Severe Weather Awareness Week

With spring just around the corner, outdoor activities will be springing into action! Just like it’s important to be prepared at home for severe weather, the same goes for enjoying outdoor sports and activities. Remember these tips to make sure you’ve got outdoor weather safety and preparedness covered: 

1. Know Before You Go! Before heading outdoors, check the latest forecast from a trusted weather source. If severe weather is expected, stay home or go before the weather is expected to worsen. 
2. Monitor the Weather. Have a NOAA Weather Radio, and/or apps that have radar and lightning data. Make sure you have a way to receive weather warnings.  
3. Stop all Activities when you hear thunder or when weather conditions look threatening. The first lightning strike can come out of a clear blue sky many miles ahead of an approaching thunderstorm cloud. 
4. Know your Area. In hilly terrain, flash floods can strike with little or no advance warning; distant rain can turn a quiet stream into a rampaging torrent in minutes. Never camp on low ground next to streams since a flash flood can catch you while you're asleep. 
5. Turn Around, Don't Drown.  If you come upon flood waters, stop, turn around, and go another way. Climb to higher ground. 
6. When Thunder Roars Go Indoors. There is no 100% safe shelter outside. The only places safe from lightning are inside a vehicle or a substantial, enclosed structure. Do not take shelter in small sheds, under isolated trees, or in convertible automobiles. Stay away from tall objects such as towers, fences, telephone poles, and power lines. 

For more safety tips, visit National Weather Service’s Outdoor Weather Safety and Preparedness Page. 

National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

Every year on March 10 — and throughout the month of March — local, state, federal, and national organizations come together to shed light on the impact of HIV and AIDS on women and girls and show support for those at risk of and living with HIV. This year marks the 19th annual observance of National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NWGHAAD)!

This year’s theme, “Prevention and Testing at Every Age. Care and Treatment at Every Stage.” emphasizes important prevention efforts. It also reinforces three goals of the National HIV/AIDS Strategy, which concentrates on the prevention of new HIV infections, improving HIV-related health outcomes of people living with HIV, and reducing HIV-related disparities. By working together, we can help eliminate HIV and improve the quality of treatment and care for people currently living with HIV. 

To learn more about NWGHAAD, click here to access the NWGHAAD 2024 fact sheet. You can also visit the Office on Women’s Health HIV and AIDS web page to access resources and information about HIV and AIDS for women and girls. For local resources on testing, prevention, and other resources, call our Blue Ridge Rapid team at 434-989-3292. 

Quitting is Easier When Done Together

The Quit Nicotine/Smoking Blue Ridge program is sponsored by the Blue Ridge Health District Tobacco Coalition. The program, which lasts six weeks, begins Wednesday, March 20 and ends Wednesday, April 24. The best part is that all the classes are Zoom-based, so you can attend from the comfort of your own home, or wherever you might find yourself.

Come learn about different strategies for quitting, such as medication options, acupuncture, stress reduction, nutrition and more! Contact Scott Mein at 862-4320-0490 or via email at scottrmein@gmail.com to register. 

Free Yoga Classes Coming to Fluvanna County

Come join us in Fluvanna for opportunities to improve your health! According to the National Institutes of Health, scientific evidence shows that yoga supports stress management, mental health, mindfulness, healthier eating, weight loss, and quality sleep.  

With winter coming to a close, this is the perfect time to spring into a healthier routine! Join us at the Dunbar Rosenwald School (2524 Mountain Hill Road, Palmyra) every Saturday in March for Yoga with Malati, a certified yoga instructor. All fitness and experience levels are invited and welcome, we will even provide yoga mats for the first 20 people to RSVP! To learn more or sign up, call Linda, BRHD Community Health Worker, at 804-489-7918. 

Upcoming Infant Safety Class

Expecting a baby soon? Have a new bundle of joy around the house already? If you could use some help with some of the basics of infant safety, our upcoming Infant Safety Class is just what you need!

Learn how to prepare your nest by baby proofing and getting rid of common hazards for babies and toddlers. You will also see basic CPR demonstrations and see how to help a baby that is choking. Free and open to all new and expecting families, including grandparents!

For more information, call Diane, BRHD Maternal Child Health Coordinator, at 434-972-6241. 

Now is the Time: Join the BRHD Team!

We all benefit from public health, but have you been thinking about ways to get more involved? There’s nothing quite like a career in public health, serving your own community each and every day! Here at BRHD, we are dedicated to improving health and dedicated to filling our team with those who are passionate about community.

If you’ve been considering a career in public health, visit the BRHD Job Opportunities webpage to see our current job openings, as well as to learn more about volunteering via the Medical Reserve Corps!