAHD Community Health Update A Roanoke City & Alleghany Health Districts publication August is National Breastfeeding Month, a chance to spread awareness about the health, nutritional, economical, and emotional benefits of breastfeeding for both mom and baby. With respect to known health benefits, breastfeeding can help lower babies’ risk of asthma, obesity, diabetes, and sudden...Continue reading→

RCAHD Community Health Update A Roanoke City & Alleghany Health Districts publication While many people are enjoying the fun activities that go along with warm summer weather, it is not too soon to make certain your child is caught up on well-child visits with their healthcare professional before school starts again. Well-child visits are essential...Continue reading→