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    5Oct, 2020
    Health Screenings & Flu Shot Clinics

    No-cost flu shots and screenings for chronic diseases, such as high cholesterol, diabetes, and high blood pressure.

     OCTOBER TIME LOCATION
    7th 3-5 PM Propel Hazelwood Charter School
    8th 5-8 PM Caliguiri Plaza (Allentown)
    13th 5-8 PM Gualtieri Manor (Beechview)
    14th 3-4 PM Propel Hazelwood Charter School
    5-8 PM Frank Mazza Pavilion (Brookline)
    15th 5-8 PM Carrick Regency (Carrick)
    18th 2-4 PM Hazelwood Below the Tracks (5007 Lytle Street)
    20th 5-8 PM Morse Gardens (Southside)
    21st 2-4 PM Finello Pavilion (Oakland)
    22nd 5-8 PM Murray Towers (Squirrel Hill)
    24th 10 AM-2 PM SOKO Community Market (Hill District)

    For more information, call or text the Duquesne University School of Pharmacy at 412-342-8276

    (Download this page as a PDF)

    28Sep, 2020
    September is National Recovery Month

    The COVID-19 pandemic has presented many new challenges that have had an impact on those with substance use disorder. Emotional stressors such as potential job loss, working full-time from home without child care and a decrease in face-to-face social interaction have created additional barriers for people to seek treatment or access treatment or recovery support when they want or need it. The Overdose Prevention Project at the Allegheny County Health Department works with partners to provide resources to individuals and communities to address substance use disorder.

    September is National Recovery Month. The month-long campaign aims to increase awareness and understanding of mental and substance use disorders, while supporting those with substance use disorders to live a healthy and rewarding life. The Health Department joins in celebrating the gains made by those living in recovery in all its forms.

    According to Allegheny County’s Fatal Overdose Dashboard since 2008, Allegheny County, has experienced fatal overdose rates higher than those seen throughout much of the country. There were 3,180 fatal drug overdoses in Allegheny County between 2014 and 2019 and 89% of these overdose deaths were opioid-related. While accidental overdose deaths in Allegheny County dropped 33% from 2017 (738) to 2018 (492), there are still far too many people dying from overdose, with 570 lives lost to overdose in 2019.

    While treatment and harm reduction services are still available and being offered for those in need, ACHD and its partners have worked extremely hard to provide tools so that communities are safely prepared to respond to overdose. Tools include information about treatment options and Naloxone distribution to Allegheny County communities. For those in recovery that may be at risk for recurrence of use or those in active use currently at risk of overdose, family members or friends should have Narcan available at home. Narcan is a life-saving medication that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. Visit bit.ly/AlleghenySaferUse for tips to prevent overdose and infection and resource information to access harm reduction services.

    Throughout the month of September and October, ACHD and its partners have hosted multiple Narcan giveaway days and resource fairs in priority communities that were identified through ACHD’s overdose surveillance and community engagement efforts.

    Join us in recognizing those who continue their struggle by attending one of these upcoming events.

    Upcoming Narcan Giveaways

    25Aug, 2020
    Celebrate National Breastfeeding Month

    Breastfeeding has health benefits for both baby and mother and the longer a baby is breastfed, the greater the benefits. Women who don’t breastfeed are at higher risk of developing high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and breast and ovarian cancer as they age. Infants who are fed breastmilk are at lower risk of developing ear infections, diarrhea, asthma, and obesity. More information about the benefits of breastfeeding are provided by the Centers for Disease Control at this link.

    Dr. Debra Bogen, director of the Allegheny County Health Department, said that infants benefit from breastmilk through the thousands of components it contains that interact to protect them from infections and to grow and develop optimally. For women, starting from the earliest stages of pregnancy, their bodies prepare for lactation. Breastfeeding is then part of the way women adapt to post-delivery.

    For example, breastfeeding helps the uterus to shrink down to a pre-pregnancy size and reduces postpartum bleeding. It also uses fat stores that were added during pregnancy. It is for this reason that people refer to breastfeeding as part of the 4th trimester, Dr. Bogen said.

    “The health impacts of breastfeeding for both women and infants are undeniable,” Dr. Bogen said. “But remember, although breastfeeding is natural and optimal – it is not always easy. Women and families need support to breastfeed successfully – from health professionals, family, friends and community.”

