RCAHD Health Updates Newsletter  02.01.23

Health updates for residents of the Roanoke City & Alleghany Health Districts (RCAHD) Forwarded from a friend? Subscribe here

The Importance of Routine Screenings

By Cynthia Morrow, MD, MPH The new year presents a new opportunity to attend to those routines that help to keep us healthy. Just as adequate exercise and nutritious food contribute to healthful daily routines, staying up-to-date on recommended preventive screenings is an important way to protect your health! Throughout the year, we will highlight some of the recommended screenings for routine preventive health care. Regular check-ups with your primary healthcare professional can give you confidence that you are taking care of yourself and can prompt you to ask about any changes in your body. This month, we’ll focus on glaucoma and cervical cancer awareness. Why is glaucoma called "the sneak thief of sight?" What steps can be taken to prevent cervical cancer? Check out the latest RCAHD community column

World Cancer Day The message of World Cancer Day (February 4) is a reminder about the importance of routine early screenings. Screening tests can find some cancers early, when treatment works best. Other ways to reduce your cancer risk include: Make healthy choices, like avoiding tobacco, protecting your skin from the sun, limiting the amount of alcohol you drink, and keeping a healthy weight. Talk to your doctor about preventive screenings appropriate for your age. Don't have a primary care doctor? Ask your insurance company about prevention services included in your coverage, or contact the health department for cancer resources. Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for information about cancer resources.

Ready. Set. Quit. Quit Now Virginia is a program for Virginia residents to successfully quit using all forms of tobacco, including smokeless products such as chewing tobacco. Your chances of quitting successfully are greatly increased when you participate in a supportive program. Quit Now Virginia provides free information and coaching, by telephone or online, to residents who want to quit smoking or using tobacco. Expert Quit Coaches are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Parents and Guardians: Do you have a teen who vapes? This program will also help you get support to help your teen quit vaping. Chat with coaches, learn how to approach your teen about vaping and more. Quit Now Virginia For anyone age 13+ looking to quit tobacco, or looking to help a loved one quit Available in Spanish and English with translation services for over 140 other languages Programs are tailored for individuals and pregnant women Free and confidential   Online at QuitNow.net/Virginia Quitline phone: English - 1-800-Quit-Now (1-800-784-8669) Spanish - 1-855-DEJELO-YA (1-855-335-3569) Deaf and Hard of Hearing Community - 1-877-777-6534

RCAHD Health Situation Update More dashboards at vdh.gov

Looking for a flu shot or COVID-19 booster? Find a dose at a pharmacy or local health department near you!

Save The Date! A Women's Health Fair will be held Saturday, March 18, 11am-2pm Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church 756 Peters Creek Road, Roanoke Resources and health information for women of all ages Stay tuned for more information

...Can I still test with it? Yes, probably so! The shelf-life of many home COVID test kits has been extended, thanks to research indicating the tests have a longer shelf-life than known when they were first authorized. Wondering if your home test is still usable? Check it against this list maintained by the Food and Drug Administration.

And visit this link to place your order for 4 FREE home test kits per household (Note: This popular link has been clicked over 1,700 times by readers of the past two RCAHD newsletters!)

‌ ‌ ‌