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Appalachian School of Pharmacy, located in Buchanan County (courtesy of Appalachian School of Pharmacy)
"Tippecanoe and Tyler, too!"
Did you know that Virginia has been the home of eight presidents? That's more than any other state! Did you also know that the 10th president of the United States has a living grandson? It's an interesting tale, so let's dive in!
John Tyler was born in Charles City County, Virginia on March 29, 1790. He attended the College of William and Mary where he studied law and went on to serve in various levels of government. He served as Governor of Virginia, a member of the House of Representatives, and a Senator before choosing to be the running mate of Whig party presidential candidate William Henry Harrison in 1840. The pair ran on the slogan "Tippecanoe and Tyler, too!", and Harrison won the election and took office in 1841. However, he only served 32 days before succumbing to pneumonia (which historians suggest may have resulted from his 1 hour and 45 minute inauguration speech), thrusting Tyler into the presidency. Tyler served one term as president and continued his career in politics until his passing in 1862.
Now, you may be thinking, if Tyler passed away in 1862, how is it possible he has a living grandson in 2023? Well, Tyler's first wife (Letitia) passed away while he was in office in 1842. He remarried in 1844, and in 1853 when Tyler was 63 years old, his second wife (Julia) gave birth to their son, Lyon (who was one of 15 children fathered by Tyler!). Lyon Tyler, like his father, remarried after his first wife (Anne) passed away. In 1928, when Lyon was 75 years old, his second wife (Sue, who was thirty-five years younger than Lyon) gave birth to their son, Harrison Ruffin Tyler. Today, Harrison is 94 years old! After receiving the support of Franklin Roosevelt (a close friend of Lyon), Harrison obtained his degree in chemistry from his father and grandfather's alma mater and went on to start an industrial and water treatment company named ChemTreat, which is headquartered right here in Virginia. He has also made numerous donations of historical value to the College of William and Mary, and has ensured the restoration and maintenance of Sherwood Forest, which was the home of John Tyler for the last 20 years of his life. How's that for a family tree?
What rock group has four men who don't sing? Mount Rushmore!
President John Tyler (left) and his grandson, Harrison Ruffin Tyler (right)
Program Highlight: WIC
Have you heard about WIC? WIC is a supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children. This program is offered here in the Cumberland Plateau district!
The goal of the WIC program is to improve the health of pregnant women, women up to one year after the end of pregnancy, infants and children who are under the age of 5 through access to better nutrition and healthcare. This program provides nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and supplemental nutritious foods. Food packages are provided which are designed to supplement the foods you already buy and add specific nutrients that are important for good health and development. In addition to providing supplemental nutrition, WIC provides screenings and referrals to other health, welfare and social services. Through health and nutrition assessments, WIC employees can provide you with the proper information and resources to assist you in developing a plan for good health and nutrition.
Individuals who qualify for WIC include:
- Pregnant women
- Breastfeeding women - up to one year after delivery
- Postpartum - up to six months after the end of pregnancy
- Infants - up to age one
- Children - up to age five
In order to qualify for WIC, you must:
- Be a resident of Virginia
- Have a medical or nutrition need
- Meet income requirements
Contact one of our district employees for more information about this program, and how to apply!
Epi Center: Cancer Incidence and Mortality
While cancer incidence (the number of new cases identified every year) is generally evenly spread across the state (smaller inset map), death rates are higher in the southwest, which is more rural and underserved.
 The updated Virginia Cancer plan was recently released and can be found at the website below.
Health News: Stroke Awareness
Did you know that stroke is the number 5 cause of death and the leading cause of disability in the United States? In the United States alone, someone has a stroke every 40 seconds, and every 3.5 minutes a stroke takes a life. Stroke can be caused either by a clot obstructing the flow of blood to the brain (called an ischemic stroke) or by a blood vessel rupturing and preventing blood flow to the brain (called a hemorrhagic stroke). There are also TIA (transient ischemic attack) strokes, or "mini strokes", which are caused by a temporary clot. Approximately 87% of strokes are ischemic strokes.