    August is National Breastfeeding Month and the theme is Many Voices United. According to the United States Breastfeeding Committee, “Now, more than ever, we must come together to identify and implement the policy and systems changes that are needed to ensure that every family that chooses breastfeeding has the support and resources they need to succeed.”

    Breastfeeding initiation rates have risen slowly and steadily for the past 20 years in the United States. As of 2017, 84% of all infants born in the U.S. received at least one breastmilk feeding. That was up from 76% in 2010.

    However, the rates of exclusive breastfeeding and the duration of breastfeeding lag behind the Healthy People 2020 goals set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In 2017, 58% of infants were still being fed any breastmilk at age 6 months and only 35% at 12 months.

    With supportive employers and communities, women are more likely to reach their own breastfeeding goals and the national recommendations of exclusive breastmilk feeding for the first 6 months of life and continuation of breastfeeding with the addition of solid food until at least 12 months of age.

    The Allegheny County Breastfeeding Coalition is working to do this by encouraging breastfeeding friendly workplaces.

    Allegheny County Breastfeeding Coalition

    In celebration of National Breastfeeding Month, the Allegheny County Breastfeeding Coalition (ACBC) in collaboration with the Allegheny County Health Department’s Women, Infants and Children Program (WIC) accepted nominations for the 24th Breastfeeding Friendly Place Award. The ACBC makes a conscientious effort to recognize workplaces, public places and other sites away from home that put forth an effort in accommodating breastfeeding. The ACBC and WIC announced the United Way of Southwestern PA, a fellow Live Well Allegheny Workplace, as the winner of the 2020 Breastfeeding Friendly Place Award.

    “We’re honored to be recognized by Allegheny County Health Department as both a Live Well Allegheny Workplace and a Breastfeeding Friendly Workplace,” said Bobbi Watt Geer, president and CEO, United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania. “Every day, we’re on the front lines helping people throughout our region live fully. Though the coronavirus pandemic has hit our community hard, especially struggling families, we know there’s power in doing everything we can to practice self-care. And we know that starts with us. I’m proud to be part of the United Way team that prioritizes health and well-being, inside and outside our offices.”

    The United Way strives to create a breastfeeding friendly environment for staff when they return to work. The organization provides a comfortable and welcoming space for breastfeeding mothers, and its policies include providing pumping time for mothers returning to work and supporting a lactation room that provides privacy and refrigeration spaces. The entire organization is very supportive of their coworkers breastfeeding journeys.

    According to Dannai Wilson, Allegheny County Health Department Maternal and Child Health Program Manager, “It is important for workplaces to support breastfeeding as it has shown to be a return on their investment with reductions in healthcare costs, employee absenteeism, turnover, increased retention, morale, and loyalty.”

    Research has proven that supportive employers and communities improve the odds of families reaching their breastfeeding goals and the national recommendations of exclusive breastmilk feeding for the first 6 months of life and continuation of breastfeeding with the addition of solid food until at least 12 months of age. The ACBC is dedicated to supporting and initiating efforts to normalize breastfeeding to improve health outcomes of families in every community across Allegheny County.  If you are interested in working with the ACBC or the Breastfeeding Friendly Place Award, please contact Sharon Leavitt.

    The ACBC will be accepting nominations for the 25th Breastfeeding Friendly Place Award starting in March of 2021.

    Support for Moms and Babies

    Are you a mom looking for breastfeeding support? There are a lot of resources available.

    • If you have questions about breastfeeding or need help, please call the Breastfeeding Help Line at 412-687-2243 that is managed by the Allegheny County Health Department, Maternal and Child Health Program. The helpline is available Monday-Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. All calls are referred to registered nurses, certified lactation counselors, and an internationally board-certified lactation consultant. Staff will help you start breastfeeding; answer questions and problem solve with you so that you can continue breastfeeding your baby.
    • The Healthy Start Center for Urban Breastfeeding offers breastfeeding support provided by Certified Lactation Consultants (CLCs) to help mothers achieve their breastfeeding goals. They also have events and trainings. More information is available at their web site.
    • The Pittsburgh Black Breastfeeding Circle has organized meetups for moms of African descent to provide support for breastfeeding. More information is available at their web site.
    26Jun, 2020
    Healthy Streets Dormont

    During the COVID-19 pandemic, everyone has been challenged to think differently. The Borough of Dormont, a Live Well Allegheny Community, is doing just that with the implementation of the Healthy Streets Dormont Project.

