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RCAHD Health Updates Newsletter

02.22.23
Health updates for residents of the
Roanoke City & Alleghany Health Districts (RCAHD)
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Searching for health clues in local wastewater
Roanoke City and Alleghany Health Districts (RCAHD) Epidemiology staff will be joining several other research organizations to study local wastewater for possible indicators that may affect community health.

For the next three months through May, wastewater samples collected each week from several Roanoke area locations will be sent to a lab to look for clinically significant bacteria, including select antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

This pilot program is a collaboration with the Virginia Department of Health Wastewater Surveillance Program, Western Virginia Water Authority, Radford University, and Carilion Clinic Basic Sciences Research Lab. The research is designed to help the organizations learn how studying wastewater for certain biological markers can better serve public health. The findings will be used to identify potential trends and provide insight into the community’s health profile.
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Protecting the Public: Food Safety Inspections

Foodborne illness is a common, yet preventable public health matter. The Roanoke City and Alleghany Health Districts’ (RCAHD) Environmental Health Food Program works with restaurant operators to reduce risk factors associated with foodborne illnesses. The program covers various facilities, including restaurants and mobile food units, as well as the food services of schools, hospitals, nursing homes, and other vendors that provide prepared food to the public. 
 
How many prepared food inspections does RCAHD perform in a year?

What steps can you take to safeguard your family's health when eating out, as well as when dining at home?
RCAHD Health Situation Update
Looking for a flu shot or COVID-19 booster?
Find a dose at a pharmacy or local health department near you!
It's Not About Me... New documentary reflects the pandemic experience of Roanoke's Latino community

On February 9, about 100 community members gathered to watch the premiere of "It's Not About Me...", a documentary about the experiences of the Latin community in Roanoke during the pandemic.

The video was produced by Cenadedh, a community-based organization, with funding support from a CDC Covid-19 vaccine equity grant intended to increase outreach to people in racial and ethnic minority groups.

The premiere, held at the Grandin Theatre, was followed by a question-and-answer session with some of the individuals featured in the documentary. Panel members from left, Kristin Adkins, RCAHD; Kris Tilley-Lubbs, Casa Latina; Malinda Britt, Cenadedh Board; Yomaly Henriquez, Bradley Free Clinic; Nahima Ayaro, community leader; Mireidis Marcano, documentary director.
During Black History Month, RCAHD celebrates local healthcare pioneers

Roanoke Valley Television has produced several short profiles describing our local connections to those who have made significant contributions to healthcare:
Hunton Life Saving Crew, above, the first all-Black rescue squad in the U.S. (1.5min)

Roanoke-born Henrietta Lacks, left, whose “HeLa” cells became integral to medical research, but she did not receive proper credit or compensation for her contribution before her death (2min)