Quick Links and Important ResourcesVDH Listserv (Public Health Information Network) Resources for Health Care Professionals Safely Enjoy Virginia's Natural Waters Naegleria fowleri (Frequently Asked Questions-VDH) Virginia AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) Virginia Infant Mortality Workgroup Virginia Immunization Information System (VIIS) Introducing Health BitesHealth Bites is an interactive online nutrition education tool designed to help you and your family enjoy healthier lives. The interactive website provides fun, informative videos on nutrition and ideas on simple and healthy recipes. If you are a WIC participant, the site will allow you to complete modules, to receive nutrition education credit for WIC. Visit www.HealthBitesVA.org to have a world of nutrition and health information at your fingertips! Serving Summer Meals to Virginia ChildrenThe Summer Food Service Program provides free meals and snacks to help children get the nutrition they need during the summer when they are out of school. If your organization is interested in participating in Virginia’s Summer Food Service Program, please submit an application by April 26 to see if you qualify. All new participants must complete trainings to take part in the program and can register for trainings online. Please visit the Summer Food Service Program web page to learn more. Advance Health Care Directive RegistryWithout advanced planning, medical care decisions are often left to family members when a loved one becomes incapacitated and unable to speak for themselves. The Advance Health Care Directive Registry relieves loved ones of that burden and ensures that those loved ones, as well as doctors, know a person’s wishes and whom they want making medical decisions for them. There is no cost to users or to taxpayers for this service. Learn more and register here https://www.virginiaregistry.org/Outbreak of Fungal Meningitis and Other InfectionsVirginia Department of Health is working with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention and other states on a multi-state investigation of fungal infections in patients who received injections with a contaminated steroid. If you have questions or concerns that you may be experiencing illness after receiving an injection, please contact your health care provider. Virginia case counts are updated weekly and information on national cases can be viewed by visiting the CDC website. Clinical guidance and case counts for Virginia is available here. Change to Executive Order 85 - Virginia Workforce Network for Jobs
Use of the Virginia Workforce Network for Jobs Resulting from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and Those Being Recruited by Virginia State Agencies. It directs all state agencies, contractors and sub-recipients to use the Virginia Workforce Connection (VWC) for the recruitment of direct jobs created by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) and for jobs in all state agencies, regardless of funding source. To read the Executive Order please click here. |
American Heart MonthNearly 600,000 people in the US die from heart disease, making it the leading cause of death for both men and women. High blood pressure and high blood cholesterol are the two main risk factors for heart disease. Other risk factors include diabetes, tobacco use, physical inactivity, poor nutrition, and obesity. Leading a healthy lifestyle greatly reduces your risk for developing heart disease. VDH is encouraging you to promote heart health by implementing the ABCS of heart disease and stroke prevention:
Learn more about the ABCS of heart disease and stroke by visiting the Prevention and Health Promotion program. “Building a Wealth of Community Health”“Building a Wealth of Community Health” is a free, one-day training that focuses on healthy eating, tobacco-free living, and chronic disease prevention in the community. The trainings are free but due to limited seating, registration is required. Register for trainings: February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness MonthTeen Dating Violence is a serious issue affecting both boys and girls. In Virginia, 12.1% of high school students have reported being hit, slapped or physically hurt on purpose by their boyfriend or girlfriend during the past 12 months (10.7% male and 13.4% female). Besides physical injury, teen dating violence can lead to adverse health outcomes, an increase in unhealthy behaviors and can lead to intimate partner violence as an adult. VDH has resources to help you discuss and provide assistance to victims of teen dating violence. For additional information about teen dating violence, please visit VDH’s Dating Violence Prevention program. NorovirusNoroviruses are viruses that cause the "stomach flu," or vomiting and diarrhea, in people. Illness is usually brief, with symptoms lasting only one to three days. Norovirus is found in the stool and vomit of infected people. People can become infected in several ways, including eating food or drinking liquids that are contaminated by infected food handlers, touching surfaces or objects contaminated with norovirus and then touching their mouth before handwashing, or having direct contact with another person who is infected and then touching their mouth before handwashing. Persons working in day-care centers or nursing homes should pay special attention to children or residents who have norovirus illness. This virus can spread quickly in these places. For more information, see the VDH Norovirus Fact Sheet available: http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/Epidemiology/factsheets/Norovirus.htm. InfluenzaInfluenza (“flu”) activity in Virginia continues to increase. In December, 2012 more than 40 influenza-like-illness outbreaks in schools, nursing homes, or other residential health care settings, have been reported to the Virginia Department of Health. It is important to remember that certain people – including young children, persons aged 65 years or older, and those with underlying lung or heart conditions—are especially vulnerable to developing flu complications. The good news is that each of us can take precautions to control the spread of flu. These include the following
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Virginia Health Information
'Virginia Health Information' is a resource for patients and consumers looking to learn about and compare options on everything from obstetrical services, to heart care, to pricing information on commonly performed medical procedures. Virginians can use VHI information to make informed health care purchasing decisions and as the basis for an informed conversation with their health care providers. Learn more>> |