    Residents organized a petition and made a presentation to council to create safer outdoor spaces for walking, biking, or cycling with less interference from traffic and provide room for people to get outside and keep at least 6 feet from others. The Healthy Streets Dormont Project launched on June 8. It will run through June 30 and then.

    During this time, Grandin Avenue and Memorial Drive will be open to only local traffic and deliveries. The Dormont Pool parking lot is also closed to traffic except one row of parking for park users. There are signs around the streets and parking lot to explain the closures.

    “We saw an opportunity for the borough to be flexible and creative in light of the changing needs of our residents during the COVID-19 shutdown,” said Jen Mazzocco, Vice President of the Dormont Borough Council. “People were going out in their neighborhoods more often to get some exercise and a break from the indoors. Many of us witnessed our neighbors using the streets to give social distancing space to others they passed, so when we saw the presentation, we thought it could possibly be a way to make outdoor physical activity easier and safer during a time when that was so important to our community’s physical and mental wellbeing.”

    The pilot is just in its beginning stages, but the council is already looking at the advantages of the program and gathering information on whether to expand it. The Traffic, Parking, and Planning Commission has been tasked with creating a more sustainable, comprehensive plan for the program.

    “I’d love to see a network of ‘healthy’ streets that cross the borough and help create safer paths to our park, pool and business district as well as provide more open space for those who don’t live close to those places. That will require a lot more data and planning, and we are hoping the pilot gives us some good information to start that process,” Mazzocco said.

    Dormont encourages and welcomes all ideas and feedback for the program. More information about the program can be found on the Borough of Dormont website: http://boro.dormont.pa.us/healthy-streets-dormont/

    alzheimer's association
    22May, 2020
    Supporting Brain Health with the Alzheimer’s Association

    alzheimer's associationAlzheimer’s disease is increasingly recognized as a public health crisis. According to the former U.S. Surgeon General and CDC Director, Dr. David Satcher, “Alzheimer’s is the most under-recognized threat to public health in the 21st Century.” Communities around the country, including Allegheny County, are taking a public health approach to this disease due to the large burden, major impact, and opportunity for intervention.

    The burden is large: The number of Americans living with Alzheimer’s disease is projected to increase from five million to 14 million by 2050. Not only is it the most expensive disease in the US, it also accounts for more deaths each year than breast cancer and prostate cancer combined.

    The impact is major: Alzheimer’s impacts more than just the individual diagnosed; families, healthcare providers, and community members are all affected by the emotional, physical and dollar costs of this disease. Additionally, 95% of people living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias have at least one other chronic condition. Dementia can complicate management of co-occurring conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, or stroke.

    The opportunity for intervention: Communities are focusing on early detection and diagnosis, reducing risky health behaviors, collecting and using surveillance data, developing workforce competencies, and mobilizing partnerships such as our Live Well Allegheny partner, Alzheimer’s Association of Pittsburgh.

    To reduce health behaviors that increased the risk for dementia, the Alzheimer’s Association is spreading awareness of the heart-brain connection. The heart and brain are closely linked — harm or damage to one can affect the other. For example, when blood pumps to the brain, there is a complex network of blood vessels that delivers nutrients and oxygen to brain cells. High blood pressure can damage, narrow, and scar these blood vessels over time. When this happens, parts of the brain may become damaged due to lack of oxygen and nutrients and this can result in cognitive/brain decline.  So, high blood pressure increases the risk for both heart disease and dementia.  also increases your risk for Similarly, obesity increases the risk of both heart disease and brain’s health.

    While there is no way to definitively prevent Alzheimer’s disease, adopting key lifestyle habits can reduce the risk of illness of the brain and the heart.

    What ten lifestyle habits help maintain brain health?

