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In this biweekly issue:
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January is National Radon Action Month
- Smart Eating Starts Here!
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Spotlight Series: National Pharmacist Day
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This Winter Season: Protect Yourself and Your Loved Ones
- Join Our Team!
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 Did you know? Radon is a gas that you can’t see, smell, or taste. All outdoor and indoor air has some radon in it. Over time, it can build up in your home or building whether it has a basement, is sealed, draft, or is new or old, and can cause health problems.
What are the health risks? Radon exposure is not known to cause any immediate physical symptoms or reactions. The higher the radon level and the longer a person is exposed to it, can cause lung cancer🫁
Across the U.S, 1 in 15 homes have high radon levels. The most recent State of Lung Cancer report revealed that it detected radon at high levels in about 25% of homes in Virginia.
The good news is that you can check your home with a simple at-home test kit — and if your home has high levels of radon, you can take steps to fix it.
Where can I buy an at-home test kit? For a limited time until April 30th, 2024, and while supplies last, Virginia residents can order a $3 radon home test kit (shipping and lab fees included) from the Virginia Department of Health's indoor radon program!
Interested in Raising Radon Awareness or Sharing Resources?
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Smart Eating Starts Here! 🧠
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Still thinking about a New Year's resolution?
Make informed food choices with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Nutrition Facts label! The Nutrition Facts label can help you make food choices that contribute to lifelong healthy eating habits.
In 2016, the FDA updated requirements for the Nutrition Facts label on packaged food and drinks. Outlined below are the changes:
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Serving size information and servings per container can be seen a larger, and bolder font.
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Calories can be seen in a larger and bolder font, making it easier to find and use.
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Percent (%) Daily Values were updated to show how much a nutrient in a serving food contributes to a total daily diet.
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Nutrition list update: Added sugars, vitamin D, and potassium are required, and were added onto the label.
According to the FDA, it is recommended you choose items higher in dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals, and lower in saturated fat, trans fat, sodium, and added sugars.
Learn more about how to make healthier choices using the Nutrition Facts Label, including details on calories, serving sizes, added sugars, and MyPlate.
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Spotlight Series: National Pharmacist Day 💡
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As National Pharmacist Day approaches on Friday January 12th, we want to take the opportunity to introduce you to Prince William Health District's Public Health Pharmacist, Precious Hoffman, BSIP, RPh.
Continue reading to learn more about some of Precious's contributions and commitment to promoting optimum wellness and a healthy environment in the Health District!
Before joining PWHD, Precious was already volunteering her skills and services to help improve the lives of community members in the Greater Prince William area. She has served as an active member of the Greater Prince William Medical Reserve Corps (MRC), and a volunteer at free clinics throughout Northern Virginia. She mentions, "I've always liked volunteerism, it's kind of a part of who I am."
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One of Precious's main responsibilities involves management of inventory and distribution of vaccines like the updated COVID-19 vaccine and flu vaccine. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Precious played an essential role in the success of many mass community vaccination clinic events, and smaller clinics including the Health District's Mobile Clinic Unit (MCU). As a Public Health Pharmacist, she was able to develop visual algorithms that were used by clinical staff administering the COVID-19 vaccine to children, and adults. This algorithm ensured staff were following guidance and vaccinating persons by age and COVID-19 vaccine dosage.
A recent accomplishment was Precious's involvement in the back-to-school vaccination events and clinics held in August 2023. In close partnership with the public school system, Health District leadership and staff, over 1,000 school required vaccines were administered to students to enable them to start school on time.
Precious pointed out that the role of a pharmacist in public health may not always be clearly defined and that is not necessarily a bad thing. Given the current challenges in healthcare, collaborative efforts are crucial for the enhancement of various public health programs. In her experience, pharmacists have a unique skill set that can be transferred to various other public health programs that include community engagement and outreach, the prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and other communicable and non-communicable diseases.
We are thankful to have innovative Public Health Pharmacists like Precious at the Health District and across the country, continually making a positive a difference in the community members and clients they serve. Happy early National Pharmacist Day!
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This Winter Season: Protect Yourself and Your Loved Ones
Vaccines are available to help protect against severe illness and hospitalization caused by all three of the major fall and winter respiratory viruses – flu, COVID-19, and RSV.
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Updated COVID-19 Vaccine: Everyone 6 months and older should get an updated COVID-19 vaccine. It targets the most common circulating variants for the 2023-2024 fall/winter season.
Flu Vaccine: Everyone 6 months and older, with rare exception, should get the flu vaccine every year.
The COVID-19 vaccine and flu vaccine can be given at the same time, if eligible and timing coincides.
Learn more about the RSV immunizations for older adults, pregnant people, and infants.
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Join Our Team!
- Public Health Nurse Sr.
- Public Health Nurse
- Nurse Practitioner
- IT Specialist
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