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Free Nicotine Cessation Classes Are Back!
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After a year-long hiatus, we’re thrilled to announce the return of the Quit Nicotine/Smoking Blue Ridge Program! Open to any District residents interested in quitting tobacco/nicotine, this six-week course will meet every Wednesday from 5:30 to 6:30 PM starting Wednesday, March 19 and ending Wednesday, April 23. The best part? All classes are FREE and held virtually via Zoom, so you can participate from just about anywhere!
Join us to learn about different strategies for quitting like medication options, acupuncture, stress reduction, nutrition, and more. Contact Scott Mein at 862-4320-0490 or scottrmein@gmail.com to register.
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BRHD Launches Family Planning Survey
Are you familiar with the Family Planning Program at Blue Ridge Health District? Do you know what services the program offers? We want to know – so we’re launching a survey to find out!
Our goal is to understand how familiar the community is with the Family Planning Program and its available services. Collecting this information will help us focus our marketing and communication efforts to reach more clients. The survey will be open through Monday, March 31 and should take no more than 2 minutes to complete. We hope to hear from you!
March is National Nutrition Month
March is National Nutrition Month, a time to celebrate healthy eating! But what constitutes healthy eating? How do we balance a nutritious diet while still enjoying the foods we love? Let’s break down the common food groups we hear about:
Fruits and vegetables are nutrient goldmines. Aiming for a rainbow of colors ensures a wide range of protective benefits. They can provide:
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Vitamins for blood clotting
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Calcium for bones
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Fiber for digestion, blood sugar control, and longer satiety
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Antioxidants to combat inflammation
Whole grains are your body’s go-to energy source thanks to complex carbs. They can provide:
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Support for digestion, metabolism, and nerve function
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Fiber to decrease cholesterol levels and steady blood sugar
Meat, beans, and other protein-rich foods supply the amino acids needed to build and repair tissues, from muscles to skin. They can provide:
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Iron and vitamin B12 for energy and blood health (meats)
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Omega-3s for heart and brain benefits (fatty fish)
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Fiber and plant-based protein with less saturated fat to help lower cholesterol and support gut health (beans and legumes)
Milk and dairy are key for calcium and vitamin D, critical for strong bones and teeth. They can provide:
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Protein for muscle maintenance
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Potassium for blood pressure control
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Probiotics to boost gut health
Fats and oils aren’t the enemy. They’re essential for absorbing vitamins, protecting organs, and powering your cells. They can provide:
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Support to lower bad cholesterol and improve heart health
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Longer satiety
Healthy eating requires a variety of food groups to nourish your body with the proper nutrients (like vitamins and minerals). This means that eating healthy and enjoying the foods you love are not mutually exclusive – learn more on how to construct a healthy eating lifestyle at the Nutrition Source!
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Why are we concerned about breast cancer?
Breast cancer is a malignant tumor that starts in the cells of the breast. A malignant tumor is a group of cancer cells that can grow into (invade) surrounding tissues or spread (metastasize) to distant areas of the body. The disease occurs almost entirely in women, but men can also get it.
Why is it important to maintain good breast health?
In addition to watching what you eat, other lifestyle changes like exercising regularly, getting enough sleep, quitting smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, may also lower your risk of developing breast cancer.
Why is early detection of breast cancer so important?
Finding the cancer before it causes noticeable symptoms is key to successful treatment. It significantly increases a woman's chance of survival by allowing for treatment when the cancer is smaller, less likely to have spread, and therefore easier to cure. It often requires less invasive procedures with better outcomes.
What can I do to prevent breast cancer?
Routine breast self exams are important. Screening tests by a doctor help find breast cancer early and increase survival chances. A mammogram is a safe X-ray exam of the breast and should be done every year starting at age 40.
For more information:
Visit www.cdc.gov/breast-cancer/index.html or speak to your medical provider for treatment, testing, and prevention.
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To read past publications, visit the BRHD Health Whys webpage.
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Share Your Ideas on How to Improve Community Health
The MAPP2Health Core Group and Steering Committee are finishing up identifying the priorities of the Community Health Assessment (CHA) and beginning to think about the Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP). To make sure we’re addressing the most important health needs in our area, we're looking for community input! This is a chance to share your experiences, talk about health challenges and resources in your community, and help brainstorm solutions to improve health.