    1. Participate in regular cardiovascular exercise
    2. Education – keep learning
    3. Quit smoking
    4. Manage blood pressure and diabetes
    5. Reducing risk of falls
    6. Eat a healthy and balanced diet
    7. Get enough sleep
    8. Manage mental health and stress
    9. Remain socially engaged
    10. Challenge your mind with play and games

    For more information on efforts in our community, please contact: Sara Murphy at smurphy@alz.org. For additional information and support please contact the Alzheimer’s Association’s 24/7 helpline at 1.800.272.3900.

    For resources about Alzheimer’s and the heart-brain connection, please view:

    https://www.alz.org/media/Documents/healthy-brain-initiative-protecting-heart-and-brain.pdf

    https://www.alz.org/help-support/brain_health/10_ways_to_love_your_brain

    https://alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/facts-figures

    https://www.alz.org/professionals/public-health/the-public-health-approach

    https://www.alz.org/professionals/public-health/core-areas/brain-health-risk-reduction

    29Apr, 2020
    National Minority Health Month

    April is National Minority Health Month! The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is teaming up with the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (ODPHP) to launch the Move Your Way campaign. For the second consecutive year, the theme is Active and Healthy.

    This month, the observance looks a lot different than past promotions as our nation navigates a global pandemic. We are advised to self-quarantine, and the phrase social distancing is now a household name. Students are studying with screens, and adults are juggling families and work from home, here in Allegheny County and across the country. All of these factors increase anxiety and stress and decrease opportunities for physical activities. Live Well Allegheny and the REACH initiative wants to keep families safe and healthy during this time. So this April, we are highlighting how you can stay active even if you stay at home.

    We are joined by local and national partners working together to improve health outcomes and highlight the benefits of incorporating small amounts of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity into our schedules as recommended by the 2nd edition of the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. Simple changes to one’s daily routine can transform lives and reduce the risk of chronic diseases and other conditions that often are more common or severe among racial and ethnic minority groups.

    Although there are behavior changes that we can do to improve personal and community health outcomes, there are also system changes that must take place to truly bring about equity to ensure that you have a quality life no matter what zip code you reside in. That you have access to healthcare, hospitals, grocery stores, farmers’ markets and transportation. The first step is calling out the inequities occurring and recommending solutions to the problem.

    Recently, the Allegheny County Health Department and the University of Pittsburgh’s Graduate School of Public Health worked to do just that and issued a series of equity briefs to bring attention to inequities and disparities related to five focus areas, including chronic disease. They looked at how race, education and income influence one’s health and access to information and services. This month, we’re promoting the problem and seeking solutions.

    Gyms like Freedom Fitness Facility may be closed to the public, but they are open online. Owner Charles Cook is churning out a home fitness series on his Facebook Page. You can get active with regular workouts. The videos are approximately 12-15 minutes long and use lightweight dumbbells or exercise bands, however, most sessions do not require equipment.

    REACH partners are getting in on the online action! Robert Boatright of Grind Hard Training produced a Quarantine Workout series on YouTube and is providing live workouts, including spin classes and family fitness, via Zoom.

    The Be Healthy and Smart Initiative (BHS) created by Pittsburgh Obama Academy PTSA is taking steps to help Obama students and the community get fit and healthy. The Facebook Page features self-quarantine yoga workouts and hip hop classes.
    You can also download popular apps, such as Sworkit, which was co-founded by Black Enterprise’s 2015 Techpreneur Ben Young. Sworkit provides customized 5-60 minute strength, pilates and stretching workouts that require no equipment. Another app geared at the African-American community is GrpFit. The app offers customized workouts, on-demand classes, and a fitness community for people of color.

    14Apr, 2020
    #REACH4Allegheny: Coronavirus & Food Access

    The coronavirus pandemic is forcing families to stockpile supplies. But what happens when you don’t have access to healthy foods during the statewide stay-at-home orders? The Allegheny County Health Department and the REACH initiative, a coalition working to eliminate health inequities and reduce chronic disease in African-American communities, is working to address this concern.

    Last year, REACH, a CDC funded initiative, began to devise a nutrition strategy through partnerships with Allegheny County’s Health and Economic Development Departments, The Pittsburgh Food Policy Council, Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, UPMC, The Food Trust, Just Harvest, Healthy Start and the Pittsburgh Black Breastfeeding Circle. Although the work was unrelated to the current crisis, the partners began to lay the groundwork for feeding more families and residents experiencing food insecurity. Here are some of the activities happening amongst REACH partners.

