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BRHD Family Planning Program Updates
BRHD is excited to announce that a second Nurse Practitioner has joined our team! We are thrilled we will be able to expand services in 2026 in the Family Planning, Sexual Health, and Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) programs.
Five things we want our community to know about Family Planning:
- We offer emergency contraception by same or next day appointment, with or without parental involvement.
- Men are included in our Family Planning program and receive free condoms as well as counseling on reproductive life planning, birth control effectiveness, and intimate partner violence.
- We offer comprehensive reproductive healthcare services, including breast and pelvic exams, cervical cancer screening (Paps) and evaluation of abnormal Paps (colposcopy), treatment of infections, and health education.
- We offer a full range of birth control options (including IUDs and Nexplanon implants) for both pregnancy prevention and menstrual management, as well as preconceptual counseling and prenatal vitamins.
- We encourage all of our adolescent clients to involve a parent or trusted adult in their sexual health decisions.
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January is Radon Action Month
Radon is an invisible, odorless natural gas present in rocks, water, and air. It can get trapped indoors and build up within homes over time. Repeated exposure to this gas can cause serious health issues. Claiming around 21,000 lives annually, radon is the #1 cause of lung cancer among non-smokers.
Radon can only be detected by testing. If testing shows radon is present in your home (especially at 4 picoCuries per liter of air [pCi/L] or higher), these maintenance measures can help to reduce exposure and prevent build up:
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Seal cracks or gaps in floors and walls. Use plaster, caulk, or other materials made for this purpose.
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Cover the earth floor in crawl spaces with a high-density plastic sheet. A vent pipe and fan can be used to blow the radon from under the sheet and vent it to the outdoors.
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Increase air flow by opening windows and using fans and vents to circulate air.
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Install a radon reduction/removal system. Reducing the levels of radon in the home is the best way to prevent exposure. See the Environmental Protection Agency’s Consumer Guide to Radon Reduction for more information about finding what system works best for your home.
Take action this month by purchasing radon test kits directly from the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) - only $4 per test kit! Limit of 2 kits per address. Visit VDH’s Radon Test Kit webpage to order yours today. To learn more about radon, check out the CDC's Radon webpage.
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Why are we concerned about pertussis?
Pertussis is a highly contagious and potentially very serious bacterial disease. It may begin like a common cold but the coughing can last for weeks or months. Babies and young children are at greatest risk of developing severe complications from this disease.
How does pertussis spread?
Pertussis spreads through coughing, sneezing, or sharing close breathing space. The risk of spread is highest for the first 1-2 weeks that a person has symptoms, but they can be contagious for several weeks.
What are the symptoms of pertussis?
- Runny or stuffed-up nose
- Low-grade fever (less than 100.4°F)
- Mild, occasional cough
- Coughing “fits” lasting up to 10 weeks - may vomit during or after these fits
- A high-pitched "whoop" when inhaling
- Temporary breathing stoppage (apnea)
- Rib fracture from coughing
How can you prevent pertussis?
In addition to practicing good hygiene and taking antibiotics if prescribed, the best prevention is vaccination. There are two types of vaccines to protect against pertussis: DTaP for young children and Tdap for pregnant people and preteens through adults.
For more information:
https://www.cdc.gov/pertussis/
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To read past publications, visit the BRHD Health Whys webpage.
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Welcome back! We’re kicking off 2026 with high energy around the Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP).
So far, more than 50 people across 25+ agencies have raised their hands to learn more and stay connected to improving health in our District. On January 15 at 11 AM, we'll gather virtually via Zoom to sort out the who-does-what and start making progress toward our 2028 goals: reducing obesity, improving mental health, expanding health care access, and strengthening access to healthy food, reliable transportation, and economic stability.
Speaking of healthy food… there’s a great opportunity right now to put CHIP priorities into action. BRHD is hiring a WIC Coordinator (Nutrition Supervisor Senior) to help improve the nutrition and quality of food available to families with young children. If you’re a Registered Dietitian who cares about public health, leadership, and community impact, this is the job for you - and a powerful way to plug into the CHIP. Apply now online!
If you, or someone you know, want to build on CHIP momentum, collaborate with other organizations, and tap into upcoming grant opportunities, reach out to Jen Fleisher, CHA/CHIP Program Officer, to join the January 15 conversation.
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Monday, January 19 – BRHD closed for Martin Luther King Jr. Day
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Friday, January 23 – BRHD opens late at 1:30 PM
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 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: January 20 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 in Albemarle County. All are welcome. Visit the Community Health Worker webpage for more information or call 434-270-3216.
- Thursdays, January 15, 22, & 29 from 10 AM to 2 PM at the Yancey Community Health Center (7625 Porters Rd., Esmont, VA)
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