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RCAHD Health Updates Newsletter
11.13.24
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Health updates for residents of the
Roanoke City & Alleghany Health Districts (RCAHD)
Alleghany, Botetourt, Covington, Craig, Roanoke City, Roanoke County, Salem
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Taking Steps to Address Heart Health
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Because heart disease is the leading cause of death both in the United States and in Virginia, improving heart health is an important goal for the Virginia Department of Health.
Major risk factors for heart disease include high blood pressure (known as “hypertension”), diabetes, smoking, older age, poor nutrition, physical inactivity, and family history. Research has shown that having a healthy lifestyle is important to help improve outcomes for those with hypertension and high cholesterol.
Unfortunately, according to VDH’s Chronic Disease Data Dashboard, Roanoke City residents fare worse than average Virginia residents for several conditions, including:
· Hypertension rates: 41.3% in Roanoke City (VA average: 34.4%)
· Stroke rates: 4.6% in Roanoke City (VA average: 3.4%)
· Heart disease rates: 5.4% in Roanoke City (VA average: 3.5%)
In fact, several Northwest Roanoke neighborhoods have some of the highest rates of hypertension (53%+) anywhere in the state.
Deeper Dive: Social Determinants of Health- How can nonmedical factors affect health outcomes?
Earlier this year, the 12 local members of the Roanoke Healthy Hearts Initiative Learning Collaborative began to identify and address priorities to offer resources to prevent and manage heart disease to the neighbors they serve. According to founding committee member and Northwest Roanoke resident Amazetta Anderson, the committee is comprised of neighborhood residents, working on solutions for neighborhood residents: “Part of our resilience is our ability to think for the greater good and work together.”
- As one of their first steps, the committee is working with local partners including Faith Ministries, Hunt Manor Apartments, and 727 Fitness Hub to offer exercise classes to adults and seniors in an area where access to such resources is limited. The classes will be offered in spaces in walking distance to residents and are designed to increase community involvement and belonging, with targeted education for people who have hypertension and limited strength or mobility.
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In addition, the group is working with One Valley, a non-profit urban community garden, to offer more opportunities for Northwest residents to get fresh, locally grown produce, especially for those residents who do not have transportation. The partnership will also promote increased physical activity and community connections through “Walk with Ease,” an Arthritis Foundation-sponsored neighborhood walking program that has been shown to improve participant health.
Northwest Roanoke resident Pam DeHaven said participation in the program is something she looks forward to, helping her to overcome shyness and loneliness, “I aspire to make the most of this group and its opportunities. I’m looking forward to attending each and every meeting with enthusiasm and appreciation.”
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At the One Valley Community Garden in Roanoke, left to right: Marion Ware, VDH Healthy Hearts regional coordinator Michele King, the Rev. Carroll Carter, Amazetta Anderson, and VDH Heart Disease Supervisor Patrick Wiggins | |
Left to right: VDH Arthritis Program supervisor Mona Burwell, Amazetta Anderson, Marion Ware, Tim Wade (owner and coach at 727 Kombat Fitness Hub), Cheryl Mosely, Michele King, Jackie Wiggins, the Rev. Carroll Carter, Brenda Petty, and Dee Hanna | |
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To better support initiatives to tackle concerning heart disease trends, a new community health worker (CHW) position has been created by the Roanoke & Alleghany Health Districts. The CHW will concentrate outreach efforts to empower Northwest Roanoke residents to take steps to address their heart health. The CHW will also support several other heart health programs, including one to increase residents’ ability to self-monitor their blood pressure and another that will partner with Huddle Up Moms, a non-profit organization working to improve the health of pregnant women. Roanoke is one of several Virginia communities to receive funding to improve heart disease prevention and management among those most at risk.
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Learn More: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention supports programs like the Roanoke Healthy Hearts Initiative and the new community health worker position. We know that programs like these help millions of Americans control their high blood pressure and reduce other risk factors for heart disease and stroke. Visit the CDC website to learn how the “Million Hearts” campaign is working toward the goal of preventing 1 million heart attacks and strokes in the U.S. within 5 years.
For Your Wallet: Download this wallet card that describes heart attack warning signs and how to take action if you are experiencing symptoms.
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Happening Today!
The new Market on Melrose grocery store Grand Opening is today, Nov. 13! The Market on Melrose in Northwest Roanoke will provide critical access to nutritious, high-quality, and affordable food in a neighborhood with few fresh food options for residents without transportation.
