Wellness

December is Safe Toys and Gifts Month

The holiday season is in full swing. In many circles, this means children receiving gifts; however, the opening of packages requires awareness and safety, which is why Prevent Blindness America declared December as Safe Toys and Gifts Month. According to the American Public Health Association (APHA), “The group encourages everyone to consider if the toys [...]

December 1 is World AIDS Day

The first ever global health day was established in 1988. World AIDS Day takes place every year on December 1 and is an opportunity for people to unite worldwide against one common cause, show support for those living with HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus), and remember those individuals who have died. According to the World AIDS [...]

Seasonal Affective Disorder affects millions of people

**If you have noticed significant changes in your mood or behavior since the seasons have changed, you could be suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder and should contact your health care provider or a mental health specialist. When the days start to get shorter in the fall and winter, many people start to experience short periods [...]

Evidence in favor of CHWs continues to grow

Community Health Workers (CHWs) are a critical piece of healthcare. When the Community Care HUB, an initiative of the 1889 Jefferson Center for Population Health, was formed in 2020 the group knew just how critical CHWs would be to Cambria and Somerset counties. What is a CHW? A Community Health Worker is a frontline public [...]

Neighborhood and Built Environment have major impact on health

Communities that endure health and safety risks like high rates of violence, or unsafe air and water have a major impact on health and quality of life. Knowing that unsafe communities produce unhealthy residents is what made neighborhood and built environment a social determinant of health. The four components of neighborhood and built environment are: [...]

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 [...]

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

*If you or someone you know is in desperate need of help, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or TTY 1-800-787-3224. Every 15 seconds domestic violence takes place in the United States. In 2021, 112 victims lost their lives to domestic violence in Pennsylvania. Two of those victims lived in Cambria County. In [...]

Education plays a role in health and life expectancy

Exercise, eating healthy, and regular medical appointments are well-known factors in a person’s overall health; however, a surprising factor – education – has been studied and is now included as a factor of life expectancy. The County Health Rankings interactive model identifies education as a Social and Economic Factor, which accounts for 40% of a [...]

September is dedicated to Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Awareness

Alcohol use during pregnancy can cause Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD), which can be physical, behavioral, or intellectual disabilities and last a lifetime. FASD is often a mix of disabilities. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “fetal alcohol spectrum disorders are preventable if a developing baby is not exposed to alcohol [...]

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 [...]

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