The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines “Population Health” as “an opportunity for health care systems, agencies and organizations to work together in order to improve the health outcomes of the communities they serve.” Simply explained, population health is the study of health outcomes found in a group of individuals and can often be [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
**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 [...]
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 [...]
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: [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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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