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We are thrilled to announce that Luke Davies, MPH is the new Health Director for the Prince William Health District. He has a background in public health leadership, policy, and management from the University of Washington and has worked with global health programs for the majority of his career.
The early part of his work experience focused on community development and disaster response in Central America and the Caribbean. He has supported programs and research in disaster management, disease surveillance, health systems strengthening, maternal newborn child health, HIV prevention and treatment, violence against children, and gender-based violence in sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia.
Most recently he ran the Chelan-Douglas Health District in Washington state and was able to navigate the challenging COVID-19 response to help build a healthier district and community. He brings a wide range of skills to this position including language skills in English, Spanish, and French, as well as partner engagement and coordination along with organizational management experience in multi-cultural settings.
“I am excited to be working with the dedicated staff of Prince William Health District to support the diverse and culturally rich population of Northern Virginia," said Health Director Luke Davies, MPH. "I have been impressed by the work that has been done at the Health District as well as throughout the local county and cities to make this an incredibly vibrant place to live.”
Luke started working at the Health District on October 10th, 2024, and looks forward to engaging with local county and city leaders as well as community-based organizations, clinical partners, and local citizens to improve health for everyone in our jurisdiction and beyond.
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As Thanksgiving and other holidays approach, it's important to always keep food safety top of mind. Whether you are buying turkey, preparing stuffing, or handling leftovers, follow the four steps (Clean, Separate, Cook and Chill) for food safety to protect yourself and loved ones from food-borne illness.
Recent food recalls are a reminder to check for updates on meat, produce or packaged foods that could impact meals. You can stay informed of real-time notices of recalls and public health alerts from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) at foodsafety.gov/recalls-and-outbreaks.
USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline
The USDA's Meat and Poultry Hotline is a helpful resource if you have questions about safe food handling, cooking, or storage. Call 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854) for advice. The Hotline is open year-round Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET (English or Spanish).
With a few careful steps, and easy to find resources you can serve up a safe and delicious holiday meal.
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November is National Diabetes Awareness Month and this year's theme is 'Take Charge of Tomorrow'. Diabetes is a disease that occurs when your blood glucose, also called blood sugar, is too high. When it’s not managed, diabetes can damage the eyes, kidneys, nerves, and heart, and is linked to some types of cancer (NIDDK, 2024).
Did you know?
- Approximately 743,024 people in Virginia, or 10.9% of the adult population are living with diabetes.
- 1 in 3 adults has prediabetes, a serious health condition where blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not high enough yet to be diagnosed as type 2 diabetes.
The Virginia Department of Health provides resources and community programs for prediabetes and diabetes to support your journey toward better health. Some of these programs include Walk with Ease, Tai Chi, and Chronic Disease Self-Management.
Visit VDH Diabetes to learn more about taking proactive steps for a healthier tomorrow.
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We Want to Hear from YOU!
 Do you live in Prince William County, Manassas City or Manassas Park? Share your thoughts and help shape the future of health programs and services through our anonymous CHA survey.
$25 gift card raffle entry option once completed.
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Join a Community Conversation
As part of the CHA our coalition partners are hosting a series of conversations to learn more about your needs, experiences, and ideas to help shape future health programs and services. The next Community Conversation:
- November 6 at 1:30 p.m.
- 55+ older living in Greater Prince William region
- Haymarket Gainesville Community Library
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As families gather indoors, and temperatures drop, the spread of respiratory viruses like flu, COVID-19, and RSV tends to increase. Following core prevention measures can help protect against serious illness.
Core Prevention Measures
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Stay up to date with vaccinations including
COVID-19, flu, and RSV (if eligible).
- Improve air quality by ventilating spaces.
- Practice good hygiene - cover coughs, wash hands, and clean surfaces regularly.
- If you feel unwell, stay home until symptoms improve and your fever subsides for at least 24 hours without using fever-reducing medication.
Order 4 free at-home COVID-19 tests today on COVIDTests.gov!
Every home in the U.S. is eligible to order 4 free at-home tests.
Visit COVIDTests.gov or order over the phone at 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489) for help in English, Spanish, and more than 150 other languages.
The U.S. government also will continue to make COVID-19 tests available for free to uninsured individuals and underserved communities through existing outreach programs, ranging from local food banks to libraries. Free or low-cost testing also may be available at HRSA-funded health centers and ICATT locations near you.
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All PWHD offices and clinics will be closed on the following dates:
Closed Tuesday, November 5 in observance of Election Day:
- We will re-open Wednesday, November 6 at 8:00 a.m.
Closed Monday, November 11 in observance of Veterans Day:
- We will re-open Tuesday, November 12 at 8:00 a.m.
Closed at 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 27 until Friday, November 29 in observance of Thanksgiving:
- We will re-open Monday, December 2 at 8:00 a.m.
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