    The Pittsburgh Food Policy Council 

    The Pittsburgh Food Policy Council is sharing key resources for people, non-profits, businesses across the food system. Click here to get connected or visit their Facebook page for additional updates. The Facebook page links to a searchable map of food resources available, including school grab and go sites and food pantries.

    Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank

    Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank continues to monitor the development of COVID-19 and take proactive steps to protect the community. Due to the logistics and observation of social distancing regulations, those in need of food can rely on the large network of food pantries. Find a pantry in your neighborhood at pittsburghfoodbank.org/get-help/locator/. You can stay up to date with announcements like new distributions or deliveries by following the Food Bank on Facebook.

    Just Harvest 

    Just Harvest is issuing a call to action to the public to urge state officials to swiftly adopt key measures to protect working families and other vulnerable people during the COVID-19 pandemic. You can sign the petition and read about other activations on their website. Just Harvest is also reacting to the pandemic on Facebook with a Covid-19 Response Phonebank.

    Food Preparation Tips

    If you are supplementing donation supplies with trips to the grocery store, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recommends only purchasing a one week supply.  The guidelines take into consideration that even when freight flow is not interrupted, grocery stores need time to restock. Residents can assess what they already have in stock and check expiration dates. Prepare a shopping list, which includes staples and produce with longer shelf life, like potatoes, onions and citrus fruit. Also, consider salt alternatives, such as dried herbs or spices, to watch your sodium intake on a diet based on shelf-stable, nonperishable foods.  REACH partners are committed to helping people maintain a healthy lifestyle during these uncertain times.

     

    14Apr, 2020
    #REACH4Allegheny: REACH Initiative Launches in Allegheny County

    The Allegheny County Health Department is teaming up with local and national partners to address disparities in African-American communities. The REACH program, a CDC-funded initiative, aims to achieve health equity and prevent chronic diseases in the East End (East Hills, Garfield, Homewood, Larimer, Lincoln-Lemington-Belmar, Wilkinsburg), Hill District, Mon Valley (Clairton, North Versailles, Duquesne, McKeesport, North Braddock, Rankin) and the Northside. Through a diverse coalition, more than 25 partners will increase access to healthy foods and physical activities. Partners will also provide breastfeeding supports.

    In addition to individual behavioral changes that improve personal and community health outcomes, there are also changes that must take place within systems, such as healthcare, grocery stores, farmers’ markets and transportation, to truly bring about equity and ensure that residents live well, regardless of their zip codes or race.

    The REACH coalition has examined various local inequities, related to nutrition, physical activity, and access to care. Over the next five years, the coalition will focus efforts on healthy food policies; new or improved pedestrian, bike and transit routes; and, a pharmacist navigation and referral program.

    Evaluator and Technical Consultant:

    • University of Pittsburgh

    Partners:

    • Allegheny County Economic Development Department
    • Duquesne University School of Pharmacy
    • Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank
    • Healthy Start, Inc.
    • Just Harvest
    • Pittsburgh Black Breastfeeding Circle
    • Pittsburgh Food Policy Council
    • Healthy Start
    • The Food Trust
    • YMCA
    • UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh
    • + Dozens of Community Partners

    Nutrition

    REACH coalition members will work to increase the number of places offering healthier food in African-American communities through helping small businesses and corner stores buy healthy foods, creating nutrition guidelines for key organizations, increasing EBT/SNAP access at Farmers’ Markets and Farm Stands; and increasing breastfeeding support.

     

    Physical Activity

    The REACH coalition will increase access to opportunities for physical activity for African-American residents of all ages. Plus the coalition will work to make communities more walking and biking friendly.

    Community-Clinical LInkages

    The REACH project is expanding the use of pharmacist navigators to increase referrals to, and access to community-based health programs. Community residents may participate in health screenings and preventive care programs offered by the Duquesne University School of Pharmacy and the YMCA, all at no cost. Additionally, the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank is educating healthcare providers on food insecurity.

    The REACH initiative bridges the gap between government, schools, churches, nonprofits and community members. The ultimate goal is to invest resources and programming into African-Americans neighborhoods, to promote optimal health and living well. 

    Each month, we will share information on Live Well Allegheny, including tips, recipes, resources, free events and more.