What Solutions Have We Heard?
We've done over 60 interviews with District residents! We've heard some great suggestions on how to bring the community together, eat healthier, get more exercise, reduce stress, and make health care easier to access.
Who Should Share?
Your voice matters! We are looking for community members who reflect the diversity of Blue Ridge Health District. Specifically, we want to hear from folks who:
- Live with health issues, specifically diabetes, weight problems or obesity, high blood pressure, acute or chronic stress, or mental health needs
- Face challenges accessing medical appointments or essential services
- Live in a rural area
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Identify as Black or African American, Indigenous, Hispanic or Latinx, Newly Resettled or Refugee
How to Provide Feedback
Questions about MAPP2Health, the Community Health Assessment, or the Community Health Improvement Plan? Contact Jen Fleisher, CHA/CHIP Program Officer, at jennifer.fleisher@vdh.virginia.gov.
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Monthly Rapid REVIVE! Naloxone Trainings
Free trainings and dispensing of Naloxone nasal spray used to treat suspected opioid overdoses. All are welcome. Visit the Harm Reduction webpage for more information.
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2nd Tuesday of the month: March 11 from 3 to 4 PM at the Greene County Health Department (50 Stanard St., Stanardsville, VA) and Fluvanna County Health Department (132 Main St., Palmyra, VA)
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3rd Monday of the month: March 17 from 3 to 4 PM at the Charlottesville/Albemarle Health Department (1138 Rose Hill Dr., Charlottesville, VA)
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3rd Wednesday of the month: March 19 from 3 to 4 PM at the Louisa County Health Department (101 Woolfolk Ave. Suite 202, Louisa, VA)
- 2nd Thursday of the month: March 13 from 3 to 4 PM at the Nelson County Health Department (1653 Thomas Nelson Hwy., Arrington, VA)
Monthly Test & Go Event
Free walk-in STI testing on a first come, first served basis until we reach capacity. No insurance needed. Call 434-972-6269 for more information.
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3rd Tuesday of the month: March 18 from 4:30 to 6 PM at the Charlottesville/Albemarle Health Department (1138 Rose Hill Dr., Charlottesville, VA)
Monthly Community Health Worker (CHW) Office Hours
Walk-in one-on-one sessions hosted by our CHWs across the District. All are welcome. Visit the Community Health Worker webpage for more information.
Location
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Dates
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Time
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Albemarle County
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Yancey Community Health Center:
7625 Porters Rd., Esmont
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Wednesday: 3/19
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12 to 2 PM
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Scottsville Public Library:
330 Bird St., Scottsville
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Wednesday: 3/19
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3 to 5 PM
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City of Charlottesville
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JMRL Central Branch:
201 E Market St., Charlottesville
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Tuesday: 3/18
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9 to 11 AM
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Charlottesville /Albemarle Health Department Door #1:
1138 Rose Hill Dr., Charlottesville
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Tuesday: 3/18
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2 to 4 PM
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Fluvanna County
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Fluvanna County Health Department:
132 Main St., Palmyra
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Thursday: 3/20
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10 AM to 12 PM
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Fluvanna County Public Library:
214 Commons Blvd., Palmyra
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Thursday: 3/20
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2 to 4 PM
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Greene County
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Greene County Health Department:
50 Stanard St., Stanardsville
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Fridays: 3/14, 3/28
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10 AM to 12 PM
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Greene County Public Library:
81 Main St., Stanardsville
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Thursday: 3/20
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Louisa County
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Louisa County Health Department:
101 Woolfolk Ave. Suite 202, Louisa
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Mondays: 3/10, 3/24
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10 AM to 12 PM
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Louisa County Public Library:
881 Davis Hwy., Mineral
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Monday: 3/10
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2 to 4 PM
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Nelson County
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Nelson County Health Department:
1653 Thomas Nelson Hwy., Arrington
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Monday: 3/17
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8 AM to 12 PM
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Rockfish Valley Community Center:
190 Rockfish School Ln., Afton
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Tuesday: 3/18
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1 to 4 PM
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