Strokes can occur at any age, and there are many risk factors which can increase your chance of having a stroke. Some risk factors include:
- Obesity
- Smoking
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Diabetes
1 in 3 American adults have at least one of these risk factors. It is also possible to have multiple strokes. In fact, roughly 1 in 4 strokes in the United States occur in people who have had a previous stroke. It is also important to note that the effects of a stroke can differ depending upon the side of the brain in which the stroke occurred, though memory loss is a common effect regardless of where the stroke occurred. For example, strokes that occur on the left side of the brain are more likely to result in:
- Paralysis on the right side of the body
- Speech/language problems
- Slow, cautious behavioral style
Strokes that occur on the right side of the brain are more likely to result in:
- Paralysis on the left side of the body
- Vision problems
- Quick, inquisitive behavioral style
It is crucial to be able to recognize the signs of a stroke and to obtain medical help as quickly as possible. Studies have shown that patients who arrive at the emergency room within 3 hours of their first symptoms often have less disability 3 months after a stroke than those who received delayed care. When looking for symptoms of a stroke, it is important to remember the acronym BE FAST. It is also important to be mindful of a severe headache without a known cause, and sudden confusion. Strokes do not always involve all of the symptoms, so it is always better to act and obtain medical help as soon as possible if any of the symptoms are present.
For more information on strokes, check out the American Stroke Association's website below!
May is National Celiac Disease Awareness Month!
Have you heard of celiac disease? Celiac disease can often be misunderstood as a food allergy, however it is actually an autoimmune disease that is triggered by the ingestion of gluten. Typically, celiac is a hereditary disease, however it can be triggered even if no other family members have a history of celiac disease. It is important to note that celiac disease can be triggered at any age.
When people with celiac disease eat gluten (a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley), their body mounts an immune response that attacks the small intestine. These attacks lead to damage on the villi, which are small fingerlike projections that line the small intestine, that promote nutrient absorption. When the villi get damaged, nutrients cannot be absorbed properly into the body. People who have celiac disease are more likely to develop a myriad of other health conditions, including:
- Early onset osteoporosis or osteopenia
- Gall bladder malfunction
- Heart disease
- Infertility and miscarriage
- Iron deficiency anemia
- Type 1 diabetes
- Liver failure
- Malnutrition
- Neurological symptoms, including ADHD, headaches, lack of muscle coordination, seizures, ataxia, dementia, neuropathy, myopathy, and multifocal leucoencephalopathy
- Pancreatic insufficiency
- Small intestine cancer and non-Hodgkin lymphoma
- Autoimmune hepatitis
Celiac disease is difficult to diagnose, as there are over 250 symptoms associated with the autoimmune disease. Some individuals are even asymptomatic, yet still have the exact same risks and complications as those who display symptoms. Symptoms are not only limited to digestion issues, which can often make celiac disease difficult to diagnose. While stomachaches, nausea, diarrhea and other similar symptoms are often present, sometimes symptoms of celiac disease do not present as digestion related symptoms. Some other symptoms of celiac include:
- Depression and anxiety
- Chronic fatigue
- Headaches or migraines
- Itchy, blistery skin rash (dermatitis herpetiformis)
- Joint pain
- Missed periods
- Mouth ulcers and canker sores
- Cognitive impairment (also referred to as "brain fog")
It is important to note that even the smallest, seemingly harmless traces of gluten (such as a crumb of bread from a cutting board) can induce a celiac response. Currently, the only treatment for celiac disease is lifelong adherence to a strict gluten-free diet.
For more information on this disease, or for resources about the disease, check out the Celiac Foundation's website below!
Meet Your Local Health Department Staff
Heather Hess, Public Health Nurse
Meet Heather Hess, a Public Health Nurse at the Tazewell County Health Department!
"My name is Heather Hess, I live in Russell County and have most of my life. I have 2 biological children, and foster others. I love my chickens, I have 11, and my 2 cats. I currently am pursuing my bachelor’s degree at Lindsey Wilson College in Human Services with a minor in substance abuse counseling. Working in our community for so long I found there is such a need to help in this area and have developed a passion and compassion for those suffering with addiction. I attended Russell County Vocational School to obtain my Licensed Practical Nurse license 20 years ago under Mrs. Cathy Gent. I pursued nursing because my grandmother was an RN in Russell County for over 30 years, and I wanted to follow in her footsteps. She taught me nursing is not just a profession it is part of who you are. We have a need to and want to help others. In my nursing career I have worked in Med Surg, urgent care, O.R., ENDO, Home Health, Doctors offices, and managed care with PACE and United Healthcare as a case manager. I have never done public health and always had an interest but never found an opening until now. I am enjoying working in family planning, learning vaccinations, assisting with baby care and anything else my RN’s or manager need. I believe GOD has a plan for me and has put me here to help others, grow in myself, meet and work with amazing people. I look forward to the relationships I make and the learning experiences with my team members."
Get Involved In Your Community!
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We will post information regarding any upcoming community meetings here!
Have an upcoming meeting? Want more information? Contact Victoria Bartfai: 276-385-6822 or at victoria.bartfai@vdh.virginia.gov
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Join Our Team!
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Want to join the VDH team? Check out these opportunities in the Cumberland Plateau Health District!
- Breastfeeding Peer Counselor
- Public Health Nurse
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