February is American Heart Month

Heart disease is the number one leading cause of death in Virginia. As American Heart Month comes to a close, there are a few simple changes to your daily routine that can help you reduce the risk of heart disease: 

• Choose healthy meals and snacks.  Include a lot of fruit and vegetables in your diet, and choose foods lower in sodium and saturated fat. Try some heart healthy recipes and check out the MyPlate resources from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. 
• Make physical activity a regular part of your day. Adults should get at least 2 hours and 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week, such as brisk walking, running, bicycling a week. Learn more about ways to increase your physical activity throughout the day on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s physical activity page. 
• Take steps to quit smoking. Contact Quit Now Virginia, which offers free telephone or web-based counseling services and also offers Text2Quit support, self-help materials and referrals to local resources. 1-800- QUIT NOW (1-800-784-8669) or learn more at the Quit Now Virginia Website. 
• Check your blood pressure.  Read more about ways to prevent and manage blood pressure. Here are some helpful tips for talking with a doctor to manage and check your blood pressure. 

For more information on heart health, check out this blog post from the Virginia Department of Health. More resources on making healthy heart choices are available on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website. 

Mpox is Still a Concern

Mpox, formerly known as the monkeypox virus, is a contagious rash illness. It is primarily spread by close personal contact with someone who has mpox. While symptoms are usually mild, they can be quite severe and include a rash on hands, feet, chest, face, or genitals, fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes, headache, or respiratory complications. 

The best way to prevent mpox is by getting vaccinated. Mpox vaccines are available by appointment at BRHD immunization clinics and can be made by calling 434-972-6269. Mpox vaccines are also widely available at primary care providers and other health clinics.  

Download and print our latest mpox information flyers below. For more information, contact your local health department, primary care provider, or visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) mpox webpage or check out the Virgina Department of Health (VDH) website. 

Naloxone is Free in BRHD

Naloxone is a nasal spray used to treat opioid overdoses in an emergency. As most accidental overdoses occur in a home setting, it was developed specifically for first responders and any family, friends, or bystanders without medical training who may encounter an overdose.  

Each month, BRHD hosts free naloxone trainings where individuals are trained on how to identify an overdose and properly administer naloxone. In addition to receiving free naloxone, community members can pick up rapid in-home HIV test kits, condoms, lube, and other health-related supplies at no cost.  

Visit our harm reduction website or call 434-484-0255 for a full list of upcoming events and program resources.

Vital Records are Available

Certified copies of birth, marriage, and divorce certificates can be obtained from any of the Blue Ridge Health District health departments, so long as the event occurred in Virginia. Death certificates can be filed and certified copies obtained from any local health department in Virginia, regardless of where the death occurred. 

Certified copies of these certificates are available to immediate family members only: parents, spouses, siblings, and grandparents. Birth records can be issued only to the legal guardian with proof of custody papers. Anyone collecting certificates or records must also present a valid ID. 

The fee for a vital record is $12.00 for each certificate, copy, and/or search of a vital record. Cash, check, money orders, VISA or Mastercard are accepted. Visit the BRHD Vital Records webpage to learn more about how to file a certificate or request a copy of your records.