COVID-19

CDC updates guidance for respiratory illnesses

On March 1, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released new Respiratory Virus Guidance to help people lower health risks posed by a range of common respiratory viral illnesses like COVID-19, flu, and RSV. If you think you have a respiratory virus, stay home and away from others if you are experiencing respiratory [...]

CDC and FDA Support Additional Bivalent COVID-19 Booster for Adults 65 and Older, Immunocompromised

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have released updated COVID-19 vaccine recommendations. Highlights include: People 65 years of age and older who have received a single dose of an updated (bivalent) vaccine may receive one additional bivalent dose at least four months after their initial bivalent dose. [...]

County Health Rankings released

Each year, the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute releases its County Health Rankings. The rankings give a closer look at how the health of a county is influenced by habits like smoking, drinking alcohol, exercise, physician access, and other factors called Social Determinants of Health. Cambria County now ranks 64 out of 67 counties [...]

Here to help brighten their future: Meet new CHW Tracey

Tell me about yourself! I’ve lived in Johnstown for the last 21 years. I’m from the state of Maryland. I’m married without any little kiddos, but do have grandchildren here in Johnstown. I enjoy cooking. I’m very much a home-body. What drew you to the CHW position in the first place? Do you have any [...]

SNAP Emergency Allotments (EAs) payments ending

The last SNAP Emergency Allotments (EAs) payment will be sent out in February. A second SNAP payment was authorized to SNAP households when the COVID-19 Pandemic started in 2020. The payments were authorized  under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. A recent change in federal law will be ending the second payment [...]

Vaccine inequity still a problem

National Influenza Vaccine Week took place December 5-9 this year and serves as a reminder that it’s not too late to get a flu vaccine. Individuals 6 months and older are eligible for a vaccine. While National Influenza Vaccine Week is a call to action for those who haven’t received the vaccine yet, it is [...]

What is Health Literacy?

Health literacy is a key component of improving health and fostering a trusting relationship with healthcare professionals. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) defines personal health literacy as “the degree to which individuals have the ability to find, understand, and use information and services to inform health-related decisions and actions for themselves and others.” Every [...]

Supporting those you supervise: Meet CHW Supervisor Samantha Graham

Tell us about yourself I grew up in Geistown most of my life. I went to a private Christian high school where I met my husband. We reconnected in college and have been together 14 years and married for 8 years. We have two kids (ages 7 and 5) and a Rottweiler mix that we [...]

August is National Immunization Awareness Month

National Immunization Awareness Month is observed annually in August to highlight the importance of vaccination for everyone, especially children. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “On-time vaccination throughout childhood is essential because it helps provide immunity before children are exposed to potentially life-threatening diseases.” Extensive lab testing is done before vaccines [...]

Community Health Summit held for local groups to review area needs

In an all-day conference August 9, social service organizations, healthcare providers, community-based organizations, and non-profit groups from Cambria and Somerset counties gathered at the Living-Learning Center on the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown’s campus for a Community Health Summit, as part of the 2022 Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) process. The summit featured morning sessions [...]

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