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Ribbon cutting at 10am, 2502 Melrose Avenue
- Family Fun Community Celebration, Saturday, Nov. 16, 10am – 2pm
Right: check out this construction update from RVTV (June 2024)
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The Great American Smoke Out is right around the corner!
Quitting smoking isn’t easy, it takes time and a plan. You don’t have to stop smoking in a day, just try starting with day one! While vaping may seem like the lesser of two evils, there are still many unknown variables associated with these devices. When you are ready to quit tobacco, Quit Now Virginia has as free cessation support to help.
Quit Now Virginia provides FREE telephone- and web-based tobacco cessation coaching to all Virginians over age 13 who are interested in kicking their nicotine habit, as well as people looking to help a loved one to quit. They offer coaching services for all types of tobacco usage:
· cigarettes
· cigars
· e-cigarettes, vaping, and smokeless tobacco products like snuff, snus, and dip
Quit Now Virginia now provides access to tobacco cessation medication known as “nicotine replacement therapy (NRT)”, usually in the form of patches or gum. If you want to get ready for the Great American Smokeout on Nov. 21, visit Quit Now Virginia or call 800-QUIT-NOW.
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RCAHD Health Situation Update - By The Numbers (as of 11.12.24)
Your Roanoke & Alleghany Health Districts public health team has been monitoring an increase in local cases of several illnesses, above the typical numbers for this time of year:
Foodborne
We are currently seeing more cases than usual. Following steps for home kitchen food safety aids prevention.
· 50 cases of campylobacter (average yearly total: 25-30 cases)
· 36 cases of salmonella (average yearly total: 20-25 cases)
Pertussis (whooping cough)
Cases of pertussis continue to significantly increase here and across the country. We strongly encourage parents to make certain their children are up-to-date on their routine immunizations. Pregnant women, infants, and people with underlying conditions are also at greater risk of severe illness.
· 19 cases of pertussis (average yearly total: 3-4 cases)
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Respiratory Illness
VDH's Respiratory illness surveillance tracks the number of visits to the emergency department for viral illnesses such as COVID-19, flu, and RSV and other respiratory illnesses such as cough and pneumonia.
- Respiratory illness activity in the Southwestern region of Virginia is experiencing a moderate level of activity.
According to VDH, respiratory illness activity in Southwestern Virginia has increased to moderate levels, as of 11.09.24.
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Nov. 23 - Day of Remembrance
The Suicide Prevention Council of Roanoke Valley is offering an opportunity for people affected by suicide loss to gather with their local community to find comfort and gain understanding through shared stories of hope.
The local Survivors of Suicide Loss Day will be held on Saturday, November 23 at Virginia Western Community College's Whitman Auditorium, 9:00am – 12:00 Noon. This event is also sponsored by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention – Virginia Chapter, Blue Ridge Behavioral Healthcare, The Center for Grief and Healing, and Virginia Western Community College.
Advance online registration is requested. Refreshments will be provided and on campus parking is free.
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Family Nutrition: Crustless Pumpkin Pie
Switch up your traditional recipe with this crustless version of a classic that will save you time, money, and more than a few thanksgiving calories!
For a typical slice (~135 grams):
- Traditional Pumpkin Pie - 325 calories
vs.
- Crustless Pumpkin Pie - 160 calories
Crustless Pumpkin Pie
Find more inexpensive, nutritionist-vetted recipes at Virginia's Eat Smart, Move More website
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Time to Talk Turkey
The busiest time of the year for USDA’s Meat & Poultry Hotline is just before Thanksgiving. Open year-round, Monday-Friday 10am-6pm, food specialists will be on special duty Thanksgiving Day 8am-2pm to answer all your food safety questions!
Consider adding the hotline to your contacts now:
1-888-MPHotline
“How do you properly thaw a turkey?”
Visit the USDA to learn safe methods and other tips, such as how to keep leftovers safe.
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Happy Thanksgiving!
As you make plans to celebrate family and good health, please note that RCAHD offices will close at noon on Wednesday, Nov. 27 - Friday, Nov. 29.
Best wishes for a healthy and safe holiday weekend from your local RCAHD public health team!
RCAHD Health Updates Holiday Season publication schedule:
Nov. 13
Dec. 11
Jan. 8
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